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Larvae Information Summary for  Scophthalmus maximus
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Main Ref: Russell, F.S. 1976
Yolk-sac larvae
  max min mod Ref.
Length at birth (mm) 3 2.14 2.5  
Preanal L. % TL 47.6 46.4 47  
Place of development planktonic
Larval area to be filled
Yolk-sac spherical     Ref:  
Yolk unsegmented Oil globules one oil globulecentralventralpigmented
Rows on tail dorsal + ventral row
Other melanophores on tail tail partly covered with melanophores
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head + trunk
Chromatophores form postanal bar on the primordial fin dorsally and ventrally and a few dorsally on the primordial fin above the rectum.
Post larvae
Striking feature none
Striking shape lateral short and/or deep dorsal compressed
Striking feature none
Shape of gut spherical or gut loop
Gas bladder   early invisible late invisible
Spinal armature   early several different spines late several different spines
Pigmentation early
Rows on tail ventral row
Other melanophores on tail tail partly covered with melanophores
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head + trunk
Pigmentation late
Rows on tail dorsal + ventral row
Other melanophores on tail tail completely covered with melanophores
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head + trunk
Urostyle region   early unpigmented late pigmented
Peritoneum covered with melanophores
Pectorals normal  
Pelvics normal (i.e. small or absent)  
At about 8 mm, melanophores are scattered over most of the dorsal and anal fins. Spiny armature appear at 4-5 mm and is very well developed at 10-11 which declines after.
Meristic characters
  max min mod Ref.
Total number of vertebrae     30 65
  L 1st feeding Ref. Months of presence of larvae
max 4.8 65 Jan Feb Mar Apr
min 3.2 65 May Jun Jul Aug
mod 4   Sep Oct Nov Dec
Water parameters     Metric characters
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