LARVAE DEVELOPMENT IN A LANDLOCKED POPULATION OF ATHERINA-BOYERI IN LAKE TRICHONIS, GREECE

A development series of Atherina boyeri (Atherinidae: Pisces) larvae f rom Lake Trichonis is described and illustrated. In view of the uncert ainty concerning the systematic relationship between A. boyeri, A. pre sbyter, and A. mochon pontica, a comparison of larval characters of th e three taxa is attempted, based on the present material and published descriptions of the latter two taxa. The comparison reveals remarkabl e morphological similarities, but also a confusing pattern of variatio n which raises the same systematic questions as the comparison of adul ts.