Distribution and abundance of teleostean eggs and larvae on the NW coast of Spain

Abstract

Monthly ichthyoplankton cruises were made over 3 annual cycles in the Ria of Vigo (Galician coasts, NW Spain). A total of 43395 teleostean eggs belonging to 14 farmlies and 7058 larvae of 21 families were collected. The largest densities of eggs were found during winter and spring, whereas the greatest numbers of larvae were collected during spring and summer. Eggs and larvae were found all over the na, although most of the species were most abundant in the outer area of the ria. The Ria of Vigo appears to be a malor spawning ground for many of the species recorded.