CLUPEA. 153 



Fam. C. CLUPEID.E. 



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. Pectoral fins low down, folding against the belly ; post- 

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

 with the ear (except in the Chanince, which should perhaps stand as a 

 distinct family). 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



I. C'LUrEiN^i. — Mouth large; belly keeled, serrated; no lateral line; gill- 



membranes deeply notched ; ventrals with 6 to 9 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 large 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. 160. 

 Teeth small ; anal with less than 30 rays ... 4. Microthrissa, Blgr., p. 161. 

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



II. Chaninjj. — Mouth small, toothless; belly 



rounded ; lateral line present ; gill- 

 membranes entirely united ; ventrals with 

 11 or 12 rays 6. Clianos, Lacep., p. 161. 



1. CLUPEA. 

 Linn. Syst. Nat, i. p. 522 (1766), part. ; Giinth. Oat. 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 6-9 rays. Vertebrae 

 40-59. 



Of almost cosmopolitan marine distribution. One anagamous species 

 in North Africa. 



