Identification —Diplospinus multistriatus larvae were described 
by Voss (1954) and closely resemble those of Gempylus serpens. 
Consequently she identified them as Gempylus Type A, as pointed 
out by Ahlstrom (1971). The Benthodesmus larvae were tentative- 
ly identified based on meristics. 
68. Istiophoridae 
(3 occurrences, 4 larvae) 
During the summer cruise, two larvae of Jstiophorus 
platypterus were taken south of Key West, Fla; and one Makaira 
nigricans was taken off the north coast of Cuba. During the 
winter cruise, one specimen of Jetrapturus pfluegeri was taken 
southeast of Jamaica. Houde et al. (footnote 4) took only two 
istiophorids in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) 
took none in the eastern tropical Pacific, and Nellen (1973) listed 
none in the western Indian Ocean. The main reason for so few 
reports is that these larvae are concentrated in the surface layers, 
as evidenced by the considerable numbers caught in neuston nets. 
However, their absence still reflects a very low abundance per 
standard area sampled. 
_ Identification.— Richards (1974). 
69. Nomeidae 
(22 occurrences, 94 larvae) 
Nomeid larvae numbers are given in Table 18. Most of the lar- 
vae were Cubiceps pauciradiatus which were widely distributed in 
the eastern Caribbean Sea. Houde et al. (footnote 4) found C. 
pauciradiatus to be the most abundant nomeid in the eastern Gulf 
of Mexico. Nomeids were the eighth most abundant family in the 
western Indian Ocean, but no Cubiceps were listed (Nellen 1973). 
Larvae of Cubiceps were abundant in the eastern tropical Pacific 
(Ahlstrom 1971, 1972). The widespread eastern Pacific distribu- 
tion of this species is shown by Ahlstrom et al. (1976). 
Identification.— Ahlstrom et al. (1976). 
70. Gobiidae 
(81 occurrences, 498 larvae) 
Larvae of this family ranked fourth in abundance and occur- 
rence on both cruises (Table 7) and were widely distributed 
throughout the area (Fig. 13). Houde et al. (footnote 4) found 
gobies to be the second most frequently observed family in 
number of larvae in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Ahlstrom (1971, 
1972) collected large numbers of gobies in the eastern tropical 
Pacific, and Nellen (1973) ranked them the fifth most abundant 
family in the western Indian Ocean. It is interesting to note that 
these basically inshore fishes form such an important complement 
of the oceanic ichthyoplankton. 
Identification.—I attempted to determine the number of species 
present on the winter cruise. After carefully examining 129 
specimens, I found that the specimens represented 17 different 
types; but I was unable to assign them to any taxa because the 
Gobiidae is such a speciose family. Because of their importance in 
the ichthyofauna, a detailed systematic study to identify the 
species would be an important research project. 
71. Scorpaenidae 
(18 occurrences, 29 larvae) 
Larvae of this family were widespread throughout the area and 
slightly more abundant during the summer cruise (Table 7). In the 
eastern Gulf of Mexico, Houde et al. (footnote 4) ranked them 
31 
the 17th most abundant family; Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) collected 
some in the eastern tropical Pacific; and Nellen (1973) collected 
some in the western Indian Ocean. 
Identification—No attempt was made to identify the larvae 
below the family level. A few could be provisionally assigned to 
genus, but the larvae were too small and the series not extensive 
enough to confirm any identification. The guide by Moser et al. 
(1977) on eastern Pacific species is very useful. 
72. Triglidae 
(2 occurrences, 2 larvae) 
This family was represented only on the winter cruise. Houde et 
al. (footnote 4) encountered this family on every cruise in the 
eastern Gulf of Mexico; Ahlstrom (1971) collected only four lar- 
vae on EASTROPAC I; and Nellen (1973) collected only a few in 
the western Indian Ocean. 
Identification.—These larvae resemble scorpaenid larvae except 
for very concave lateral profiles between the snout and eyes. 
73. Dactylopteridae 
(4 occurrences, 4 larvae) 
Few larvae were taken because, like istiophorids, the larvae of 
the only Atlantic species, Dactvlopterus volitans, live at the sur- 
face. Houde et al. (footnote 4) collected one larva in the eastern 
Gulf of Mexico; neither Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) nor Nellen (1973) 
reported this family in their collections. 
Identification. — Larvae resemble billfish without snouts. They are 
very darkly pigmented and have strong nuchal and preopercular 
spines. 
74. Bothidae 
(81 occurrences, 258 larvae) 
Larvae of this family ranked third in occurrence and sixth in 
abundance during the summer cruise, and fifth and sixth, respec- 
tively, on the winter cruise (Table 7). Most of the larvae were iden- 
tified to lower taxa and these results are given in Table 19. This 
was the third most frequently observed family in the eastern Gulf 
of Mexico (Houde et al. footnote 4); but, though common, they 
were not especially abundant in the eastern tropical Pacific 
(Ahlstrom 1971, 1972) or in the western Indian Ocean (Nellen 
1973). 
Citharichthys spp.—Eight larvae from six stations were taken 
in the Caribbean Sea (Table 19). Houde et al. (footnote 4) col- 
lected four species in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Ahlstrom (1971, 
1972) collected few larvae of the Citharichthys-Etropus complex 
in the eastern tropical Pacific. 
Identification —Richardson anc Joseph (1973). 
Syacium spp.—This was the second most abundant and wide- 
spread bothid (Table 19). Houde et al. (footnote 4) ranked this the 
most abundant bothid taxa in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. 
Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) collected some Syacium larvae in the 
eastern tropical Pacific. 
Identification —Futch and Hoff (1971). 
Engyrophrys senta—A few larvae of this species were taken in 
scattered locations (Table 19). A few E. senta larvae were taken in 
the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Houde et al. footnote 4), and the 
