First Record and DNA Barcode of Bigeye Numbfish, Narcine Oculifera Carvalho, Compagno & Mee, 2002 (Elasmobranchii: Torpediniformes: Narcinidae) from Indian Coastal Waters

The bigeye numbfish, Narcine oculifera previously distributed from Oman and Somalia was recorded for the first time from Indian coastal waters based on a single female specimen (measured TL of 338 mm) from Mudasalodai fish landing centre (11º 29’ N; 79º 46’ E), southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal, India which was caught by trawler operated at the depth range between 10 and 25 m. The partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene extracted from N. oculifera was used for the confirmation of this species on the molecular level. The detailed morphometric characteristics of N. oculifera are described and discussed in this manuscript by comparing the morphometric measurement with previously recorded specimens from the Gulf of Oman and Aden.