Fishes of the Western North Atlantic 411 



Sardindla anchovta Schreiner and Miranda-Ribeiro, Arch. Mus. nac, Rio de J., 12, 1903: 91 (Rio de Janeiro, 

 range, names); Metzelaar (probably not of Cuvier and Valenciennes), Rapp. Vissch. Curasao, ed. by 

 Boeke, i, W. Indian Fishes, 1919: 10, fig. 2 (Dutch West Indies: fig. seems based on brasiliensis as 

 herein understood). 



Sardinella aurita von Ihering (not of Cuvier and Valenciennes), Rev. Industr. .'Vnim., i (3), 1930: 228 

 (synon., fin rays, scales, ventral scutes, Brazil). 



Genus Rhinosardinia Eigenmann 191 2 



Rhinosardinia Eigenmann, Mem. Carneg. Mus., 5, 1912: 445; t)'pe species by original designation, Rhinosardinia 

 serrata Eigenmann. Myers, Copeia, 1929: i; Heringia preoccupied in Diptera. 



Generic Synonym: 



Heringia Fowler, Proc. Acad. nat. Sci. Philad., 6j, 191 1 : 207; type species by original designation, Clupea 

 amazonica Steindachner; name preoccupied in Diptera. 



Characters. Body moderately elongate, strongly compressed; ventral outline more 

 strongly convex than dorsal outline. Bony scutes on chest and abdomen well devel- 

 oped, the posterior one ending in a rather long sharp spine. Scales adherent, each 

 with a prominent vertical groove having more or less horizontal laterals (not verified 

 in bahiensis). Mouth strongly oblique. Mandible projecting. Maxillary broadly 

 rounded posteriorly, with a strong sharp backward projecting spine near its anterior 

 end (Fig. 103); maxillary-premaxillary margin continuous, composed of a soft mem- 

 branous section; entire margin toothless. Teeth absent on vomer, but present on 

 mandible (at least in serrata and bahiensis), palatines, pterygoids, and tongue. Gill 

 rakers rather numerous (about 30—40 on lower limb of first arch in serrata), close- 

 set. Dorsal fin about over middle of body, with approximately 14—17 rays. Anal 

 fin scarcely longer than dorsal and placed well behind it, with about 15-18 rays. 

 Pelvic well developed, with 8 rays. Pectoral rather small, more or less equal to 

 head in length. 



Remarks. This genus differs from all others of this family in the presence of a 

 small sharp spine on the anterior part of the maxillary, close behind the premaxillary. 

 It differs further from related genera in the small anal fin, which is situated well behind 

 the dorsal fin. 



Range. This genus of small herrings is confined to northeastern and northern 

 South America, from Rio de Janeiro to Venezuela, in fresh, brackish, and salt water. 



Key to Species 



Sides with a prominent silvery lateral band, about as wide as eye; origin of dorsal 

 about over insertion of pelvic fin and nearly an eye's diameter nearer to tip of 

 snout than to base of caudal ; teeth present on mandible, maxillary, and premaxil- 

 lary; dorsal with 17 rays; anal with 18; scales 44. bahiensis (Steindachner) 1879. 



Coast of Brazil from Bahia (Baia) to 

 Rio de Janeiro. 



