The metamorphosis of turbot Scophthamus maximus and morphological observation on melanophores in larval skin

The metamorphosis and skin melanophores of turbot , Scophthamus maximus ( Linnaeus ) , were investigated. The morphological developments and changes of body color at different stages of 1 to 60 days old larvae were observed and photographed. The whole period of early development of turbot lasted about 60 days in spawning water at 14 -17 ℃. The morphological development of larvae could be divided into three stages : development of organs (1 -14 days old) , development of morphology (14 -40 days old) and completion of metamorphosis (40 -60 days old) . Metamorphosis occurred about 25 days after being hatched , and the larval melanophores of fry body were distributed symmetrically , with an increase of the density firstly and a decrease of the density followed. When metamorphosis occurred, the body color of fry became asymmetrical. On ocular side, larval melanophores of fry body disappeared and were replaced by adult ones. On blind side, the larval melanophores disappeared and no adult ones appeared. Albinism would occur if the development of adult melanophores on the ocular side of turbot was blocked.