Abstract

The southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus), the northern kingfish (M. saxatilis) and the gulf kingfish (M. littoralis) are members of the drum family (Scianidae) and are found in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Studies of distribution and abundance have been conducted for the early life-stages of many sciaenids, but little is known about the early life history of young Menticirrhus species. The purpose of this study is to determine the spatial distribution and abundance of young Menticirrhus species in coastal Mississippi. Specific habitats included barrier island surf zones and grass beds, and mainland marsh-edges and sandy shorelines. Five hundred sixty-seven Menticirrhus were collected during this study, with over 85% of the specimens collected in 2006. Densities of both M. americanus and M. littoralis peaked during summer, while densities of M. saxatilis peaked in spring. All three kingfish species co-occurred within surf zone and sandy shoreline habitats, but M. americanus were the dominant kingfish along protected sandy shorelines, and M. littoralis were the dominant kingfish along open surf zones. Only M. americanus was collected from marsh-edges, and all three species were absent from grass beds. Length-frequency distributions of all three kingfish indicated accelerated growth with increasing size and warmer water temperatures.

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