Development of the pectoral, pelvic, dorsal and anal fins in cultured sea bream

The pectoral fin girdle was the first element of the fins to develop in Spa rus aurata. By 3.1 mm L-N (notochord length) the cleithrum was ossified and the cartilaginous caracoid-scapula was present. The fin was fully develope d at 11.6 mm L-S (standard length) and by 16.0 mm L-S most elements of the fin were ossified. The pelvic fins were the last pair to develop and rudime nts of these were first detected at 7.9 mm L-S. The pelvic fin and girdle w ere completely formed and ossified at 16.0 mm L-S. The development of dorsa l and anal fins began at c. 6.5-7.0 mm L-S with the formation of 10 cartila ginous dorsal proximal radials and eight cartilaginous ventral proximal rad ials. The three cartilaginous predorsals (supraneurals) appeared at 7.7 mm L-S and the ossification of dorsal and anal proximal and distal radials beg an, respectively, at 10.5 mm L-S and 11.3 mm L-S. Ossified structures in th e fins were also classified according to their origin, as being either derm al or endochondral. Finally the chronology of appearance of fin structures in S. aurata was compared with that reported for other Sparidae, Engraulida e and Haemulidae. (C) 1999 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.