Embrionic and larval development of laboratory reared Diplodus vulgaris (E. Geoffrey Saint-Hillaire, 1817) Pisces, Sparidae

Abstract

      Embryonic and larval development of laboratory spaw­ned Diplodus vulgaris (E. Geoffrey Saint-Hillaire, 1817) are described and illustrated. The eggs (1.01 ± 0.02 mm) were spherical and transparent with clean chorion.

     Newly hatched larvae where 2.63 i 0.07 mm in length. Absorption of yolk sac was complete by day 5, when larvae reached 3.92 ± 0.38 mm in total length.    

     Distribution of mean total length, as a function of time was approximated by Gompertz equation.