these identifications for the data base, our approach has been 

 conservative and we have preserved tnose identifications and 

 counts which we could confirm, while correcting as many of the 

 errors as possible. After computer entry of coded data, 

 taxonomic errors and inconsistencies in the data base were 

 corrected and the most obvious identification errors were 

 corrected. Our current knowledge of ichthyoplankton techniques 

 coupled with a precise understanding of the development of 

 identification competency in the program over the years allowed 

 us to critically judge the historical records. Identifications 

 were changed to different taxa, lumped to a higher taxonomic 

 category, or given a more precise taxonomic name. In some cases, 

 identifications of a taxon were inconsistent among cruises in a 

 year. These records were made equitable by lumping to the higher 

 taxonomic category to avoid biases that could result in 

 quantitative misinterpretations. 



Next, statistical, seasonal, and geographic outliers were 

 identified, employing a series of graphic summaries and listings. 

 Examination of geographic outliers proved to be especially 

 effective because of our accumulated knowledge of species 

 distributions. In the course of examining samples for these 

 outliers, other identification errors were discovered and 

 eventually all taxa were scrutinized to some extent. Lastly, 

 certain taxa were reexamined in all samples for the entire 

 CalCOFI time series. These taxa were selected because of their 

 commercial, ecological, phylogenetic, or zoogeographic importance 

 or because taxonomic confusion was at the ordinal level. The 

 following is a list of the taxa for 1963 which received special 

 attention, with explanations and caveats intended to aid in 

 quantitative interpretations: 



Anguilliformes - tentative and sporadic identifications to family 

 or lower taxon lumped to order. 



Sardinops sagax - all specimens south of line 120 checked for 

 misidentif ication of Opisthonema spp. 



Engraulis mordax - some nearshore samples of small E . mordax 

 may contain other anchovy genera which could not be 

 differentiated. 



Nansenia spp. - all specimens checked and identified as N. 



Candida or N. crassa ; all specimens of these species near 

 their range boundaries checked. 



Bathylagus spp. - includes small and/or disintegrated specimens 

 of Bathylagus or Leuroglossus stilbius . 



Bathylagus milleri - all specimens checked. 



Osmeridae - all specimens checked. 



