ABSTRACT
The platytroctids are closely related to alepocephalids, but are separated by a number of characters chief of which is the presence of an external tube above the cleithrum that leads to a sac containing luminous fluid. The sac and tube opening are clearly visible in the smallest confirmed larvae. The family is circumglobal and is comprised of 37 species in 13 genera (Matsui & Rosenblatt 1987). Murray & Hjort (1912) illustrated a yolk-sac larva with unpigmented eyes and a distinct shoulder tube (as Bathytroctes rostratus) that Matsui & Rosenblatt (1987) considered to be unidentifiable and probably comprised of one than one species. Beebe (1933b) illustrated and described a larval series of Bathytroctes rostratus that represent several species (Matsui 1991). Parr (1951) considered one (Fig. 8B) to possibly be Searsia koefoedi. One of us (WJR) examined this material now housed in the California Academy of Sciences and found them to be unidentifiable as they are fragile and heavily stained. Finally Matsui (1991) described larvae and juveniles of two California Current species, Holtbyrnia latifrons and Sagamichthys abei (Figure Platytroctidae 1). Ambrose (1996b) commented on California Current species and reproduced Matsui’s (1991) illustrations.
