Sharing morphospaces: early ontogenetic shape changes in two clingfish larvae (Pisces: Gobiesocidae) from the south‐east Pacific Ocean

• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13451
• Publication Date: 2017-09-19T02:22:41Z
• Authors: V. Bernal‐Durán; N. Jahnsen‐Guzmán; M. F. Landaeta
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Pacific Ocean; Larva; Fishes; Animals; 14. Life underwater; 16. Peace & justice; 01 natural sciences

Larval body shape changes and developmental timing were examined in two clingfish species from the south‐east Pacific Ocean, Gobiesox marmoratus and Sicyases sanguineus. Ontogenetic allometry showed no interspecific variation and <7 mm standard length (LS) larvae of both species occupied similar morphospace, but larger G. marmoratus showed increased body depth while larvae of S. sanguineus developed a flattened head and maintained a hydrodynamic body. Estimated developmental timing suggests that larval body shape changes were faster in G. marmoratus than in S. sanguineus prior to settlement.