Pelagic Juveniles of Two Morids (Teleostei: Gadiformes: Moridae), Antimora microlepis and Physiculus japonicus, from the Western North Pacific

Pelagic juveniles of two morids, Antimora microlepis Bean, 1890 and Physiculus japonicus Hilgendorf, 1879, were collected by midwater trawl (0-20 m depth) from transition waters between the Oyashio and Kuroshio fronts of the western North Pacific in May, 1989. Juveniles of A. microlepis (13 specimens, 30.2-54.3 mm standard length, SL) characteristically have an elongated body, posteriorly positioned anus, 24-25 precaudal vertebrae, chin with a barbel, no ventral luminous organ, elongated pelvic fin rays, and a non-protruding snout. Juveniles of P. japonicus (six specimens, 20.4-39.0 mm SL) characteristically have an elongated body, chin with a barbel, ventral luminous organ anterior to the anus, elongated pelvic fin rays, a pointed caudal fin, 9-10 dorsal fin rays, 66-70 second dorsal fin rays, 68-72 anal fin rays, six pelvic fin rays, 16+41-42 vertebrae, and ca. 130 longitudinal scales.