Morphological characteristics and parameters measurement of starry flounder

In order to provide basic information for the taxonomy and species identification of starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus), the external morphological characteristics and internal tissue and organ system of cultured starry flounder were described and measured using the traditional methods of morphology and anatomy. Regression analysis of starry floundes measurable morphological parameters was done by bio-statistics, which shows a significant linear correlationship. The equation of total length (l_t) and body length (l_b) was l_t=1.386 4l_b-0.303 5; the relation of body length and body weight(m)presents power function correlation and their general correlation equation was m=0.033 9l_b^{3.060 6}.These results indicate that distinct morphological differences exist between different geographic populations. The skull of Platichthys stellatus has the common characteristic of Pleuronectiformes, especially ethmoidal region and orbital region shifting to the side of eyes, urohyal bone is bow shape. The front half part of hypopharyngeal is grown together, pharyngeal tooth is small; there are a pair of thin otolith with 5~6 processus mammillaris. Platichthys stellatus has a stomach with "I" shape, 2~4 pyloric caecums. The liver lies on the side of eyes in the left-eyed Platichthys stellatus. On the contrary, the liver lies on the blind side in the right-eyed ones.