59. Mullidae 
(2 occurrences, 5 larvae) 
Few goatfish larvae were collected, all occurring at two 
localities during the winter cruise. Houde et al. (footnote 4) col- 
lected them commonly in all seasons in the eastern Gulf of Mex- 
ico, but Nellen (1973) collected very few in the western Indian 
Ocean. 
Identification. — Caldwell (1962). 
60. Chiasmodontidae 
(10 occurrences, 13 larvae) 
These rare larvae were taken more often in the summer cruise 
than the winter cruise (Table 7). Larvae of this family were en- 
countered in the eastern tropical Pacific (Ahlstrom 1971, 1972) 
and western Indian Ocean (Nellen 1973). 
Identification.— Larvae of this family are very distinctive for their 
long spines (modified scales?) on the trunk and very distinct black 
pigment bands. 
61. Blenniidae 
(1 occurrence, 1 larva) 
Despite being very abundant on reefs, only one specimen was 
taken during the winter cruise. In the eastern Gulf of Mexico, 
Houde et al. (footnote 4) ranked it the 18th most common family 
taken principally in the winter-spring period. They were uncom- 
mon in the eastern tropical Pacific (Ahlstrom 1972) and in the 
western Indian Ocean (Nellen 1973). 
Identification.—1 followed Mito (1954). 
62. Ophidiidae 
(5 occurrences, 7 larvae) 
Few larvae of this family were collected, but they are very 
abundant in the eastern Gulf of Mexico where they were the 
eighth most frequently observed family in the study by Houde et 
al. (footnote 4). However, they were not common in the eastern 
tropical Pacific (Ahlstrom 1971, 1972) nor in the western Indian 
Ocean (Nellen 1973). 
Identification—They are very elongate larvae which resemble the 
adults. Consult Smith and Richardson (1979) for references. 
63. Carapidae 
(3 occurrences, 5 larvae) 
Two taxa were collected in the area: Echiodon sp. was collected 
on both cruises, and an unidentified taxon was collected on the 
winter cruise. Adults are associated with holothurians. Few speci- 
mens of this family were taken in the eastern tropical Pacific 
(Ahlstrom 1971, 1972) and western Indian Ocean (Nellen 1973). 
Houde et al. (footnote 4) collected common larvae of Echiodon 
sp. and few Carapus bermudiensis. 
Identification — Olney and Markel (1979) identified this material 
and commented upon the unidentified carapids which could not 
be assigned to Echiodon, Carapus, or Snyderidia, the three taxa 
known in the western Atlantic. 
28 
64. Callionymidae 
(21 occurrences, 29 larvae) 
These larvae were much more abundant during the summer 
cruise (Table 7) and were widely distributed throughout the area. 
Houde et al. (footnote 4) found these larvae in all seasons, but 
most commonly in the summer in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. 
Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) collected few, but most during 
EASTROPAC | in the eastern tropical Pacific. This family rank- 
ed 12th in numbers collected in the western Indian Ocean (Nellen 
1973). 
Identification. Larvae strongly resemble adults in the size range 
collected ( >2.6 mm SL). In fact, my larvae were all < 6.0 mm 
SL. Two genera occur which can be separated with fin ray counts, 
according to Davis (1966). Counts could not be made on many of 
the specimens (clearing and staining was not carried out), but 
those counted appeared to be Callionymus bairdi. 
65. Scombridae 
(57 occurrences, 152 larvae) 
Larvae of this family ranked seventh in percentage of occur- 
rence and abundance in the summer cruise and 14th in percentage 
of occurrence during the winter cruise (but not in the top 15 in 
abundance). Scombrids were common in the eastern Gulf of 
Mexico (Houde et al. footnote 4); markedly less abundant during 
EASTROPAC II, as compared with similar coverage on 
EASTROPAC | in the eastern tropical Pacific (Ahlstrom 1971, 
1972); and uncommon in the western Indian Ocean (Nellen 1973). 
In another study of the western Indian Ocean (oceanic waters 
north of Madagascar), scombrid larvae were quite abundant (Co- 
nand and Richards 1982). Larvae of this family were identified to 
lower taxa, and these taxa are discussed below. A comparison of 
the occurrences and numbers of larvae for each taxa are given in 
Table 17. 
Unidentified Scombrids.—Twelve larvae could not be identified 
below the family level (Table 17). 
Auxis spp.—Larvae of this taxa were widely distributed but few 
in number (Table 17). Houde et al. (footnote 4) collected Auxis 
larvae in all seasons, but 77.5% were captured in the summer in 
the eastern Gulf of Mexico. These larvae were also among the 20 
most abundant identified species on six cruises, with mean abun- 
dances ranging from 0.6 to 5.8 under 10 m? of sea surface. 
Richards and Potthoff (1980) found Auxis to be widely dis- 
tributed in the Gulf of Mexico in May. Nellen (1973) reported 
Auxis to be most abundant in collections made along the east 
African coast in the Gulf of Aden and south of the Horn of 
Africa in the western Indian Ocean. Richards and Simmons (1971) 
pointed out that Axis larvae were the most abundant scombrid 
species in the Gulf of Guinea of the eastern tropical Atlantic. 
Klawe (1963) reported Auxis larvae to be abundant in the eastern 
tropical Pacific, and Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) also found them to be 
the most abundant larvae in the same areas during the 
EASTROPAC cruises. This taxon is the most widely distributed 
and abundant scombrid in tropical oceans. 
Identification — Matsumoto (1959). 
