Introduction 



This is a computerized bibliographic analysis of the greater part of the significant 

 ichthyological literature published during 1968. The information has been stored in a 

 computer to make possible future retrieval of detailed bibliographic data as well as 

 periodic print-outs such as this. Most of the remainder of the 1968 literature will appear 

 with the analysis for 1969, and subsequent analyses will contain additional, still more 

 recently recovered items. 



Articles and reports dealing with purely commercial subjects such as the marketing, 

 preservation, and processing of fish have been omitted, but any item containing informa- 

 tion that bears on the biology of fishes has been included, for example, a description of 

 the bacteria found on freshly caught fish or fishery statistics that reflect geographic dis- 

 tribution or changes in abundance. Only articles of biological significance have been 

 selected from the sport fisherman's and amateur aquarist's literature. 



The development of methods, designed to encompass a major segment of the world's 

 biological literature and make it readily comprehensible to everyone working in any part 

 of the field, was made possible by the support of the Office of Science Information Service 

 of the National Science Foundation (Grants GN-658.1.2) . For all of the computer tech- 

 nology and services, BioSciences Information Service has been responsible, and we wish 

 to acknowledge the essential role this organization has played in carrying out the proj- 

 ect. Special mention should be made of the invaluable help received from Miss Louise 

 Schultz and her assistants, particularly David B. Cole, in developing the methods of 

 indexing as well as the computer programs. Another vital factor has been the whole- 

 hearted support of The American Museum of Natural History, made possible through 

 the keen interest of its Directors, Drs. James A. Oliver and Thomas D. Nicholson. To 

 Dr. Donn E. Rosen, Chairman of the Department of Ichthyology, especial thanks are 

 due for his unflagging support, both moral and material. All of the members of the staff 

 have contributed more than their reasonable share toward the success of the program. 

 Dr. Gareth J. Nelson's knowledge of piscine phylogenetics, paleoichthyology, and func- 

 tional morphology proved indispensable. Dr. Robert J. Winter and Mrs. Nao Saito 

 handled the Slavic and Japanese ichthyological literature with distinction. Mrs. Vivian 

 Joan Oleen, as special assistant, was called upon to do practically everything and did it 

 superlatively well. 



