Oda: Egg and larval development of Paralichthys califomicus and Xystreurys liolepis 



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of P. dentatus and P. olivaceus share similar general 

 morphology and pigmentation with those of P. califor- 

 nicus. However, their eggs are slightly larger than 

 P. califomicus and P. microps, and have a larger oil 

 globule than P. califomicus. 



Larval descriptions 



Paralichthys califomicus 



Morphology Preflexion larvae initially are slender 



(BD ~20% BL) but develop into deep-bodied post- 

 flexion larvae (BD 34-39% BL, Table 2). Throughout 

 development larvae are noticeably laterally compressed 

 (HW 12-15% BL). The straight tubular gut of early 

 preflexion larvae develops a coil later in preflexion. The 

 ratio of preanal length to body length remains relative- 

 ly constant (~45%), but head length increases (from 

 20 to 30%). 



Myomere counts range from 34 to 36. Double-stained 

 specimens (Table 3) have 10 precaudal vertebrae and 

 24-25 caudal vertebrae. 



