CLUPEA. \ 153 



Fam. C. CLUPEID^. 



Margin of the upper jaw formed by the prsemaxillaries and the 

 maxillaries ; supraoccipital bone in contact with the frontals ; opercular 

 bones well developed. Ribs mostly sessile, inserted behind parapo- 

 physes ; intermuscular bones (epineurals, epipleurals, adpleurals) usually 

 numerous. JY^ctoral fins low downi, folding against the belly ; post- 

 clavicle applied to outer side of clavicle. Air-bladder communicating 

 >\ith the car (except in the Chanince, which should perhaps stand as a 

 distinct family). 



Symqjsis of tJie Genera. 



I. Clupein^. — Mouth large; belly keeled, sernited; no lateral line; gill- 



nienibranes deeply notched ; ventrals with G to 1) rays. 



A. Dorsal originating above ventrals ; anal with less than 30 rays. 



Teeth extremely small or absent 1. Clupea, L., p. 153. 



Teeth moderate or lar^e 2. Pellonula, Gthr., p. 155. 



B. Dorsal opposite to the space between ventrals and anal. 



Canine teeth present ; anal with less than 30 rays. 3. Odaxothrissa, Blgr., p. IGO. 

 Teeth small ; anal with less than 30 rays ... 4. Microthrissa, Blgr., p. IGl. 

 Teeth very small ; anal with more than 30 rays . 5. Kisha, Gray, p. 162. 



II. Chanin.e. — Mouth small, toothless; belly 



rounded : lateral line present ; gill- 

 membranes entirely united ; ventrals with 

 11 or 12 rays 6. Chanos, Lacep., p. 164. 



1. CLUPEA. 

 Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 522 (1766), part. ; Giinth. Cat. Fish. vii. p. 412 (1886); 



Bouleng. Fish. Nile, p. 89 (1907). 

 Alosa, Cuv. Regne Anim. 2nd ed. ii. p. 319 (1829). 



Mouth moderate or large; teeth small or absent; maxillary formed 

 of three pieces. Branchiostegal rays 6 to 10. Body compressed, with 

 an abdominal serrature formed of bony scutes ; scales moderate or large ; 

 no lateral line. Dorsal fin short, opposite to the ventrals and anterior 

 to the anal, which is more elongate. Ventrals with G-9 rays. Vertebrae 

 40-59. 



Of almost cosmopolitan marine distribution. One anagamous species 

 in North Africa. 



