Descriptions of post- settlement juveniles of 3 greeneye species, Chlorophthalmus nigromarginatus, C. acutifrons, and C. albatrossis (Teleostei: Chlorophthalmidae), from Japan, with notes on their rapid metamorphosis after settlement.

Post- settlement juveniles of 3 greeneye species in the family Chlorophthalmidae, the blackedge greeneye (Chlorophthalmus nigromarginatus), humpback greeneye (C. acutifrons), and bigeyed greeneye (C. albatrossis), are described for the first time on the basis of 5, 2, and 9 specimens, respectively, collected from northern Japan. These identifications were well supported by an analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences of juveniles and adults of the 3 species and congeners. Among the 3 species, post- settlement juveniles of C. albatrossis are readily distinguishable by the following characters: inner pelvic- fin rays heavily pigmented (versus lightly pigmented or unpigmented), grayish blotches on body variegated and form a transverse band from the posterior end of the dorsal- fin base to the pelvic- fin origin (versus round or elliptical, not forming transverse bands), and 13-14 upper and 12-13 lower procurrent caudal- fin rays (versus 10-12 and 9-10). Although post- settlement juveniles of C. nigromarginatus and C. acutifrons are superficially very similar to each other, they are separable by the shape of grayish blotches and several proportional and meristic characters. On the basis of examination of post- settlement specimens, juveniles of the genus Chlorophthalmus appear to undergo a very rapid metamorphosis after settlement on the seafloor when they change from pelagic to benthic lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]