Reproduction, growth, and mortality of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus in Florida waters
Murphy, M.D.; Taylor, R.G. (1990). Reproduction, growth, and mortality of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus in Florida waters. Fish. Bull. 88(3): 531-542
In: Fishery Bulletin. US Government Printing Office: Washington, D.C.. ISSN 0090-0656; e-ISSN 1937-4518, more
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| Keywords |
Age
Population functions > Growth
Population functions > Mortality
Reproduction > Sexual reproduction
Spawning seasons
Water bodies > Coastal waters
Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1766) [WoRMS]
ASW, USA, Florida, Tampa Bay [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Murphy, M.D.
- Taylor, R.G.
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| Abstract |
Commercial and recreational catches of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus were sampled from Tampa Bay and Mosquito/upper Indian River Lagoon, Florida, between August 1981 and March 1983. Males matured at smaller sizes and younger ages than did females. Males matured when they were 350-799 mm FL (ages 1-3), and females matured when 550-899 mm (ages 3-6). In 1981 and 1982, red drum spawned between August and November, with peak spawning occurring in September-October. Histological evidence suggested that spawning occurred in nearshore Gulf of Mexico waters, in passes, and in the estuary. Ages determined from thin sections of otoliths were validated by length-frequency and marginal-increment analyses for fish ages 1-3 and by observations of oxytetracycline-marked fish for ages 5, 12, 16, and 18. Growth was rapid through age 4 or 5 but then slowed markedly. Growth rates of males and females were similar on each coast. Estimates for the von Bertalanffy growth equation parameters K and t sub(0) were not significantly different between coasts; however, L sub( infinity ) was significantly greater on the Atlantic coast. |
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