Genus: Lile, Piquitinga Herring, Piquitingas, Herrings
top jaw - no central notch
rear edge gill opening - no fleshy lobes
pelvic I, 7
belly - ridge of strongly keeled scutes
LILE
PIQUITINGAS, HERRINGS
Elongate to moderately deep, compressed; mouth short, opens slightly up, oblique; top jaws without a central notch, with only 2 toothed bones, no back-pointing spine on top front corner of main top-jaw bone; rear border of gill opening on body evenly rounded, without 2 fleshy lobes on shoulder below opening; operculum without bony crests; anal fin short base, 13-20; pelvic fins on the abdomen, insert under center of dorsal fin base, i, 6; a forked tail fin; belly with strong keel of scutes; distinct silver stripe on flank.
A new world genus with 4 species, found on both sides of the Atlantic as well as our region; one W Atlantic species in our region.
