| Jack silverside | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Atheriniformes |
| Family: | Atherinopsidae |
| Subfamily: | Atherinopsinae |
| Tribe: | Atherinopsini |
| Genus: | Atherinopsis Girard, 1854 |
| Species: | A. californiensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Atherinopsis californiensis Girard, 1854
| |
Atherinopsis californiensis, the jack silverside or jacksmelt,[2] is a species of neotropical silverside native to the Pacific coast of North America from Oregon, United States to southern Baja California, Mexico. This species grows to 45 cm (18 in) in total length, silver throughout the body, grey dorsal pattern, light silver ventral-lateral. Yellow spot present behind the eye, on operculum. and is important commercially as a source of human food. It is the only known member of its genus.
Atherinopsis californiensis is a key element of Pacific coast marine ecosystems. This circumscription reveals its ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions across its distribution in different habitats. The diet and reproductive strategies of Jacksmelt are important to understanding its ecological role in these ecosystems. Additionally, it is recognized that this species has economic value and the need is for sustainable practices to maintain abundance. Conservation efforts to proactively maintain healthy populations of Atherinopsis californiensis that are not chipped, will be important due to continuing threats of overfishing and habitat degradation.
- ^ Iwamoto, T.; Eschmeyer, W.; Smith-Vaniz, B. (2010). "Atherinopsis californiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T183827A8183878. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T183827A8183878.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Leo Pinkas, California Marine Fish Landings For 1972 and Designated Common Names of Certain Marine Organisms of California, fish bulletin 161, Marine Resources Region, 1974