FOSSIL AND RECENT 



producing a scalloped margin. Bone cells present within the anterior and lateral 

 fields of the scales. Enlarged axillary scales present. 



Suborder ELOPOIDEI Jordan, 1923 



Diagnosis. Elopiform fishes in which the cranium is never broad. Sensory 

 canals of the head largely enclosed by bone ; supraorbital sensory canal running 

 through parietal ; ethmoid commissure complete, running through dermethmoid. 

 Post-temporal fossae large, directed anteriorly ; sub-epiotic fossae absent. Inter- 

 calar large, extending anteriorly to contact the prootic, forming a prootic-intercalar 

 bridge. First vertebral centrum articulating with facets upon the exoccipitals and 

 basioccipital and forming a functional part of the neurocranium. Lateral ethmoid 

 not in contact with the parasphenoid ; parasphenoid narrow. Hyomandibular- 

 metapterygoid cup developed. Premaxilla small, never associated with a sensory 

 canal. Two supramaxillae. Articular (angular) and endosteal articular (articular) 

 separate ossifications. Dentition of small villiform teeth on the dermal jaws, 

 vomer, parasphenoid, dermopalatine, endopterygoid, ectopterygoidandbasibranchial 

 and basihyal dermal plates. Gular plate large, always horizontal. Gill-rakers 

 prominent upon the first three gill arches. Supratemporal large, meeting its partner 

 in the dorsal mid-line. Caudal fin with seven hypurals ; the bases of the inner fin- 

 rays expanded. Scales with concentric circuli in the anterior and lateral fields. 



Family ELOPIDAE Bonaparte, 1846 



Diagnosis (emended). Elopoid fishes in which the body is rounded. Cranium 

 shallow with the mouth terminal. Neurocranium in which the roof is flat ; the parie- 

 tals retain evidence of middle pit-lines ; the autosphenotic spine and the epiotic 

 process are weakly developed ; the post-temporal fossae extend forward to the level 

 of the autosphenotics and remain separate from one another ; the dilatator fossa is 

 roofed. Otophysic connection absent. Two rostral ossicles present (only known 

 in Elops) . Ouadrate/mandibular articulation at or behind the level of the posterior 

 orbital margin. Maxilla shallow, extending posteriorly beyond the level of the eye. 

 Mandible shallow with a weakly developed coronoid process situated posteriorly. 

 Pseudobranchiae present in Recent genus. Dorsal and anal fins short based. Pelvic 

 fins originating beneath or behind the dorsal fin. First anal pterygiophore short. 

 Urodermal present. Scales with at least six anterior radii, otherwise marked only 

 by fine circuli. Lateral line tubes unbranched. 



Genus ELOPS Linnaeus, 1766 



Diagnosis (emended). Elopid fish in which the cranial bones are devoid of 

 ornamentation. Dermethmoid without ventro-lateral projections. Circumorbital 

 series with a large first infraorbital which meets the supraorbital and so excludes the 

 antorbital from the orbital margin ; infraorbital canal without bone-enclosed 



