Morphology similar to larvae of Loweina rara; dorsal fin origin not as far posteriad as in L. rara; peppering on pectoral fin rays (absent in L. rara); median and paired melanophores above brain (transverse bar in L. rara); higher counts for total vertebrae (39-42 vs. 37-39) and anal fin rays (17-20 vs. 13-17) compared with L. rara; Br2 photophores form at about 10.0 mm.
Distinguished from all other myctophids except L. rara by: dorsal and ventral finfolds greatly enlarged and conspicuously pigmented (more on dorsal); eyes narrow with lunate choroid mass; only Br2 develops during larval period; enlarged ventral pectoral fin ray (lost during transformation); postanal pigment band.
Pigmentation:
Preflexion: by 3.0 mm, dorsal and ventral apposing blotches posteriad on tail, blotch on dorsal surface of terminal gut section, embedded blotch above foregut, and one anterior to gut; ventral postanal blotch and embedded blotch above foregut lacking in most larvae >5.0 mm; by 7.0 mm, peppering on pectoral fin blade and large melanophores on voluminous median finfold.
Flexion: by about 9.0 mm, beginning of 2 pairs of rows on ventral surface of foregut and some (single) at nape; on midbrain and forebrain; transverse pair at cerebellum.
Sequence of fin development: pectorals, caudal, anal and dorsal, pelvics. |