KEENE AND TIGHE: BERYCIFORMES 



387 



Fig. 206. (A) Postflexion larva of Scopelogadus bispinosus. 8.0 mm SL; (B) Postflexion larva of Poromitra sp.. 13.5 mm SL; (C) Postflexion 

 larva of Poromitra megalops. 10.0 mm SL; (D) Postflexion larva of Scopelobery.x sp., 6.5 mm SL; (E) Postflexion larva of Melamphaes lugubris, 

 8.3 mm SL; (F) Postflexion larva of Melamphaes lyphlops. 9.4 mm SL (source: Ebeling, 1962). 



are minor differences in the spine patterns of the two species 

 illustrated, and the Holocenlnis spination is somewhat more 

 developed. All of these spines are lost as the fish develops into 

 a juvenile in the Myripristinae, while the Holocentrinae retain 

 only large preopercular spines. 



A considerable amount is known about at least some of the 

 early life history stages of all melamphaid genera except Sio. 

 Notes from Moser and Ahlstrom, and an examination of me- 

 lamphaid larval specimens from the Southwest Fisheries Cen- 

 ter (SWFC), allow the following conclusions to be made about 

 early melamphaid larvae 2-10 mm for Poromitra. Melam- 

 phaes. Scopelogadiis, and Scopeloberyx. Specimens in this range 

 tend to have a relatively more elongate and slender body shape 

 than later larval stages. The pelvics develop rapidly followed 

 closely by the pectoral fins. The pelvic fin origin is more anterior 

 than in later stages, and the pelvic rays are quite long, fragile 

 and darkly pigmented. This condition persists longer and is 

 more striking in some species such as M. lyphlops than in others. 

 In early larvae of Melamphaes. Scopelogadiis. and Scopelobe- 

 ryx. two pigment spots occur near the posterior end of the dorsal 

 and anal fin anlagen (Fig. 205A). These pigment spots spread 

 both anteriorly and postenorly during growth to form longitu- 

 dinal rows of pigment along the dorsal and ventral surfaces of 

 the body (Fig. 205B). In some species, these areas of initial 

 pigmentation spread laterally to form a band of pigment between 

 the dorsal and anal fin bases in later larval stages. Additional 

 pigmentation occurs on the cranium and peritoneum in all four 

 genera, and in the form of a spot at the posterior end of the 

 caudal peduncle in at least Melamphaes and some Poromitra. 

 In these early stages, the second or third dorsal fin ray tends to 

 be much longer than the others, extending to the region of the 

 caudal peduncle. This elongate ray is known to occur in Me- 

 lamphaes. Scopeloberyx. and Scopelogadus. Usually damaged. 



this elongate ray is not evident after 5-10 mm but, even in 

 adults, the second or third dorsal ray (spine) is the largest. By 

 5-10 to 20 mm SL melamphaid larvae exhibit body shapes 

 and other characters such as meristics and preopercular spi- 

 nation that allow them to be separated into genera (Ebeling, 

 1962; Fig. 206A-F). Development is gradual and direct; there 

 are no known prejuvenile stages. Additional larvae were illus- 

 trated and are published here without further comment (Fig. 

 207). 



Early life history stages are known for all three species con- 

 tained in the two genera of the Diretmidae. Post (1976) discusses 

 the systematics and early life history of two of these species, 

 and Post and Quero (1981) in their familial revision, describe 

 a new genus and species, give the early life history of all three 

 species, and provide a key for the identification of juveniles. 

 The larvae of all three species are relatively elongate at 4-5 mm 

 sizes but rapidly develop a relatively deeper body. All three 

 species also possess a short stout spine over each eye, a longer 

 cranial spine directed posteriodorsad on each side of the head, 

 and a long preopercular spine directed posterioventrad (Fig. 

 208A). The head spine configuration is quite similar to that of 

 .4. cormita. described below, and is gradually lost during growth. 



The monotypic Anoplogasteridae contains the highly spe- 

 cialized mesopelagic predator .-inoplogaster cormtta. Specimens 

 over about 100 mm SL are jet black with large fangs while 

 specimens less than 80 mm SL are metallic grey with black 

 pigmentation developing along the ventral midline, do not have 

 such large teeth, and exhibit a pattern of head spination not 

 found in larger individuals (Woods and Sonoda, 1973). USNM 

 collections contain many individuals from 4.5 mm TL larvae 

 to adults, upon which the following characterization of the early 

 life history stages is based. 



A 4.5 mm prefiexion larva has the caudal fin elements de- 



