Egg and larval development of laboratory‐reared striped trumpeter latris lineata (forster in bloch and schneider 1801) (percoidei: Latridiidae) from Tasmanian waters

Abstract

Description of striped trumpeter (Latris lineata (Forster in Bloch and Schneider 1801)) eggs and larvae, previously described in summary only, is provided and illustrated from laboratory‐reared material. Laboratory fertilised eggs are round, 1.26–1.44 mm diameter, with a single, pigmented oil globule 0.27–0.29 mm diameter in an unsegmented yolk. Early‐stage embryos are pigmented on trunk and tail dorso‐laterally, forming a dorsal and ventral pigment band in late‐stage embryos. Hatching occurs 7–8 days post‐fertilisation in 12°C. Larvae are 2.8–3.5 mm body length (BL) at hatching with a voluminous finfold, large yolk sac with centrally‐placed oil globule, distinct pigmentation pattern, and no head spines. Flexion occurs from 5.6 to 8.7 mm BL. Fin formation commences from 6.6 mm BL in the sequence caudal, dorsal and anal (simultaneously), pectorals and pelvics. Myomeres number 33–39. Larvae are pigmented predominantly on the head, dorsal and ventral surfaces of trunk and tail, and gut ventrally, with melanophores also on upper and lower jaws. Larvae survived to 45 days post‐fertilisation, 11.9 mm BL, with complete fin‐formation of the caudal fin only. Similarities are noted between L. lineata larvae and aplodactylid, bovichtid, cheilo‐dactylid, chironemid, sillaginid, and tetragonurid larvae. A small number of L. lineata larvae were also caught inshore and at shelf edge on the Tasmanian west coast in late winter/early spring (September/ October).