Age, growth, and recruitment of larval and early juvenile Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), determined from analysis of otolith microstructure

作者：Kupchik Matthew J^*; Shaw Richard F

来源：Fishery Bulletin, 2016, 114(1): 18-33.

DOI：10.7755/FB.114.1.2

The Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) is an important commercial species in the Gulf of Mexico, but this stock has been reduced historically as bycatch in other fisheries. Sagittal otoliths (N=190) were removed from larval and early juvenile Atlantic croaker collected within a Louisiana tidal pass over a 2-year period, from October 2006 through March 2007 and from September 2007 through March 2008. Standard length (SL) at age in days after hatching (dah), over both years, was fitted with a Laird-Gompertz growth model, and similar models were fitted separately to year and season to determine whether different spawning subgroups existed. In both years, the maximum growth rate occurred 20 days earlier in spring than in fall. Otolith microstructure measurements were used to determine the age (similar to 40 dph) at which larvae encountered differing water mass characteristics of the coastal boundary zone (the offshore to inshore recruitment corridor). Growth rates increased after fish encountered lower -salinity (<20) waters of the coastal boundary zone and estuary of Bayou Tartellan, LA. Temporal variability in spawning of Atlantic croaker, determined with age -length keys, revealed that the highest frequency of hatch dates occurred during November in 2006 and 2007.

• 出版日期2016-1