Niphon spinosus, a Primitive Epinepheline Serranid: Corroborative Evidence from the Larvae

Abstract

The larvae of Niphon spinosus are described based on seven specimens (4.2mmNL-7.2mmSL) collected in the East China Sea during October and November of 1980-1984. The morphology of these larvae, in particular the elongate third dorsal spine and the configuration of the developing anterior dorsal pterygiophore complex, corroborates the hypothesis that Niphon is a member of the serranid subfamily Epinephelinae. Within the Epinephelinae larval Niphon resemble most closely those of the tribe Epinephelini, but differ in several respects, such as the absence of serrations on the dorsal, pelvic and preopercular spines. Using outgroup comparison as a basis for character polarization, a character analysis demonstrates that it is most parsimonious to hypothesize that Niphon is the sister group of all other epinepheline tribes rather than the sister group of the tribe Epinephelini.