SMITH-VANIZ: CARANGIDAE 



529 



Fig. 279. Adductor mandibulae: (a) Seriola diiinerili; (b) Caran.x sexfasciatus. Note the presence of A,', a separate dorsal section originating 

 on the suborbital shelf (S). 



and because the reversal of a reductive trend is involved, I 

 believe it is more conservative (even though less parsimonious) 

 to retain the unresolved position of Trachinolus-Lichia in the 

 cladogram. 



(30) Pelvic fins absent at all stages of development. 



(31) Increase in number of caudal vertebrae from 16 to 17. 



(32) Branchiostegal rays 9 (versus 7 or 8). 



(33) Basibranchial dentition consisting of large median tooth 

 plates, presumably derived from fusion of the large paired tooth 

 plates found in Scomhcroides and Oligoplitcs (Smith-Vaniz and 

 Staiger. 1973: figs. 24b-d). 



(34) Lateral line with 5-9 dorsal branches. 



(35) Loss of dorsal-fin spines resulting in an increase in the 

 number of rayless pterygiophores (see Table 127). 



(36) Loss of mesopterygoid teeth. 



(37) Loss of supramaxilla (minute in Scninberoides). 



(38) Loss of suborbital shelf on third infraorbital bone. 



(39) Infraorbitals 2-4 enlarged and extending posteriorly across 

 cheek in adults. 



(40) Prominent dark spots or short bars on sides of adults. 

 Unlike many carangids, the juveniles of both Scomberoides and 

 Oligoplites are unbarred. 



Recognition of the family Nematistiidae 

 The familial placement oi Nematistius has long been contro- 

 versial. Some distinguished ichthyologists (Gill. 1863; Jordan 

 and Evermann, 1896-1900; Berg. 1947) placed it in a separate 

 family while others, most recently Robins et al. ( 1 980). assigned 

 it to the Carangidae. On the basis of a detailed osteological 

 comparison. Rosenblatt and Bell (1976) concluded that Ne- 

 matistius should not be classified with the Carangidae. They 

 also commented on the striking similarities between the Ne- 

 matistiidae and certain primitive carangids, especially naucra- 

 tine genera. Almost all of the many features shared by these two 



