594 



ONTOGENY AND SYSTEMATICS OF FISHES -AHLSTROM SYMPOSIUM 





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Fig. 314. Most parsimonious cladogram of relationships of genera in the Gempyhdae (from Russo. 1983; fig. 47). 



pinnula. have more precaudal and fewer caudal vertebrae; in 

 most scombrids the reverse is tnae (Table 1 54). In the gempylids 

 3 centra support caudal rays; in scombrids (except Scombrini 

 and Grammatorcynus) 4 or 5 centra support the caudal rays. 



Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Fig. 313). — Lepidocybiuin lar- 

 vae, caught in the Indian Ocean, have been described by Ni- 

 shikawa ( 1 982). The description agrees with the Atlantic Ocean 

 and Gulf of Mexico larvae from the MCZ collection examined 

 by Potthoff, except for the vertebral count which Nishikawa 

 reported to be 16 + 15 = 31. The MCZ specimens had 17 + 

 15 = 32 vertebrae. Lepidocybium larvae and juveniles can be 

 distinguished from other scorn brid and gempylid species by 

 meristics (Tables 154, 155, and 156), pigmentation and shape. 

 First dorsal fin spine count is the lowest for all gempylids and 



scombrids. The first dorsal fin is intensely pigmented in larvae 

 of Lepidocybium and the individual spines have serrations. The 

 height and pigmentation of the fin is similar in larvae of Thunmis 

 and Euthynnus, but the fin spines are smooth in these two 

 scombrid genera. Neoepinnula has a considerably higher first 

 dorsal fin, also with serrate fin spines and also intensely pig- 

 mented. The low total vertebral count of 32 in Lepidocybium 

 is similar in Scombrolabrax, Scomber. Rastrelliger and Thyr- 

 sitops and the count is the same in Ruvellus, Epinmila and 

 Neoepinnula. The small projection on top of the head of Lep- 

 idocybium larvae as shown in Fig. 313 is also present in larvae 

 of Scomberomorus and Sarda. Cranial rugosities (striations) 

 observed in Lepidocybium larvae seem to be unique to this 

 genus. A very stout and long serrate preopercular spine is present 

 in Lepidocybium larvae. The overall intense gut pigmentation 



Fig. 315. Lateral views of gempylid larvae from lop to bottom: Neoepinnula orientalis. 5.5 mm NL, Gulf of Mexico, Flower Garden 81-12, 

 Sta. 379, Nov. 8, 1981, drawn by J. Javech; Epinnula magistralis. 6.3 mm NL, modified after Gorbunova (1982); Thyrsitops lepidopoides, 

 5.5 mm NL, drawn from a specimen from Sato's (1983) study by J. Javech. 



