Fishes of the Western North Atlantic 375 



on p. 379. B. smithi differs from B. tyrannus in having much smaller scales, in less regular 

 series; notably shorter serrations or pectinations on the scales of specimens of equal 

 size (Figs. 85 b and 850); more feeble radiating striations on the upper part of the 

 opercle; and a longer and more pointed pelvic fin. Furthermore, B. smithi has a rather 

 more strongly compressed and deeper body and a deeper caudal peduncle, a somewhat 

 smaller head, a rather larger anal fin with a somewhat greater number of rays and a 

 longer base, and somewhat longer caudal and pectoral fins. Also, B. smithi is lighter 

 in color, has more definitely yellow fins, and has no small dark spots behind the large 

 shoulder spot. The two species are separable by touch, as tyrannus is very slimy and 

 slippery whereas smithi is not. 



Variations. The variations among the limited number of specimens known are not 

 pronounced. The smallest specimen, 120 mm TL, from Cumberland Sound, Georgia, 

 is the deepest among the 1 8 at hand, which suggests that in this species, as in patronus^ 

 young adults are as deep or deeper than large ones, whereas in tyrannus they are more 

 slender. However, some half-grown fish from the mouth of the St. Johns River, Florida, 

 are no deeper than large fish from Beaufort. The great difference in the number of gill 

 rakers (121 -149) on the lower limb may be ascribed in part to age and in part to an 

 error in counting, as it is impossible to count the close-set rakers accurately. The fresh 

 examples observed in the field were quite uniform in color. 



Commercial Importance. Yellowfin Shad are not numerous enough to be com- 

 mercially important, for only a few are taken at a time. The total annual catch at Beau- 

 fort probably does not exceed several hundred pounds. Their abundance south of 

 Beaufort remains unknown. 



The fishermen, at least at Beaufort, distinguish these Menhaden from the common 

 one and refer to them as the "Yellowfin Shad." They claim that the edible qualities are 

 superior to those of tyrannus, and the few they catch are generally put on their own 

 table. I like the flavor of both species and could detect no difference except that the 

 flesh of smithi may be a little less oily. 



Methods of Fishing. The fish are caught chiefly in drag nets at Beaufort, the only 

 place where they seem to be recognized as a distinct species. 



Range. Known from Beaufort, North Carolina, to the "Indian River" (probably 

 Indian River City), Florida, while specimens intermediate between gunteri and smithi, 

 from Boca Ciega and from off Englewood on the west coast, ■•' are nearer to smithi 

 than to gunteri. 



Synonyms and References: 



Brevoortia aureus Hildebrand (not of Agassiz), Rep. U. S. Comm. Fish. (1918), Append. 6, 1919: 7, fig., pi. i, 



fig. 2, scale (orig. descr. of B. smithi Hildebrand 1941; habits, food, cf. B. tyrannus; Beaufort, North 



Carolina). 

 Brevoortia smithi Hildebrand, Copeia, 1941 : 224 (5. aureus Hildebrand recognized as a distinct species without 



a name; type local. Beaufort, N. C; type USNM 1 18723); Hildebrand, Smithson. misc. Coll., loy 



(18), 1948: 28, fig. 6 (synon., descr., relation., range). 



41. Made available for examination through the kindness of Dr. William Gosline. 



