Osteological Development of the Larvae and Juvenile of Luciogobius grandis (Pisces: Gobiidae)

This study is intended to be used as the basic material for the taxonomic research by observing the stages of skeletal development of Luciogobius grandis larvae compared to the skeletal development patterns of the same fish family of Gobiidae. 3 days after hatching (DAH), the preflexion larvae was 4.01±0.11 mm (n=5) in average total length (TL) and the frontal began to ossify in the skull. 17 DAH, the advanced postflexion larvae was 5.37±0.05 mm (n=5) in average TL the supraoccipital and epiotic were ossified in the cranial bone. 36 DAH, the juvenile was 12.2±0.20 mm (n=5) in average TL and the urohyal was ossified in the hyoid arch. In addition to one hypural bone being ossified, the first, second, third and fourth were combined and were made three bone fragments and then, the bone ossification of all skeletons was completed.