RICHARDSON ET AL.: EGGS AND LARVAE OF BUTTER SOLE 



6.2 mm SL 



9.1 mm SL 



13.6 mm SL 



Figure 3. — Isopsetta isolepis larvae: 6.2 mm SL, 9.1 mm SL, and 13.6 mm SL. 



specimens due to damaged finfolds. It is not visible 

 on most specimens examined in this study, includ- 

 ing the series illustrated. This line of mela- 

 nophores has been seen on a few specimens up 

 to 7.3 mm long. Additional pigment develops on 

 the ventral finfold in the vicinity of the three pig- 

 ment bands in larvae >4 mm and on the dorsal 

 finfold near the posteriormost pigment band by 

 the time larvae are 8 mm. This finfold pigment 

 persists until caudal and anal fin formation. After 

 the dorsal and anal fins are formed, by the time 



larvae are >15 mm, their margins are fringed 

 with melanophores. However, the fin margins are 

 often damaged on preserved planktonic specimens 

 and the pigment fringing is not visible. 



With transformation, at >17 mm, pigment is 

 added to the eyed side in the tail region. Four or 

 five clusters of melanophores appear along the 

 dorsal pterygiophores and four along the ventral 

 pterygiophores. These clusters eventually become 

 obscured as more pigment is added. Increases in 

 the number of melanophores along the bases of the 



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