Abstract

Embryonic development and larval morphology of Chromis crusma was described from five nests sampled between 21 and 25 m depth in central Chile (33 degrees S). From each nest, a set of c. 100 randomly selected eggs were hand-collected and transported in seawater to the laboratory. Subsets of c. 30 eggs per nest were maintained in 50 ml glass containers at a constant ambient temperature of c. 12 degrees C (range 11.5-12.9 degrees C). Egg length (L) and width (W) and larval notochordal length (L-N) were measured from photographs. Geometric morphometric analyses were performed in newly hatched and 1 week old larvae to quantify shape changes. Ellipsoid eggs had an average (mean +/- SE) size of 1.12 +/- 0.05 mm L and 0.67 +/- 0.02 mm W, with volume being similar throughout 15 developmental stages (i.e., ellipsoid-shaped; 0.27 mm(3)). Planktonic larvae hatched between 5 and 11 days at 12 degrees C and had a mean L-N of 3.13 +/- 0.25 mm, a yolk sack volume of 0.03 mm(3) and an oil droplet volume of 0.005 mm(3). Morphological traits at hatching included: (a) lack of paired fins and jaws; (b) single medial fin fold; (c) lack of eye pigmentation; (d) yolk sac present near anterior tip; (e) melanophores distributed along ventral surface with one pair over the forehead. In order to generate an up-to-date summary of developmental traits within Pomacentridae, we reviewed literature on egg development (e.g., shape and number of oil droplets), hatching and larval traits (e.g., morphology, pigmentation patterns). Thirty-two publications accounting for 35 species were selected, where eggs, embryonic development, hatching and larval traits were found for 26, 21, 24 and 34 species, respectively. In order to evaluate potential phylogenetic and environmental relationships within the early stages of Pomacentridae, cluster analyses (Bray Curtis similarity, group average) were also performed on egg and larval traits of 22 species divided by subfamily (Stegastinae, Chrominae, Abudefdufinae, Pomacentrinae) and thermal ranges (i.e., low: 16.5 degrees C (range: 12-21 degrees C), medium: 24.5 degrees C (range:21-28 degrees C) and high: 27 degrees C (range: 26-28 degrees C)), suggesting that early developmental patterns can be segregated by both temperature and phylogenetic relationships.