SPATIAL AND SEASONAL PATTERNS IN SPECIES COMPOSITION AND OCCURRENCE OF FISH LARVAE IN THE AREA OF THE CANARY ISLANDS, EASTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC
-- Distribution: The scopelarchid was caught at a mesopelagic station southeast of Fuerteventura in a depth range from 308 – 498 m during the day in winter.
• Benthalbella infans Meristics:
Development:
Vertebrae:
55 – 58
Dorsal rays:
8–9
Anal rays:
20 – 25
Pelvic rays:
9
Pectoral rays:
25 – 28
Flexion: 15 mm Transformation: 50– 76 mm; rapidly
-- Morphology: The pelvic fins are anteriorly positioned to the pectoral fins and are also longer than the latter ones. Adipose fin is elongated throughout the larval development. The head length is about 30 % of SL.
-- Pigmentation: No pigmentation develops until transformation, except for the choroid tissue. The missing pigmentation and the myomere and pectoral fin ray count leaded to this species.
-- Reference: DITTY (2006b); DITTY (2006d); FAHAY (1983); JOHNSON (1986a);
-- Reference material: 2 specimens; 01/00: S1 (P2393716); S3 (P2393717);
-- Distribution: During winter two specimens were found at mesopelagic stations in daytime, so one east of Gran Canaria at a depth of 467 – 566 m and another north of Gran Canaria at a depth of 356 – 402 m.
• Scopelarchus analis Meristics:
Development:
Vertebrae:
44 – 49
Dorsal rays:
7–9
Anal rays:
21 – 26
Pelvic rays:
9
Pectoral rays:
18 – 22
Hatching: < 4.8 mm Flexion: 10 – 13 mm Transformation: 25 – 55 mm; gradually
-- Morphology: The shape of the body is moderately elongate, but anteriorly deeper. The snout is long. The teeth are well developed and very outstanding (Figure 42).The short based dorsal fin is located far anterior of the body. Pelvic fins have a long base, where the origin lies under the dorsal fin. The origin of the anal fin is at about 50 % of the SL.
Inf. Téc. Inst. Canario Cienc. Mar. n°13
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