396 
Fishery Bulletin 95(2), 1997 
$ 
Figure 2 
Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus , eggs and yolksac larvae: (A) eggs 
just before hatching (28 h after hatching, 820 mm diameter); (B) newly hatched 
larva (28 h after fertilization, 1.58 mm NL, 1.68 mm TL); and (C) yolksac 
larva (21 h after hatching, 2.46 mm NL, 2.59 mm TL). Drawings A and B are 
from preserved specimens, and C is from a live specimen. 
melanophores along the ventral mid- 
line, and one large melanophore on the 
posterior part of the anus. At 21 dah, 
all larvae were in late flexion (Fig. 3C ) 
and were characterized by a more 
rounded head and increased pigmen- 
tation. Large dendritic melanophores 
spread over the gut and along the ven- 
tral midline. One distinct dendritic 
melanophore was visible on the fore- 
head and another behind the eye. 
Small punctate melanophores were 
visible on the ventral abdomen. In live 
larvae, reddish chromatophores were 
scattered over the body but mainly 
between the developing dorsal and 
anal fins (not shown in Fig. 3C, but 
see photograph in Tucker, 1986). 
At 28 dah, five larvae had com- 
pleted flexion. The finfold was gone, 
and caudal, dorsal, anal, and pecto- 
ral fin spines and rays were well de- 
veloped (Table 1). Caudal rays num- 
bered 21-29 and pelvic rays 0-3. Ten 
dorsal spines were present in all lar- 
vae; the last one was yet to form. Rays 
began forming at the center of the pel- 
vic fin at 6.24 mm SL. The first and 
second anal spines were present in all 
specimens. Punctate melanophores 
were scattered over the entire body. 
Prejuvenile development 
By 28-30 dah, transformation was 
nearly complete. Adult counts of 
spines and rays were reached in all 
fins except for a lack of 0-2 caudal 
rays, the last dorsal spine, the low- 
ermost 1-2 pectoral rays, and the 
last pelvic ray (Table 1). Coloration was similar to 
that of adults, and 5-6 of the characteristic lateral 
black bars had formed, but the fish were more slen- 
der than adults. This could be considered a 
prejuvenile phase. At 28 dah, two specimens (8.54 
and 8.81 mm SL) had become prejuveniles (Fig. 3D). 
By 38 dah, the adult complement of fin elements was 
present except for 1-2 caudal rays, one anal spine, and 
one pectoral ray in some specimens; 1-2 pelvic rays 
still were missing. Ten of 14 specimens were fully scaled. 
Juvenile development 
Between 38 and 53 dah, all specimens reached the 
juvenile stage and had adult counts for fin elements. 
By 42 dah, the body had deepened, but the eye was 
relatively large. By 67 dah, body proportions of the 
juveniles were similar to those of adults. 
Proportions 
Snout length:head length (HL) varied slightly until 
53 dah, then increased to 28% at 67 dah (Table 2). 
Eye diameter:HL was largest at 0.6 dah (69%) and 
decreased to 36% at 67 dah. Upper jaw length:HL 
was greatest at 17 dah and least at 67 dah. HL:body 
length (BL) was least at 0.6 dah and most at 38 dah, 
then decreased at 53-67 dah. Snout to first dorsal 
spine:BL, snout to first dorsal ray:BL, and snout to 
first pelvic spine:BL were greatest at 38 dah. Snout 
