What distinct feature helps confirm the White Marlin's identity against other fish with curved lateral lines?
Answer
It possesses a distinct lateral line running straight along its side.
For field identification purposes, the structure of the lateral line serves as a reliable marker to differentiate the White Marlin from other related fish species. The White Marlin is characterized by having a lateral line that runs in a conspicuously straight path along its flank. This straight configuration is explicitly contrasted with other species that might display a more curved or undulated line. Maintaining this positional characteristic helps confirm the fish belongs to the *Kajikia* genus, as skeletal and linear markers are less susceptible to post-mortem changes or stress-induced color shifts.
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