SILVER MULLET 



403 



about 30 to 40 mm. long, and I consider the larval 

 period to end at this time.) The last 9 rays are 

 l)ranched in specimens about 25 mm. long (fig. 14). 

 Final fin shape is reached in juveniles between 50 

 and 110 mm. long (figs. 15 and 16). 



Pectorals. — The pectoral fin buds are first evi- 

 dent in yolk-sac larvae about 2.5 mm. total length, 

 but the first rays do not develop until the larvae 



are about 5.3 mm. total length, when about 5 or 

 6 rays are present in the upper part of the fin. 

 The number of rays increases to about 10 by a 

 larval size of 7.0 mm. standard length, and the 

 full complement (15 to 17) is reached by a larval 

 size of 14.5 mm. Ray development and changes 

 in fin shape at various larval and juvenile sizes 

 are demonstrated in figures 6 to 16. 



Figure 12. — Larva, 7.0 mm. 





V. , ^..•.n.,v/•>.vV,r•..J,.»•A-:^/,;^-r<K^>-:^^^ 



^■;.i r *g 



Figure 13. — Larva, 14.5 mm. 



Figure 14. — Larva, 25.5 mm. 



