144 



FISHERY BULLETIN OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



few melanophores (faded to brown color) on the 

 dorsal surface of the brain case. The eyes are 

 black with white pupils (preservation caused a 

 reversal of color from that of the live condition of 

 white eyes and black pupils). 



LARVA, 4.7 MILLIMETERS 



(Fig. 4) 



The visceral sac was nearly empty and not so 

 distended as in other specimens of similar size. 

 The snout is slightly produced and extends beyond 

 the tip of the mandible. The nostril opening has 

 elongated. Pelvic fins are now present, as buds, 

 and indistinct supporting structures have appeared 

 in the dorsal and anal portions of the finfold (which 

 is now notched anterior to the caudal portion), 

 and some rays are discernible in the ventral por- 

 tion of the caudal. 



LARVA, 5.6 MILLIMETERS 



(Fig. 5) 



The snout and mandible have elongated slightly. 

 Fanglike teeth are present on the tip of the snout. 

 The nostril is partially divided by developing 

 flaps. A lower secondary preopercular spine h?.s 

 appeared on the ventromedial keel of the main 

 preopercular spine. Separation of the finfold 



into dorsal, caudal, and anal portions is distinct 

 but not complete. Additional caudal rays have 

 appeared, the urostyle has turned upward, and 

 supporting structures in dorsal, anal, and pectoral 

 fins are further developed, but not yet discernible 

 as rays. 



LARVA, 5.4 MILLIMETERS 



(Fig. 6) 



The snout is more elongated and extends farther 

 beyond the tip of the mandible. Several palatine 

 teeth have appeared, and although snout fangs 

 are missing (appear broken off) they are present 

 on other specimens of similar size. Each nostril 

 is now divided (by a flap of skin) into two openings. 

 Two upper secondary preopercular spines are now 

 present. (At this size the height of spinous con- 

 dition of the head is reached, although the pterotic 

 spines are blunt and appear deformed on this 

 specimen.) Rays are discernible in dorsal and 

 anal fins, the pectoral fin has 16 rays, additional 

 rays are present in the caudal fin, separation of 

 dorsal, anal, and caudal fins is complete, and the 

 pelvic fins have elongated. The pattern of pig- 

 mentation is more distinct (probably owing to 

 better color preservation). 



Figure 4. — Larva, 4.7 millimeters long (USNM 163332). 



Figure 5.— Larva, 5.6 millimeters long (USNM 163333). 



