EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF 4 TONGUEFISHES OF THE GENUS SYMPHURUS (OSTEICHTHYES, CYNOGLOSSIDAE) FROM THE SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Using the ichthyoplankton samples collected in the southeastern Brazil Bight (from 23-degrees-S to 29-degrees-S), morphological development of four species of Symphurus larvae and pre-settlement juveniles are d escribed. Larvae of four species are identified based on distribution pattern of pigment on the dorsal and ventral margins of trunk and the length of first five dorsal fin rays. All four species have a crest co nsisting of elongated dorsal rays. Symphurus ginsburgi larvae have one short first dorsal finray followed by four long rays and a pair of me lanophores are visible on the dorsal and ventral margins of the trunk at about one-third of body length from preflexion stage. Only S. ginsb urgi of the four species reported has a conical appendix attached to t he trailing gut coil. Symphurus kyaropterygium also has one short dors al finray followed by four long rays, but can be distinguished from th e former species by pigment pattern, i.e. there are four groups of mel anophores along the dorsal margin of the trunk. Symphurus tessellatus has one short finray followed by two long rays and seven groups of mel anophores on the dorsal margin of the trunk. Symphurus trewavasae has four long dorsal finrays and six groups of melanophores along the dors al margin of the trunk.