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Larvae Information Summary for
Benthosema pterotum
| Main Ref: | Olivar, M.P., H.G. Moser and L.E. Beckley 1999 | |||
Yolk-sac larvae
| max | min | mod | Ref. | |
| Length at birth (mm) | ||||
| Preanal L. % TL | 57 | 52 |
| Place of development | planktonic | |||
| Larval area | Southwestern Indian Ocean (Agulhas Current Region); Northwestern Pacific (Japan,Taiwan Strait) | |||
| Yolk-sac | Ref: | |||
| Yolk | Oil globules | |||
| Rows on tail | ||||
| Other melanophores on tail | ||||
| Melanophores on head + trunk | melanophores on head | |||
| Blotch anterior to the cleithral symphysis present. | ||||
Post larvae
| Striking feature | light organs | |||
| Striking shape lateral | normal (not striking) | dorsal | ||
| Striking feature | light organs | |||
| Shape of gut | elongated | |||
| Gas bladder early | late | |||
| Spinal armature early | late | |||
| Pigmentation early | ||||
| Rows on tail | ventral row | |||
| Other melanophores on tail | no other melanophores | |||
| Melanophores on head + trunk | melanophores on head | |||
| Pigmentation late | ||||
| Rows on tail | no rows | |||
| Other melanophores on tail | tail with single melanophore | |||
| Melanophores on head + trunk | melanophores on head | |||
| Urostyle region early | unpigmented | late | unpigmented | |
| Peritoneum | with row of melanophores | |||
| Pectorals | normal without melanophores | |||
| Pelvics | normal (i.e. small or absent) without melanophores | |||
| Body moderately slender (body depth at pectoral: 14-19% BL); gut extends to slightly behind the midpoint of the body. Pigmentation: Blotch anterior to the cleithral symphysis present in all larval stages; a melanophore on the lateral wall of the gut and another one on the free terminal section of the gut; a melanophore on the tip of the lower jaw, and a pair on the snout; all above melanophores indistinct or absent in larvae >10 mm; three or four melanophores on the midventral line of the tail present in very early larvae; these coalesce to one in larvae 4.5 to 5.5 mm BL, located about 7 myomeres posterior to the anus; this melanophore is seldom visible in larger larvae. Sequence of photophore development: Second branchiostegal photophore (Br2) beginning to form at 5.0 mm; Br2 and dorsonasal photophore (Dn) begin forming at about 5.7 mm; pectoral photophores, (PO5) at 8.4 mm; PVO1. | ||||
Meristic characters
| max | min | mod | Ref. | |
| Total number of myomeres | 20 | 12 | 41388 |
| L 1st feeding | Ref. |
Months of presence of larvae
|
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| max | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | ||
| min | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | ||
| mod | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
| Similar species 1 | 7423Benthosemafibulatum |
| Remarks | |
| See B. fibulatum for comparative remarks. | |
| Similar species 2 | Ceratoscopelustownsendi |
| Remarks | |
| See C. townsendi for comparative remarks. | |
| Water parameters Metric characters |
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