First specimen-based record and preliminary assessment of the fisheries status of Otolithoides pama (Hamilton, 1822) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Strait of Malacca Author Hanafi, Norhafiz 0000-0003-3662-3843 School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia hafizhanafi@usm.my Author Ilham-Norhakim, Mohd Lokman 0009-0000-3734-3478 Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), KM 1 Jalan Panchor, 84600 Muar, Johor, Malaysia & Kim Ichthyologist Centre, Kg Parit Samsu, Jalan Temenggong Ahmad, Johor, Malaysia abgikanjmb6945@gmail.com Author Halim, Muhammad-Rasul Abdullah 0000-0002-8263-794X Institut Sains Biologi, Fakulti Sains, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia mrasulhalim@um.edu.my Author Chang, Chih-Wei 0000-0002-0659-9582 Marine Ecology and Conservation Research Center, National Academy of Marine Research, Kaohsiung 806614, Taiwan, R. O. C. & National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, 94450, Taiwan, R. O. C. changcw1831@gmail.com Author Seah, Ying Giat 0000-0002-2976-4448 Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus, Malaysia & Fish Division, South China Sea Repository and Reference Center, Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus, Malaysia ygseah@umt.edu.my text Zootaxa 2025 2025-12-30 5738 1 73 88 https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.12 journal article 314676 10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.12 ed56a0c9-7446-4820-9077-c4655461d54c 1175-5326 19138134 01EE9C79-2C31-427F-995D-FED47C5AC67D

TABLE 6. Selected measurement of comparative morphology of Otolithoides pama and O. biauritus.

Characteristic	O. pama	O. biauritus
Head region	Conical snout and large terminal mouth	Fairly acute snout and large terminal mouth
Teeth formation	Enlarged in both jaws, with 1 or 2 pairs of canines in upper jaw	Strong and spaced in both jaws, no canine teeth
Dorsal fin rays	40–45	27–32
Caudal fin types	Tapering Pointed	Acutely Pointed
Lower gill rakers	11 to 14, long slender	10 to 11, shorter
Color	Yellowish at fins	Dark brown at fins
Pectoral fin length	Long, as long as /longer than head	Moderate, about ¾ of head length