Occurrence of the Macrourid Alevins Genera Albatrossia and Coryphaenoides in the Northern North Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Eighteen macrourid fishes at the early life stage were collected by midwater trawls from northern North Pacific waters, between Hokkaido and the coast of Alaska. The specimens, having a discoid pectoral fin supported with a peduncle base, are identified as alevins of Albatrossia pectoralis, Coryphaenoides cinereus, and Coryphaenoides sp.on the basis of the following counts: retia mirabilia and gas glands, first dorsal and pelvic fin rays, and pyloric caeca. Caudal pigmentation patterns in the present alevins facilitate their identification. Ateleobrachium pterotum Gilbert et Burke, 1912, known as a macrourid early life stage, is a junior synonym of Albatrossia pectoralis.