Hypural bones – The basal bones of the caudal fin that support the caudal-fin rays.
I
incipient fin-ray – Early stage in fin-ray development; and unossified thickening in finfold articulating with the fin base.
initially – When used in the Morphology section, meaning in the smallest available specimens. interopercle – A bone of the skull that may bear spination (see Fig. 2).
J
juvenile – Developmental stage from attainment of full external meristic complements and loss of temporary specializations for pelagic life to sexual maturity.
K
lachrymal – The anterior bone of the infraorbital series. Frequently overlaps the maxilla when the mouth is closed.
larva- Developmental stage between hatching (or birth) and attainment of full external meristic complements (fins and scales) and loss of temporary specializations for pelagic life; yolk-sac through postflexion stage inclusive.
M
melanin – A black pigment.
melanophores – Melanin-bearing cells (brown to black); frequently capable of expansions and
contractions which change their size and shape.
mouth width – The gape; transverse distance between corners of the mouth. myomeres – Serial muscle bundles of the body.
myosepta – Connective tissue partitions separating adjacent myomeres.
N
notochord - Longitudinal supporting axis of body which is eventually replaced as a support by the vertebral column in teleostean fishes.
notochord length – Straight line distance from tip of snout to posterior tip of notochord; used prior to and during flexion.
O
olfactory pit – A shallow depression on the snout from which olfactory organ develops.
opercle (operculum) – Bone of the skull that may bear spination (see Fig. 2).
ossification – Hardening of bony parts through deposition of calcium salts; usually detected by
staining with alizarin
otic capsule – Sensory anlage from which the ear develops; clearly visible during early development
P
parahypural – Modified haemal spine of the penultimate vertebral centrum. Supports some caudal- fin rays.