Cynoglossidae: M II A6

Symphurus sp.

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
1080-1150	multiple	NA	clear	moderate	midway	44% of NL	ca 50

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Egg: When fresh, this egg has a moderate perivitelline space, and the oil globules are associated with the perimeter of the yolk (A). Pigmentation on the embryo is sparse, confined to scattered yellow spots just prior to hatching. Incubation is about 45 hours.

Larva: The NH larva is elongate, with 3 modest pale yellow pigment patches from behind the eyes to mid-tail (C).  There are a few inconspicuous spots midway on the dorsal finfold edge, and brown smudges in the finfolds above and below the yellow mid-tail patch (C). In 2-3 day larvae the same 3 yellow patches intensify (D, D1 & D2), and persist to day 5 (E). C: NH, D: 2-3 days, E: 5 days (22-24°C).

Attempts to rear this egg were unsuccessful. An egg collected in April 2014 hatched and the larval sequence suggests thus is a species of Symphurus. None of the 3 local species has been barcoded (A. Connell; 2015 update).

This egg has only been seen 6 times, up to and including 2011. Collections suggest a winter spawning pattern (blue graph). All the eggs have been in offshore samples. Not seen since April 2004 (until the single egg in 2014 noted above).