412 



ONTOGENY AND SYSTEMATICS OF FISHES-AHLSTROM SYMPOSIUM 



Fig. 221. Larvae of Scorpaenidae. (A) Sehastes oblongiis. 8.5 mm TL (from Fujita, 1958); (B) 5. longispinis. 7.1 mm TL (from Takai and 

 Fukunaga, 1971); (C) S. huhbsi. 6.0 mm TL (from Uchida et al., 1958); (D) S. zacentrus. 12.7 mm SL (from Laroche and Richardson. 1981); (E) 

 5. paucispims. 10.5 mm SL (from Moser et al., 1977); (F) 5. jordani. 15.5 mm SL (ibid.); (G) S. levis. 10.4 mm SL (ibid.); (H) Hetwolenus 

 daclyloplerus, 10.0 mm (from Tuning, 1961). 



form during the preflexion period in most species, and other 

 spines appear gradually thereafter (Fig. 220). Although there is 

 variation in larval spine complements (Moser and Ahlstrom, 

 1978; Moser and Butler, 1981; Richardson and Laroche, 1979; 

 Laroche and Richardson. 1980, 1981). it is apparent that 1) 

 the adult head spine complement develops during the larval 

 period and 2) certain spines develop during the larval period 

 but are not present in adults. Of the latter, the most prominent 

 are the pterotic, anterior preoperculars, lower posttemporal, and 

 upper infraorbitals.' The fact that these spines do occur in adults 

 of other subfamilies is of possible phylogenetic significance 

 (Moser and Ahlstrom, 1978). 



Upper infraorbitals are present in adults of a few species ofSebastes. 



Helicolenus is viviparous, the fertilized eggs developing in a 

 gelatinous matrix within the ovary (Graham, 1939; Krefft, 1961). 

 Larvae of H. dactyloptenis have been described; hatching and 

 birth occur at a smaller size (2.2 mm) than in Sebastes. although 

 sizes at notochord flexion and transformation are similar (Table 

 1 07). Larvae are moderately deep-bodied (Fig. 221); body depth 

 averages 29%, 33%, and 49% of body length for preflexion, 

 flexion and postflexion stages. Head and gut shape are similar 

 to that of Sebastes. The pectoral fin is moderate in size and 

 rounded; the base is slightly deeper than in most species of 

 Sebastes. Sequence of fin formation is similar to that oi Sebastes. 

 A mass of spongy tissue develops anteriorly in the dorsal finfold 

 in preflexion larvae and persists through most of the larval 

 period; the structure is apparently unique. The early pigment 

 pattern consists of a dorsolateral gut sheath, melanophores above 

 the brain, on the lower jaw, in a short median ventral series just 



