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  • Atherinella alvarezi, Gulf Silverside, Alvarez's Silverside
    rear end jaw turns down, not reaching under eye
    20-29 gill rakers
    A scale sheath not along entire base
    scales: 35-40 lateral, 18-22 around body, 7-9 transverse
  • Atherinella beani, Bean's Silverside
    gill rakers 18-22
    A 19-23, scale sheath along front 1/2 of base
    scales: lateral 48-49, transverse rows 6, around body 17-20
  • white body, tail edge black
    D1 origin over 2nd branched A ray
    A 1, 22-26; scale sheath along entire base
    Atherinella blackburni, Beach Silverside
    lower gill rakers 15-19
    pectoral 12-14
    scales: lateral 44-51, around body 25-27
  • greenish, tail reddish
    D1 origin over/just behind A origin
    C red
    Atherinella brasiliensis, Robust Silverside
    lower gill rakers 13-17
    pectoral 14-15
    A 17-22, basal scale sheath absent/on 1st few rays
    scales: 35-44 lateral, transverse rows 6, around body 17-20
  • L shaped furrows on snout separate
    D1 origin over A rays 3-6
    D2 origin over A rays 13-17
    Atherinella chagresi, Chagres Silverside
    rear edge of jaw turns down, not reaching under eye
    teeth on rear palate
    gill rakers 20-29
    A scale sheath along front 1/3 of base
    scales: lateral 40-45, transverse 7-9, around body 21-25
  • D1 origin over A rays 7-9
    D2 origin over A rays 17-19
    Atherinella milleri, Miller's Silverside
    rear end top jaw turns down, not reaching under eye
    gill rakers 20-29
    A no scale sheath
    scales: lateral 40-45, transverse 7-9, around body 21-25
  • D1 origin just behind A spine
    Atherinella robbersi, Totumo Silverside
    gill rakers 13-16
    pectoral 13
    A 17-18, scale sheath +/- 1st several rays
    scales: lateral 35-44, transverse rows 6, around body 17-20
  • Atherinella schultzi, Chimalapa Silverside, Longsnout Silverside
    mouth extends under eye
    gill rakers 12-18
    basal scale sheath front 1/2 A
    scales: lateral 35-44, transverse 7-9, around body 20-25
  • L shaped furrows on snout fused at rear
    D1 origin over A rays 4-7
    D2 origin over A rays 13-17
    Atherinella species A, Elegant Silverside
    rear edge of jaw turns down, not reaching under eye
    rear of palate - no teeth
    gill rakers 20-29
    A scale sheath rudimentary
    scales: lateral 40-45, around body 21-25, transverse 7-9
  • body deep
    forehead profile convex
    D1 VI-IX, orgin before A origin
    Melanorhinus microps, Querimana Silverside
  • body depth > 15.7% SL
    shallowest part of tail base > 8.5% SL
    Membras analis, Backwater Silverside
    gill rakers 15-17
    anus ~midway A to pelvic base
    pelvics reach to/past anus
    rear edges flank scales smooth/irregular
  • Membras argentea, Plateada Silverside
    anus ~midway A to pelvic base
    pelvics reach to/past anus
    rear edges flank scales strongly serrated
  • Membras martinica, Rough Silverside
    anus nearer A than to pelvic base
    pelvic tips not reaching anus
    rear edges flank scales fringed
  • body depth < 15.8%
    shallowest part of tail base < 8.5%
    Membras species A, Pigmy Silverside
    gill rakers 18-19
    anus ~midway A to pelvic base
    pelvics reach to/past anus
    rear edges of nape & flank scales smooth/irregular
  • D origin before anus
    D2 usually 9
    distance D1 to A < 7% (1.2-8.3 %) SL
    has both sexes
    Menidia beryllina, Inland Silverside
    A 15-19
  • D origin before anus
    D2 usually 8
    distance D1 to A < 7% (1.2-8.3 %) SL
    females only
    Menidia clarkhubbsi, Texas Silverside
    A 16-18
  • D origin over mid-pelvic, all base over pelvic
    A 8-12
    Menidia colei, Golden Silverside, Yucatan Silverside
    LL pits begin on 3rd-4th scale beyond pectoral base
    lateral scales 28-31
    7 scale rows D origin to pelvic insertion
  • D origin over mid-pelvic, all base over pelvic
    A 12-15
    Menidia conchorum, Key Silverside
    LL pits begin on 6th scale beyond pectoral base
    lateral scales 28-34
    8 scale rows D origin to pelvic insertion
  • D origin behind anus
    Menidia menidia, Atlantic Silverside
    A 20-27
  • D origin over/behind rear 1/4 pelvic, rear spines
    distance D1 to A 7-18 % SL
    Menidia peninsulae, Tidewater Silverside
    A 13-19
    lateral scales 34-43
  • D origin over mid-pelvic, all base over pelvic
    A 10-14
    Menidia species A, Least Silverside
    LL pits begin on 3rd-4th scale beyond pectoral base
    lateral scales 32-34
    7 scale rows D origin to pelvic insertion