POMPANOS OF SOUTH ATLANTIC COAST 



191 



UNIDENTIFIED LARVAE Trachinotus 



Six laxvae less than 5 mm. long were taken 

 beyond the 100-fathom line during Gill and Combat 

 operations. Three were so mutilated as to be of 

 little diagnostic use. 



The illustrated specimens (figs. 1, 2, and 3) are 

 designated Trachinotus primarily on the distinctive 

 shape and arrangement of the preopercular spines 



and the ontogenetic connection with the develop- 

 ment of these spines in slightly larger Trachinotiis. 

 The 4.66-mm. specimen may well be T. carolinus, 

 considering the number of dorsal and anal fin 

 ray buds present and the space left for more buds. 

 The 3.07-mm. specimen resembles the 4.66-mm. 

 larva and may also be T. carolinus. The 4.0-mm. 

 larva is so distorted as to resist speculation on its 

 specific identification. 



Figure 1. — Trachinotus sp., 3.07 mm. (Gill cruise 2, regular station 2). 



Figure 2. — Trachinotus sp., 4.0 mm. (Combat station 302). 



Figure 3. — Trachinotus sp., 4.66 mm. (Combat station 302). 



