Snappers exhibit reproductive trait plasticity in response to habitat distribution. Lutjanus griseus is among the most economically important snappers in the western
Central Atlantic but has received limited study in the region. Data on
the reproductive biology of the L. griseus population were
collected on the continental shelf of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
Over a nineteen-month period, 1236 specimens were captured monthly in
three Yucatan artisanal fishing fleet operational areas. Data were
grouped by month to generate an annual analysis. Individual sex and
maturation status were identified by gonad histology. Median size did
not differ between females (33.2 cm fork length [ FL] ) and males (33.3
cm FL), and the sex ratio was balanced (F:M=0.98:1.00). Size at maturity
was 24.2 cm FL for females (38% of maximum size reported for the
species) and 22.8 cm FL for males (36% of maximum size), and the
spawning season ran from May to September. The results confirm that this
population exhibits the typical reproductive pattern of snappers
distributed on continental shelves or in shallow water areas and provide
critical data for stock assessment and implementation of management
measures for L. griseus stock in the southern Gulf of Mexico. |