ichthyoplankton collection in which the samples are archived. 

 Throughout the course of CalCOFI ichthyoplankton studies, samples 

 have been identified to the lowest taxon possible. In reviewing 

 these identifications for the data base, our approach has been 

 conservative and we have preserved those identifications and 

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

 errors as possible. After computer entry, 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 misinter- 

 pretation. 



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 1981 which received special 

 attention, with explanations and caveats intended to aid in 

 quantitative interpretations: 



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 . 



Stomiiformes - all specimens checked and identified to genus 

 or species; residuals are small, poorly preserved or 

 unavailable specimens. 



Cyclothone spp. - tentative and sporadic identifications to 

 species were lumped to genus. 



