Occurrence of Shortlip Numbfish, Narcine brevilabiata Bessednov, 1966 from Bay of Bengal, Indian Coastal Waters

A female specimen of shortlip numbfish, Narcine brevilabiata Bessednov 1966 of total length 293 mm occurrence was witnessed from mudasalodai fish landing centre (11 degrees 29' N; 79 degrees 46' E), Bay of Bengal, south east coast of India which was caught by bottom otter trawlers targeted for the demersal fishes at depth of 50-60 m. The specimen is identified as N. brevilabiata by the presence of large symmetrical blotches and ocellate spots over the dorsal surface; eye slightly longer than the spiracles; medium-sized pelvic fins and numerous smaller spots over the dorsal and caudal fin. The morphometric characters of the species are described and discussed for the first time in this manuscript with comparing the measurements with other similar resemblance species Narcine baliensis and Narcine atzi. This report documents the extension of the distribution of this species in Indian coastal waters in the Bay of Bengal on the Southeast coast of India.