Early development and allometric shifts during the ontogeny of a marine catfish (Cathorops spixii‐Ariidae)

This study assessed whether the developmental series of the ariid Cathorops spixii (Agassiz, 1829) is related to growth patterns during its early ontogeny. The main morphological events of C. spixii were studied from the newly neurula embryo (6.99±0.69 mm TL) to juveniles (53.38±14.43 mm TL) in order to characterize and corroborate patterns of ontogenetic allometries. Prior to hatching, embryos were well‐developed, with an ossified axial and appendicular skeleton. Embryos grew slowly, but positive allometric growth was observed in head width (β₁ = 1.65) and eye diameter (β₁ = 1.59). This seems to be related to the fast development of sensory organs such as otoliths, Weberian apparatus, lenses, nostrils and barbels during the embryonic period when eggs are under the care of adult males. After hatching, mouth‐brooding free‐embryos grew horizontally isometric, except for the snout length that presented quick growth related to the end of endogenous feeding (β₁ = 1.73). Slow growth was observed in head width (β₁ = 0.44) and eye diameter (β₁ = 0.26), taking into account that sensory organs are formed in free‐embryos. The end of the yolk‐sac period was characterized by a direct change from free‐embryo to juvenile, without a true larval period. Juveniles are characterized by growth patterns nearly isometric in all body regions, suggesting that they already bear most of characteristics of adult fish. The quick growth of morphometric variables that are related to sensorial organs before hatching and the increase in horizontal growth after the first 6 weeks (hatched free‐embryos) reflect developmental priorities during the earliest stages where important sensorial organs are being developed for juvenile survival strategies.