Ontogeny and distribution of Hygophum benoiti (Pisces ...

M.P.OIivar and I.Palomera
B
Fig. 3. Larval development of H.hygomii. (A) 5.3 mm; (B) 7.0 mm; (C) 9.9 mm; (D) 13.0 mm.
of BL at 3 mm to 29% at 11 mm. Small teeth were discernible in the upper jaw
in early larvae as small as 3 mm.
Pre-dorsal length in H.benoiti decreased with development. A significantly
negative allometnc relationship was observed between pre-dorsal length and
body length (Figure 4). For the size range considered, pre-dorsal distance varied
from 56 to 49% of BL. In H.hygomii,.this distance was smaller (changing from
50 to 44% of BL for the same range of sizes) (Figure 5).
Eyes were elliptical during all larval stages studied in both species (Figures 2
and 3). A conical mass of brown choroid tissue, similar in the two species, was
always visible on the ventral edge of the eye.
Notochordal flexion started at ~5 mm and was completed at 5.5 mm in
H.benoiti. In H.hygomii, notochordal flexion started at ~6 mm BL and was
completed at 7 mm BL.
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