Morphology Data of Sardinella aurita
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Whitehead, P.J.P., 1985
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs no special organs
Different appearance males alike females
Different colors males alike females
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales cycloid scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Body elongate, usually subcylindrical, but sometimes a little compressed; belly rather rounded, but with a distinct keel of scutes; lower gillrakers fine and numerous, more than 80; anterior gillrakers on lower limbs of second and third gill arches lying more or less flat (Ref. 188, 2945, 81269, 81631). Flanks silvery, with a faint golden midlateral line, preceded by a faint golden spot behind gill opening; a distinct black spot at hind border of gill cover (Ref. 188). The pelvic finray count of 1 unbranched and 8 branched rays distinguishes Sardinella aurita from all other species of Sardinella, also Harengula, Opisthonema, Herklotsichthys and Amblygaster, that occur with it (Ref. 188). It resembles Clupea, but has two fleshy outgrowths along outer margin of gill opening and numerous fine fronto-parietal striae on top of head (Ref. 188).

Description: Body elongate, usually subcylindrical, but sometimes a little compressed; belly rather rounded, but with a distinct keel of scutes (Ref. 188, 2849, 2945, 6683, 81269, 81631). Eye moderate, more than 3 times in head length; mouth terminal (Ref. 2945). Lower gillrakers fine and numerous, more than 80, increasing to over 200 with growth; the lower limb of first gill arch with mostly 130-248 gillrakers; anterior gillrakers on lower limbs of second and third gill arches lying more or less flat (Ref. 188, 2945, 3259, 81269, 81631). Dorsal and anal fins short; dorsal fin with 3-4 unbranched and 14-16 branched rays, its origin a little before midpoint of body; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 13-15 rays, its origin well behind dorsal fin base; pectoral fins with 1 unbranched and 14-16 branched rays; pelvic fins with 1 unbranched and 8 branched rays; caudal fin forked (Ref. 2849, 2945, 3015, 3259, 81269, 81631, 86940). Scales cycloid: 42-50 scales in a longitudinal series to caudal-fin base; 11-15 scales transversely; 14-16 predorsal scales (Ref. 2849, 3015, 3259, 81269, 81631, 86940). Belly with a low keel of scutes: 14-20 pre-pelvic and 12-17 post-pelvic mid-ventral scutes (Ref. 2849, 3259, 81269, 81631, 86940).

Colouration: Black bluish gray, sometimes greenish; sides silvery to brassy; without spots or streaks (Ref. 6683, 7251). A dark spot on hind border of operculum with a gold spot behind it, but no spots along flanks; dorsal fin pale to deep yellow, upper margin dusky, anterior finrays black, but no black spot at dorsal fin origin; pectoral fins pale yellow with dark speckling; caudal fin faint yellow near base, remainder dusky, tips very dark or black (Ref. 2945, 3259). In alcohol-preserved specimens flanks silvery, with a faint golden midlateral band; a distinct black spot on hind margin of operculum (Ref. 188, 2849, 81269, 81631).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Sardinella aurita

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 42 - 50
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 130 - 248
on upper limb
total 160 - 280
Vertebrae
preanal
total 47 - 49

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 17 - 20
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 16 - 18

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   15 - 17
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     0
Soft-rays   9 - 9
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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