Comparison of larval hammerjaw (Omosudis lowii) (Pisces: Alepisauridae) from 3 oceans

The first detailed description of the larvae of hammerjaw (Omosudis lowii) from the western Indian Ocean is given. Errors in the description of larvae from the Atlantic Ocean are corrected: although the most comprehensive descriptions and illustrations of Atlantic specimens of Omosudis in previous reports have not mentioned or shown head ridges or spines, all larvae from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans examined in this study have preopercular spines and a dorsal ridge on the head. The results of this study provide further evidence that there are no species differences between specimens from the 3 oceans. The variability of peritoneal pigmentation is discussed. Morphological characteristics are provided for the reliable identification of larvae of O. lowii.