Abstract

Eggs, embryos and larvae of five labrid fishes, Thalassoma cupido, Pteragogus flagellifer, Pseudolabrus japonicus, Halichoeres tenuispinnis, and H. poecilopterus, reared in the laboratory are described and compared. The eggs were buoyant and spherical, with a single, spherical oil globule. P. japonicus eggs were unique in lacking melanophores on the oil globule. Eggs of the remaining species closely resembled each other, except in diameter. Incubation periods were short, ranging from ca. 19 h in H. poecilopterus to ca. 31 h in P. japonicus. The newly-hatched embryos also resembled each other, having a short tail and large oval or pear-shaped yolksac, the anterior tip of which extended beyond the snout. The single oil globule was located at the anterior tip of the yolk. As the yolksac diminished with growth, its anterior tip moved posteriorly. The yolk and oil globule were completely absorbed 3 or 4 days after hatching. In all free embryos and larvae except for Pteragogus flagellifer, needle-like projections appeared on both the dorsal and anal finfold margins 12 h to 1 day after hatching. Although morphology of free embryos and larvae of all five species was very similar, differences in pigmentation, location of the anus, and the needle-like projections were apparent. Artificial keys to the newly-hatched embryos and larvae are given.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.