How do clupeiform fins shift as larvae develop into juveniles?
During the larval stage, clupeiform fish possess an elongated body with the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins positioned far back. As larvae transform into juveniles, the elongated anterior portion of the body shortens, and the fins undergo a complex morphological shift to reach their adult positions.1
Specifically, the fins move as follows:
* Dorsal fin: Shifts forward above the lateral body muscles (myomeres) until it reaches a stable position upon the transition to the juvenile stage.1
* Pelvic fins: Move backward to their adult position.1
* Anal fin: Moves forward simultaneously with the other fin shifts.1
While the dorsal fin's position stabilizes during the transition to the juvenile stage, the positions of the anal and pelvic fins may continue to change later in life, likely due to the expansion of the body cavity as the gonads develop.1