Eggs, Larvae and Osteological Development of the Northern Searobin, Prionotus carolinus (Pisces, Triglidae)

Paul Yuschak

Little Harbor Laboratory, Inc.
69 Andrews Road, Guilford, Connecticut, USA 06437

William A. Lund

University of Connecticut, Marine Research Laboratory
Noank, Connecticut, USA 06340

 

Yuschak, P. and Lund, W.A. 1984. Eggs, Larvae and Osteological Development of the Northern Searobin, Prionotus carolinus (Pisces, Triglidae). J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci. 5(1): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.2960/J.v5.a1

 

Abstract

Egg, larval and osteological development of the northern searobin, Prionotus carolinus, is described, principally from laboratory  reared specimens. Egg diameter ranges from 0.87 to 0.97 mm, and the eggs contain 11 to 37 oil globules, which migrate to various locations within the egg during development. Gastrulation occurs at 27 hr, embryo is halfway around the yolk at 52 hr, and hatching occurs between 120 and 155 hr at 15°C. Prominent pigmentation of the embryo consists of a dark cluster of chromatophores just posterior to the developing eye and the beginning of a transverse band halfway between the vent and notochord tip just prior to hatching. Newly-hatched larvae range from 2.8 to 3.1 mm. The transverse band of pigment is fully developed and is an important characteristic in identifying early P. carolinus larvae. The pectoral fins are present at hatching and remain a characteristic feature.

Adult meristics are complete by 7.0 mm. Larval head length increases during development becoming 37.5% of the body length during flexion. After flexion, head size decreases to that of an adult (32%). All bones are differentiated and the majority fully ossified at 24.0 mm. Cranial spines are present at 4.0 mm and additional spines on the opercle complex at 7.0 mm. Subsequent development results in degeneration of spines to the adult number and configuration. Spine number and pattern may be useful in separating P. carolinus from P. evolans and other members of the triglid family.

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Language - English
Publisher - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), Dartmouth, N.S., Canada
Publication Date - January 1984
Publication Type - Journal Article
Descriptors - eggs, larvae, northern searobin

Citation: Yuschak, P. and Lund, W.A. 1984. Eggs, Larvae and Osteological Development of the Northern Searobin, Prionotus carolinus (Pisces, Triglidae). J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci. 5(1): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.2960/J.v5.a1