Bolshakova et al.: Morphology of larvae of 6 Lampanyctus species in the central South Pacific Ocean 115 
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Figure 2 
Schematic maps of the stations (open circles) where larvae of the fol- 
lowing 3 species of Lampanyctus (black circles) were sampled during 
the 34th cruise of the RV Dmitry Mendeleev in the central South 
Pacific Ocean between January and March 1985: (A) diamondcheek 
lanternfish (L. intricarius), (B) Lampanyctus sp. D, and (C) pygmy 
lanternfish (L. pusillus). Dashed lines indicate the positions of bio- 
geographic borders (Becker and Evseenko, 1986) for the central 
water mass (C), the periphery of the central water mass (P), subtrop- 
ical frontal zone (STFZ), notal zone (N), Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone 
(APFZ), and Antarctic (A). Station numbers are given next to station 
markers. For geographic coordinates of the stations and for the dates 
of capture of larvae, see Table 1. 
Lampanyctus australis Taning, 1932 
Distinguishing features Larvae of L. australis are 
intensely pigmented and characterized by the 
presence of a broad vertical band of pigment pos- 
terior to the pectoral fin, distinguishing it from 
larvae of all other known lanternfish species in 
the area. Among all known species of Lampanyc- 
tus, 2 other species have a broad stripe of pigment 
at the larval stage: the jewel lanternfish (L. croco- 
dilus) and noble lampfish (LZ. nobilis) (Moser and 
Watson, 2001). Larvae of L. australis differ from 
those of L. crocodilus in the presence of melano- 
phores on the cleitrum and at the tip of the lower 
jaw. Larvae of L. nobilis have no melanophores 
between the dorsal and adipose fins, and a row of 
melanophores on the isthmus is present. 
Morphology In our collections, 15 larvae with 
sizes of 10.0-15.1 mm SL were identified, includ- 
ing specimens from the 34th expedition of the RV 
Dmitry Mendeleev and a 9.2-mm-SL larva from 
the 16th expedition of the RV Dmitry Mendeleev 
(st. 13835; 49°41’S, 148°25’E) (Fig. 4). Larvae are 
moderately deep bodied (BD 30-34% SL). The 
head length decreases from 33% to 27% SL as 
size increases from 9.2 mm SL to 15.1 mm SL. 
Larvae have a comparatively short snout (SnL 
28-33% HL) and almost round eyes (EL 28-33% 
HL). The jaws are relatively prominent and 
extend behind the level of the posterior margin 
of the orbit. The dorsal fin originates approxi- 
mately in the middle of the body (PDL 46-54% 
SL), and the anal fin begins under the 10-12 ray 
of the dorsal fin (PAL 58-66% SL). The PDL and 
PAL indicate the negative relationship with SL. 
Meristic characters D: 13-14, A: 16-19, P,: 13-14, 
P,: 8, C: 8+10—-94+8, GR: 6(7)+14+14(13), V: 36-37, 
BrR: 9. Fin rays are formed in all fins at 10.0 mm 
SL, and larvae have a definitive number of gill rak- 
ers at 10.2 mm SL. Larvae have 36-37 myomeres. 
Pigmentation Larvae are intensely pigmented. 
Pigmentation of the head includes paired melano- 
phores anterior to the midbrain, unpaired mela- 
nophores above the forebrain, one melanophore 
between the midbrain and the hindbrain, and 
one melanophore posterior to the hindbrain. There 
is one melanophore at the tip of the lower jaw. 
Melanophores are located on the cleithrum, on the 
inner surface of the base of the pectoral fins, and 
on its rays. One minute melanophore is located 
ventrally on the gut terminus. One conspicuous 
melanophore is on the dorsal midline between the 
dorsal and adipose fins. Internal melanophores are 
noticeable on the myosepta between the pectoral 
and pelvic fins and dorsally at the terminal gut 
section. 
