POTTHOFF ET AL.: DEVELOPMENT OF SCOMBROID FISHES 



METHODS 



Scombroid larvae were cleared and stained for 

 cartilage and bone (Potthoff 1984) and subsequent- 

 ly measured in millimeters with a calibrated ocular 



micrometer under a binocular microscope. Noto- 

 chord length (NL) was measured on preflexion and 

 flexion stage larvae from the anterior tip of the up- 

 per jaw to the posterior tip of the notochord. Stan- 

 dard length (SL) was measured from the anterior 



for the scombroid families and Morone, a primitive perciform fish. 



mostly 2 



present 



present 



present 



present 



present 



absent 



present 



present 

 one part 



nonbifurcated 



present 

 one part 



slightly 

 bifurcated 



present 

 one part 



bifurcated 



present 

 one part 



bifurcated 



present 

 one part 



bifurcated, 

 sometimes 



non- 

 bifurcated 



present 

 one part 



non- 

 bifurcated 



present 

 one part 



nonbifurcated 



l,5 



l,5 



l,5 



l,5 



l,2 



l,5 



4,5 



5 Neoepinnula lacks middle radials. 



6 Lepidocybium, Rexea, Diplospinus, Paradiplospinus, Tongaichthys, and Gempylus have a one-part stay, all other gempylids have a two-part stay. 

 7 Diplospinus ontogenetically usually has three epurals, posterior two epurals are fused to one in adults, but some Diplospinus develop only two 

 epurals. 



649 



