Osmerus

Osmerus /ɒsˈmɪərəs/ is a genus of smelt.

Species

There are currently three recognized species in this genus:

• Osmerus dentex (Steindachner & Kner, 1870) (Pacific rainbow smelt)
• Osmerus eperlanus (Linnaeus, 1758) (European smelt)
• Osmerus mordax (Mitchill, 1814) Osmerus mordax dentex Steindachner & Kner, 1870 (Arctic rainbow smelt) Osmerus mordax mordax (Mitchill, 1814) (Rainbow smelt)

The Pygmy smelt Osmerus spectrum described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1870 is a synonym of O. mordax.

Fossil species

• Osmerus albyi Sauvage, 1870 (Messinian of Italy)
• Osmerus glarisianus Agassiz, 1842 (Oligocene of Czechia & Romania)
• Osmerus larteti Sauvage, 1870 (Messinian of Italy)
• Osmerus propterygius Sauvage, 1870 (Messinian of Italy)
• Osmerus stilpnos Sauvage, 1870 (Messinian of Italy)