Embryonic and larval development of the topmouth gudgeon, Pseudorasbora parva (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

By

Zhu, Dongmei
Yang, Kun
Sun, Ning
Wang, Weimin
Zhou, Xiaoyun

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2018-8-10

Original Publication

MycoKeys

Volume

35

Pages

1--8

Subjects

Embryogenesis , invasive species , larval development

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2011-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.35.e22162

 

Abstract

The topmouth gudgeon, Pseudorasboraparva (Temminck & Schlegel, 1842), is a small cyprinid fish that inhabits the littoral zones of freshwater habitats throughout Asia and Europe. It is regarded as an invasive species in Europe, but in its native range, in China, as food and as an environmental bio-indicator. In this study, the embryonic and larval development of P.parva was investigated for the first time. The eggs of P.parva are transparent, adhesive and elliptical. The mean size of fertilized eggs was (1.63×1.31) ± 0.04 mm. From fertilization to hatching, embryonic development could be divided into eight stages and 34 phases, and the incubation period lasted for 109.25 hours at 24 ± 1 °C. Newly hatched larvae were 4.1 ± 3 mm in length, and the yolk absorption was completed within six days after hatching. The first and second swim bladders formed at the third and ninth day, respectively. The pectoral fin formed before the hatching stage, followed by the caudal, dorsal, anal and ventral fin formation after hatching. About 20 days after hatching, the morphology of the fry was similar to the adult fish. These findings provide a basis for determining the complete ontogeny of P.parva, as well as facilitate the management and utilization of this fish.