45. Apogonidae 
(5 occurrences, 7 larvae) 
Although the Apogonidae are an abundant reef species, few 
larvae of this family were taken in the Caribbean. In contrast, 
apogonids were common in the eastern tropical Pacific (Ahlstrom 
1971, 1972), and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico it ranked the 15th 
most frequently observed family (Houde et al. footnote 4). Nellen 
(1973) ranked these 14th in number in the western Indian Ocean. 
Identification—Body shape resembles adults, and meristic 
characters are diagnostic. 
46. Branchiostegidae 
(9 occurrences, 11 larvae) 
Representatives of this family were uncommon but widely scat- 
tered over the area in both cruises. Houde et al. (footnote 4) col- 
lected a few in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. 
Identification.—Okiyama (1964). 
47. Echeneidae 
(3 occurrences, 3 larvae) 
These larvae were rare in our collections, and only three were 
collected in the eastern Gulf of Mexico by Houde et al. (footnote 
4). They were not reported in the eastern tropical Pacific by 
Ahlstrom (1971, 1972), but Nellen (1973) found 20 specimens in 
the western Indian Ocean. Adults are not uncommon in tropical 
seas and are frequently noted in association with mammals and 
other large pelagics. 
Identification Larvae are heavily pigmented and superficially 
resemble Coryphaena and Rachycentron. 
48. Carangidae 
(27 occurrences, 119 larvae) 
Carangid larvae were the 10th most abundant larvae found on 
cruise 7239 and the ninth most abundant on cruise 7343. Caranx 
was the most abundant taxon but occurred only during summer 
cruise 7239. Trachurus were common on both cruises, and Decap- 
turus also occurred on both cruises (Table 18). The larvae are 
widely scattered over the area but do show seasonal trends. 
Houde et al. (footnote 4) and Leak (1981) ranked these as sixth 
most abundant in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which indicates 
their preference to shelf waters. Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) collected a 
number of different species in the eastern tropical Pacific. Nellen 
(1973) ranked them as sixth most abundant in numbers in the 
western Indian Ocean. 
Identification.— Aprieto (1974) and Aboussouan (1975). 
49. Bramidae 
(9 occurrences, 9 larvae) 
Bramid larvae occurred uncommonly on both cruises (Table 7). 
No attempt was made to identify them below the family level. 
Ahlstrom (1971, 1972), Houde et al. (footnote 4), and Nellen 
(1973) collected few bramids in the eastern tropical Pacific, 
eastern Gulf of Mexico, and western Indian Ocean, respectively. 
Identification. Mead (1972). 
24 
50. Coryphaenidae 
(10 occurrences, 11 larvae) 
Few larvae of this common tropical genus were caught, but 
most were taken on the summer cruise (Table 7). Ah!strom (1971, 
1972) found these larvae to be widely distributed throughout the 
eastern tropical Pacific. Houde et al. (footnote 4) found very few 
in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Nellen (1973) found them in 
the western Indian Ocean with the exception of the Gulf of Oman 
and Persian Gulf. These larvae, like those of the family 
Istiophoridae, are concentrated near the surface, which accounts 
in part for their low abundance. Of the larvae taken on summer 
cruise 7239, one was C. equiselis and eight were C. hippurus. The 
two larvae taken during cruise 7343 were C. hippurus. 
Identification — Gibbs and Collette (1959). 
51. Lutjanidae 
(9 occurrences, 12 larvae) 
Larvae of this important reef family were not common in our 
collections (Table 18) and were about equally distributed on both 
cruises. Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) did not report them in his eastern 
tropical Pacific collections, but Houde et al. (footnote 4) ranked 
lutjanids as the 19th most abundant larvae in the eastern Gulf of 
Mexico, and Nellen (1973) reported very few in the western Indian 
Ocean. 
Identification—Rhomboplites were identified according to 
Laroche (1977); Lutjanus according to Richards and Saksena 
(1980) and Collins et al. (1980); and Symphosanodon according to 
Sumida.’ 
52. Acanthuridae 
(18 occurrences, 29 larvae) 
Larvae of this abundant reef family were widely distributed 
throughout the area but were not abundant (Table 7). Ahlstrom 
(1971, 1972) did not record them from the eastern tropical Pacific, 
and Houde et al. (footnote 4) found very few in the eastern Gulf 
of Mexico and western Indian Ocean. No seasonality was ap- 
parent in the distribution of these larvae. 
Identification.— All acanthurids in the area are in the genus Acan- 
thurus, but no attempt was made to identify the material to 
species. 
53. Sciaenidae 
(1 occurrence, 2 larvae) 
These two larvae were found only at the Gulf of Cariaco sta- 
tion on the Venezuelan coast during winter cruise 7343. Sciaenids 
are abundant along the northern coast of South America, but no 
other larvae were found because of the coastal and estuarine 
habits of these species. Ahlstrom (1971, 1972) collected sciaenids 
in this nearshore transect in the eastern tropical Pacific; Houde et 
al. (footnote 4) obtained many in the eastern Gulf of Mexico; 
Nellen (1973) also collected these larvae in the coastal areas in the 
western Indian Ocean. 
Identification —No attempt was made to identify these specimens 
to a lower taxon. 
7B. Sumida, Southwest Fisheries Center, La Jolla Laboratory, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA 92037, pers. commun. May 1975. 
