Species composition and features of ichthyoplankton distribution in the waters of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau

The qualitative and quantitative composition of ichthyoplankton in the waters of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau during the winter period of 2012–2013 are considered. Approximately 120 species of pelagic eggs and larvae of fishes belonging to 64 families are identified in the ichthyoplankton samples. The eggs and larvae of Clupeidae, Carangidae, Scombridae, Myctophidae, Sparidae, Bothidae, Scianidae, and Paralepididae are dominant; the representatives of these families are present in ichthyoplankton over the entire water area under study. Among the commercial species, the eggs and larvae of sardinellas (round sardinella Sardinella aurita , Madeiran sardinella S. maderensis ), West-African horse mackerel Trachurus trecae , jack mackerel Caranx rhonchus , and some other fishes of the tropical fauna are often recorded. The spawning biomass of principle commercial fish species is calculated based on the quantity of eggs laid by females.