Function of the Free Neuromasts of Marine Teleost Larvae

摘要: Most species of marine teleosts have very small transparent larvae at hatching, with total lengths from about 1.5 to 8 mm. The eyes may or not be pigmented this time, but they always become functional when the commence feeding a few hours days after hatching.Feeding seems mainly visual process, and only species, such as Dover sole, Solea solea, are known feed in darkness(Blaxter 1969).All examined free neuromast organs distributed over head body superficial hillocks. These hillocks, which large relative larva, gelatinous cupulae projecting into surrounding water.Larval neuromasts well described by Iwai (1980) several including goldfish(Carassius auratus), sea bass (Lateolabrar japonicus), black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli), right-eye flounder (Kareius bicoloratus).Disler(1971) followed changes number distribution during development sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus), chum salmon(Oncorhynchus keta), freshwater percids cyprinids.Later work on gadoids (Fridgeirsson 1978), northern anchovy (Engraulis mordar)(O’Connell 1981), Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)(Blaxter et al.1983a), halibut(Hip-poglossus hippoglossus) (Blaxter al.1983b), plaice(Pleuronectesplatessa) turbot (Scophthalmus marimus)(Neave 1986)confirmed earlier findings, showing increase numbers age also modifications that occur metamorphosis flatfish.