Powell and Henley Larval development of Paratichthys albtgutta and P. lethostigma 



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The development of the caudal fin began at 5.4 mm 

 NL and was similar to that of P. albigutta, but cau- 

 dal rays were not observed until 6.5 mm NL. The 

 adult complement of principal caudal rays (10 + 8) 

 was attained at 8.2 mm SL (Table 2). 



Dorsal rays were first observed on a preflexion 

 specimen but were not consistently observed till early 

 flexion (6.5 mm NL, Table 2). The development of 

 dorsal rays was similar to that observed for P. albi- 

 gutta. Complete development of the dorsal-fin rays 

 occurred at approximately 8.4 mm SL. 



Anal-fin rays began to form on postflexion larvae 

 at approximately 7.3 mm SL. Development was simi- 

 lar to that observed for P. albigutta. Like P. albigutta, 

 anal-fin-ray development was rapid and the anal fin 

 appeared to be completely formed by approximately 

 8.4 mm SL (Table 2). 



Pelvic-fin rays were first observed on postflexion 

 larvae (8.2 mm SL, Table 2). All specimens >9.7 mm 

 SL consistently had a completed pelvic fin. 



Pectoral-fin rays began to form at 8.4 mm SL at 

 the dorsal position of the blade and developed ven- 

 trally. The largest specimen (11.0 mm SL) still had 

 not attained a completed (11-13 rays) pectoral fin 

 (Table 2). 



Pigmentation of laboratory-reared specimens 



Paralichthys albigutta Newly hatched P. albigutta 

 larvae had dendritic melanophores on the dorsal and 

 anal finfolds midway between the anus and noto- 

 chord tip (Fig. 1C). Dorsal and anal midline pigment 

 posterior to the anus was well developed. Melano- 

 phores occurred on the trunk and head, on the oil 

 globule, and on the yolk sac (Fig. 1C). Melanophores 

 were observed on the snout on a one-day old larva 

 (2.8 mm NL) but not on newly hatched larvae. 



Characteristic pigment on preflexion larvae was 

 almost-paired and almost-contiguous dorsal and ven- 

 tral midline melanophores that remained character- 



