240 Memoir Sears Foundation for Marine Research 



Lycengrnulis batesii (Gunther) 1868 

 Figure 56 



Study Material. A total of 13 specimens, 35-185 mm TL, the larger ones from 

 Brazil, the smaller ones from Venezuela; also 4 juveniles, 21-31 mm TL, from 

 Venezuela. 



Distinctive Characters. The slender body, the long narrow cheek, and the rather 

 few and moderately long gill rakers distinguish this species. The statement in the 

 original description, "Gill rakers very short, like tubercles," has been misleading, for 



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Figure 56. Lycengraulis batesii, i85mmTL, 155 mm SL, from TefFe, Brazil, MCZ 18006. Drawn by 

 Alice C. Mullen. 



they are fully half of the length of eye, a point that was verified from type specimens 

 by J. R. Norman. This statement became especially bothersome upon the discovery 

 of other species that had notably shorter gill rakers. 



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

 based on the Study Material. 



Anal fin: length of base 25—26.2. 

 Pectoral fin: length 1 5.4-1 8.8, 



Scales: ca. 41—45. 



Gill rakers: 9-13 + 12-1 5. 



Fin rays: dorsal 13—15; anal 26—28; 



pectoral 13 or 14. 

 Vertebrae: 47 (2 specimens). 



Body slender, compressed, its depth 5.25—6.0 in SL. Head 4.3—4.7 in SL, its 

 depth about equal to its postorbital length. Snout projecting much less than half of its 

 length beyond mandible, 7.0—8.0 in head. Eye 4.5—5.4. Postorbital part of head 

 1.4— 1.6 in head. Maxillary slightly expanded, scarcely pointed, reaching nearly or 

 quite to joint of mandible, 1.2— 1.3 in head. Mandible 1.27— 1.4. Cheek in large 



Body: depth 16. 5-19. 

 Head: length 21-23. 

 Snout: length 2.75-3.3. 

 Eye: diameter 4.2—4.6. 

 Postorbital: distance 14.3— 15.6. 

 Maxillary: length 17.5— 18.2. 

 Mandible: length 1 6.1 -18.2. 



