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Zoology Publications from Victoria University of Wellington—Nos. 63 and 64

Introduction

Introduction

Tripterygion capito Jenyns, 1841 and T. robustum Clarke, 1879, are endemic tripterygiids abundant in areas of seaweed and rock throughout Wellington Harbour and along the shoreline of Cook Strait, New Zealand. Both species occur around all New Zealand and are found throughout the intertidal zone. There are several other tripterygiid species in New Zealand but the systematics of these are at present confused.

Tripterygion capito is relatively small (maximum size 70mm s.l.) and individuals are generally dark in colour although many specimens appear silvery - grey with dark dorso - lateral bands from head to tail. Tripterygion robustum is larger (maximum size 105mm s.l.) and characteristically has a blunt rounded forehead. The colour ranges from a uniform black to light green with irregular greenish-brown patches. The anal fin is often fringed with white.

This paper describes the egg and prolarval development of the two species. Graham (1939, 1953) has briefly outlined the egg and prolarval stages and spawning behaviour of T. varium (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) from New Zealand.

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