Composition, distribution and abundance of neustonic ichthyoplankton off northeastern New Zealand

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Patterns in the distribution and abundance of ichthyoplankton off the northeastern coast of New Zealand were investigated. Neuston samples were collected monthly between November 1986–November 1987 at stations located 0·5, 3·2 and 6·0 km offshore from each of three locations that were separated by 3–5 km. Three abundant taxa, tripterygiids (Forsterygion spp.), an engraulid (Engraulis australis) and a clupeoid (Sardinops neopilchardus) accounted for 80% of the total catch. Ichthyoplankton was at least three times more abundant during the winter month of July than in any other month, primarily due to the large numbers of tripterygiids. Low densities of fish larvae were found during the spring and summer, but many taxa had peaks in abundance at this time. Patterns of along-shore distribution were inconsistent; they varied between months for most taxa. In general, more fish larvae were caught at the sampling stations that were 3·2 or 6·0 km from the shore.

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    Present address: CSIRO, Jervis Bay Marine Station, P.O. Box 94, Vincentia, NSW 2540, Australia.

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