Ingress of transformation stage gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus (Pisces: Lutjanidae) through Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina

Author: Tzeng Mimi W.   Hare Jonathan A.   Lindquist David G.  

Publisher: University of Miami - Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

ISSN: 0007-4977

Source: Bulletin of Marine Science, Vol.72, Iss.3, 2003-05, pp. : 891-908

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Abstract

Ingressing transformation stage gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) were sampled near Beaufort Inlet in 1993 and 1998. Gray snapper ingressed from July–October with a peak in September. Ingress occurred primarily during the new moon and secondarily during the full moon. Ingressing gray snapper were 11.3–15.8 mm standard length (SL), with a mean of 13.4 mm SL, and 21–34 d old, with a mean of 27 d. Estimated hatch dates ranged from June–September, with a peak in August. Hatching occurred throughout the lunar cycle with a peak during the new moon. Beaufort Inlet is 100s km north of known gray snapper spawning grounds; the mechanisms that result in yearly ingress in a predictable pattern have not been defined. Similarly, it is unknown whether juveniles that are resident in North Carolina estuaries successfully recruit to adult populations further south.

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