Page 148 - 《水产学报》2026年第2期

文章编号: 1000-0615(2026)02-029111-14 , 2026, 50(2): 029111

JOURNAL OF FISHERIES OF CHINA

DOI: 10.11964/jfc.20241214818

PASSMORE Roland Madziva, 王晓东, 杜志鹏, 等. 银灰半棱鳀仔稚鱼的脊柱和附肢骨骼发育 [J]. 水产学报, 2026, 50(2):
029111.
Passmore R M, Wang X D, Du Z P, et al. Development of the vertebral column and fin support structures in Encrasicholina
punctifer larvae and juveniles [J]. Journal of Fisheries of China, 2026, 50(2): 029111 (in Chinese).

Development of the vertebral column and fin support structures in

Encrasicholina punctifer larvae and juveniles

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PASSMORE Roland Madziva , WANG Xiaodong , DU Zhipeng , ZHONG Junsheng 1*
(1. Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution,
Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
2. College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China)

Abstract: Anchovies are key forage species in coastal and pelagic food webs, playing crucial ecological and commercial roles
in marine ecosystems. Encrasicholina punctifer is a commercially and ecologically important species, yet little is known about
its osteological development characteristics. Understanding these ontogenetic patterns is essential for explaining phylogenetic
relationships within Clupeiformes, informing larval identification in ichthyoplankton surveys, and enhancing aquaculture prac-
tices. This study describes the ontogenetic characteristics of the appendicular and median skeletons and fin supports in E. punc-
tifer larvae and juveniles, providing quantitative ontogenetic timelines to address gaps in engraulid developmental biology and
contribute to teleost ontogeny research. Larval and juvenile specimens of E. punctifer; size range: 3.00-34.56 mm standard
length (SL) and notochord length (NL) collected from the Philippine Sea were processed using the standard Alizarin red and
Alcian blue clearing-and-staining technique to differentiate ossified and cartilaginous elements. Specimens were examined
under a stereo microscope and imaged with an HTC1600ISP digital camera for detailed morphological analysis of skeletal
structures. Caudal complex development was evident by 5.55 mm NL, with the initial appearance of cartilaginous hypurals 1–2
and parhypural, followed by Hy3–5 at 6.08 mm NL. Cartilaginous Hy6 was visible by 9.58 mm SL in postflexion larvae. Six
hypural bones were present from the postflexion to juvenile stage. Principal fin rays formed via intramembranous ossification at
6.32 mm NL, and segmentation was evident by 10.24 mm SL. Neural arch 1 appeared at 7.38 mm NL, preceding full haemal
arch development. Uroneurals 1–2 and ural centra ossified by 9.58 mm SL, with Hy5 detached from U1 at 10.24 mm SL.

Preural centra ossified before the arches. Epurals 1 and 2 were evident by 10.24 mm SL. Dorsal fin proximal radials developed
anteriorly and distal radials posteriorly. Pectoral fin development initiated with an ossified cleithrum and the coracoscapular
cartilage at 5.25 mm NL. By 10.24 mm SL, cartilaginous neural and haemal arches and spines were distinct. Uroneural 1 ini-
tially develops as cartilage. The formation of a pleurostyle aligns with clupeoid fish skeletal ontogeny. Dorsal and anal fin
development follows a distinctive pattern, with variability in fin support development. Our results reveal accelerated caudal

收稿日期：2024-12-22 修回日期：2025-05-23
资助项目：农业农村部重大专项公海渔业资源综合科学调查 (D-8021-21-0109-01)
第一作者：Roland Madziva Passmore，从事仔稚鱼生态学,研究，E-mail：rolandppage@outlook.com.au
通信作者：钟俊生，从事鱼类早期生活史、鱼类个体发育与系统发育、渔业资源保护利用、鱼类形态学、鱼类分类学等研
究，E-mail：jszhong@shou.edu.cn
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