RUPLE: GOBIOIDEI 



585 



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Fig. 311. Larvae of gobioids from top to bottom: Trypauchen microlepis (Family Trypauchenidae) 8.0 mm SL (ASMS:CFIT 2-11-78); 

 Microdesmus longipinms (Family Microdesmidae) 19.2 mm SL (GCRL:02036); Gobioides broussoniieti (Family Gobiodidae), 1 5.0 mm SL (GCRL: 

 02037); and Dormilalor macutatus (Family Eleotridae) 8.1 mm SL (GCRL:02039). 



gobius boreus. and Luciogobiiis elongatus; Fig. 309) have shoin 

 fin bases, with few closely spaced elements. 



Gobioids transform from larvae to juveniles over a wide size 

 range. The gobiids Gobiosoma bosci and G. robusluin begin 

 transformation at ~7.0 mm, while some microdesmids main- 



tain a pelagic larval existence until they reach lengths of ~25- 

 35 mm. 



Meristics and fin development. —Sequence of development, 

 number of elements, and size at which various fins develop are 



