176 Memoir Sears Foundation for Marine Research 



Anchoa mitchilli (Cuvier and Valenciennes) 1848 



Bay Anchovy 



Figures 31, 32 



Study Material. A total of 100 specimens, 52-102 mm TL; for characters con- 

 sidered important, such as body depth, pectoral length, number of vertebrae, gill 

 rakers, and anal rays, many more were used; taken at many places from Woods Hole, 

 Massachusetts, to Yucatdn, Mexico. 



Distinctive Characters. The nearest relative is A.parva, a southern species that 



Figure 31. Anchoa mitchilli mitchilli, 85 mm TL, from Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USNM 125582. Drawn 

 by Louella E. Cable. 



occurs in the West Indies and on the mainland coast from Panama to Venezuela. This 

 relationship is discussed in the account dealing vn'Csx parva (p. 181). 



Description. Proportional dimensions in per cent of standard length, and counts, 

 based on Study Material. 



Body: depth 16-27. 

 Head: length 22-26.5. 

 Snout: length 3.7-7.25. 

 Eye: diameter 5.8—8.2. 

 Postorbital: distance 11— 13.5. 

 Maxillary: length 1 7.5-21. 

 Mandible: length 16. 5-1 8.5. 

 Anal fin: length of base 25-30. 



Body rather slender, moderately compressed, its greatest thickness usually ex- 

 ceeding the depth of caudal peduncle, its depth 3.65-6.3 in SL. Head 3.75-4-5) its 

 depth equal to its length without snout and fourth of eye. Snout short, projecting not 

 more than a fourth of its length beyond tip of mandible, 5.0-7.0 in head. Eye 2.9-3.9. 

 Postorbital short, 1.8-2. i in head. Maxillary pointed, extending nearly to margin of 



Pectoral fin: length 12—20. 



Scales : (generally lost in preserved speci- 

 mens) ca. 38—44. 



Gill rakers : 15-19 + 20-26. 



Fin rays: dorsal 14—16; anal 24—30; 

 pectoral 11 or 12. 



Vertebrae: 38-44 (1,233 specimens). 



