156 Memoir Sears Foundation for Marine Research 



hand, but their proportions are not included because they differ considerably from the 

 larger ones, especially in having a more slender body. 



Distinctive Characters. A. clupeoides is closely related to A. rastralis of the Pacific 

 coast of Middle America, from which it differs in having a slightly longer anal fin, 

 inserted a little farther forward with respect to the dorsal. In specimens of equal size, 

 the maxillary is usually a little shorter and tapers more abruptly in clupeoides^ and its 

 body is somewhat more slender. A. clupeoides apparently grows to a larger size than 

 A. rastralis^ for none of the latter has been reported to be larger than iiomm TL. 

 See also A. nigra, p. 161. 



Figure 25. Anchovia clupeoides, 60 mm TL, 44 mm SL, from Gulf of Venezuela, USNM 127552. Drawn 

 by Louella E. Cable. 



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

 based on study specimens 75—205 mm TL. 



Body: depth 25-31. 

 Head: length 27.6—31. 

 Snout: length 3.1—4.3. 

 Eye: diameter 6.0—8.3. 

 Postorbital: distance 1 5.5-1 8.5. 

 Maxillary: length 19.5—22. 

 Mandible: length 19—20.5. 

 Anal fin: length of base 30—33. 

 Pectoral fin: length 1 5.4-1 7.3. 



Scales: ca. 39—43. 



Gill rakers: ca. 35—40 in younger spec- 

 imens, 75—1 10 in those of 130 mm 

 TL. 



Fin rays: dorsal 13—15; anal 30—35; 

 pectoral 13 or 14. 



Vertebrae: 42 or 43 (6 specimens). 



Body strongly compressed, its depth increasing with age, about 3.2-4.0 in SL 

 in specimens 75 mm TL and upward {ca. 4.5 at 50 mm). Head 3.2-3.6 in SL, its depth 

 about equal to its length without snout in specimens 150-160 mm TL; less in smaller 

 ones. Snout short, projecting about half of its length beyond mandible, 6.0-8.0 in 

 head. Eye 3.5-4.5 in head. Maxillary abruptly pointed, reaching to or beyond joint 



