Spanish mackerels
Cero mackerel, Scomberomorus regalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scombriformes
Family: Scombridae
Subfamily: Scombrinae
Tribe: Scomberomorini
Starks, 1910
Genera

Scomberomorini is a tribe of ray-finned saltwater bony fishes that is commonly known as the Spanish mackerels, seerfishes or seer fish. This tribe is a subset of the mackerel family (Scombridae) – a family that it shares with three sister tribes, the tunas, mackerels, and bonitos, and the butterfly kingfish. Scomberomorini comprises 21 species across three genera.[1] They are pelagic fish, fast swimmers and predatory in nature, that fight vigorously when caught. Seer fishes are mainly caught using hooks and lines.

Taxonomy

The following cladogram shows the most likely evolutionary relationships between the Spanish mackerels and the tunas, mackerels, bonitos, and the butterfly kingfish.

The Spanish mackerels, in the family Scombridae
family Scombridae 
 subfamily
Gasterochismatinae 
genus Gasterochisma

 butterfly kingfish 

 subfamily
Scombrinae 
tribe Scombrini 

 mackerels (two genera)

tribe Scomberomorini 

 Spanish mackerels (three genera)

tribe Sardini 

 bonitos (four genera)

tribe Thunnini

 tunas  (five genera)

Cladogram showing the relationship of the tribe Scomberomorini with the rest of the family Scombridae.[2][3]

This tribe comprises 21 species in three genera:

In India

Spanish mackerel is very much liked for its delicacy in various regions of South India and Sri Lanka. In Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, this fish is called Vanjaram and is usually the most expensive fish available. In Kerala, it is called Neymeen. It is called Aiykoora in northern Kerala and south coastal Karnataka. In Sri Lanka, Spanish mackerel is known as thora. Seerfishes are also referred to as king mackerels in some areas. They have very sharp teeth and are handled with care by fishers familiar with them. Seerfish is one of the more popular in this group for eating. Seerfishes are notorious for their histamine poisoning. It can be fried, grilled, and steamed. It is gaining popularity in the South Pacific and United States as a canned product.

Throughout India, Spanish mackerel may be known as the following:

  • Telugu - Vanjaram Chepa
  • Tamil - Vanjaram, Seela
  • Kannada - Konema, Kalagnani, Surmai
  • Tulu - Anjal
  • Malayalam - Neymeen, Aiykoora
  • Sinhala - Thora
  • Marathi - Surmai
  • Konkani - Iswon

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Scomberomorini". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  2. ↑ Graham, Jeffrey B.; Dickson, Kathryn A. (2004). "Tuna Comparative Physiology". The Journal of Experimental Biology. 207 (23): 4015–4024. doi:10.1242/jeb.01267. PMID 15498947.
  3. ↑ Orrell, T.M.; Collette, B.B; Johnson, G.D. (2006). "Molecular data support separate Scombroid and Xiphioid Clades" (PDF). Bulletin of Marine Science. 79 (3): 505–519. Retrieved 28 October 2012.


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