4-68 



Inter-year differences in abundance have been noted. While no 

 weakfish larvae were collected during 1974 and only low numbers during 

 1975, levels during 1976 and 1977 were similar to each other and markedly 

 greater than 1975 (Table 4-13). C. regalis has a history of variable 

 spawning success (Austin, 1976) indicating that such fluctuations may be 

 intrinsic to the biology of the species. No consistent pattern of 

 inter-year variation by station was observed, although abundance at 

 Stations 3, 11 and 20 increased through 1976 and then decreased during 

 1977 (Figure 4-26) . 



Labvid eggs 



Labrid eggs were present in New Haven Harbor ichthyoplankton 

 collections from May through September from 1975 through 1977, with low 

 densities also reported during March 1975 and in October of 1975 and 

 1977. Peak abundance of Labrid eggs occurred during June and July both 

 in New Haven Harbor and in other areas of Long Island Sound (Table 4- 

 14). This temporal distribution was similar to Herman's (1963) and 

 Richards' (1959) data for cunner {Tautogolabrus adspersus) in Long 

 Island Sound. Battelle (1977) reported Labrid/Limanda eggs in the 

 Millstone Point area between January and November. Since spawning of 

 yellowtail flounder {Limanda ferruginea) commences in March (Smith et 

 al., 1978), there is a possibility that some of the eggs collected near 

 Millstone Point were L. ferruginea. 



More Labrid eggs were collected at Station 20 during 1974, 

 1976 and 1977 although similar mean concentrations occurred at Stations 

 11, 20 and 8 during 1975; Station 6 generally had the fewest eggs (Table 

 4-14). Mean egg-density was relatively low during 1975, increased 

 approximately by a factor of five in 1976 and then decreased by about 

 one-half (50%) in 1977. These trends were generally consistent at all 

 stations, with a marked increase noted at four stations between 1975 and 

 1976 and a decrease at three stations between 1976. and 1977 (Figure 4- 

 27) . 



