Growth in Length during the Transition from Larva to Adolescent in the Pilchard and Sprat

Abstract

Growth in length during the transition from larva to adolescent in the pilchard and sprat has been analysed, and simple straight-line equations deduced from observed data have been used to demonstrate how the different intervals along the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the body alter in length and proportion as development proceeds.In the herring, pilchard, and sprat at least one of the body-intervals remains for all practical purposes unaltered in length during the transition. In the herring there are two such intervals, namely, (1) the distance from the back of the brain along the dorsal surface to the insertion of the first dorsal fin-ray, and (2) the distance from the insertion of the pelvic fins along the ventral surface to the anus. In the pilchard and sprat one of the above two remains stationary, but the other increases in length; in the pilchard the fixed interval is the distance from the back of the brain to the first dorsal fin-ray, and in the sprat it is the distance from the pelvics to the anus.In the herring and pilchard the greater part of each unit of increase in the length of the body ventrally from the back of the head to the end of the caudal peduncle is added in front of the pelvic fins, whereas in the sprat this is added post-anally.