Abstract

Although snailfishes (Liparidae) are ecologically and commercially important, their early life history is poorly under stood. Here, we describe the morphology of Liparis punctulatus larvae and juveniles collected from the Yellow Sea of Korea. Between 2021 and 2024, 18 specimens, 5.35–17.70 mm in total length (TL), were obtained using a Bongo net and identified using their COI sequences. They were categorized into four developmental phases: preflexion lar vae (5.35–5.77 mm TL), flexion larvae (6.57–8.06 mm TL), postflexion larvae (8.18–10.66 mm TL), and juveniles (11.14–17.70 mm TL). The preflexion larvae were characterized by a round head, developing disc, and melanophores along the abdominal margin. Flexion and postflexion larvae showed progressive fin ray formation, melanophores on the abdominal margin, and disc development. Juveniles exhibited completed fin ray counts (dorsal fin rays 31–33; anal fin rays 25–28; pectoral fin rays 29–31; caudal fin rays 11–13), fully developed disc, and sparsely bodied me lanophores. Our results provide the first detailed description of L. punctulatus larvae and juveniles in Korea and es sential baseline data for snailfish taxonomy and resource management.