First description of post-flexion larvae of the West Atlantic trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus

Abstract

The West Atlantic trumpetfish Aulostomus maculatus is a species of little commercial importance, but it is frequently used as a study organism in behavioural ecology, and it has been traded in the aquarium industry to some extent. The adult life stage is well described, however its early life history is nearly unknown. This paper provides the first description of post-flexion larvae of A. maculatus, including detailed illustrations, photographs, morphological data, and collection site data of specimens collected during a multipurpose research survey conducted within the Sargasso Sea Subtropical Convergence Zone. The collection site also implies a geographic range expansion, off the continental shelf, of the pelagic larvae stage. This paper hence advances the scientific knowledge about the early life stages, distribution and ecology of this species.

Keywords

Aulostomidae; distribution; Isaacs-Kidd Midwater Trawl; life history; Sargassum; Syngnathiformes

Published in

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
2024, volume: 104, article number: e101

SLU Authors

• Sundin, Josefin

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Fish and Aquacultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S002531542400081X

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/139820