Bolshakova et al.: Morphology of larvae of 6 Lampanyctus species in the central South Pacific Ocean 117 
Figure 3 
Illustrations of 4 early developmental stages of larval cripplefin lanternfish (Lam- 
panyctus achirus) caught in the central South Pacific Ocean in 1985 (A) at station 3056 
(9.2 mm standard body length [SL]), (B) at station 3056 (13.5 mm SL), (C) at station 
3054 (15.0 mm SL), and (D) at station 3054 (22.0 mm SL). 
Internal melanophores are visible in front of the liver, and 
some pigment is embedded in the peritoneal region on the 
myosepta between the pectoral and pelvic fins. 
Photophore formation Only Br. are formed. 
Comparative remarks On the basis of a number of char- 
acters, including elongated jaws, patch of teeth on the 
tip of upper jaw, long rostrum, large head, large pectoral 
fins, and posteriorly displaced dorsal fin (Moser et al., 
1984; Zahuranec, 2000), we assign this larva to the group 
of long-rostrum Lampanyctus larvae (formerly Nan- 
nobrachium). Among the species that inhabit the cen- 
tral South Pacific Ocean, L. macdonaldi, L. gibbsi, and 
L. wisneri have not had their early stages of development 
described. Lampanyctus macdonaldi has a significantly 
higher number of gill rakers and lower number of verte- 
brae (GR: 25-28 versus 15; V: 34-35 versus 37). The mer- 
istic features of the remaining 2 types overlap (Table 2). 
Therefore, this larva may belong to one of these 2 species: 
L. gibbsi or L. wisneri. 
Distribution The larva of this type was the only one with 
these characteristics collected in the central South Pacific 
Ocean. It was caught on the northernmost point of the 
study area (st. 3071). This station was located in the cen- 
tral water mass at 17°S (Fig. 1C). 
Lampanuctus intricarius Taning, 1928 
Distinguishing features Larvae of this species have a highly 
compressed body; the larvae <14 mm SL have dorsal and 
ventral finfolds. The larvae are characterized by the pres- 
ence of a series of prominent melanophores along the 
margins of dorsal and ventral finfolds and by an intensely 
pigmented caudal region. Among all known species of Lam- 
panyctus from the Pacific Ocean, no larvae have finfolds 
that are so prominent at the postflexion stage. Larvae of 
