RECORD OF THE LARVAE OF THE PACIFIC MACKEREL 

 ( PNEUMATOPHORUS DIEGO ). 1955 



The distribution and abundance of Pacific mackerel larvae in 1955 are 

 shown in figure 6. The categories of abundance are identical to those 

 already described for other species; individual station values represent 

 the cumulative standard haul total for the year. 



The larvae are reported by size class in table VI. The size classes 

 have the same midpoints and ranges as those given for the jack mackerel. 

 The data are further summarized in text table 8. 



Pacific mackerel larvae are much less abundant than those of the other 

 fishes included in this report. They make up only slightly more than one- 

 half percent of the larvae collected in 1955; they were obtained in 92 

 collections. The larvae were taken in all areas south of Point Conception. 

 The largest number was obtained off upper central Baja California (lines 

 110-120); they were collected from March through July in this region. 

 Off southern California, Pacific mackerel larvae were collected in June 

 and July; there were only seven occurrences in this region. The coverage 

 off southern Baja California was too fragmentary to delimit the seasonal 

 distribution in this area. 



The lack of Pacific mackerel larvae during the last five months of 

 the year must partly reflect the sparse coverage during these months in 

 1955. Certainly, larger numbers were taken during these months in previous 

 years, as can be seen by comparing the monthly totals for 1955 with those 

 of the four previous years (text table 7). 



Text table 7. — Monthly abundance of Pacific mackerel larvae, 

 1951-1955. (standard haul totals) 



1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 



Total 1,107 850 1,308 2,565 1,950 



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