ABLE ET AL.: CYCLOPTERIDAE 



437 



Table 1 10. Ontogeny of Character Development for Cvclopterids Based on Available Literatlire. Stage of development at hatching 

 indicated by pre (preflexion). and flex (flexion). X indicates event takes place before hatching. 



are variable, with some species lacking meianophores on the 

 ventral surface behind the disk (Fig. 236) while in L. fabricii 

 they are prominent (Fig. 237). A second row of meianophores 

 occurs on the edge of the anal finfold in preflexion L. fucensis 

 (Marliave, 1976). The early appearance of meianophores on the 

 lateral surface of the tail pnor to beginning of notochord flexion 

 is diagnostic for L. atlanticus (Fig. 236) among western North 

 Atlantic Liparis with the exception of L. fabricii. Liparis fabricii. 

 unlike other Liparis examined, has numerous, stellate meia- 

 nophores over most of the body and these become increasingly 

 numerous with development (Fig. 237). By late flexion the pe- 

 ritoneum is completely black, the pectoral fins and head are 

 very dark, and oblique patches of meianophores are apparent 

 on the dorsal and anal fins (Fig. 237). All of these patterns are 

 unique to this species and suggest that it may be relatively iso- 

 lated within the genus. Generally, pigmentation patterns should 

 be used with caution since geographical vanation does occur, 

 as for L. gibbus (Able et al., MS). 



Ontogenetic schedule.— On the basis of current information, it 

 appears that certain developmental landmarks are useful for 

 distinguishing between groups of cycloptends and may, in some 

 instances, reflect relationships. The degree of development at 

 hatching is variable both between and within subfamilies (Table 

 110). All cyclopterines studied hatch late in development, at 

 relatively large sizes, when many developmental characters are 

 nearly complete (see Fig. 235). Embryonic development is more 



variable within the liparidines (Table 1 10); some Careproctus, 

 Paraliparis {Fig,. 238) and other deepwater forms from the south- 

 em hemisphere (Marshall, 1953; Andriashev et al., 1977) ap- 

 parently hatch late in development, at large sizes while shallow 

 water Liparis studied to date hatch as preflexion larvae (Able 

 et al., MS). 



Within Liparis, the development of several characters occurs 

 over a wide size range (Table 1 10). For example, in L. atlanticus 

 and L. inquilinus hatching, disk formation, nostril splitting, flex- 

 ion and postflexion and assumption of demersal habitat occur 

 at relatively small sizes, while in L. fabricii all of these events 

 are delayed until larger sizes. Other species (L. coheni, L. gibbus) 

 are intermediate. Liparis fabricii. which shows the most delayed 

 development, may remain pelagic throughout its life (Able and 

 McAllister, 1980; Tsinovsky and Mel'nikov, 1980). While some 

 of this variation may be explained by the variation in egg size 

 it can not account for the great differences observed. We suggest 

 that delayed development is associated with delayed assumption 

 of the demersal habitat and that this represents neoteny. 



(K.W.A.) Biological Sciences and Center for Coastal and 

 Environmental Studies, Rutgers University, New 

 Brunswick, New Jersey 08903; (D.F.M.) Huntsman 

 Marine Laboratory, St. Andrews, New Brunswick EOG 

 2X0, Canada; (M.P.F.) National Marine Fisheries Ser- 

 vice, Northeast Fisheries Center, Sandy Hook 

 Laboratory, Highlands, New Jersey 07732. 



