Kinds, Distributions and Abundances of Sea Bass Larvae (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Eastern Gulf of Mexico

Occurrences, distributions and abundances of serranid larvae from the eastern Gulf of Mexico were described based on 505-μm mesh bongo net collections made during 13 cruises in 1971–73. A diverse assemblage of serranid larvae was collected, totalling 5,350 individuals. Four subfamilies were represented and 11 genera and 14 species (or types) were identified. The most abundant serranid larva was Diplectrum formosum, followed by Hemanthias vivanus. Larvae of D. formosum were the fifth most common species of all fish larvae that were collected on the cruises and accounted for 55.5% of the serranids. Other common serranid larvae included Serraniculus pumilio, Centropristis striata, Pronotogrammus aureorubens, Anthias Type I, epinepheline larvae and Rypticus spp. Larvae of serranids were collected over the entire shelf area in the eastern Gulf during all seasons, but species that occurred differed by area, season and depth zone. Apparent differences in annual mean abundances were observed for some species. Relationships between occurrences and surface temperature and salinity were examined. Spawning seasons were inferred from the larval occurrence data.