LARVAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE LUTJANID SUBFAMILY PARADICICHTHYINAE (PISCES) - THE GENERA SYMPHORUS AND SYMPHORICHTHYS

Larval development in the two species of the lutjanid subfamily Paradi cichthyinae is described and illustrated from field specimens captured with plankton nets, midwater trawls and light traps in the eastern In dian Ocean and western Coral Sea. Series were assembled using fin-spin e morphology, fin-ray counts, head spination and pigment patterns. Ide ntifications were established from adult meristic characters, especial ly fin-ray counts. Larvae of the Paradicichthyinae have the spine on t he postcleithrum, the very elongate spines of dorsal and pelvic fins, and the even longer pelvic-fin soft rays that characterize lutjanid la rvae. They are further characterized by fin-ray counts; lack of extern al ornamentation on fin spines (except weak, late-forming anterior rid ges on spines of the pelvic fin); only one spine on the interopercle; no spines on the subopercle; sequence of spine formation on the upper limb of the outer border of the preopercle; dorsal-fin spines that for m early but remain relatively short until just before flexion; late-fo rming scales; late-forming pigment on the midbrain; and pigment patter n on the spinous dorsal fin. Symphorus nematophorus larvae are describ ed from 18 specimens, 3.5-17.7 mm, and are characterized by: a supraor bital ridge without serrations; a large spine at the angle of the preo percle; fin-ray counts; and pigment, especially a ventral series of me lanophores on the tail and a settlement-stage pattern of three broad, dark, horizontal bands. Symphorichthys spilurus larvae are described f rom five specimens, 8.1-16.2 mm, and are characterized by: a supraorbi tal ridge with three serrations; a spine of moderate length at the ang le of the preopercle; fin-ray counts; and pigment, especially lack of ventral pigment on the tail and a settlement-stage pattern of one broa d, dark, horizontal band and a large blotch at the base of each of the dorsal and anal fins. Both species apparently leave the pelagic envir onment at less than 18 mm and undergo substantial morphological and pi gment change between settlement and maturity. Larval evidence corrobor ates the placement of both species in the Lutjanidae, and suggests tha t the two species are closely related.