Samples of spawning shoals were collected from five principal spawning grounds along the southeastern coast of China.Basing upon the comparative analyses of the morphological characters and serological study,together with the data on tagging experiment and the fishing seasons,the results are sum- marized as follows: The averages of meristic and morphometric characters between spawing shoals show slight statistical differences and the frequency distributions of meristic characters,such as the dorsal rays,the gill-rakers,etc.,are similar in different spawning shoals.Corresponding antigens,such as muscle proteins of different spawning shoals are serologically indistiguishable,but serologic diffe- rences have been found between muscle proteins from different species of rib- bon fishes.These relationships are represented graphically in a three dimension- al model.The results of the precipitin test closely follow conclusions drawn from morphologic evidence.Hence,the authors consider that these five spawning shoals,from Haichiao,Tachen,Niushan,Hsiungtitao and Chiehshih,belong to the same group,the so-called southern local population.They coexist in the same geographic district and are not completely isolated during spawning sea- sons.