34^ Memoir Sears Foundation for Marine Research 



5b. Scales in 48—56 oblique series crossing middle of side: seven longitudinal 

 rows on side of caudal peduncle; pectoral fin failing to reach base of 

 pelvic fin by a space varying from half to a full diameter of eye, its length 

 16.7— 18 "/o of SL, 3—6 vertical series of scales between its tip and base 

 of pelvic. rt«rf« Agassiz 1829. 



Bahia (Bai'a), Brazil, prob- 

 ably to the Rio de la Plata. 

 I b. Scales small, irregularly placed, about 60-75 oblique series crossing middle of 

 side (difficult to count); greatest depth of body 36-45.5 "/o of SL. 

 6a. Length of head 29—31.5 "/o of SL; maxillary reaching from below middle of 

 eye to vertical from posterior margin of pupil, 2.0—2.4 in head; pectoral fin 

 generally failing to reach base of pelvic fin by somewhat more than half of 

 diameter of eye, 5-8 vertical series of scales between its tip and base of pelvic, 

 its length 18.5— 21 "/o of SL; total number of ventral scutes 30—32 (usually 

 30); vertebrae 45-47. smithi Hildebrand 1941, p. 372. 



6b. Length of head 31— 35-5 7o (usually 32—34 "/o) of SL; maxillary reaching to, 

 or a little beyond, vertical from posterior margin of pupil, 1.8—2.2 in head; 

 pectoral fin generally failing to reach base of pelvic fin by less than diameter 

 of pupil, 2—4 vertical series of scales between its tip and base of pelvic, its 

 length 19-23.570 (usually 20—22 "/o) of SL; total number of ventral scutes 

 27—30 (usually 28 or 29); vertebrae 42-44. 



gunteri Hildebrand 1948, p. 376. 



Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe) 1802 

 Atlantic Menhaden, Menhaden, Mossbunker, Bunker, Fatback, Shad, Pogy, Bugfish 



Figures 84-89 



Study Material. At least 150 specimens, sometimes many more, 70—430 mm TL, 

 SS—2)SS "^"^ SL, collected at many localities from Massachusetts Bay to Fernandina, 

 Florida. Some of the data used were accumulated by me over a period of 33 years; in 

 addition, unpublished data from Dr. A. Bascom Hardcastle and some gathered by the 

 late William W. Welsh; also juveniles from Woods Hole, Massachusetts; Chesapeake 

 Bay; and Beaufort, North Carolina. 



Distinctive Characters. The close relationship of Brevoortia tyrannus to B. patronus 

 of the Gulf of Mexico is shown in the account of the latter (p. 370). From B. smithi, 

 which occupies the same range as the Atlantic Menhaden from North Carolina 

 southward, tyrannus differs prominently in having larger scales with notably longer pec- 

 tinations; these species also differ in several other respects as shown in the account of 

 B. smithi (p. 374). 



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

 based on at least 150 study specimens, SS~2iSS "^"^ ^L. 



