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The lateral-line organs of the larvae of the deep-sea fish Cataetyx memorabilis (Ophidiidae): A scanning-electron and light-microscope study

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Abstract

A prominent lateral-line system found in 10 mm long larvae of the deep-sea fish Cataetyx memorabilis Meyer-Rochow (1970) is not present in the adults. Size and height of larval lateral-line papillae measured in stereo pairs of electron micrographs are compared with light microscopy of sectioned material. Lateral-line papillae are separated from each other by 3 to 7 myomeres (0.5 to 1 mm). A papilla is 50 μm wide and approximately 15 μm high. The 7 or 8 sensory hairs, which are about 30 to 40 μm long, are not embedded in a jellylike transparent substance. Behavioural and taxonomical consequences of the findings are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research School of Biological Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    V. B. Meyer-Rochow

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  1. V. B. Meyer-Rochow
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Communicated by G. F. Humphrey, Cronulla

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Meyer-Rochow, V.B. The lateral-line organs of the larvae of the deep-sea fish Cataetyx memorabilis (Ophidiidae): A scanning-electron and light-microscope study. Marine Biology 12, 272–276 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00366325

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