Lateral (Side) Patterns of Melanophores
Melanophores are arranged on the sides of baby fish in a wide variety of patterns. Six unique examples, below, of side-view melanophore maculae are shown. It should be remembered that the complete absence of melanophores indicates that when alive the tissues in those parts are completely transparent. Additional unique arrangements/maculae are shown on various other illustrations in the "Illustration Gallery".
Figure 1. Melanophores on sides: A side view of a slim sculpin, Radulinus asprellus Gilbert, below, shows a uniform pattern of punctate melanophores along the body. They are scattered in the area but could appear in small lines or other formations within the area.
Figure 2. Melanophores on sides: A side view of a blacktip poacher, Xeneretmus latifrons (Gilbert), below, shows three distinct vertical lines across the finfold and the body, one across the caudal fin, a second one across the finfold and body where the dorsal and anal fins are forming and a third one across the finfold and body midway between the two. All through this area the body has scattered melanophores on it, like Figure No. 1, a Slim Sculpin.
Figure 3. Melanophores on sides: A side view of a mottled sculpin, Cotus bairdi Girard, below, shows an irregular pattern of punctate melanophores on the body. Several smaller patterns are evident within the area extending from the pectoral fin backward to the caudal peduncle.
Figure 4. Melanophores on sides: A side view of an Atlantic alligatorfish, Aspidophoroides monopterygius (Bloch), below, shows 4 distinct vertical lines across the body and not the finfold, one at the caudal fin, a second one at the tip of the anus, a third where the dorsal and anal fins are forming (with a ventral spot on the finfold) and a fourth one on the body midway between the two fin areas.
Figure 5. Melanophores on sides: A side view of a witch flounder, Glyptocephalus cynoglossus (Linnaeus), below, shows six distinct patches or spots on the body but not the finfold, one across the body at the caudal fin, a second one with a ventral spot, a third across the body, a fourth with a ventral spot, a fifth one with across the body, and a sixth with a ventral spot just posterior to the anus.
Figure 6. Melanophores on sides: A side view of a butter sole, Isopsetta isolepis (Lockington), below, displays a unique pattern of melanophores. There are three distinct vertical spots or patches, one at the caudal fin, a second one appears anterior to the caudal peduncle as a large spot with chevron-shaped melanophore lines, and a third one, a vertical line on the dorsum and a spot on the ventrum.
