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The pelagic larva of the Midnight Snapper, Macolor macularis (Teleostei: Lutjanidae)

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 02:56 authored by Hay, AC, Jeffrey LeisJeffrey Leis
A larva of the Indo-West Pacific lutjanid fish Macolor macularis Fowler, the Midnight Snapper, is described from a 6.0 mm (standard length) specimen, collected in the western Pacific Ocean (2°58.1'S 158°14.3'E). Although recently settled M. macularis have been described, this is the first report of a pelagic larva. The deep-bodied larva is typical of the perciform family Lutjanidae and is characterized by 24 myomeres, laterally compressed head and body, robust, long dorsal and pelvic-fin spines with fine serrations and strong head spination. The larva of M. macularis can be distinguished from the similar larvae of Macolor niger (Forsskål) by having fin-ray counts of D X, 13 and A III, 10, the greater relative length of the second to third dorsal-fin spine and the lack of any opercular melanophores. Larvae of Macolor species are rare, juveniles are not common and adults live to 40–50 years. These facts indicate Macolor species have a life history extremely vulnerable to exploitation.

History

Publication title

Records of the Australian Museum

Volume

63

Pagination

85-88

ISSN

0067-1975

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Australian Museum

Place of publication

Sydney, Australia

Rights statement

Copyright 2011 The Authors

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Marine biodiversity

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