Observations on the early development of the kelpfish <i>Myxodes viridis</i> (Clinidae) with the first description of their spawning habitat in subtidal kelp forests (<i>Lessonia trabeculata</i>)

Abstract

The spawning sites, embryonic development, and initial larval stages were described for the Chilean kelpfish, Myxodes viridis. Six different egg clutches were found attached by an elastic filament to the fronds of the subtidal kelp, Lessonia trabeculata, at shallow depths (0-7 m). All egg clutches were cared by one large (&gt;15 cm TL) male, and egg color varied depending on the developmental stage. Embryonic development until hatching was categorized into 7 stages, which were completed within about 18 days in the laboratory. Recently hatched larvae presented fully pigmented eyes, a well-developed mouth with major shape changes in the head during the first week suggesting their ability to feed on plankton early in their larval development.

Environmental DNA reveals temporal variation in mesophotic reefs of the Humboldt upwelling ecosystems of central Chile: Toward a baseline for biodiversity monitoring of unexplored marine habitats

“… Heteroclinus * heptaeolus /wilsoni Most likely Myxodes spp., absent from 16s and COI databases. Visual surveys (Ruz et al., 2021 ) Thyrsites atun Visual surveys (Pérez‐Matus et al., 2007 , 2022 ) Pinguipes brasilianus * Most likely P. chilensis , absent from all databases. Visual surveys (Pérez‐Matus et al., 2007 , 2022 ), TUV (Campoy et al., 2023 ) Ethmidium maculatum FishBase Strangomera bentincki FishBase …”