First record of a rare sand whiting, Sillago caudicula (Perciformes: Sillaginidae), from Madagascar

Abstract

Seven specimens (106–180 mm in standard length) of the sand whiting Sillago caudicula Kaga, Imamura & Nakaya, 2010 previously known only from the type specimens from Oman, were collected from the southeast coast of Madagascar. These new specimens represent the first record of the species from Madagascar and the southern hemisphere. Comparisons in meristic and morphometric characters with the four type specimens from Oman, as well as with the five other species in the subgenus Sillago, allowed their clear identification using the following combination of characters: small head (28.6–30.1% SL), 35–36 total vertebrae, fused or narrowly separated first and second hypurals, fused third and fourth hypurals, and 9–11 dusky spots on midline of body.