568 



ONTOGENY AND SYSTEMATICS OF FISHES-AHLSTROM SYMPOSIUM 



Table 145. Summary of Larval Size at Selected Developmental Stages in Blennioidea (mm SL). Blanks indicate data are unavailable. 



flexion Stichaeidae) to very long (Pholidae) (Fig. 303B. D). The 

 family Anarhichadidae includes one genus with a long, thin 

 bodied larva (Anarrhtchthys) and another with only a moder- 

 ately elongate larva (Anarhichas) (Fig. 303E). The monotypic 

 family Ptilichthyidae has a unique larval form — it is highly elon- 

 gate with a small head and extended postanal body (Fig. 303n. 



Pigmentation characters. — Pigmentation is typically sparse for 

 most families within this infraorder, and tends to be added 

 subcutaneously with development. However, four families [Za- 

 proridae, Anarhichadidae, Cryptacanthodidae, and some Nem- 

 ophini (Blenniidae)] have larvae with dense body pigment that 

 is not typical of the Blennioidea (Figs. 303C, E, and G). Im- 

 portant pigment areas are along the ventral body midline and 

 in the gut area (Table 146). 



Head. —Eyes are pigmented prior to hatching in all known groups. 

 Pigment is generally absent or light during notochord flexion 

 but usually increases dorsally, over the brain, by the time flexion 

 occurs. Additionally, postflexion larvae may have pigment on 

 the snout, mouth, and in the opercular area. 



Gut. — Preflexion larvae in most species have peritoneal and 

 some dorsolateral pigment. In families that have a gas bladder 

 (e.g., Tripterygiidae, Labrisomidae, and Blenniidae), pigment is 

 present on its dorsal surface (Fig. 302A, D). Ventral pigment 

 may or may not be present. During notochord flexion, pigment 

 increases on the lateral gut surface, and becomes subcutaneous 

 in postflexion larvae. 



Trunk and tail. — This is the most important pigment area for 



Table 146. Summary of Some Pigmentation Characters in Larvae of Blennioidea. Key: D, dorsal; A, anal; P, pectoral; V, ventral; C, 

 caudal; +, present; O, absent; An, anterior; Po, posterior; \. increasing; j, decreasing; -, with development; and O - +, unpigmented initially, 



becoming pigmented with development. 



