LARVAL AND JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT OF 2 DRAGONETS, REPOMUCENUS-RICHARDSONII AND R-VALENCIENNEI, REARED IN A LABORATORY

Repomucenus richardsonii and R. valenciennei eggs were obtained from c aptive spawners, and the larvae were raised to the juvenile stage. Tot al lengths (TL) of newly-hatched prolarvae were 1.17 +/- 0.04 mm and 1 .11 +/- 0.03 mm, respectively. Each species had 8-9 + 11-12 myomeres a nd a large oval yolk sac. Developmental changes in the two species wer e similar: absorption of the yolk was completed at 5-6 days after hatc hing at ca. 2.2 mm TL, all fin rays were fully developed at ca. 5.5 mm TL, and the transition to a demersal life style was completed at ca. 10-11 mm TL. The postlarval stage of the two species can be distinguis hed by the melanophores on the ventral edge of the notochord, on the b ranchiostegal membrane, and on the ventral finfold. The juvenile stage s can be distinguished by the melanophores on the branchiostegal membr ane, on the pelvic fins, and just above the lateral line and the infra orbital canal pattern.