Early osteological development of the yellow tail Seriola dumerili (Pisces: Carangidae)

The osteological development of Seriola dumerili was studied in a series of 15 cleared-and-stained specimens,(6.6-32 mm). The dorsal spine began to os sify by 12.7 mm, and its soft rays by 27.2 mm, and all elements (VII-I, 32) were completed by 23.5 mm. Ossification of dorsal pterygiophores occurred initially by 15.9 mm. Anal fin ray formation (II-I, 20) was completed by 12 .7 mm, and soft rays began to ossify at 24.5 mm. Ossification of the anal p terygiophores occurred initially by 15.9 mm. The cartilaginous caudal compl ex appeared by 6.6 mm NL, and its ossification was completed by 27.2 mm. Th e fusing of the 1st and 2nd, and the 3rd and 4th hypurals occurred by 8.1 m m. The pectoral girdle contained 5 dermal bones which ossified by 6.6 mm NL , and 3 cartilage replacement bones which ossified by 27.2 mm. The hyoid ar ch contained 2 dermal bones, six cartilage replacement bones, and 7 branchi ostegals (dermal bone) which began to ossify by 15.9 mm. Ossification of th e neural and haemal spines was completed by 23.5 mm. Notochord flexion occu rred and formed an individual centrum by 6.6 mm NL, and all 24 centra had c ompletely ossified by 12.7 mm. It was previously believed that the hypural complex fusing at a small size at 16.8 mm was an advanced condition. There were 2 plesiomorphic characters, i.e., three predorsals of the back and 3 e purals of the caudal complex, found in S. dumerili. In addition, there were also 2 apomorphic characters, i.e., a stay on the proximal radial and a do uble fin-ray on the last distal radial of the 2nd dorsal and anal fins, fou nd in S. dumerili. http://www.sinica.edu.tw/zool/zoolstud/40.4/289.pdf.