Defining character:    unpaired abdominal scutes; otophysic connection: swimbladder to posterior neurocranium with expansions of pterotic and prootic as bullae. Supratemporal canal passes through parietal

Among living Clupeiformes recessus lateralis, pareitals separated by supraoccipital; no foramen in anterior ceratohyal.

Membership: about 300 species; five families