Osteocranial Development in the Viviparous Surfperch Amphistichus Argenteus (pisces: Embiotocidae)

The development of the cranial and branchial skeleton of the surfperch Amphistichus argenteus, a member of the family Embiotocidae, is described, and phylogenetic and functional aspects of the skull development of this species are discussed. The earliest bones to appear are those dermal elements of the branchial skeleton involved with feeding, and the bones, both dermal and endochondral, located in the basicranial region of the neurocranium. These are followed by dermal bones associated with the lateral line system and finally by the remainder of the bones of the branchial skeleton and the cartilaginous bones of the otic capsules. The last bone to develop is the ethmoid.