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Larvae Information Summary for  Sardina pilchardus
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Main Ref: Russell, F.S. 1976
Yolk-sac larvae
  max min mod Ref.
Length at birth (mm) 4 3.2 3.5 65
Preanal L. % TL 84.1 82.2 83.1 65
Place of development planktonic
Larval area to be filled
Yolk-sac ovoid   unpigmented Ref:  
Yolk segmented Oil globules one oil globuleposteriorcentralunpigmented
Rows on tail dorsal row
Other melanophores on tail tail with single melanophore
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head + trunk
Many small scattered melanophores in the dorsal region from the head to the tail, with one ventral caudal melanophore.
Post larvae
Striking feature none
Striking shape lateral normal (not striking) dorsal normal (not striking)
Striking feature none
Shape of gut tube-like
Gas bladder   early invisible late pigmented
Spinal armature   early no spines late no spines
Pigmentation early
Rows on tail ventral row
Other melanophores on tail tail with single melanophore
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head + trunk
Pigmentation late
Rows on tail ventral row
Other melanophores on tail tail with single melanophore
Melanophores on head + trunk melanophores on head + trunk
Urostyle region   early pigmented late pigmented
Peritoneum with row of melanophores
Pectorals other without melanophores
Pelvics normal (i.e. small or absent)  
At 10-11 mm dorsal originates on 31st myomere. At 15-16 mm caudal fin emarginate, pigmentation of caudal symmetrical. At 20 mm pelvic fins with rays at level of pylorus.
Meristic characters
  max min mod Ref.
Total number of myomeres     52 257
Preanal number of myomeres     40 257
  L 1st feeding Ref. Months of presence of larvae
max 5.5 37 Jan Feb Mar Apr
min 4 37 May Jun Jul Aug
mod 4.8   Sep Oct Nov Dec
Water parameters     Metric characters
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php script by kbanasihan, 09/07/10 ,  last modified by sortiz, 09/08/17