Distribution of holoplanktonic typhloscolecids (Annelida-Polychaeta) in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean

The distribution and composition of the holoplanktonic species of the family Typhloscolecidae are reported from 579 samples obtained over an extensive area in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The EASTROPAC Oceanographic Program collected the samples in twelve cruises during five periods made between January-September 1967 and January-April 1968. The 2105 specimens identified belonged to three genera and four species. Typhloscolex muelleri and Sagitella kowalewski were dominant together, accounting for 57-59% of the relative abundance and 36-49% of the occurrence. Travisiopsis dubia is recorded for the first time from the eastern tropical Pacific, and Travisiopsis lanceolata is reported in almost the same locality as its first record in the surveyed region.