DUNN AND MATARESE: GADIDAE 



297 



Table 82. Summary of Osteological Characters of the Caudal Fin in Pretransformation Larvae of Representatives of the Genera 



OF the Family Gadidae. 



' Juvenile specimens only examined. 



this volume), a basal gadid (Mujib, 1 967), a medial gadid related 

 to gadines (Svetovidov, 1948, 1969) or of questionable rela- 

 tionship (Fahay and Markle, this volume). We present here our 

 interpretation of the relationships of subfamilies of gadid fishes. 

 Egg diameter is largest in lotines and gadines, smallest in 

 phycines (Table 77). A single oil globule is present in lotines; 

 multiple oil globules, which duiing development coalesce into 



one, are found in most phycines (not yet reported to occur in 

 Ramceps). and are absent in gadines. Merlucctus has a mod- 

 erately sized egg (0.8-1.2 mm) with a single oil globule (Ahl- 

 strom and Counts, 1955; Russell, 1976; Fahay, 1983). Markle 

 ( 1982) considered small ( < 1 mm) eggs, possessing an oil globule, 

 the primitive state. We agree, but also consider multiple oil 

 globules, which coalesce into one the most primitive state. 



Fig, 150. (A) Preflexion larva of Microgadus proximus. 3.6 mm SL (from Matarese et al., 1981); (B) Preflexion larva of Eleginus gracilis, 5.0 

 mm SL (from Dunn and Vinter, 1984); (C) Preflexion larva of Boreogadus saida. 6.3 mm SL (from Dunn and Vinter, 1984); (D) Preflexion larva 

 of Theragra chalcogramma. 6.2 mm SL (from Matarese et al., 1981); and (E) Flexion larva of Micromesistius poulassou. 8.0 mm SL (Zool. Mus. 

 Copenhagen, stored at NWAFC). 



