Drass et al.: Larval development of Lutianus campechanus 



517 



Figure 6 



Preflexion and flexion wild Lutjanus campechanus: (Al 2.6 mm.. GCRL 1708; (B) 3.5 mm, SEAMAP 

 14766; (C) 5.2 mm, GCRL 1753B. 



relatively few species of lutjanids (larvae or adults) occur 

 in abundance [SEAMAP Atlas 1985-1995 (Thompson et 

 al., 1988: Sanders etal, 1990a, 1990b, 1991a, 1991b, 1992; 

 Donaldson et al. 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997a, 1997b); longlme 

 data, (Jones^); video data, (Gledhill^)]. 



^ Jones, L. M. 1998. Personal commun. Mississippi Laborato- 

 ries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fish- 

 eries Service, PO Drawer 1207, Pascagoula, MS 39568-1207. 



* Gledhill, C. T. 1998. Personal commun. Mississippi Labora- 

 tories, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fish- 

 eries Service, PO Drawer 1207, Pascagoula, MS 39568-1207. 



There were no notable or consistent differences between 

 laboratory-reared and field-caught red snapper larvae in 

 pigmentation, development or morphometry at similar 

 stages of development. Presence of avm pigment, number of 

 pav spots, and arrangement of median fin pigment among 

 wild larvae matched the appearance of these features in 

 reared larvae at about the same stage of development 

 (Figs. 2-6). Differences in size at stage of development that 

 were evident were probably caused by net-related shrink- 

 age or abrasion, or by both ( Theilacker, 1980 ). We observed 

 no consistent differences in pigment that could have been 

 caused by rearing conditions. Median fin element develop- 

 ment in wild red snapper larvae appeared at smaller sizes 



