An unusual macrourid larva (Gadiformes) from San Juan Island, Washington, USA

Abstract

An unusual macrourid larva was collected in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, USA. This specimen is remarkable in appearance having very long anterior dorsal- and pelvic-fin rays, with flattened distal ends free of the fin membrane, and a long, whiplike, heavily pigmented caudal filament. It is similar to smaller Coryphaenoides pectoralis larvae reported from the California Current region, and different from larger specimens of C. pectoralis from the northern North Pacific. Counts and other morphological similarities suggest that this larva should be tentatively assigned to genus Coryphaenoides.