RECORD OF ANCHOVY LARVAE, 1957 



The larvae of the northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax , are recorded by 

 size In table IV. The size classes are similar to those used for sardine larvae 

 except for the two smallest size categories which have the following midpoints 

 and ranges: 



Midpoint Size range 



(mm.) (mm.) 



2.50 1.76-3.25 



3.75 3.26^.25 



The distribution and relative abundance of anchovy larvae are illustrated 

 in figure 4. The value for each station is the cumulative standard haul total 

 for the year. 



Anchovy larvae ranked first in abundance in 1957, as in all recent years. 

 The average number of anchovy larvae taken per haul has been exceptionally 

 constant during the past three years : 



Total hauls Total anchovy larvae Average 

 Year taken Occurrences (standard haul totals) per haul 



1955 1,375 616 140,183 102 



1956 1,397 536 134,931 97 



1957 1,493 580 146,631 98 



In the previous report in this series, the unusual distribution of anchovy 

 larvae during 1956 was noted. During that year, considerably fewer anchovy lar- 

 vae were taken in the northern half of the survey area (lines 60-107) than in the 

 southern portion. The most unusual feature of the distribution was the presence 

 of large numbers of larvae off southern Baja California (lines 140-157), an area 

 in which anchovy larvae are usually uncommon. 



1955 1956 1957 



Total 140,183 99.98 134,931 100.0 146,631 100.0 



37 



