Hyperostotic bones observed in the first record specimen of spotted sicklefish, Drepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1788), from the Gulf of Oman.

Abstract

This is the first confirmed record of a 430 mm TL spotted sicklefish, Drepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Gulf of Oman collected in August 2021. Here, we describe a hyperostotic deformity in the head, maxilla and premaxilla, dorsal fin, caudal fin rays, and neural and haemal spines of some vertebrae. In the head, the occipital and supraoccipital crests were swollen. Also, we compare morphometric and meristic data with other specimens from other geographic regions. Novel hyperostosis characteristics found for D. punctata are compared to previously documented instances.