The two species of sprat in New Zealand waters (Sprattus antipodum and S. muelleri) |
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| Authors: | P J P Whitehead P J Smith D A Robertson |
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| Institution: | 1. British Museum (Natural History) , Cromwell Road, London, SW1 5BD, England;2. Fisheries Research Division , Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries , P. O. Box 297, Wellington, New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | Two broadly sympatric species of sprat are shown to inhabit New Zealand waters, the more slender Sprattus antipodum (Hector, 1872) and the more common and deeper‐bodied S. muelleri (Klunzinger, 1872). Overlap in most morphometric and meristic characters had earlier led to their synonymy, but recent protein analysis suggested otherwise. This is now confirmed by distinct differences in shape and dentition of the basihyal plate, vertebral numbers, scale sculpture, and fresh colour. The five known species of Sprattus are keyed and the genus diagnosed and discussed. |
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| Keywords: | sprat Sprattus antipodum Sprattus muelleri electrophoresis basihyal toothplate New Zealand key |
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