Early development of two commercially valuable fish from the lower Amazon River, Brazil (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae)

Abstract We described the early development of Myloplus asterias and M. lobatus, two fish species Serrasalmidae using morphological, meristic, morphometric characteristics. These herbivores serrasalmids are heavily fished because their commercial importance in Amazon. The individuals were collected between 2016 2020 limnetic zone open water macrophyte stands Lower Amazon River floodplain. tested different growth models to identify pattern these species. During initial ontogeny, can be differentiated mainly by myomeres total number, 37 39 vs. 40 41 pigmentation pattern, dorsal-fin ray numbers. characteristics effective distinguishing from other serrasalmids. relationships also species, showing distinct patterns analyzed features. An identification key for larvae some sympatric basin is presented. Our expectation that this study will contribute knowledge ontogeny biology Neotropical region.