Abstract

There are 54 species of sciaenids in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Here we review the life histories of the more common sciaenids with an emphasis on reproductive biology. Although all sciaenids have an extended reproductive season and are multiple spawners, analysis using principle component ordination and clustering on eight life history traits resulted in separation of three general groups. Whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), black drum (Pogonias cromis), and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) are species of high commercial and recreational value, and can be termed “greater sciaenids.” These species have a longer life span, larger maximum size, larger size- and age-at-maturity, lower spawning frequency, and lower relative fecundity compared to other sciaenids. In contrast, silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), cubbyu (Pareques umbrosus), and star drum (Stellifer lanceolatus) are small sciaenids that are usually caught as trawl bycatch and used as bait or in the aquarium trade, and can be considered “lesser sciaenids.” These species have a short life span, small maximum size, small size- and age-at-maturity, short spawning season, high spawning frequency and high relative fecundity. Sharing traits of both groups is an intermediate group typified by moderate size, age and other life history traits.\This group includes ground croaker (B. ronchus), sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius), spotted seatrout (C. nebulosus), silver seatrout (C. nothus), banded drum (Larimus fasciatus), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus), gulf kingfish (M. littoralis), nothern kingfish (M. saxatilis), and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). There are commercial fisheries for these species, but most are not typically as economically important as the larger sciaenids. Spotted seatrout and Atlantic croaker have several traits more similar to “greater sciaenids”, and historical data suggests overexploitation may have resulted in these species changing groups. Continued exploitation of sciaenids may result in changes to life history shifting traits and thus reclassification into different strategies.

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