Veliferidae: L I A5

Velifer hypselopterus Bleeker 1879.

Sailfin velifer

Egg diameter in µm	Number of oil globules	Diameter of oil globule in µm	Yolk texture	Perivitelline space	Position of oil globule at hatch	Gut length   at eye- pigment stage	Myomeres
1610-1870	1	145-190	clear	narrow	stern	27% of NL	ca.32

Egg: The early egg was not noted for any conspicuous pigmentation. At 4 days incubation, the embryo is sparsely covered by big yellow pigment spots, and the yolk has both yellow and black spots on its surface (A). Incubation is about 4.5 days (25°C).

Larva: The 1-day larva has pigmented eyes, a conspicuous air bladder, and orange, white and black pigment (C). Note also the white pigment in the well-developed pectoral and pelvic fins. By day 4 the pelvic fins are enlarged, with all body pigment confined to head and trunk, except for a small band in midtail (D & D1).  C: NH, D: 4 days (25°C).

This egg, and its distinctive larva, has only been seen on three occasions in 25 years of sampling at Park Rynie, twice in January and once in November. The November 2005 specimen has been DNA barcoded (under the code L I A1A of 24/11/2005Ki), and has matched the barcode of an adult Velifer hypselopterus in BOLD. Identification is tentative, awaiting more larval and adult material. The egg has not been seen since November 2005.