Distribution of larval billfishes (Xiphiidae and Istiophoridae) in the Indo-Pacific with special reference to the collections made by the Danish Dana expedition

Abstract

The life history and biology of billfishes have been engaging increasing attention of fishery workers in recent years primarily owing to the potential importance of this group of fishes in the development of oceanic fisheries. Of the two families, Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae comprising the billfishes, the taxonomy of the former is still in a state of confusion while the latter comprise of only a single species viz., Xiphias gladius which is widely distributed in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Five species of istiophorids viz.,Istiophorus gladius, Tetrapturus angustirostris, Istiompax indicus, Makaira mazara and Makaira audax are definitely known to' occur in the Indo-Pacific. Larvae of all these have been reported, mostly from the Pacific by Japanese workers, while the records from the Indian Ocean are comparatively few.