Abstract
The osteological development of the neurocranium of Micropogonias furnieri (Perciformes, Sciaenidae) is described with special attention to the substitution of cartilage by bone. Preflexion, flexion, postflexion larvae and juveniles from 3.8mm NL to 48.3mm NL and adult of 380 mm SL were cleared and stained. The preflexion larvae, 3.8mm NL to 4.2mm NL, present a completely chondrified neurocranium. In the flexion larvae from 5.8mm NL to 7.8mm NL the frontal and supraoccipital are present as a transparent lamina and the ethmoidal and otic regions are chondrified. In the postflexion larvae around 8.0mm SL to 14.0mm SL, a number of ossification areas are observed such as the supraorbital ridge of the frontal, the supraoccipital and supraoccipital crest, the parietal, the parasphenoid, part of the exoccipitals and the wall of the trigeminofacialis chamber. In the juveniles of approximately 14.0mm SL to 48.3mm SL major ossification is at the ethmoid, orbital and otic regions, the ethmoid being the most ossified region. The vomer and the prefrontal are less ossified; the frontal is partially ossified but with incomplete or absent ridges. The parietal, the occipital and supraoccipital ridge ossify rapidly. The otic capsule ossifies more slowly, presenting a large cartilaginous area at 48.3mm SL. The parasphenoid and basioccipital have got a large ossified extension since 14.0mm SL. In the adult of 380mm SL all the regions are completly ossified. The supratemporal suture with the pterotic is not distinguished; these structures fuse very early in the development process.
