Family PRISTIGASTERIDAE

Pristigasteridae

© Copyright G.P. Whitley.

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Introduction

The Pristigasteridae comprise nine genera and approximately 34 species worldwide (Whitehead 1985). Two genera and four species are known from Australia. The Pristigasteridae were previously included as a subfamily of the Clupeidae, but are here recognised as a distinct family after the works of Nelson (1994) and Munro et al. (1999).

Pristigasterids are schooling fishes, found in coastal areas in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They reach a maximum size of 50 cm. They differ from clupeids in having the pelvic fins well forward of the dorsal fin and a longer anal fin with 60 or more rays (cf. 28 rays in clupeids).

Whitehead & Blaxter (1989) described the anatomy of the swimbladder and its value in determining relationships.

General References

Munroe, T.A., Wongratana, T. & Nizinski, M.S. 1999. Family Pristigasteridae. pp. 1754-1770 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp.

Whitehead, P.J.P. 1985. FAO species catalog. Clupeoid fishes of the world (suborder Clupeoidei). Part 1 — Chirocentridae, Clupeidae and Pristigasteridae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 7 Pt 1. pp. 1-303

Whitehead, P.J.P. & Blaxter, J.H.S. 1989. Swimbladder form in clupeoid fishes. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 97(4): 299-372

Whitley, G.P. 1940. Illustrations of some Australian fishes. The Australian Zoologist 9(4): 397-428 figs 1-45 pls 30-31

Common Name References

Munroe, T.A., Wongratana, T. & Nizinski, M.S. 1999. Family Pristigasteridae. pp. 1754-1770 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1754] (FAO) (Ilishas, Pellonas)

Whitehead, P.J.P. 1985. FAO species catalog. Clupeoid fishes of the world (suborder Clupeoidei). Part 1 — Chirocentridae, Clupeidae and Pristigasteridae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 7 Pt 1. pp. 1-303 (FAO) (Pristigasterids)

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