LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF LESUEURINA SP. (TELEOSTEI LEPTOSCOPIDAE) WITH NOTES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE LARVAE IN A SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ESTUARY.

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract: The larval development of the leptoscopid. Lesueurina sp., is described and illustrated from material obtained from the lower Swan Estuary. in south-western Australia. The larvae examined (2.90-12.04 mm) are pelagic. have an elongate. slender body. a short head and gut and 42-48 myomeres. A prominent ventral melanophore on the tail. located between myomeres 29 and 35. is the most distinctive character of the pigmentation. Larvae settle on sandy bottoms at sizes over 13 mm. with all fins developed and formed fringe on the lips. The eyes are located laterally in larvae but migrate to a dorsal position sometime during settlement. Comparisons with similar taxa and the occurrence of the larvae in the Swan Estuary are also discussed.