TOMOPTERIDS FROM THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN
Fernández-Álamo, M. A.
Laboratorio de Invertebrados, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México, A.P.70-371 México, D. F. 04510
This paper deals with the material obtained during twelve cruises made during the international oceanographic Program "EASTROPAC" in five of 2-3 month periods between February-March 1967 to February-April 1968. The study area was defined as latitude 20° N. to 20° S. and from the coast of America westward to longitude 119° W. A total of 579 zooplankton samples were sorted. Some 4110 specimens of holoplanktonic polychaetes of the family Tomopteridae comprising 8 species, of which four are new records, were recorded. The dominant species in the survey area, during the five sampling periods were Tomopteris elegans which comprised 61% of the total individuals and T. planktonis (25%). Taxonomic and zoogeographical aspects of these polychaetes are discussed.