TWO SPECIES OF MENHADEN OCCURRING ON THE COAST OF 
NORTH CAROLINA. 
By SAMUEL F, HILDEBRAND, 
Superintendent, U. S. Fisheries Biological Station, Key West, Fla. 
The relationship of the species or varieties of menhaden occurring 
on the Atlantic coast of America has been for many years a subject 
of conjecture among ichthyologists. The most accurate account yet 
available appears to be the one published in the fifth annual report 
of the U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries.* Subsequent writ- 
ers contribute little to our knowledge of the affinities of the various 
forms which have been noticed. In order to definitely determine 
their true relationship, the study of a very large series of specimens 
from various localities throughout the range of the genus will be 
necessary. Such a study, augmented by field observations, would be 
very helpful. 
The purpose of the present paper is to contribute in a small way to 
our knowledge of the menhaden by showing the affinities, as revealed 
by structural characters and habits, of two forms which have been 
noticed at Beaufort, N. C., but which have not been distinguished by 
writers.2 One of the these forms is doubtless the typical Brevoortia 
tyrannus (Latrobe), as understood by recent writers. The other form 
differs from the typical one so essentially, both in form and in habits, 
that it should be regarded as a distinct species. The writer refers this 
species somewhat doubtfully to Brevoortia aureus (Agassiz), for, as 
already indicated, we can not be certain of the true relationship of 
the several forms, variously regarded as species, subspecies, or varie- 
ties, until a more thorough study is made of the genus. The addi- 
tion of another name at this time would probably only add to the 
confusion. 
The description of the “ fatback” is based on a very large series 
of specimens collected at various seasons in the vicinity of Beaufort, 
N. C. The “yellow-fin shad” is described from mature specimens 
only, since the young have not been observed. 
BREVOORTIA TYRANNUS (Latrobe). 
Head, 2.98 to 3.3 in length of body to base of caudal fin; depth, 2.6 to 2.95; 
dorsal rays, 18 to 20; anal rays, 20 to 23; scales, in 47 to 54 oblique series along 
rely of side from posterior margin of opercle to base of caudal fin; vertebra, 
18+30. 
«The natural and economical history of the American menhaden, by G. Brown Goods. 
Appendix to Report of U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, pp. 1-529, 31 pls. 
Washington, 1879. 
b’T am indebted to Ed. Simpson and Arthur Newkirk, local fishermen, for first calling 
my attention to the different habits of the two species discussed in the present paper. 
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