RECORD OF SARDINE URVAE, 1956 



Sardine larvae are reported by size in table III. 

 larvae have the following midpoints and ranges: 



The size classes of 



Dis. - Disintegrating larvae that cannot be measured accurately. 



The distribution and relative abundance of sardine larvae in 1956 are 

 shown in figure 3. The same categories of abundance are used as in the pre- 

 ceding report (Ahlstrom and Kramer 1957: fig. 3, p. 22). The value for each 

 station is the cumulative standard haul total for the year. 



In the preceding report it was pointed out that the distribution of sar- 

 dine larvae is somewhat different than the distribution of eggs. Both sardine 

 eggs and larvae are passively carried along by the currents. Since the direc- 

 tion of flow is predominantly southward, the distribution of larvae is dis- 

 placed toward the south. A comparison of the occurrences and relative abun- 

 dance of sardine eggs and larvae in different parts of the survey area is given 

 in the following tabulation: 



Total 



144 



98,327 100.00 



171 



15,523 99.99 



A markedly smaller portion of the larvae than eggs was taken in the nor- 

 thern center: 17.5% as compared to 46.5%. The reverse was true in the southern 

 part of the range (lines 123-157). where 10.8% of the eggs and 29.1% of the 

 larvae were obtained. As in preceding seasons, there were more occurrences of 

 sardine larvae than eggs: 171 occurrences of larvae as compared to 144 of eggs 

 in 1956. 



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