The Chinese sillago is one of 31 currently recognised species in the genus Sillago, itself one of 3 genera of smelt whiting in the family Sillaginidae. The Sillaginidae are percoidfishes in the order Perciformes. The Chinese sillago was first described by a group of 6 authors in 2011 based on several type specimens collected from various parts of the East China Sea. The designated holotype is from near Wenzhou in the Zhejiang Province. The species specific epithet arises from the Latin word for China. The authors used the mitochondrial DNAcytochrome oxidase subunit I gene as a DNA barcode to further justify the assignment of a new species of Sillago. In doing so they also analysed the species position relative to several sillaginids with an overlapping geographic distribution. The results clearly indicated S. sinica was sufficiently genetically distant from other species to be considered a new species. S. parvisquamis is the closest species genetically which correlates with the similar overall morphology of these two species. The authors also demonstrated that the COI gene is a viable method of phylogenetically analysing the Sillaginide.
Description
The Chinese sillago is similar in external appearance to many other members of the genus Sillago, which have a slightly compressed, elongate body tapering toward the terminalmouth. The dorsal fin is in two parts, the first made of feeble spines and the second of soft rays headed by a single feeble spine. The first dorsal fin has either 10 or 11 dorsal spines, a feature unique among Sillago which otherwise have 11 dorsal spines. The second dorsal fin has a single spine followed by 20-22 soft rays, while the anal fin has 2 spines and 21 to 23 soft rays. There are 37 to 39 vertebrae, while the otolith morphology is also distinctive. The body is covered in small ctenoid scales, with the anterior scales larger than the posterior. The pectoral and ventral fin bases both lack scales. The maximum known size of the species is 17.5 cm. The Chinese sillago grades from a yellowish brown above to a silvery grey on its underside. A weak lateral stripe may be present. The dorsal fins are yellow to hyaline with small dark spots on the first dorsal fin and 3 to 4 rows of dusky spots on the membranes. The remaining fins are yellowish, with the caudal fin becoming dusky and having dark margins.
Distribution and biology
The Chinese sillago is only known from one study which collected all material from the East China Sea, Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea within China. The species is presumed to inhabit tidal flats in estuarine areas. Other areas of the species biology and ecology are unknown, with further study required. The relative importance to fisheries is also unknown, although sillaginids in general are of importance in Chinese waters.
