ABSTRACT 



In order to seek a quicker and easier means of identifying larvae ofvarious species of tunas, 

 experiments in paper partition chromatography were attempted. In this initial attempt the tests were 

 limited only to determinations on the free amino acid content in the muscle tissue of these fishes. 

 The results suggest that paper chromatographic technique has possible utility as a taxonomic tool 

 for adult tunas. For the larvae, however, the results were rather inconsistent. It is believed that 

 these inconsistent results were due to inadequate application of the technique rather than to failure 

 of the technique itself. 



