ABSTRACT
The aulophiform suborder Chlorophthalmoidei in the western North Atlantic is comprised of three oceanic deepwater, primarily benthic families, the Chlorophthalmidae, Ipnopidae and Notosudidae (Sato and Nakabo 2002). Synchronous hermaphrodism is common in these oceanic families (Okiyama 1984). Early life stages have not been described or illustrated for most species and eggs are unknown. Metamorphosis is generally gradual in chlorophthalmids and notosudids, and rapid in ipnopids. Characteristics shared by most members of the Chlorophthalmoidei include no swim bladder or fin spines, typically 19 principal caudal rays (17 branched), and abdominal pelvic fins. Known larvae lack head and preopercular spines, and the relative positions of the fins and anus change little during development. Number of peritoneal pigment patches above the gut is taxon dependent (range: 0 to low teens). Body pigmentation is sparse until transformation, except in Bathymicrops regis, which has a series of pigment blotches along the dorsal and ventral midlines (Nielsen & Merrett 1992). Chlorophthalmoidei Table 1 lists some of the synonyms for members of the suborder and Chlorophthalmoidei Table 2 gives their distribution in the study area (notosudids treated separately).
