Clupeonella grimmi Kessler, 1877

Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash, Ghanavi, Hamid Reza & Doadrio, Ignacio, 2020, Fig. 4 in Fig. 4 in Fig. 3 in Fig. 21. Sesarmops mora n in Paralbunea dayriti, Zoological Studies 59 (21), pp. 1-303 : 28

Clupeonella grimmi Kessler, 1877 – Native

Clupeonella grimmi Kessler [K. F.] 1877: 187; Type locality: Middle Caspian Sea, 560–1,750 feet [80–250 Russian fathoms]. Lectotype: ZIN 10934 (31.5 mm). Paralectotypes: (many) BMNH 1897.7.5.41–44 (4), ZIN 10934 (2 of 3), 11272 (6+).

Common name: Pr: Kilka-ye cheshm dorosht, En: Bigeye kilka.

Diagnosis: A moderately slender body, a long and narrow, a sharply keeled belly with 26 to 32 scutes, and rounded pectoral fin tips, last two anal fin rays enlarged, pterotic bulla absent and no notch at the center of the upper jaw.

Meristic characters: D: III–IV (III) 13–15, A: III 14–21, P: 6–7, GR: 42–51, LL: 44–49, TV: 44–49 (46–48).

Distribution: Caspian Sea basin ( Fig. 42). More common in the central and southern parts of Caspian Sea. Mainly in open sea, only occasionally approaching the shore, sometimes massing in large schools, rising to the surface in the spring months.

Taxonomy.

Conservation: IUCN: Not Evaluated; PC: Least Concern. Southern Caspian sprat has widespread distribution and reported to be abundant along shores of southern and western Caspian Sea.