CAUFORNIAI
FISH-GAME

'CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE THROUGH EDUCATION"

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u

0

VOLUME 60

APRIL 1974

NUMBER 2

Published Quarterly by

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

THE RESOURCES AGENCY

DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

RONALD REAGAN, Governor

THE RESOURCES AGENCY

NORMAN B. LIVERMORE, JR., Secretary ior Resources

FISH AND GAME COMMISSION

PETER T. FLETCHER, Presideni, Rancho Santa Fe

TIMOTHY M. DOHENY, Vice President JOSEPH RUSS 111, Member

Los Angeles Ferndale

C. RANS PEARMAN, Member SHERMAN CHICKERING, Member

San Gabriel San Francisco

DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

G. RAY ARNETT, Director

1416 9th Street
Sacramento 95814

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Editorial Staff

CAROL M. FERREL, Editor-in-Chief Sacramento

KENNETH A. HASHAGEN, Editor for Inland Fisheries Sacramento

MERTON N. ROSEN, Editor for Wildlife Sacramento

ROBSON COLLINS, Editor for Marine Resources.. Long Beach

PAUL M. HUBBELL, Editor for Salmon and Steelhead Sacramento

HAROLD K. CHADWICK, Editor for Striped Bass, Sturgeon, and Shad ...Stockton

(62)

CONTENTS

Page
Age and Growth of the Pacific Saury,

Cololnhis saira John S. Smiada 64

A Description of the Laboratory-Beared First and Second Zoeae of
Portunus xantusii (Stimpson) (Brachyura, Decapoda)

J. R. Baymond Ally 74

The California Sea Lion on Islands Off the Coast of San Luis
Obispo County, California Howard W. Braham 79

Coyote Scats as an Lidicator of Time of Fawn Mortality in the
is^orth Kings Deer Herd Hal Salwasser 84

An Evaluation of Two Artificial Least Tern Nesting Sites

Deane K. Swickard 88

Notes

Giant Squids, Architcnthis sp., from Stomachs of Sperm Whales
Captured Off California Charles H. Fiscus and Dale W. Rice 91

Age and Growth of Largemouth Bass in California Farm Ponds

Ronald F. Schnltze and C. Daniel Vanicek 94

Lj,V- lAXi^l V^iV/.ILii ^-1- J-il^ij,V

A Wheeled Device for Sampling the Biota of a Concrete-Lined
Canal Gary Bryant 97

Occurrence of the Tiger Barb, Barhus tetrazona, in the Owens
Valley, California Rohert J. Naiman and Edvnn P. Pister 100

Book Reviews 102

(63)

Calif. Fish and Game, 60(2) : 64-73. 1974.

AGE AND GROWTH OF THE
PACIFIC SAURY, COLOLABIS SAIRA^

JOHN S. SUNADA

Marine Resources Region

Coiifornia Department of Fish and Game

Age, sex ratio, maturity, age composition, and length-weight rela-
tionships of Pacific saury, Co/o/abis saira, were studied using samples
collected from waters off southern Oregon to central Baja California.
Lengths ranged from 45-300 mm FL. Age was determined from otoliths,
and length frequency distributions were used to validate the otolith
method. Of the 237 sauries whose ages were determined, 57% were
Age Group II fish ranging from 208—276 mm FL. Sexual maturity was
most developed during winter and spring months. The calculated length-
weight relationship of unsexed fish is: weight = 0.000083091^^'^'^ Female
to male ratio was 1.1 to 1.

INTRODUCTION
The Pacific saury, Cololahis saira (Brevoort), is found throughout
the north Pacific Ocean and is of commercial importance to the U.S.S.R.
and Japan. Because of its commercial potential and foreign interest,
this species has received recent attention along our coast. The western
Pacific stock has been studied, but little is known about the eastern
Pacific stock. My study was initiated to obtain age and growth infor-
mation about the eastern Pacific stock.

Age determination of saury is difficult, and conflicting views on the
subject exist between Soviet and Japanese researchers. Both groups
have had success in using scales althougli the Japanese feel otoliths may
be used. I obtained better results with otoliths and used them.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 1,132 sauries was collected between September 1970 and
September 1972 during cruises of the California Department of Fish
and Game vessel Alaska and from one commercial catch in October 1971.
The sampling area extended from southern Oregon to central Baja
California. Alaska samples w^ere collected by dip net at night-light sta-
tions while the commercial sample was caught by purse seine. A sample
of 10 fisli from Japan also was utilized for age determination.

Sauries were measured to the nearest millimeter fork length (fl)
and weighed to the nearest 0.1 g. Otoliths were taken from 293 fish and
were measured by an ocular micrometer to the nearest 0.001 mm.

The fork length-otolith length relationship was derived from 193
fish. A total of 20G pairs of otoliths was used for calculating the otolith-
age relationship.

The largest of the three pairs of otoliths, the sagitta, Avas used. They
were placed in a small gelatine capsule and dried. When the otoliths
were read, they were immersed in } inch water, and a 20 power binoc-
ular microscope was used in determining the number of annuli present.

The determination of age is based on the hypothesis that a white
opaque crystalline zone is deposited on the otolith during spring and

1 This study was conducted in cooperation with the Department of Cominerce National
Oceanic and Atmosi)heric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, under
Public Law 88-309, Project G-3-R. Accepted for publication December 1973.

(64)

PACIFIC SAURY

65

summer when growing conditions are optimal. During winter months,
when growth is retarded, a translucent (hyaline) winter zone is laid
down (Jensen 1965). The completed annual ring is defined as an inter-
face between the inner hyaline zone (annulus) and outer white opaque
zone (Fitch 1951; Chuganova 1959). Age determination from length
frequency distribution (Peterson method) was used to determine the
reliability of otolith age determination methods.

RESULTS
Determination of Birthday

In order to establish a birthday as a basis for age determination, the
spawning period and time of ring formation must be known. Materials
collected during December 1971 to September 1972 were used for
determining ring formation. A total of 127 pairs of otoliths were exam-
ined and results indicate the highest incidence of hyaline deposition
occurred during winter and spring months (Figure 1).

100

90

? 80

o

uj 60

Z

-■ 50

<
>-

I 40

I—

u

£20

a.
10

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT

FIGURE 1. Seasonal change in the margin of the otolith of the Pacific saury.

NOV

DEC

The peak spawTiing period must also be known to denote age groups.
Pacific sauries are known to spawn all year, but Smith, Ahlstrom, and
Casey (1971) found peak spawning during spring months, the highest
frequency occurring in May. Based on these data, I chose May 31 as
the arbitrary ' ' birthday ' '.

Age Composition, Otolith Method

Samples taken during the summer of 1972 between the Oregon border
and Monterey Bay were utilized for age determination. While 293 pairs
of otoliths were available, 237 pairs were readable with a certain degree
of confidence and were used for this study.

The age composition consisted of five age groups, 0 tlirough IV. The
0 Age Group (young of the year) ranged from 122 to 206 mm fl with
a mean of 171 mm and a standard deviation of 21.8 mm (Figure 2).
Such a range is expected when dealing with fish that have a long
spawning season (Smith, Ahlstrom, and Casey 1971). Age Group I
(otoliths with one completed hyaline and one opaque zone) had a mean
length of 220.1 mm (range 180-265 mm fl) while Age Group II (oto-
liths with two completed hyaline and two opaque zones) averaged
245.5 mm (range 208-276 mm fl), and the standard deviations did

66

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

overlap. The mean lengths of the two age groups were significantly
different (5% level) when subjected to a t-test. The t-vahie was 12.06
with 174 degrees of freedom. Age Group III and Age Group IV had
mean lengths of 270 mm (range 238-300 mm) and 268 mm (range
258-277 mm) fl respectively. Again, an overlap of the standard devia-
tions occurred but when the mean lengths were subjected to a t-test,
they were not significantly different. Since the numbers of fish in the
last age group were few, the mean value may not be representative.
Although the length ranges did overlap between various age groups,
the standard error of means of the first four age groups did not overlap
(Figure 2). Mean lengths at age for male and female fish were com-
pared, and no significant differences were observed.

2,4-

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5

o

1.4

z

UJ

1.3

_J

X

1.2

K-

—1

o

t—

o

1.0

.9

.8

.7

.6

.5

TJ

STANDARD DEVIATION
MEAN

[1

STANDARD ERROR OF MEA
RANGE

A]

O I II III

AGE

FIGURE 2. Mean lengths of Pacific saury age groups derived from otolith readings.

IV

PACIFIC SAURY

67

2901-

250

Z

O

z

o

,200

L = 82.66 + 91.90

■150

100

CONFIDENCE LIMITS + 32.02

2.2 2.3 2.4

1,3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1
OTOLITH LENGTH IN MM (I)

FIGURE 3. Relationship between otolith length and fork length of Pacific saury.

As a comparison, the ages of 10 imported western Pacific fish were
determined. The dominant Age Group II had a mean length of 276
mm FL which was larger than the mean length of the eastern Pacific
saury of the same age group.

Eastern Pacific fish of Age Group II dominated the age composition
with 57% of 237 fish aged, while Age Groups I and III fish each had
16.9%. Age Group 0 consisted of 8%, and Age Group IV with 1.7%
of the total.

Observations on the fork length-otolith length relationship were fitted
to a linear regression. The equation used was :

68

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

L = 82.660 + 91.900Z
where : L =: fork length (mm)

I =: otolith length (mm)

The fit was plotted with a correlation coefficient of 0.812 and 95% con-
fidence. Limits were calculated (Figure 3). The validity of the relation-
ship was reinforced by an otolith length-age relationship (Figure 4).
The results indicate that otolith length (?) shows a linear dependency
on age (X) as described by the equation -.

/. = 1.255 + 0.246X
where : X == age of fish

The correlation coefficient was calculated as 0.800.

300

250

^
^

200

O

z

Of

o

150

0

u

STANDARD DEVIATION-
MEAN

STAN DARD ERROR OF MEA
RANGE ■

[1

J[]

O I II III IV

AGE

FIGURE 4. Mean otolith lengths of Pacific saury age groups derived from otolith readings.

PACIFIC SAURY

69

Length Frequency Method
A total of 558 measurements taken during September 1972 was used
for this method. Age Group 0 was readily discernable. In this age
group, the most prominant mode was near 65 mm (range 45 to 145
mm) although several other peaks were noted, indicating a long spawn-
ing season (Figure 5). Although sauries spawn throughout the year,
CalCOFI egg and larval surveys indicate winter and spring months
as dominant spawning months (Smith, Ahlstrom, and Casey 1971).

10 11

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
FORK LENGTH IN CM

24 25 26 27 28 29

FIGURE 5. Length-frequency distribution and distribution of the first five age groups of
Pacific sauries collected aboard the R/V Alaska off northern California, Septem-
ber 1972.

The next mode occurred near 210 mm (range 200 to 220 mm), and
within this mode Age Groups I and II were found with a predomi-
nance of Age Group I. The second largest mode is located near 245 mm
(range 230 to 265 mm). A majority of otoliths from this size group
had two hyaline zones with some otoliths with one or three completed
hyaline zones. Beyond this peak, two peaks at 260 and 275 mm oc-
curred. These peaks contained four age groups; I through IV, with a
predominance of 2 year old fish in the 260 mm size group and 3 year
old fish in the last modal peak. Two factors that could account for
the overlap are wide variation in size and mortality within older age
groups. Another explanation for the overlap is the fact that sauries
tend to school according to size, even though fish of different ages are
found in these schools (Hatanaka 1956).

As a result of comparing length frequency modes, several age groups
were discernable. The 0 Age Group was quite distinct, whereas Age
Groups I and IV were less well defined, possibly due to the small
numbers of specimens in these length ranges. Age Groups II and III
were discernable by modal peaks and correlated with otolith readings.

70

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Length-Weight Relationship
Data from 205 fish obtained from northern California to southern
California were used to construct a length-weight curve. The sizes of
these fish ranged from 71 to 300 mm fl and weights from 1 to 127 g.

The growth curve displayed an exponential increase in weight with
length, fitting the formula W r= aL^. Tlie calculated length-weight
relationship of unsexed fish is :
weight = 0.00008309L319591

105r

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
FORK LENGTH IN CM

FIGURE 6. Length-weight relationship of Pacific saury.

PACIFIC SAURY

71

with a correlation coefScient of 0.997 (Figure 6). Separate length-
weight calculations were made from males and females from the dif-
ferent sampling areas. The southern California sample consisted of
86 males and 70 females. The values are :

female weight = 0.00007083L3"644

male weight = 0.00007516X^1206

with a correlation coefficient of 0.977 and 0.966 respectively. The length-
weight calculations for the northern California sample were very
similar to those from southern California. These calculations were based
on 107 males and 141 females. The results are :

female weight = 0.00008704L3-208i4

male weight = 0.00006973L3-i4ooo
with a correlation coefficient of 0.980 and 0.984 respectively.

Sex Ratio

Data pertaining to sex and maturity from 423 fish were recorded.
Sex determination was possible only on fish larger than 125 mm fl
although maturity does not occur until later. Fish smaller than 125
mm could not be sexed accurately. The female to male ratio was 1.1 : 1 ;
however, a ratio of 1:1 appeared more constantly throughout the
season in all regions where samples were taken (Table 1). Maturity
of females was most developed during winter and spring. Since spawn-
ing fish were less available to the sampling gear, adequate numbers
could not be collected during the winter and spring season.

TABLE 1. Male-Female Ratio

of Pacific Saury

Month

Area

Percent
ripe

females

Females

Males

F:M

ratio

1971
.Tiinfi

Baja Calif..

0.0
0.0
0.75
60.0

31.0
0.0

11
5

39
5

23
141

12
4

41
6

29
107

0.92-1

August.

Baja and So. Calif. _ .

1.25:1

October

December

So. Calif

So. Calif..

0.95:1
0 83-1

1972

April

So. Calif

No. and Cent. Calif.

0.79-1

*September

1 32-1

Total

224

199

Percent ratio

52.9

47.1

1.1:1

* This sample increased the Female:Male ratio to 1.1:1. Prior to this, the ratio was 0.9:1.

DISCUSSION

Previous investigators have indicated difficulty in accurately deter-
mining the age of western Pacific sauries. The most recent and widely
accepted Japanese theory is that there are two distinct populations
with different spawning periods, one in spring and the other in fall
(Hotta 1960). Length and age data indicate separate growth patterns
of the two populations. These growth patterns are as follows: 210 to

72 CALIFORXIA FISH AND GAME

240 mm are 1 year old, 260 to 280 mm 1.5 years, 290 to 300 mm are 2
years, and 310 to 330 mm are 2.5 years (Hotta 1960). The 1 and 2
year fish are believed to be fall spawned fish while the 1.5 and 2.5 year
fish are considered as spring spawned.

Soviet researchers do not believe the presence of two populations of
tlie asiatic stock, altlioiigh they do find spawning peaks during spring
and fall months. Their studies indicate 210 mm fish to be 1.5 years,
250 to 290 mm fish as 2.5 years, and 300 mm fish to be 3.5 years old
(NOAA 1970; Inouye and Hughes 1971). The Russians used scales for
determining age while the Japanese used both scales and otoliths.

One possible reason for such a discrepancy in age determination is
the prolonged spawning periods. While spring and fall are the peak
seasons, the fish do spawn all year. As a result varying growth rates
occur and depending on the birthday, indications of the first winter
ring are present or absent.

I used otoliths as the main source for determining age. Scales were
difficult to read and considerable time was involved in mounting them.
The accuracy and validity of otolith results have been compared with
length frequencies, and several age groups consisting of 0, II, and III
were distinguishable by modal peaks in the distribution. The dominant
age groups in my study were 0 and II.

The imported sample fish were predominantly Age Group II, and
these fish were slightly larger than the California caught fish of the
same age group. Catch statistics from the asiatic fisheries indicate a
larger average length in the commercial catch.

The Japanese found eastern Pacific saury scale radii and body length
relationship to be different from those of the western Pacific stock.
These data were based on samples obtained from exploratory cruises
off the west coast of North America and their findings suggest varying
growth rates between the two stocks (Odate, Tohoku Regional Research
Laboratory, pers. comm. 1972).

Differences in the length-weight relationships of western and eastern
stock sauries were noted. I found that the eastern Pacific sauries had a
length-weight value of :

weight = 0.00008309L319591

whereas Hotta (1958) found western Pacific sauries, calculated from
sauries 210 to 310 mm (commercial size) in length, as:
weight = 0.00009934L3.46800

Selection of larger fish from the western stock could account for the
difference between the two values.

Since there is yet to be a fishery along our coast, adequate sampling
of the stock is impossible. The stock is relatively unexploited; however,
this resource has potential and the data that have been assembled may
prove valuable in the future.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to thank the personnel of the vessel Alaska and the Pelagic
Fish Sea Survey Project. Thanks are given to Rick Klingbeil, Ray
Ally, and Vickie Wine for assisting me in the data analysis. Herbert
Frey reviewed the manuscript and gave helpful editorial assistance.
Special thanks goes to Gayle Jones and Micalea Wolfe for their
patience and endless hours at their typewriters.

PACIFIC SAURY 73

REFERENCES

Anonymous. 1970. Japan-USSR discuss decline of Pacific saury stocks. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Ser. Comm. Fish. Review .32(1) : 70.

Chuganova, N.I. 1959. Age and growth studies in fish. Translated from the
Russian by D. Yasski, 1963. Washington, D.C. Natl. Sci. Found. 132 p.
(Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem.)

Ellis, Ian, and Steven E. Hughes. 1971. Pacific saury, a progress report. Na-
tional Fisherman Yearbook : 67-92.

Fitch, John E. 1951. Age composition of the southern California catch of Pacific

mackerel 1939-40 through 1950-51. Calif. Dept. Fish and Game, Fish. Bull.

(83) : 1-73.
Hatanaka, Masayoshi. 1956. Biological studies on the population of the saury,

Cololabis saira (Brevoort). Part 2, Habits and migrations. Tohoku J. Agr.

Res. 6 :313-340.

Hotta, Hideyuki. 1958. On the growth of the young saury, Cololabis saira, in
the rearing experiment. Bull. Tohoku Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 11:47-64. (In Japa-
nese with English summary.)

. 1960. On the analysis of the population of the saury (Colol-abis saira)

based on the scale and the otolith characters, and their growth. Bull. Tohoku
Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 16 : 41-64. (In Japanese with English summary.)

Inouye, Michael Shigeru. and Steven E. Hughes. 1971. Pacific saury (Cololabis
saira) a review of stocks, harvesting techniques, processing methods and markets.
Engineering Exp. Sta. Oregon State Univ., Bull. 43 : 1-101.

Jensen, Albert C. 1965. A standard terminology and notation for otolith readers.
Inter. Comm. Northwest Atlantic Fish., Res. Bull. (2) : 5-7.

Smith, Paul E., Elbert H. Ahlstrom, and Harold D. Casey. 1971. The saury as
a latent resource of the California Current. Calif. Coop. Oceanic Fish. Invest.
Rep. 14 :88-130.

Calif. Fish and Game, 60(2) : 74-78. 1974.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE LABORATORY-REARED FIRST

AND SECOND ZOEAE OF PORTUNUS XANTUSIl

(STIMPSON) (BRACHYURA, DECAPODA)

J. R. RAYMOND ALLY ^
California State University, Long Beach, California

Portunus xantusii (Stimpson) was reared in the laboratory from the
egg through the second zoeal stage. The larvae were reared under
simulated day and night conditions at a temperature range of 23 to
26.5 C and a salinity range of 33.5 to 33.6Voo> The first two zoeal stages
are fully described and figured.

INTRODUCTION
Portunus xantusii (Stimpson), a swimming crab, is found from
Santa Monica Bay, California (Kathbun 1930) to Chile (Johnson and
Snook 1927). This study describes the first and second zoeal stages as
an aid to the identification of this crab in plankton samples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An ovigerous P. xantusii was captured in ^an Pedro Bay, near Seal
Beach, California, on August 27, 1971, and transported to the labora-
tory at California State University, Long Beach, where it was placed
in an aerated 8 liter container. The eggs hatched approximately 3 hr
after the crab was captured. Thirty-five first zoeae were placed in each
of ten 266 mm plastic cups. The study was conducted at ambient
laboratory temperatures ranging from 23 to 26.5 C and day and night
conditions were simulated. Sea water was obtained from Seal Beach
and transported to the laboratory in 19 liter plastic carboys. The water
was filtered through two number one Whatman qualitative filter papers.
The salinity of the water varied from 33.5 to 33.6%f. The larvae were
transferred daily, by means of a pipette, into clean cups containing new
sea water. The water in these cups was not aerated. Nourishment for the
zoeae was provided in the form of freshly-hatched Artemia salina
nauplii.

In order to avoid mortality due to bacterial infection, a commercial
preparation of penicillin and streptomycin was used. The volume of sea
water used each day was treated with 0.2 cc of the preparation per liter
of sea water.

All zoeae and exuviae were preserved in a 5% solution of formalin.
From 5 to 10 specimens were used to study external anatomical varia-
tion. Appendages were dissected with fine insect pins and mounted in
glycerin. All figures were drawn with the aid of a camera lucida.

RESULTS

All series of armature are listed in the description from proximal to
distal.

First Zoea

The carapace of the first zoea (Figure 1-A) has a rostral and dorsal
spine, and a pair of lateral spines. The mean of the perpendicular

1 Present address : California Department of Fi.sh and Game, Marine Resources Region,
350 Golden Shore, Long Beach, Ca. 90802. Accepted for publication December lOT.'J.

(74)

CRAB ZOEAE

75

distance between the tip of the rostral spine and the tip of the dorsal
spine is 1.09 mm. There is a small hair or setule present above each
lateral spine. The eyes are not stalked. The abdomen (Figure 1-B) con-
sists of five segments or somites and a bifurcated telson. The postero-

B

FIGURE 1. First zoea of Poriunus xantusii (Stimpson). A, lateral view; B, ventral viev/ of
abdomen; C, antennule; D, antenna; E-1 and E-2, right and left mandibles re-
spectively; F, maxillule; G, maxilla; H, first maxilliped; I, second maxilliped.
Scale = 0.1 mm.

76 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

lateral edges of somites three through five extend caudally as spines,
overlapping the adjacent somite. The second somite bears a pair of
lateral hooks and the third somite, a pair of lateral spines. A pair of
setules is present on the posterodorsal border of somites two through
five. The first somite has no ornamentation. Each furca of the telson
has three plumose setae on the inner margin, two smooth and unequal
spines on the outer margin, and another smooth spine (not shown in
Figure) on the dorsal side posterior to the latter two. The antennule
(Figure 1-C) bears two long, unequal aesthetes and one seta. The
antenna (Figure 1-D) has a protopodite which terminates as a long
denticulate spine, and a shorter exopodite bearing two unequal terminal
setae. The right and left mandibles (Figure 1, E-1 and E-2 respectively)
differ slightly in structure. The two-segmented endopodite of the maxil-
lule (Figure 1-F) has no armature on the first segment and six setae
on the terminal segment, most of Avhich are plumose. The basipodite
and coxopodite bear five and six setae respectively, most of which are
plumose. Four plumose setae fringe the border of the scaphognathite
of the maxilla (Figure 1-G). The bilobed endopodite has two setae on
each lobe. The bilobed basipodite and coxopodite bear 4-4 and 3-3
plumose setae respectively. The protopodite of the first maxilliped
(Figure 1-H) has a setal arrangement of 2-2-3-3, most of which are
plumose. The five-segmented endopodite has a formula of 2, 2, 0, 2, 5.
The protopodite of the second maxilliped (Figure l-I) has an arrange-
ment of 1-1-1-1. and the three-segmented endopodite has a formula of
1, 1, 5. The exopodite of the first and second maxillipeds is incompletely
segmented and bears four long plumose setae.

Second Zoea
The mean of the distance from rostral spine to dorsal spine of the
second zoea (Figure 2-A) is 1.28 mm. This is an increase of 17% over
the previous stage. Setules on the carapace have increased to six and
there are two setules on the dorsal spine. There is a plumose seta on
each side of the ventrolateral margin of the carapace. The eyes are now
stalked. The posterolateral spines of somites three through five of the
abdomen (Figure 2-B) have increased considerably in size. The telson
has added a naked seta on each side of the furcal angle and there has
been a reduction in size of the smaller spine on the outer margin of each
furca. The antennule (Figure 2-C) now bears five aesthetes and one
very small seta (not shown in the Figure). Other than the increase in
size, the antenna (Figure 2-D) and mandibles (Figure 2, E-1, and E-2)
are uiicliangcd. There is no change in tlie armature of the endopodite of
the maxillule (Figure 2-F), but the basipodite now has seven setae. The
setation of the coxopodite is generally six and rarely seven. A seta
has been added to the lateral border of the protopodite, below the endo-
podite. There are seven setae on the border of the scaphognathite of
the maxilla (Figure 2-G), and the formula of the bilobed endopodite
is now 2-4. There is no change in the armature of the basipodite and
coxopodite. The armature of the protopodite and endopodite of the
first maxilliped (Figure 2-II) is nnclianged. The now completely seg-
mented exopodite has generally six plumose setae, rarely five and seven.
The protopodite and endopodite of the second maxilliped (Figure 2-T)
have no armature change. The plumose setae of the still incompletely
segmented exopodite have increased to six.

CRAB ZOEAE

77

B

D

El

E2

FIGURE 2. Second zoea of Porfunus xantusii (Stimpson). A, lateral view; B, ventral view
of abdomen; C, antennule; D, antenna; E-1 and E-2, right and left mandibles
respectively; F, maxillule; G, maxilla; H, first maxilliped; I, second maxilliped.
Scale = 0.1 mm.

78 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

DISCUSSION

Of the initial 350 zoeae, three molted into the second zoea 9 days after
hatching and another two molted 11 days after hatching. All second
zoeae died within 4 days after reaching this stage, and all zoeae were
dead 15 days after hatching. This very high mortality was probably
due to the high temperatures at which the larvae were kept. The ambient
temperature of the collecting area was to be approximated during the
study, but the cooling unit which was to be used became inoperative.

Since hatching of the eggs occurred only 3 hr after the capture of
the ovigerous crab, embryonic development took place almost entirely
under natural conditions. Therefore, there sliould be very few differ-
ences, if any, between the first zoea described and that found in nature.
However, since the second zoea described developed at abnormally high
temperatures, differences between it and that found in nature might
exist.

Lebour (1928) stated that there are four to five zoeal stages in the
family Portunidae and five zoeal stages in the subfamily Portuninae.
Accordingly, P. xantusii should have five zoeal stages. However, Costlow,
and Bookhout (1959) reported as many as eight zoeal stages in Cal-
linectes sapidns Rathbun reared under laboratory conditions. They also
indicated that this number might not be representative of that found
under natural conditions.

Lebour (1928) stated that it is practically impossible to distinguish
among the zoeae of Portunus, Bafhynectcs, and Polyhius. Callincctcs
might also be added to these genera. Length ratios such as the lateral
spine to rostrum ratio and the antennal exopod to antennal peduncle
ratio have been suggested by Roberts (1969) as a means of separating
the genera of Portunidae. However, as Roberts further indicated, much
more knowledge of larval histories is needed to establish the A'alidity
of these ratios in separating the genera.

Since portunid larval stages are very similar, it is necessary to use a
combination of diagnostic characters to identify species. Those char-
acters most useful are: the perpendicular distance between the tip of
the rostrum and the tip of the dorsum, and the armature of the anten-
nule, maxillule, and mixilla.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to thank the following faculty members of California State
University, Long Beach, California : R. Ward Renshaw, for his support
of this study; Murray D. Dailey, for providing the needed antibiotics;
H. Everett Hrubant, for the use of his X-ray viewer as a drawing aid;
and Ju-Shey Ho, for reviewing the manuscript.

REFERENCES

Costlow, John D., Jr., and C. G. Bookhout. 1959. The larval development of C'al-
linectes sapidus Rathbun reared in the laborator.y. Biol. Bull. 11G(3) : 373-396.

Johnson, Myrtle E., and Harry J. Snook. 1927. Seashore animals of the Pacific

coast. Macmillan Co., New York. 659 p.
Lebour, Marie V. 1928. The larval stages of the Plymouth Brachyura. Zool. Soc.

London, Proc, Part 2 : 473-560.

Rathbun, Mary J. 1930. The cancroid crabs of America of the families Eurya-
lidae, Portunidae, Atelecvclidae, Cancridae and Xanthidae. U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull.
152. 609 p.

Roberts, Morris H., Jr. 1969. Larval development of lUifhifncctcs supvrhti
(Costa) reared in the laboratory. Biol. Bull. 137(2) : 338-351.

Calif. Fish and Game, 60(2) : 79-83. 1974.

THE CALIFORNIA SEA LION ON ISLANDS OFF THE
COAST OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

HOWARD W. BRAHAM ^

California Polytechnic State University,

San Luis Obispo, California 93401

The numbers of California sea lions on six small islands near the
coast of San Luis Obispo County, California, were counted each month
from May 1971 to May 1972. The greatest numbers were seen in July
(1,390) and the fewest in December (230). Age and sex composition are
discussed in terms of trends in the frequency of sea lions throughout
the year. What these fluctuations in observed numbers mean in relation
to the annual cycle of sea lions is still unknown.

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the yearly changes in the numbers of Cali-
fornia sea lions, ZalopJuis calif ornianus, on small rocky islands off the
coast of San Luis Obispo County, California. Bonnot (1928) reported
approximately 125 animals on four of these islands, but gave few
details. Rowley (1929) reported seeing 150 Steller sea lions, Eumetopias
juhatus, and approximately 100 "breeding" California sea lions. Ap-
proximately 1,3()0 California sea lions and nine Steller sea lions were
seen at Lion Rock, San Luis Obispo County, on September 1, 1968
(Peterson 1968).

Carlisle and Aplin (1971) reported an aerial count of 1,104 sea lions
from Point Lobos. Monterey County, to Point Conception, Santa Bar-
bara County, during June 1970. From their data, an average mid-
summer total of 720 animals (range 337-1,524) has been recorded, each
year since 1927, along this portion of the central coast of California.

Studies of the numbers of California sea lions throughout the year
at specific locations were conducted to update census data and to
establish the possible role these islands play as migratory hauling
grounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six small islands, all within 1 km of the coast of San Luis Obispo
County, are used as hauling grounds by sea lions (Figure 1;. The
islands are from north to south : Piedras Blancas Rocks (lat 35° 30' N,
long 121° 20' W), Lion, Pup and Diablo Rocks (lat 35° 9' N, long
120° 53' W), and Pecho Rock (lat 35° 7' N, long 120° 50' W). A
Cessna 150 airplane was used to fly over the islands to census the ani-
mals. Flights were made on September 15, 1970; May 14, November
21, 1971; and April 27, 1972. Each day was sunny and clear, the times
spent observing were between 12 noon and 2 :00 p.m. Thirty-five milli-
meter high-speed Ektachrome photographs were taken of the islands
at elevations between 200 and 400 feet at flying speeds of 50-70 mph.

J Present address : Environmental Biology, Colleg-e of Biolog-ical Sciences, The Ohio
State University, 1735 Xeil Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43210. Accepted for publication
November 1973.

(79)

80

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Direct surface counts of animals at Pecho, Diablo, Pup and Lion
Rocks were also made by using a small out-board motor boat. This
method ensured a more reliable means of identification of the relative
age, sex and species of individuals. Counts were made under cloudy
skies from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the following dates: June 11,
Julv 16, August 13, September 16, October 15, and December 16, 1971 ;
January 18, March 2, and May 25, 1972.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Census data indicate that these offshore islands are important haul-
ing grounds for the California sea lion and that a larger population
exists than was formerly reported (Table 1). It is estimated that an
average of 1.300 or more sea lions may frequent these islands at any
one time during the breeding season (May-July) and thus it is sug-
gested that a more detailed account be given to future population cen-
suses along this portion of the central coast.

Piedras
Blancas
rocks

Kilometers

son
..f rancisco

Ano
Noevo

enlarged
area

Pt.
Conception

Santa
Barbara
Channel
Islands

los

• angeies

Lion
Rock
Pup
Rock

Diablo''
Rock

Pecho
Rock

FIGURE 1. Location map of the coastline of San Luis Obispo County, California, where
census counts of California sea lions were made from May 1971 to May 1972.

CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS

81

TABLE 1. Census Counts of California Sea Lions, Zaiophus ealifornianus,
on Six Islands OfF the Coast of San Luis Obispo County, California

Islands

Pecho

Diablo

Pup

Lion

Piedras
South

Blancas
North

Totals

1970

Sept 15 A

1971

May 14 A

June 11 S

July 16 S

Aug 13 S

Sept 16 S

Oct 15 S

Nov 21 A

Dec 16 S.

950

414
600
606
551
409
307
96
76

40

19

85

304

25

52
10
12

17
7
5
4
2

0

5

9

19

25

0

57

25

34

11

3

4

1

0
0
0
5

750

553

611
747
703
655
448
213
151

203
229

278
468

74
106
*20
106

95

200
349
*50

78

10

2024

1474

1278

1390

1375

1082

763

499

230

1972

Jan 18 S

Mar 2 S

Apr 27 A

May 25 S

243
253

477
796

A aerial counts.

S surface counts.

* an estimate; counts made from mainland.

Counts on Piedras Blancas Islands are incomplete for the year. The
total number of animals reported for all islands, especially in June and
July, should thus be greater than reported. One additional island not
included in the census, yet close to the other islands, was observed on
two occasiens (June and July 1971) to have in excess of 100 animals.
The island is located at Point Sal on the border of San Luis Obispo and
Santa Barbara counties.

At Lion Rock during June and July 1971, the ratio of adult males
to sub-adult California sea lions (sex unknown) was about one to five.
The ratios of adult males to sub-adults during the non-breeding months
were as follows: August 1971, one to one ; September and October 1971,
four to one ; and December 1971 through April 1972, ten to one. Un-
fortunately it is very difficult to distinguish between young males and
females. For this reason only general size and appearance were con-
sidered in making the count ratios. Most of the adult males seen
throughout the year were estimated to be at least 5 years of age based
upon the development of the sagittal crest (Schusterman and Gentry
1970). These animals frequently participated in mock territorial be-
havior as described by Peterson and Bartholomew (1967).

The high incidence of non-breeding but apparently sexually mature
males during and just after the breeding season suggests that they may
be in the last group to migrate south from northern islands such as
Ano Nuevo (Santa Cruz County). Very few Zaiophus are seen on
Ano Nuevo Island during late June and July (Orr and Poulter 1965).
However, Orr and Poulter (1965) have reported that a peak in the
population at Aiio Nuevo Island occurs just after the breeding season
in August and September. No dramatic changes in the numbers of in-

82 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

dividuals such as this was seen from May through September during
my study.

Pupping is seldom seen on the islands, however, one pup (about 2
weeks old) was seen on our June 11, 1971 visit to Lion Rock. The
animal appeared normal, sucking was observed. Peterson (1968) also
observed the pairing of certain females and young but observed no
sucking. He reported no breeding activity among the sea lions.

Three tagged California sea lions were observed at Lion Rock on
June 11, 1971. One had a "silver" colored metal tag, and two animals
had blue metal tags attached to one hind flipper. Identification of
flipper position and tag number was not possible because of the com-
pactness of gathered animals.

Several Steller sea lions were observed on Lion Rock. One adult
male and two adult females were seen on July 16, 1971. On May 25,
1972, 11 were seen ; 2 adult males, 5 adult females, and 4 sub-adults.
No pups were observed. One adult male northern fur seal, Callorhinus
ursiniis, was seen amongst California sea lions on June 11, 1971 at
Pecho Rock.

Harbor seals, Phoca vitulina, and northern elephant seals, Mirounga
angustirostris, were not seen on any of the islands during the 1 year
census. Harbor seals are abundant on rocky inlets and beaches along
the coast of San Luis Obispo County. Only one elephant seal was seen
along this coast during the 1970-1972 study 'and it was dead. Accord-
ing to local inhabitants elephant seals are seldom seen.

Bartholomew and Hubbs (1952), and Orr and Poulter (1965) have
stated that male California sea lions migrate north after the breeding
season on the Santa Barbara Channel islands, while females appear to
migrate south. In rcAnewing the literature on the changes in the num-
bers of sea lions throughout a year for populations in British Columbia,
Canada (Hancock 1970), at Ano Nuevo Island (Peterson and Gentry
1967), and for the Santa Barbara Channel islands (Odell 1971) I feel
that the addition of my findings confirm the notion of a northern
migration. Confirmation can only come from a more detailed analysis of
the sexes, however, in terms of the changes in the frequency of the
numbers of sea lions along the coast throughout the year, the northern
migration hypothesis of males appears correct.

The San Luis Obispo County population of Z. calif ornianus remained
relatively constant throughout the 1971 breeding season. These islands
would appear to represent a convenient stop-off for sea lions migrat-
ing north and south. The islands undoubtedly act as peripheral hauling
grounds only, substantiated hx the lack of observed reproductive be-
havior and changes in the age composition of the population through-
out the year.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank Aryan I. Roest for his toolmieal assistance and Charles E.
Dills for piloting us on the severtil aerial censuses. Both are on the
faculty at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo,
California 93401.

CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS 83

LITERATURE CITED

Bartholomew. G. A., and C. L. Hiibbs. 1952. Winter population of pinnipeds
about Guadelupe, San Benito, and Cedros islands, Baja California. J. Mammal.
33 : 160-171.

Bonnoi, P. 1928. The sea lions of California. Calif. Fish Game 14(1) : 1-17.
Carlisle, J. G., Jr., and J. A. Aplin. 1971. Sea lion census for 1970, including
counts of other California pinnipeds. Calif. Fish Game 57(2) : 124-126.

Hancock, D. 1970. California .sea lion as a regular winter visitant off the British
Columbia coast. J. Mammal. 51(3) : 614.

Odell, D. K. 1971. Censuses of pinnipeds breeding on the California channel
islands. J. Mammal. 52(1) : 187-190.

Orr, R. T., and T. C. Poulter. 1965. The pinniped population of Afio Nuevo Is-
land, California. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 4th. ser. 32(13) : 377-404.

Peterson, R. S. 1968. Ob.servatious of sea lions on Lion Rock, San Luis Obispo
County, California, 1968. University of California, Santa Cruz.

Peterson. R. S.. and G. A. Bartholomew. 1967. The natural history and behavior
of the California sea lion. The American Society of Mammalogists. Special Pub-
lication No. 1. 79 pages.

Peterson, R. S., and R. L. Gentry. 1967.' Biological investigations in Auo Nuevo
State Reserve, 1960-1967. University of California, Santa Cruz.

Rowley, J. 1929. Life history of the sea lion on the California coast. J. Mammal.
10(1) : 1-36.

Schusterman, R. J., and R. L. Gentry. 1970. Development of a fatted male phe-
nomena in California sea lions. Develop. Psychobio. 4(4) : 333-338.

Calif. Fish and Game, 60(2) : 84-87. 1974.

COYOTE SCATS AS AN INDICATOR OF TIME OF
FAWN MORTALITY IN THE NORTH KINGS DEER HERD^

HAL SALWASSER

School of Forestry and Conservation,
University of California, Berkeley

Coyote scats were collected from the summer range and analyzed to
determine diet remains by percent occurrence in 2 week intervals from
June 1 to August 31, 1973. Occurrence of fawn remains in the scats
corresponded to the fawn drop period, indicating the fawns are dying
during or shortly after parturition. The decrease of fawn remains during
late summer suggests little summer fawn mortality after the immediate
post-natal period.

INTRODUCTION

Recent migratory deer (Odocoilciis licmionus calif ornicus) popula-
tions on the Sierra Nevada west slope are about 75% below early
1960 levels, according to California Department of Fish and Game
surveys. The decrease has been attributed to a decrease in fawn sur-
vival. In the North Kings deer herd (sub-unit 13-D of Longhurst et al.
1952), in eastern Fresno County, California, winter faw^n survival has
decreased from an average 70 fawns per 100 does in the early 1960 's
to an average 30 fawns per 100 does in the early 1970 's. The North
Kings Deer Herd Management Plan (Winter et al. 1971) w^as imple-
mented by the California Department of Fish and Game, the Sierra
National Forest, the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment
Station, and the Fresno County Sportsman's Club to determine the
"when, where and why" of fawn mortality, and develop management
techniques to reverse the population decline. This paper reports the
results of coyote {Cania latrans) scat analysis by 2 week intervals from
June 1, to August 31, 1973, as a method of determining the time of,
fawn mortality on the summer range.

METHODS

An initial range survey was made to determine suitable scat collec-
tion locations using the criteria, (i) relatively high deer use in the
area, (ii) presence of old coyote scats indicating relatively high coyote
density in the area, (iii) easy road access through the area. Three dirt
road sy.stems were used, east of Shaver Lake, northwest of Markwood
Meadow, and the Swamp Lake Vehicle Way (Figure 1). Scats were
collected weekly along these routes, and additional collections were
made at random throughout the summer range. Scats collected from
the three routes were known to have been dropped within 1 week. All
other scats were aged by comparing them to scats of known drop date
that were placed in exposed locations to "age". All scats were lumped
by 2 week intervals to increase the sample size and minimize errors
in estimating age.

' Acceptwl for publication October 1973. Project funded by the John Muir Institute for
Environmental Studies, and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-51-R
"Big Game Investigations."

(84)

COYOTE SCATS

85

■>.^-PAVED ROAD
'-'y DIRT ROAD
•— STREAM

I MILE

J

FIGURE 1. Map of coyote scot collection areas from the
County, California, 1973.

North Kings deer herd, Fresno

Seats were washed in detergent soap over window screen mesh to
remove the fecal matrix from identifiable diet remains. The scat was
air dried and diet remains were classified and percent abundance esti-
mated in the categories, (i) rodents and rabbits, (ii) insects, (iii)
vegetation, (iv) deer adult, (v) deer fawn, (vi) other.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

It long has been known that the coyote is an opportunistic feeder
that will eat the most easily obtainable food. Thus the basic assump-
tion was made that a dead fawn, whether scavenged or actually killed
by the coyote, would appear in coyote scats shortly after death. The
pattern of percent occurrence of fawn remains, chiefly hair, bones and
hooves, in coyote scats therefore would reflect the pattern of fawn
mortality. The analytical methods used indicate only time of fawn
death and are not intended to imply predation as the cause of death.

The percent occurrence of diet items in the scats by 2 week intervals
shows three distinct diet changes during the study period (Figure 2).
Rodents and rabbits w^ere replaced by fawns as the dominant diet item
for a 6 week period from mid-June to late July. Vegetation, mainly
gooseberries (Rihes sp.), manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.) berries and
grasses, became an important food source in August. Rodents and rab-
bits again became the major diet item in late August.

The fawn drop period begins in mid-June, peaks in early July and is
essentially over by August. This period roughly corresponds with the
pattern of fawn remains which occurred in coyote scats. Previous in-
vestigation has shown fawn production in the North Kings herd was
about 140 fawns per 100 does at parturition, and that mortality oc-
curred in two distinct periods (Salwasser 1972). Composition counts
taken in September, when all fawns were at heel and prior to the fall

86

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

migration, indicated a 50% fawn loss on the summer range. December
counts, after the migration, indicated another 50% loss of the fawns
that survived the summer. It is not possible to infer the exact timing
or cause of the second loss period, but it is clear from the co^'ote scat
analysis that the tirst loss period occurred during or shortly after
parturition.

There are three major possible causes of post partum fawn mortality,
(i) predation, fii) stillbirth or weak fawns due to inadequate nutrition
of the pregnant doe, and, (iii) poor quality or quantity of milk due to
inadequate diet of the lactating doe. Although it is impossible to rule
out predation as the major cause of mortality, both low coyote and
deer densities in the study area, and the excellent fawn cover provided
by forest and brush habitats, would tend to minimize predation pressure
on fawns. Verme's work (1962, 1963), on the effect of pregnant doe
nutritional plane on fetal growth and fawn survival demonstrated in-
creased post partum mortality from penned does on poor diets, with
fawn mortality inversely correlated with size and weight of the fawn
at birth. Salwasser (1972, p. 24) discussed late gestation nutrition as
a factor in increased fawn mortality in the North Kings herd. The
range used by deer during late gestation, mainly transitional yellow
pine forest, has declined in both quality and quantity of forage avail-
able to deer. Preliminary fetal analysis indicated fawns may not attain
optimum size or weight by birth. To date there is no information on
milk quality or quantity from lactating does in the herd, but the
weekly pattern of fawn remains in coyote scats strongly supports the

LU
Q

O
LJ

a:

o
o
o

JUNE 1-15 JUNE 16-30 JULY |-I5 JULY 16-31 AUG. |-I5 AUG. 16-31

COLLECTION PERIOD

FIGURE 2. Percent occurrence of food items in coyote scats by 2 week intervals from June
1 to August 31, 1973, from the North Kings deer herd in Fresno County, Cali-
fornia.

COYOTE SCATS 87

hypothesis that the early fa^vn loss period is due to the production
of weak or stillborn fawns as the result of inadequate nutrition for
the pregnant doe. The extent of coyote predation on healthy fawns is
not known.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am pleased to acknowledge A. Starker Leopold and Marshall White
for their advice on designing the project. I also wish to thank Max Linn,
of the John Muir Institute, for his encouragement, and the men of the
California Department of Fish and Game, Eegion IV, for their help
collecting scats. I also want to thank Mrs. Nobu Asami for her clerical
assistance.

LITERATURE CITED

Longhurst, W. M., A. S. Leopold, and R. F. Dasmann. 1952. A survey of
California deer herds, their ranges and management problems. Calif. Dep. of Fish
and Game, Game Bull. no. 6, 136 p.

Salwasser, H. J. 1972. North Kings deer herd : fawn production and survival
study. Calif. Dep. of Fish and Game, Admin. Rep. PR W-.j-R-lT, 24 p.

Verme, L. J. 1962. Mortality of white-tailed deer fawns in relation to nutrition.
In Proc. Xatl. White-Tailed Deer Disease Symp. I. Univ. Georgia, Athens.

. 1963. Effect of nutrition on growth of white-tailed deer fawns. Trans.

X. Am. Wildl. and Nat. Resources Conf. 2S : 431-4431.

Winter, F. A., G. Ashcraft, and B. Stewart. 1971. North Kings deer herd man-
agement plan. U. S. Dep. Agr. 44 p.

Calif. Fish and Game, 60(2) : 88-90. 1974.

AN EVALUATION OF TWO ARTIFICIAL LEAST
TERN NESTING SITES ^

DEANE K. SWICKARD

Natural Resources Office
Camp Pendleton, California 92055

A one third acre nest site and 70 individual nest mounds, all con-
structed of sand, were developed and tested on the marginal sub-
strate of a large salt flat.

Thirty-four nests were discovered on the large site; two nests were
found on the nest mounds. The nest density on the one third acre site
was the highest yet recorded for the California least tern.

INTRODUCTION

The California least tern (Sterna alhifrons hrowni) historically
nested on beaches near estnaries from Moss Landinfj', Monterey County
to Southern Baja California, Mexico (Massey 1972). Recently, its
population has decreased rapidly as a result of unrelenting human
disturbance and development on the tern's nest sites (Craig 1971).
The population has been reduced so drastically that it was declared
endangered by the Secretary of the Interior (Hickel 1969) and by the
California Fish and Game Commission (1971).

To determine the status of the least tern at the Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base in San Diego County, and to recommend methods
of protection and habitat improvement, a nest study has been conducted
since 1971. Four nest sites were studied, two on beaches, and two on a
large salt tlat. The salt flat sites have been severely affected by past
spring rains. Nest flooding and subsequent abandonment was caused by
the inability of the clay silt soils of the salt flats to infiltrate water
(Swickard 1972). This paper describes the results of an attempt to
improve nesting success by establishing two artificial beach type nest
situations on a salt flat environment.

METHODS

On 23 April 1973 sand was excavated from an area near a beach
nest site and deposited on a secondary nest site in the salt flats. The
sand was about 2 ft (.61 m) deep and covered an area 70 x 170 ft
(21.3 m x 51.8 m). The excavation and deposition eliminated surface
vegetation and sand solidification. The site's relative isolation mini-
mized human disturbance. The intended result was a duplication of
optimum beach nesting conditions.

Fifty individual nest mounds were established at 10 ft (3.05 m)
intervals in five rows east of the large artificial site (Fig. 1). Twenty
more mounds were established south of the large artificial site, 20 ft
(6.1 m) apart in two rows. Each sand mound was approximately 2 ft
in diameter and 3 inches (7.6 cm) thick.

1 Accepted for publication December 1973.

(88)

LEAST TERN NEST SITES

89

^:^:?/i^kjs-'S.1LJ- «-^^-^ "

FIGURE 1. Tern nest sites constructed by placing sand on salt flat. In the foreground are
the individual nest sites. Photo official U.S. Marine Corps by Deane Swickard.

RESULTS

Thirty four ne.sts were found on the large artificial nest site, seven
of which were discovered along the fringe of the site where the wind
had blown sand beyond the original site boundaries.

The first nest was discovered on May 15, 22 days after site develop-
ment and by May 29, 30 nests were present. The last four nests were
found between May 29 and June 12.

Based on the corrected site size of 80 x 180 ft (24.4 m x 54.9 m) the
nest density on the artificial site was 102 nests per acre. This exceeds
the highest previously recorded nest densities of 15-18 nests per acre
at the Camp Pendleton nest sites and greatly exceeds all nest densities
calculated from Craig's report (1971) on a statewide survey of least
tern nest sites.

The average clutch size was 2.09 on the one third acre site, slightly
higher than the 1.99 average clutch size of the beach sites. Seventy
one eggs were laid, 40 eggs hatched, 30 eggs were destroyed by preda-
tors and one egg was abandoned. The hatching success was 57%.

Two nests, each containing two eggs, were found on the nest mounds
though evidence of nest building was present on all mounds. The eggs
in one nest were destroyed by predators ; the eggs in the other nest
hatched.

DISCUSSION

The acceptance and resultant nest density is indicative of the
suitability and potential management value of such artificial sites.

Though hatching success was reduced by predation this occurred
because the sand spit at the mouth of the Santa Margarita River was
breeched. This unusual condition drained several channels that nor-
mally act as moats along three sides of the nest site. Similar preda-
tion occurred on one of the natural beach nest sites. Futher losses
were eliminated by predation control measures. In spite of the preda-
tion, hatching success exceeded the 53.5% of the salt flats in 1971 when

90 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

rains caused massive nest abandonment. In the absence of the unusual
predation, hatching success is expected to consistently compare with
those of the natural beach sites which are 72-95%.

The individual nest mounds were a potentially economical means
of providing suitable nest habitat. Near total rejection of these indi-
cates the tern's preference for larger sand areas.

CONCLUSIONS
As the quantity of suitable least tern nest habitat is further re-
duced the quality of the remaining habitat must be improved. The
effective technique described here has potential application where the
nest substrate is marginal or unsatisfactory but where other nest re-
quirements are adequate.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The assistance of the Marines of Shore Party Battalion, 1st Marine
Division, and of the Natural Resources Office, Marine Corps Base,
Camp Pendleton is gratefully acknowledged.

LITERATURE CITED

Calif. Fish and Game Comm. 1971. Animals of California declared to be rare
or endangered. Additions to Title 14, Calif. Admin. Code of May 21. 1971.

Craig, Alan M. 1971. Survey of California least tern nesting sites. Calif. Dep.
of Fish and Game, unpublished, 112 p.

Hickel, AYalter G. 1969. Endangered species of native fish and wildlife. Sec.
of the Int. list of native fish and wildlife threatened with extinction in accordance
with .Sec. 1(c) of Endangered Species Preservation Act of Oct. 15, 1966.

Massey, Barbara W. 1971. A breeding study of the California least tern. Calif.
Dep. of Fish and Game, Wildl. Manage. Branch, Admin. Rep. No. 71-9.

Swickard, Deane K. 1972. Status of the California least tern at Camp Pendle-
ton, California. California Birds 3(3): 49-58.

Calif. Fish and Game, 60(2) : 91-101. 1974.

NOTES

GIANT SQUIDS, ARCHITEUTHIS SP., FROM STOMACHS
OF SPERM WHALES CAPTURED OFF CALIFORNIA

Although the giant squid, Architeuthis. is widespread in temperate
seas in the Pacific Ocean, it has heretofore been found in adult or near-
adult size only on the western side — near the Kuril Islands, Japan,
Australia, and New Zealand (M. K. Clarke 1966). Roper and Young
(1972) have identified a juvenile Architeuthis (45 mm mantle length)
from the eastern Pacific off Chili, and Pinkas, Oliphant, and Iverson
(1971) list a specimen, doubtless a juvenile, taken from the stomach
of an albacore which was caught off California. This note describes the
first recovery and identification of adult or near-adult sized mandibles
of Architeuthis from the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Mandibles of the giant squid Architeuthis sp. were found in the
stomachs of 12 of 552 sperm whales {Physeter catoelon) that Rice and
his assistants examined at the Del Monte and Golden Gate whaling
stations in Richmond, California, from 1959 through 1970. The 12
sperm whales that contained the mandibles had been collected over the
continental slope in w^ater 1,100-3,700 m deep from lat 36°55'N to
38°05'N, and from long 123°09'W to 124°00'W. Months of collection
(and number of whales containing mandibles) were: February (1),
April (2), May (1), June (2), September (1), October (1), November
(2), and December (2). Four of the whales were females (9.0-11.0 m
tl), three sexually immature or pubertal males (8.5-11.0 m tl) from
breeding schools, and five were older males (11.0-12.5 m tl) that were
solitary or in bachelor schools.

The Architeuthis mandibles were identified by Fiscus on the basis of
published descriptions and figures by Verrill (1882), M. R. Clarke
(1962b), and Akimushkin (1963). M. C. Mercer (Fisheries Research
Board of Canada Biological .Station, St. Johns, Nfld.) and F. A. Aldrich
(Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. Johns, Nfld.) confirmed
the identification by comparing some of our beaks with Nortli Atlantic
specimens of Architeuthis. Measurements and a description (after
Clarke 1962b) of the mandibles (Figure 1) are: dorsal — length of
rostrum 10 mm, crest (overall) length 56 mm; ventral — ](jngth of
rostrum 10 mm, crest length 30 mm. The crest of the dorsal mandible
is darkened and the lateral walls are transparent except for a small
isolated dark patch. The crest and lateral walls of the ventral mandible
are darkened and the wings which are transparent at this stage have
a small isolated dark patch.

Ventral mandibles appear to be more fragile than dorsal mandibles ;
the one we have illustrated (Figure 1) was the only complete ventral
mandible obtained. Fragmentary remains of five other ventral mandi-
bles with rostral lengths from 12 to over 80 mm were identified. Nine
dorsal mandibles, in addition to the one shown, were identified; four
of these witli rostral lengths from ]0 to 15 mm displayed the same

(91 )

92 CALIFORXIA FISH AND GAME

degree of darkening as the illustrated beak, while three with rostral
lengths from 11 to 15 mm displayed a greater degree of darkening of
the lateral walls. Two of the dorsal mandible fragments could not be
measured; these accompanied the ventral beak fragments whose rostral
length exceeded 30 mm.

Many species of this genus have been described, mostly from frag-
mentary specimens ; until the extent of intraspecific variation has been
determined it is misleading to apply specific names to specimens (M. R.
Clarke 1962a).

The distribution, life history, and ecology of Architeuthis have been
succinctly summarized by M. E. Clarke (1966).

Off California, sperm wiiales may eat Architeuthis more often than
our records indicate. It was not possible to collect all the squid mandi-
bles found in the whale stomachs, and Architeuthis mandibles could be
overlooked among remains of Moroteuthis rouhusta, another "giant"
species (although smaller than Architeuthis) that is the predominant
food of sperm whales off California. Architeuthis remains were found in
the stomachs of 16% of 1,141 sperm whales taken near the Kuril
Islands (Betesheva 1961), and in the stomachs of some sperm whales
taken in the Bering Sea from the region of the Commander Islands and
north of the western Aleutian Islands, east to Amukta Pass (Kodolov
1970), but none were found in the Gulf of Alaska (Okutani and
Nemoto 1964) or off British Columbia (Pike 1950). Elsewhere in the
world, Architeuthis has been found in the stomachs of sperm whales
from New Zealand (Gaskin and Cawthorne 1967; Dell 1970), South
Africa (M. R. Clarke 1966), Madeira (M. R. Clarke 1962a), the Azores
(R. Clarke 1955, 1956), Ireland (Hamilton 1914), and the southern
Indian Ocean (Berzin 1971). Korabel'nikov's (1959) alleged records
from Antarctic sperm whales require confirmation, according to M. R.
Clarke (1966).

We wish to thank Clyde F. E. Roper, Division of Mollusks, Smith-
sonian Institution, Washington, D.C., for his review of the manuscript,
and Leo Pinkas, California State Fisheries Laboratory, Long Beach,
Calif., for additional information on his specimen.

3 cm.

FIGURE 1. Archifeufhis sp. mandibles, lateral view; left — dorsal mandible, right — ventral
mandible, specimen number R-1 967-1 28. Photograph by Ian B. MacAskie, Fish.
Res. Bd. of Canada, Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C.

NOTES 93

REFERENCES
Akimushkin, I. I. 1963. Golovonogie mollyuski morei SSSR (Cephalopods of the

seas of the USSR). Izd. Akad. Navik SSSR, Moscow. 23G p. (Translation, 1965,

Israel Program Sci. Transl.. Jerusalem, 223 p. avail. Natl. Tech. Inf. Serv.,

Springfield, Va., as TT 65-50013.)
Berzin, A. A. 1971. Kashalot (The sperm whale). Izd. Pishch. Prom., Moskva.

(Translation, 1972, Israel Program Sci. Transl., Jernsalem, 394 p. avail. Natl.

Tech. Inf. Serv., Springfield, Va., as TT 71-50152.)

Betesheva, E. I. 1961. Pitanie promyslovykh kitov Prikuril'skogo raiona (Food of
commercial whales in the Prikuril region). Akad. Naiik SSSR, Tr. Inst. Morfol.
Zhivotn. 35 : 7-32.

Clarke, ^I. R. 1962a. Stomach contents of a sperm whale caught off Madeira in
1959. Norsk Hvalfangst-Tid. 51 : 173-191.

1962m. The identification of cephalopod "beaks" and the relationship

between beak size and total body weight. Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), Zool.
8(10) :419-i80.

1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Adv.

Mar. Biol. 4 : 91-300.

Clarke, li. 1955. A giant squid swallowed by a sperm whale. Nor.sk Hvalfangst-
Tid. 44 : 589-593.

1956. Sperm whales of the Azores. "Discovery"" Rep. 28:237-298.

Dell, R. K. 1970. A specimen of the giant squid Architeuthis from New Zealand.
Rec. Dominion Mus. Wellington 7(4) : 25-36.

Gaskin, D. E., and M. "W. Cawthorne. 1967. Squid mandibles from the stomachs
of sperm whales (Phi/seter cafodon L.) captured in the Cook Strait region of
New Zealand. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshwater Res. 1(1) :59-70.

Hamilton, J. E. 1914. Report of the committee appointed to investigate the bio-
logical problems incidental to the Behnullet whaling station. Rep. Brit. Assoc.
Adv. Sci. 84 : 125-161.

Kodolov. L. S. 1970. O kal'marakh v Beringovom more (Squids of the Bering
Sea). Tr. Vses. Nauchn.-issled. Inst. INIorsk. Rybn. Khoz. Okeanogr. 70 (Izv.
Tikhookean. Nauchn.-issled. Inst. Rybn. Khoz. Okeanogr. 73) :162-165. Transl.
in P. A. Moiseev, Editor. Soviet Fisheries Investigations in the northeastern
Pacific, Part V : 157-160. translated by Israel Program Sci. Transl., 1972, avail.
Natl. Tech. Inf. Serv.. Springfield, Va. as TT 71-50127.)

Korabel'nikov, L. V. 1959. O pitanii kashalotov v Antarkticheskikh moryakh
(Food of sperm whales in the Antarctic seas). Priroda 48(3) : 103-104.

Okutani, T., and T. Nemoto. 1964. Squids as the food of sperm whales in the
Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst. 18:111-121.

Pike, G. C. 1950. Stomach contents of whales caught off the coast of British
Columbia. Fish. Res. Bd. Can.. Progr. Rep. Pac. Coast Stn. 83:27-28.

Pinkas, L., M. S. Oliphant, and I. L. K. Iverson. 1971. Food habits of albacore,
bluefin tuna, and bonito in California waters. Calif. Dep. Fish and Game, Fish
Bull. 152, 105 p.

Roper, C. F. E., and R. E. Young. 1972. First records of juvenile giant squid,
Architeuthis (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Proe. Biol. Soc. Wash. 85(16) : 205-222.

Yerrill, A. E. 1882. Report on the cephalopods of the northeastern coast of
America. Rep. U. S. Comm. Fish, and Fish., Pt. 7, Rep. Comm. 1879:211-450,
46 pi.

— Clifford H. Fiscus and Dale W. Bice, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Marine Mammal Division, Naval Support Activity, Bldg.
192, Seattle, WA 98115. Accepted for publication November 1973.

AGE AND GROWTH OF LARGEMOUTH BASS
IN CALIFORNIA FARM PONDS

The largemouth bass, Micropterns salmoides (Lacepede), is the prin-
cipal predator and premium game fish in most new and reclaimed
waters in the state. It has long been recommended for stocking Cali-
fornia warmwater farm ponds. The Department of Fish and Game
provides largemouth bass on a limited basis to qualified pond owners
for stocking in private waters.

While numerous age and growth studies have been published on
largemouth bass in California waters and in farm ponds in other
states, we know of no studies of this species in the California farm
pond environment, which consists of over 21,000 ponds. This paper
reports on the age composition, growth, length-weight relationship, and
condition of the largemouth bass in three Central Valley farm ponds
containing established populations of bass and forage species. These
ponds are located east of Sacramento in the western foothills of the
central Sierra Nevada at elevations of 80 to 213 m above sea level.
Applegate Pond (14.5 hectares) contained the most diverse fish popula-
tion, consisting of largemouth bass, green sunfish [Lepomis cyancllus
Kafinesque), golden shiner {Notemigonus crysoleucas Mitchill), mos-
quitofish (Gamhusia affinis Baird and Girard), carp (Cyprinus carpio
L.), and Sacramento sucker {Caiostomus occidcnfalis Ayres). Renter
Pond (0.8 hectare) contained bass, redear sunfish (Lcpomis microlo-
phus Giinther), and mosquitofish. Potter Pond (1.0 hectare) contained
bass, redear sunfish, bluegill (Lepomis macrochiriis Eafinesque), and
mosquitofish. These ponds were representative of most farm ponds in
central California in that aquatic vegetation was abundant, fishing
pressure was light, and the pond owners expended little management
effort. Shoreline seining and examination of angler's catches indicated
that all three populations were in a "balanced" condition (Swingle
1956).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fish populations were sampled periodically from March 1970
through July 1971. Nearly all younger bass were captured with 25- and
50-ft bag seines, while most older bass were taken with hook and line.
Lengtlis (standard, fork, and total) were recorded to the nearest milli-
meter, and weight was recorded to the nearest gram. Scale samples
were taken from the area below the lateral line at the tip of the pec-
toral fin. Scales from fish less than 200 mm fl were mounted between
glass slides, while scales from larger bass were impressed on cellulose
acetate using a heated press. All age determinations were made with
a Bausch and Lomb microprojector at a magnification of 90 X- A total
of 282 fish were aged by counting annuli. The main criterion for an-
nulus recognition was "cutting over" of circuli in the lateral fields.
The anterior scale radius and the distance from the focus to each
annulus was measured to the nearest millimeter using a ruled strip of
paper.

(94)

NOTES

95

AGE AND GROWTH

All results are expressed, in fork length. Conversion factors for con-
verting fork length (fl) to standard length (sl) and total length (tl)
were computed by the least squares method for fish from all three ponds
combined :

SL= —1.7 + 0.861 FL
TL = 1.6 + 1.034 FL

The relationship between fork length and the anterior scale radius
(90X) was determined by the least squares method, and computed sep-
arately for each population :

Applegate: L = 16.615 + 0.699 (S)
Potter : L = 23.292 + 0.648 (S)

Renter : L = 19.023 + 0.678 (S)

The mean back-calculated lengths Avere compiled for the three popu-
lations with the sexes combined, since no significant difference between
the sexes was apparent. The greatest growth increments occurred in
the first or second year of life, followed, by a general decrease in incre-
ments in successive years (Table 1). Calculated lengths at the various
annuli were generally greatest for Applegate Pond and lowest for
Potter Pond, with the Renter Pond bass being intermediate. Lee's
phenomenon was not apparent. The criteria presented by Hile (1941)
w^ere used to validate annulus interpretation. In general, bass in these
ponds grew faster than bass in studies from larger reservoirs in Cali-
fornia (Beland 1954, Kimsev and Bell 1955, LaFaunce, Kimsey, and
Chadwick 1964, Tharratt 1966, Miller 1971).

The time of annulus formation was determined from bass collections
taken from March 6 through April 3, 1970, and February 28 through
April 18, 1971. Only one of the three bass taken in the February 28
collection had formed a new annulus, but 37 of the 40 bass collected in
March, and all of the 18 bass collected in April had formed the current
year 's annulus.

TABLE 1. Mean Calculated Fork Lengths and Annual Calculated Increments
(mm) of Largemouth Bass in Three California Farm Ponds, 1970—71.

Year of life

Pond

1

2

3

4

5

Applegate

Mean calculated length

Mean annual increment

Number of fish.

145
145
111

120

120

65

126
126
106

267

122

22

244

124

47

268

142

44

.351

84

5

327
83
13

339
71
17

434

83

2

382

43

4

494

60

1

Potter

Mean calculated length

Mean annual increment

Number of fish

Reuter

Mean calculated length

Mean annual increment

Number of fish

96 CALIFORXIA FISH AND GAME

LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION

Since no significant difference in length-weight relationship was ap-
parent between the sexes, the sexes were combined and the length-
weight relationship was computed separately for each population:

Applegate {N = 357) : log W = —4.792 H- 2.983 log 7.
Potter (.V = 93) : log W = —4.723 -f 2.932 log L

Reuter (N — 359) : log W = —4.967 + 3.062 log L

The length-weight relationships of the bass from Potter and Reuter
ponds differed the greatest, but an analysis of covariance for difference
of slope and difference of levels indicated that the difference was not
statistically significant at the 0.05 level.

Overall mean condition factors (Kfl) for the three populations were
as follows: Applegate and Reuter, 1.47; Potter, 1.45. No major trend
in coefficient of condition with increase in length was evident, and
there was no pronounced seasonal change in condition.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This paper is based on a thesis written in partial fulfillment of
requirements for the degree of Master of Science at California State
University, Sacramento. We express gratitude to the following indi-
viduals : Ralph Carpenter, California Department of Fish and Game,
for assistance in computer programming and statistical treatment of
the data ; the owners of the study ponds for allowing us unlimited
access; numerous students at California State University, Sacramento
for field assistance ; and Carolyn Schultze, for field assistance and typ-
ing the manuscript.

REFERENCES

Beland, Richard D. 1954. Report on the fishery of the lower Colorado River. The
Lake Havasu fishery. Calif. Dep. Fish and Game, Inland Fish. Admin. Rep.
54-17 :42p. (mimeo).

Hile, Ralph. 1941. Age and growth of the rock bass, Ambloplites rupentri.s
(Rafinesque) . in Xebish Lake. Wisconsin. Trans. Wise. Acad. Sci., Arts and
Let. 33 :189-337.

Kimsey, J. B., and R. R. Bell. 1955. Observation.s on the ecology of the large-
mouth black bass and the tni chnb in Big Sage Reservoir. Modoc County. Calif.
Dep. Fish and Game, Inland Fish. Admin. Rep. 55-15: 17 p. f mimeo).

LaFaunce. Don A., J. B. Kimsey, and Harold K. Chadwick. 1964. The fishery
at Sutherland Reservoir, San Diego Countv, California. Calif. Fish Game
50(4) : 271-291.

Miller. Edward E. 1971. The age and growth of centrarchid fishes in Millerton
and Pine Flat reservoirs, California. Calif. Dep. Fi.sh and Game, Inland Fish.
Admin. Rep. 71—4 :17p. (mimeo).

Swingle, H. S. 1956. Determination of balance in farm fish ponds. Trans. X. A.
Wildl. Conf. 21:298-318.

Tharratt, Robert C. 1966. The age and growth of centrarchid fishes in Folsom
Lake, California. Calif. Fish Game 52(1) : 4-16.

— Ronald F. Schultze, U.8.D.A. Soil Conservaiion Service, Sacramerito,
California, 95814 and C. David Vanicek, Department of Biological
Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, California 95819.
Accepted October 1973.

A WHEELED DEVICE FOR SAMPLING THE
BIOTA OF A CONCRETE-LINED CANAL

The Bureau of Reclamation, together with its contracted agency, the
California Academy of Sciences, is attempting to find a means of con-
trolling the infestation of the Delta-Mendota Canal by the Asiatic clam
Corhicula sp. and the amphipod Corophium spinicorne. The 116-mile
(187 km) canal, located in California's San Joaquin Valley, has to be
drained and mechanically cleaned approximately every 3 years due
to the flow reduction caused by the accumulation of clams and amphi-
pods. After each successive cleaning, these organisms become re-estab-
lished. The clam beds are often 3 ft (.914 m) deep and several hundred
feet long. As many as 1,000 clams have been counted in a square foot
(.092 m-) of sediment. The amphipods, which make and occupy mucous
lined tubules, are found on the side slopes of the canal. In the first 20
miles (32 km) of the canal, the amphipod matting coA^ers the entire
slope to a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more. The matting is usually
associated with the bryozoan Frcdcrcella sultana or the hydrozoan
Corchjlophora laciistris. Amphipods attain densities of up to 10,000 per
square foot of side-slope material.

In the summer of 1972, an extensive investigation of the ecology of
the Delta-Mendota Canal was initiated. One of the first problems en-
comitered was finding a piece of equipment suitable for sampling the
concrete slopes of the canal. Because of the angle of the slope and
the depth and velocity of the water, conventional samplers were un-
satisfactory. A new sampler was designed and built by the Bureau of
Reclamation.

The slope sampler was needed to take quantitative samples at varying
depths down the slope and to retrieve the material to the surface in
good condition. The sampler consists of a removable steel sampling box
(Figure 1) mounted on a wheeled carriage. The sampling box has a
plexiglass top for ease in determining sample size and composition
before opening the box. A spring loaded trap door is located at the
extreme forward edge of the sample box. This insures that all of the
sample taken remains within the box. The wide track stance of the
carriage in conjunction with the thin wheels prevent sluffing of the
slope material which would invalidate the samples. The wide stance
also adds stability to the vehicle in the fast current of the canal. The
height between the bottom of the sample box and the ground was de-
signed to provide an optimum cutting angle on the sampled material.
Almost the entire sampler is constructed of %-inch steel and weighs
approximately 18 lb (8.2 kg). The total cost for construction is less
than $100.

The sampler is lowered into the canal by means of a cable attached
to the front (Figure 2). When the sampler reaches the appropriate
depth, a line is pulled which drops the sampling box into position. The
sampler is pulled up the slope the desired distance and a second line
is pulled, releasing the trap door and ^enclosing all of the sampled

(97)

98

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

25.5 -

FIGURE 1. The sampler consists of a steel sampling box (a) and a wheeled carriage (b).
The sampling box is held in place by two screw pivots (c) which allow it to be
lowered to and raised from the sampled surface. Pin (d) allows the sample box
to fail into the sampling position. After pulling the sampler forward the desired
amount, pin (e) is released and the spring loaded trap door encloses the sampled
material. Pulling pin (f) activates a coiled spring and plunger which raises the
samples box off the concrete and thus allows the vehicle to be easily pulled to
the surface. Diagram by Hamm Crocker.

,\ ' ■ - ■:

FIGURE 2. Slope sampler being lowered into the Delta-Mendota Canal,
controlled from the surface by means of the attached lines.
Behrens of the California Academy of Sciences.

The sampler is
Photo by Dave

NOTES 99

material within the box. A third line is pulled and the box is lifted,
by the use of a spring and piston mechanism, off of the concrete slope.
This prevents the sample box from being dragged up the slope, forcing
additional material into the sample. It also prevents the blade of the
box from catching in cracks in the concrete. The slope sampler is then
hauled to the surface where pivots are unscrewed and the box is
removed from the carriage. The sampled material can be easily removed
and placed in containers.

The slope sampler has been used continuously for over a year and has
been found to be accurate, easily handled, and relatively maintenance-
free.

— Gary Bryant, U.S. Bureau of Ecclamation, Tracy, California 95376.
Accepted Novemter 1973.

OCCURRENCE OF THE TIGER BARB, BARBUS
TETRAZONA, IN THE OWENS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

The tiger barb, Barhus tctrazona Bleeker, is naturally distributed in
waters of Sumatra, Borneo, and possibly Thailand (Sterba 1966) ; it
has been imported into this country for years for sale to aquarists.
Often the fish is very aggressive, and in aquaria it is usually kept seg-
regated from other species. Maximum sizes appear to be near 7 cm
(Frank 1969).

In the Southwest many endemic species of fish are localized in springs
and isolated streams. Introduction of exotic fishes into these unique
ecosystems has in the past been disastrous (Hubbs and Deacon 1964;
Deacon, Hubbs, and Zahuranec 1964; Miller 1972; Minckley 1973). It
is possible tliat some tropical fish introductions into warm desert springs
are by fish dealers for use as brood ponds and one case of which we are
aware has been documented (Minckley 1973). Whatever the source of
these introductions they severely disrupt natural spring ecosystems and
the native fishes they might contain. Such practices are strongly dis-
couraged and in most states are illegal.

Two mature tiger barbs (ASU-6239) were collected on July 6, 1973
in the small stream flowing from Warm Springs Sanctuary in Owens
Valley, Inyo County, California. This Sanctuary contains the rare
Owens pupfish, Cyprinodon racliosus Miller. No specimens of Barhus
tetrazona were collected or observed within the Sanctuary, but their
close proximity prompts this note. Mosquitofish, Ganiiusia affinis
(Baird and Girard), lias already appeared in the Sanctuary since the
Owens pupfish was first introduced in 1970 (Miller and Pister 1971;
Miller 1972). There is an effective barrier present to prevent fish from
moving upstream into the Sanctuary.

Specimens collected were botli 37 mm (sl) and in breeding condition.
One was a male and tlie other a female, botli mature, witli well devel-
oped gonads. Spawning by this species usually takes place at 24-28C
(Frank 1969), and water of tlie Sanctuary and the outflow remains
near 30C during most of tlie year. The habitat is nearly ideal for
spawning to occur.

On the basis of collected specimens it appears that Barhus tetrazo7ia
may already be cstablislied just below the Warm Springs Sanctuary.
If introduced and established in the Sanctuary it could have adverse
effects on the pupfish jiopulation. Tliis locality contains one of only two
known populations of Cyprinodon radiosns.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to thank Dr. Shelby D. Gerking, Arizona State University,
who helped collect the fishes. Dr. W. L. Minckley, Arizona State Uni-
versity, read the manuscript and offered helpful suggestions. This work
is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (GB-
32811) to K. J. Naiman.

(100)

NOTES 101

REFERENCES

Deacon, J. E., C. Hubbs, and B. J. Zahiiranec. 1964. Some effects of introduced
fishes on the native fish fauna of Southern Nevada. Copeia 1964 : 384—388.

Frank, S. 1969. The pictorial encyclopedia of fishes. Hamlyn Publ. Group Ltd.

London. 552 p.
Hubbs, C. and J. E. Deacon. 1964. Additional introductions of tropical fishes

into Southern Nevada. Southwest. Nat. 9 : 249-251.

Miller. R. R. 1972. Threatened freshwater fishes of the United States. Trans.
Amer. Fish. Soc. 101(2) : 239-252.

Miller, R. R.. and E. P. Pister. 1971. Management of the Owens pupfish,
Cyprinodon radiosus, in Mono County, California. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 100(3) :
502-509.

Minckley, W. L. 1973. Fishes of Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department,
Phoenix. 293 p.

Sterba, G. 1966. Freshwater fishes of the world. The Pet Library Ltd. Now York.
877 p.

— Bohcrt J. Naiman, Dep. of Zoology, Arizona State University, Tcmpe,
AZ 85281 and Edwin P. Pister, California Department of Fish anel
Game, 407 W. Line St., Bishop, CA 93514. Accepted October 1973.

BOOK REVIEWS

Antarctic Cirripedia

By William A. Newman and Arnold Ross, American Geophysical Union, January 29, 1971,
257 p. 48 plates, 90 text figures.

Antarctic Cirripedia is the 14th volume produced under the auspices of the Ant-
arctic Research Series of the National Science Foundation. It is the first comprehen-
sive treatment of the fossil and contemporary barnacles which occur south of the
Antarctic Convergence (50°-60° S. latitude). The work is based primarily on speci-
mens collected by the USNS ELTAXIX, but samples from earlier expeditions, such
as the historic Challenger and Discovery Cruises, have been included in the study.

As the title indicates, this book would attract and find primary use by the
zoological specialist. However, this finely done monograph also has sections valuable
to the zoological generalist interested in problems of bio- and paleogeography, evolu-
tion, taxonomy and cirriped anatomy and morphology. For beginning students inter-
ested in taxonomy of cirripeds, the materials and methods section is excellent in de-
scribing not only dissection techniques but also the new and not-yet-widely-known
method for obtaining thin sections of balanomorphan shells.

All in all, this is an excellent work done, as the excruciatingly detailed line draw-
ings in the systematics section bear witness, with the thoroughness of scholarship
and attention to minute detail— things all works should aspire to. — Laurence L.
Laurant.

FAO Catalogue of Fishing Gear Designs

Prepared by Fishing Gear and Methods Branch, Fishery Industries Division, Department of
Fisheries, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Fishing News (Books)
Ltd., London, England, 1972; 155 p., illus.

This catalogue of commercial fishing gear designs is an updated revision and
expansion of the original published in 1965. The designs presented in this book are
of proven efficiency for particular species and areas. Plans are presented in a stand-
ard international systematic method and are of sufficient detail to enable one to
construct a nearly exact replica. Designs also include the species fished, user country,
region, and vessel size requirements.

A working knowledge of netmaking is necessary to interpret and comprehend the
trawl and seine designs. Translation of the international standard method of design
presentation into familiar terms used in the U.S.A. is somewhat bothersome and
time-consuming.

Over two-thirds of the book is devoted to trawl designs. A large proportion of
these trawls are of European design with the major trawling nations, except Russia,
well represented. Only a few American and Asian designs are presented. Most trawls
are intended for catching groundfishes and shrimp ; however several designs of mid-
water trawls for pelagic species are included.

Roundhaul seines and a variety of other gears including gillnets, liftnets, longlines,
trolling gear, dredges, an'd traps constitute the remainder of the book.

This catalogue is probably most useful as a general reference in designing fishing
gear for a particular species or area. The fact that gear designs presented in this
book are successful for certain species and conditions may serve as a guideline for
developing gear to catch other similar species. — Kenneth F. Mais.

The Palinurid and Scyllarid Lobster Larvae of the Tropical Eastern Pacific and
Their Distribution as Related to the Prevailing Hydrography

By Martin W. Johnson; University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles and London,
1971; 41 p., illus.

In this paper, the author applies some of the methods of his 1960 study of the
larvae of the California spiny lobster to larvae of more southerly spiny and slipper
lobsters — charts show positions of various larval stages of the different species which
occurred in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and Scripps Tuna Oceanography Research
plankton hauls. As with those of the California spiny lobster, the larvae carried far

(102)

BOOK REVIEWS 103

offshore are lost to the parent populations. Water current eddies around islands are
apparently important for adult recruitment. The drift of the larval stages confirm
current patterns determined in other ways.

There are figures of late larval stages and a key to separate those stages of
Panulirus interruptus, P. penicillatus, P. gracilis, P. inflatus, Evibactis princeps and
Scyllasides astori. — Richard L. Moe.

In Search of Trout

By Peter Barrett; Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1973; 223 p. Illustrated with black
and white photos. $7.95.

The fly leaf of "In Search of Trout"' indicates that the book is full of tips and
advice on reading water, casting, currents, live bait, etc. and it is. It is not a
"how-to" book with diagrams and drawings, but a book of well-written and enjoyable
stories about Mr. Barrett's fishing experiences. Most of the stories are about fly
fishing, although several talk about bait fishing. Lakes, small brooks, rivers ; eastern
and western U.S. and British Columbia ; dry fly, nymphs, and streamers — all are
found in one story or another. All of the stories have been published previously,
either in True, where Mr. Barrett is Outdoors Editor, or in Field and Stream;
readers of these magazines may find one or more of the stories familiar. — K. A.
Ilashagen, Jr.

printed in California office of state printing
A85943 800—2-74 5,750

Notice is hereby given that the Fish and Game Commission shall meet on
April 5, 1974, at 9:00 a.m. in the Auditorium of the Resources Building, 1416
Ninth Street, Sacramento, California, to receive recommendations from its
own officers and employees, from the Department of Fish and Game and
other public agencies, from organizations of private citizens, and from any
interested persons as to what, if any, orders should be made relating to
mammals, or any species or variety thereof for the 1974 hunting season.

Notice is hereby given that the Fish and Game Commission shall meet at
9:00 a.m. on May 3, 1974, in the Auditorium of the San Diego Gas and
Electric Company, 101 Ash Street, San Diego, California, for public discus-
sion of and presentation of objections to, the proposals presented to the
Commission on April 5, 1974, and after consideration of such discussion and
objections the Commission shall publicly announce the regulations it pro-
poses to make relating to mammals, or any species or variety thereof, for
the 1974 hunting season.

Notice is hereby given that the Fish and Game Commission shall meet on
May 31, 1974, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 1138 of the New State Building, 107
South Broadway, Los Angeles, California, to hear and consider any objec-
tions to its determinations or proposed orders in relation to mammals for
the 1974 hunting season, such determinations resulting from hearing held on
May 3, 1974. This notice is published in accordance with the provisions of
Section 206 of the Fish and Game Code.

FISH AND GAME COA/\MISSION
Leslie F. Edgerton
Executive Secretary

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