Fishes of the Western North Atlantic 



229 



uniform size. The maxillary extends to, or nearly to, the joint of the mandible and is 

 rounded distally. 



Range. Venezuela to northern Brazil. 



Species. Only one, P. atherinoides. 



Pterengraulis atherinoides (Linnaeus) 1766 



Hareng gras Sardinha 



Figure 52 



Study Material. A total of 20 specimens, 66—250 mm TL, from Cano de Guanoco 

 and Rio Apure, San Fernando de Apure, Venezuela; and from the "Amazon River," 

 Para, Fortaleza, Cameta, and Arary, Brazil. 



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

 based on study specimens, 66—250 mm TL. 



Figure 52. Pterengraulis atherinoides, 245 mm TL, from "Amazon River," USNM 72551. Drawn by Louella 

 E. Cable. 



Body: depth 22-26. 

 Head: length 22.6-28.5. 

 Snout: length 2.4-3.1. 

 Eye: diameter 4.0—5.1. 

 Postorbital: distance 14.3 — 16.7. 

 Maxillary: length 1 6.5-1 9.2. 

 Mandible: length i 5.4-1 8. 



Anal fin: length of base 30-34.5. 

 Pectoral fin: length 20.4—23.7. 



Scales: 42—47. 

 Gill rakers : 10-12 + 12-15. 

 Fin rays: dorsal 12 — 14; anal 29—35 

 (usually 31 or 32); pectoral 13-15. 

 Vertebrae: 43 and 45 (2 specimens). 



Body strongly compressed, its depth 3.5-4.4 in SL. Head 3.8-4.5 in SL, its 

 depth usually equal to its length posterior to middle of eye. Snout blunt, 8.0-10 in 

 head. Eye 4.0-6.0. Postorbital part of head moderately long, i. 4-1. 55 in head. 



