26 



CSC 



ELOPIFORM FISHES 



ep1-3 un1-3 



nsp 



pu4 



2 mm 



Fig. io. 



Elops hawaiensis Regan. Caudal skeleton in left lateral view. 

 Arrows indicate upper and lower principal fin-rays. 



The caudal fin skeleton of Elops has been figured and described several times, 

 the most important references being those of Regan (1910), Hollister (1936) and 

 Nybelin (1963, 1971) and although those works were concerned with Elops saurus, 

 E. lacerta and E. senegalensis , the caudal structure of E. hawaiensis is very similar 

 (Text-fig. 10). 



Squamation. There are 95-97 scales in the lateral line series. The transverse 

 count immediately in front of the dorsal fin is 12 above and 17 below the lateral line 

 series. The scales are relatively small and approximately circular in shape. The 

 anterior margin tends to be straight. The nucleus is positioned centrally and the 

 surface of the scale is marked by concentric circuli which fade out on the exposed 

 surface. The posterior margin of the scale is often frayed during life giving the 

 margin a crenulated appearance. The anterior field is marked by 9-13 strong radii 

 which interrupt the anterior margin producing a scalloped edge. The scales from 

 the posterior region of the body generally show fewer radii. Bone cells are found 

 within the scales and are most abundant in the anterior fields. 



Lateral line scales are distinguished by the presence of a prominent tube con- 

 taining the lateral line canal. At the bases of the fins there are many smaller scales 



