Descriptions of larvae of Merluccius australis, Macruronus magellanicus, and observations on a larva of Micromesistius australis from southern Chile (Pisces: Gadiformes)

Abstract

Larvae of two commercially important fish species, namely southern hake (Merluccius australis) and hoki (Macruronus magellanicus), are described for the first time from material collected in southern Chile. Observations on a third species, blue whiting (Micromesistius australis), are also provided. The three species demonstrate larval characteristics typical of gadiform fishes, including a short gut, and pigmentation distributed in blotches and bands. Characteristics of the larvae of M. australis from Chile are similar to those observed in sketches from New Zealand, such that the descriptions may be used to identify the larvae from other regions. The similarity of characteristics between M. magellanicus larvae from Chile and Argentina and larvae of M. novaezelandiae from Tasmanian and New Zealand waters demonstrate the taxonomic affinity between these species. The presence of three dorsal fins in a late postflexion Micromesistius australis larva allowed it to be easily recognised.