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Systematics and identification of larvae and juveniles of the genusSebastes

  • Identification, Systematics and Ecology
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Synopsis

Current information on systematics and morphology of larvae and juveniles ofSebastes is reviewed, as are intrageneric relationships among the many species of the genus. Although some subgenera may remain after a cladistic analysis of the genus, others are probably artificial groupings of species that have convergent morphologies because of similar ecology. The relationships ofSebastes to other scorpaeniform fishes as well as the relationships of scorpaeniforms to other fishes are not resolved. Of the 102 species ofSebastes worldwide, 69 species have been illustrated as preflexion larvae, 35 as postflexion larvae and 65 as pelagic juveniles. Morphological characters of each of these stages were used to compare species, group them by similar appearances and then compare these groupings with existing subgenera. Some pigment patterns of preflexion larvae were rather consistent among species within certain subgenera but quite variable among species in other subgenera. Postflexion larvae fell into 11 groups based on pigment, head spines and body shape. These groups were not closely aligned with the subgeneric assignments of the component species. On the basis of pigment patterns of pelagic juveniles, six groups were evident, but the specific composition of these groups bore little resemblance to either the larval or subgeneric groups.

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  1. Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way N. E. BIN C15700, 98115-0070, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.

    Arthur W. Kendall Jr.

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Kendall, A.W. Systematics and identification of larvae and juveniles of the genusSebastes . Environ Biol Fish 30, 173–190 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02296888

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