{"id":810197,"date":"2026-09-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/?p=810197"},"modified":"2026-09-01T04:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T04:15:09","slug":"early-life-stages-fish-rapa-nui-robinson-crusoe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/early-life-stages-fish-rapa-nui-robinson-crusoe\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the Biodiversity of Early-Life Stages of Fish on Robinson Crusoe Island (Juan Fern\u00e1ndez Archipelago) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez y Sergio A. Carrasco<\/strong> &#8211; Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, Department of Oceanography. University of Concepci\u00f3n <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"646\" data-id=\"810155\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-peces-arrecife-robinson-crusoe-juan-fernandez-1024x646.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-810155\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-peces-arrecife-robinson-crusoe-juan-fernandez-1024x646.avif 1024w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-peces-arrecife-robinson-crusoe-juan-fernandez-300x189.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-peces-arrecife-robinson-crusoe-juan-fernandez-150x95.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-peces-arrecife-robinson-crusoe-juan-fernandez-768x484.avif 768w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-peces-arrecife-robinson-crusoe-juan-fernandez-1536x969.avif 1536w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-peces-arrecife-robinson-crusoe-juan-fernandez.avif 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 1. Credits: Sergio Carrasco. <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1067\" height=\"601\" data-id=\"810176\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Peces-costeros-de-Rapa-Nui-edited.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-810176\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Peces-costeros-de-Rapa-Nui-edited.avif 1067w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Peces-costeros-de-Rapa-Nui-edited-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Peces-costeros-de-Rapa-Nui-edited-1024x577.avif 1024w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Peces-costeros-de-Rapa-Nui-edited-150x84.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Peces-costeros-de-Rapa-Nui-edited-768x433.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1067px) 100vw, 1067px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 2. Credits: Sergio Carrasco. <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>: Coastal reef fishes from Robinson Crusoe Island, Juan Fern\u00e1ndez Archipelago, including the Juan Fern\u00e1ndez pilotfish (Hypoplectrodes semicinctum) on the bottom and the the Juan Fern\u00e1ndez Wrasse (Malapterus reticulatus) on top. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Figure 2<\/strong>: Coastal reef fishes from Rapa Nui, including the Tipi Tipi\u2019uri or Rapa Nui butterflyfish (Chaetodon litus) on top and the A&#8217;avere or yellowfin goatfish (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis) on the bottom. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several studies on early life stages of fish conducted in Chilean island systems (Rapa Nui, <a href=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/discovering-the-deep-biodiversity-of-the-seamounts-of-the-nazca-juan-fernandez-ridges\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/descubriendo-la-biodiversidad-profunda-de-los-montes-submarinos-de-nazca-y-juan-fernandez\/\">Salas y G\u00f3mez, and Juan Fern\u00e1ndez Archipelago<\/a>) have shown that these oceanic islands serve as spawning and rearing grounds for both insular and oceanic fish species. These areas possess favorable conditions that support larval survival and facilitate further recruitment and growth at the end of its development (Fig. 1,2). <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The early life stages of fish begin with intracapsular embryonic development until hatching, passing then through several larval stages including: a preflexion stage (dependent on the yolk sac for nutrition), a flexion stage (skeletal reorganization and notochord curvation), a postflexion stage (full development of fins and organs), until the final transformation of a juvenile form. These morphological changes include physiological and ecological changes that provide critical information on the species life cycle (Fig. 3). <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"499\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3-chromis-crusma-larva-preflexion-rapa-nui-1.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-810157\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.441741357234315;width:588px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3-chromis-crusma-larva-preflexion-rapa-nui-1.webp 499w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3-chromis-crusma-larva-preflexion-rapa-nui-1-300x87.webp 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3-chromis-crusma-larva-preflexion-rapa-nui-1-150x44.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 3<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 3<\/strong>: Illustration of a preflexion-stage larva of the species Chromis crusma. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During expeditions to Robinson Crusoe Island (2017\u20132019) and Rapa Nui (2018\u20132019), samples of early life stages of fish were collected using light traps at depths between 10 to 15 meters (Fig. 4). The samples obtained were identified to the lowest taxonomic level using a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular markers. Each individual was identified by comparing with available descriptions on continental and insular fauna and ichthyoplankton, using morphological characters such as body and head shape, size and number of fin rays and spines, as well as characteristic pigmentation and coloration patterns.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-trampa-de-luz-en-Poike-Rapa-Nui-edited.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-810156\" style=\"width:426px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-trampa-de-luz-en-Poike-Rapa-Nui-edited.avif 900w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-trampa-de-luz-en-Poike-Rapa-Nui-edited-300x225.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-trampa-de-luz-en-Poike-Rapa-Nui-edited-150x113.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-trampa-de-luz-en-Poike-Rapa-Nui-edited-768x576.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">Figure 4<\/mark><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 4<\/strong>: Larval collector used for sampling; light trap at Poike, Rapa Nui<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" data-id=\"810159\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/5-hypoplectrodes-semicinctum-adriatico-robinson-crusoe.avif\" alt=\"Juvenile of the species Hypoplectrodes semicinctum, collected in Adri&#xE1;tico. \" class=\"wp-image-810159\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/5-hypoplectrodes-semicinctum-adriatico-robinson-crusoe.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/5-hypoplectrodes-semicinctum-adriatico-robinson-crusoe-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/5-hypoplectrodes-semicinctum-adriatico-robinson-crusoe-150x84.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/5-hypoplectrodes-semicinctum-adriatico-robinson-crusoe-768x432.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 5<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"891\" height=\"509\" data-id=\"810158\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-pseudocaranx-chilensis-el-frances-robinson-crusoe.avif\" alt=\"Juvenile of the species Pseudocaranx chilensis, collected in El Franc&#xE9;s.\" class=\"wp-image-810158\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-pseudocaranx-chilensis-el-frances-robinson-crusoe.avif 891w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-pseudocaranx-chilensis-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-300x171.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-pseudocaranx-chilensis-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-150x86.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-pseudocaranx-chilensis-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-768x439.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 891px) 100vw, 891px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 6<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" data-id=\"810161\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/7-sicyases-sanguineus-larva-adriatico-robinson-crusoe.avif\" alt=\"Larva in the transformation stage of the species Sicyases sanguineus, collected in Adri&#xE1;tico.\" class=\"wp-image-810161\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/7-sicyases-sanguineus-larva-adriatico-robinson-crusoe.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/7-sicyases-sanguineus-larva-adriatico-robinson-crusoe-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/7-sicyases-sanguineus-larva-adriatico-robinson-crusoe-150x84.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/7-sicyases-sanguineus-larva-adriatico-robinson-crusoe-768x432.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 7<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"544\" data-id=\"810160\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/8-pseudolabrus-gayi-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe.avif\" alt=\"Larva in the transformation stage of the species Malapterus reticulatus collected in El Franc&#xE9;s. \" class=\"wp-image-810160\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/8-pseudolabrus-gayi-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/8-pseudolabrus-gayi-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-300x163.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/8-pseudolabrus-gayi-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-150x82.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/8-pseudolabrus-gayi-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-768x418.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 8<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"534\" data-id=\"810162\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/9-pseudolabrus-gayi-juvenil-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe.avif\" alt=\"Juvenile of the species Malapterus reticulatus, collected in Vaquer&#xED;a.\" class=\"wp-image-810162\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/9-pseudolabrus-gayi-juvenil-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/9-pseudolabrus-gayi-juvenil-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe-300x160.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/9-pseudolabrus-gayi-juvenil-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe-150x80.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/9-pseudolabrus-gayi-juvenil-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe-768x410.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 9<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En la isla Robinson Crusoe se identificaron estadios tempranos de siete especies: <em>Hypoplectrodes semicinctum<\/em> (Piloto de Juan Fern\u00e1ndez; Fig. 5), <em>Pseudocaranx chilensis<\/em> (Jurel de Juan Fern\u00e1ndez; Fig. 6), <em>Sicyases sanguineus<\/em> (Pejesapo; Fig. 7),<em> Malapterus reticulatus<\/em> (Vieja de Juan Fern\u00e1ndez; Figs 8 y 9), <em>Paratrimma nigrimenta<\/em> (G\u00f3bido; Fig. 10), <em>Scorpaena<\/em> sp. (pez piedra\/pez escorpi\u00f3n; Fig 11) y <em>Cosmocamtpus heraldi<\/em> (pez pipa; Fig 12). En Rapa Nui se identificaron dos familias Gobiidae (Fig 13) y Labridae (Fig 14), y la especie<em> Cheilopogon<\/em> sp. (pez volador; Fig. 15).   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" data-id=\"810164\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/10-paratrimma-nigrimenta-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-copia.avif\" alt=\"Post-flexion larva of the species Paratrimma nigrimenta, collected in El Franc&#xE9;s.\" class=\"wp-image-810164\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/10-paratrimma-nigrimenta-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-copia.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/10-paratrimma-nigrimenta-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-copia-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/10-paratrimma-nigrimenta-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-copia-150x84.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/10-paratrimma-nigrimenta-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-copia-768x432.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 10<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" data-id=\"810163\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/11-scorpaena-sp-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe.avif\" alt=\"Post-flexion larva of the species Scorpaena sp., collected in El Franc&#xE9;s. \" class=\"wp-image-810163\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/11-scorpaena-sp-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/11-scorpaena-sp-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/11-scorpaena-sp-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-150x84.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/11-scorpaena-sp-larva-el-frances-robinson-crusoe-768x432.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 11<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"422\" data-id=\"810172\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/12-cosmocampus-heraldi-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe-1.avif\" alt=\"Juvenile specimen of the species Cosmocampus heraldi, collected in Vaquer&#xED;a. \" class=\"wp-image-810172\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/12-cosmocampus-heraldi-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe-1.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/12-cosmocampus-heraldi-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe-1-300x127.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/12-cosmocampus-heraldi-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe-1-150x63.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/12-cosmocampus-heraldi-vaqueria-robinson-crusoe-1-768x324.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 12<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" data-id=\"810173\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/13-gobiidae-larva-vinapu-rapa-nui-2.avif\" alt=\"Post-flexion larva of the Gobiidae family, collected in Vinapu.\" class=\"wp-image-810173\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/13-gobiidae-larva-vinapu-rapa-nui-2.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/13-gobiidae-larva-vinapu-rapa-nui-2-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/13-gobiidae-larva-vinapu-rapa-nui-2-150x84.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/13-gobiidae-larva-vinapu-rapa-nui-2-768x432.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 13<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"549\" data-id=\"810175\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/14-labridae-larva-hanga-oteo-rapa-nui-1.avif\" alt=\"Post-flexion larva of the Labridae family, collected in Hanga Oteo.\" class=\"wp-image-810175\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/14-labridae-larva-hanga-oteo-rapa-nui-1.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/14-labridae-larva-hanga-oteo-rapa-nui-1-300x165.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/14-labridae-larva-hanga-oteo-rapa-nui-1-150x82.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/14-labridae-larva-hanga-oteo-rapa-nui-1-768x422.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 14<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" data-id=\"810174\" src=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/15-cheilopogon-sp-huevos-poike-rapa-nui-1.avif\" alt=\"Eggs of Cheilopogon sp., colelected in Poike.\" class=\"wp-image-810174\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/15-cheilopogon-sp-huevos-poike-rapa-nui-1.avif 1000w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/15-cheilopogon-sp-huevos-poike-rapa-nui-1-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/15-cheilopogon-sp-huevos-poike-rapa-nui-1-150x84.avif 150w, https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/15-cheilopogon-sp-huevos-poike-rapa-nui-1-768x432.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Figure 15<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study of these insular systems is extremely important as they provide key information on species diversity, as well as temporal and spatial patterns of reproductive activity among the species inhabiting coastal reefs.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The use of genetic analyses to complement taxonomic identification of these early life stages on remote locations can help us elucidate the identity of crucial components of these ecosystems, which act as natural laboratories where fish play important ecological roles. Correctly identifying each taxon allows us to assess the fragility of these networks to design effective conservation strategies. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Early life stage species on Robinson Crusoe Island and Rapa Nui described by the authors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 5<\/strong>: Juvenile of the species Hypoplectrodes semicinctum, collected in Adri\u00e1tico. Credits: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 6<\/strong>: Juvenile of the species <em>Pseudocaranx chilensis<\/em>, collected in El Franc\u00e9s. Credits: Dar\u00edo Navarrete. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 7<\/strong>: Larva in the transformation stage of the species<em> Sicyases sanguineus<\/em>, collected in Adri\u00e1tico. Credits: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 8<\/strong>: Larva in the transformation stage of the species<em> Malapterus reticulatus<\/em> collected in El Franc\u00e9s. Credits: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 9<\/strong>: Juvenile of the species <em>Malapterus reticulatus<\/em>, collected in Vaquer\u00eda. Credits: Dar\u00edo Navarrete. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 10<\/strong>: Post-flexion larva of the species<em> Paratrimma nigrimenta<\/em>, collected in El Franc\u00e9s. Credits: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 11<\/strong>: Post-flexion larva of the species <em>Scorpaena sp<\/em>., collected in El Franc\u00e9s. Credits: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 12<\/strong>: Juvenile specimen of the species <em>Cosmocampus heraldi<\/em>, collected in Vaquer\u00eda. Credits: Dar\u00edo Navarrete. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 13<\/strong>: Post-flexion larva of the Gobiidae family, collected in Vinapu. Credits: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 14<\/strong>: Post-flexion larva of the Labridae family, collected in Hanga Oteo. Cr\u00e9ditos: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Figure 15<\/strong>: Eggs of <em>Cheilopogon<\/em> sp., colelected in Poike. Cr\u00e9ditos: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By: Ana\u00eds Gonz\u00e1lez P\u00e9rez y Sergio A. Carrasco &#8211; Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, Department of Oceanography. University of Concepci\u00f3n Several studies on early life stages of fish conducted in Chilean island systems (Rapa Nui, Salas y G\u00f3mez, and Juan Fern\u00e1ndez Archipelago) have shown that these oceanic islands serve as spawning and rearing grounds [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":810196,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[135],"tags":[242,243,241,153,244],"class_list":["post-810197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-underwater-world","tag-easter-island","tag-juan-fernandez-archipielago","tag-marine-biodiversity","tag-rapa-nui-en","tag-robinson-crusoe"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/810197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=810197"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/810197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":810205,"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/810197\/revisions\/810205"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/810196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=810197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=810197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=810197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}