Laidig et al.: Descriptions and growth of larval and |uvenile Sebastes wilsoni 



457 



Figure 1 (continued) 



the upper jaw and top of the head. Pigment on the tip 

 of the lower jaw spread posteriorly and became denser 

 than in smaller specimens. 



When the pelagic juveniles reached 23.0 mm, the 

 dorsal midline pigment was a dark strip extending from 

 the caudal fin to the head (Fig. ID, Table 4). Nape pig- 

 ment almost merged with the head pigment, except for 

 a small unpigmented area below the insertion of the 

 parietal and nuchal spines. Hypural pigment was pres- 

 ent distally in all individuals at this size and at larger 



sizes (n = 30). Anterior and posterior lateral midline pig- 

 ment merged to form a continuous line along the body. 

 The number of melanophores increased on the ventral 

 body surface, and a few melanophores were present at 

 the anal-fin ray bases and along the ventral midbody 

 posterior to the anal fin. The anterior body bar broad- 

 ened and became more defined. A few melanophores 

 on the flanks under the soft dorsal fin began to form 

 a midbody bar. A third body bar began to form on the 

 caudal peduncle. Pigment on the operculum, top of the 



