Identification and description of larvae of Spanish mackerels, genus Scomberomorus (Teleostei : Scombridae), in shelf waters of the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Larvae of Spanish mackerels, genus Scomberomorus, were extracted from plankton samples collected over 3 years from the coastal and Great Barrier Reef lagoon region off Townsville, Queensland. Of the four Scomberomorus species occurring in the shelf region off Townsville, larvae of S. commerson, S. semifasciatus and S. queenslandicus were identified by using meristic, morphological and morphometric characteristics. Growth stages and pigmentation development in larvae of each species are described in detail. The significance of larval characteristics to the generic distinction and interrelationships of the species is discussed.