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. They are mainly caught using hooks and lines.

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

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

See also

References

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