Spatial distribution and movement of Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorShane Stephens
dc.contributor.authorMichael Dance
dc.contributor.authorMichelle Zapp Sluis
dc.contributor.authorRichard Kline
dc.contributor.authorMatthew Streich
dc.contributor.authorGregory Stunz
dc.contributor.authorAaron Adams
dc.contributor.authorR.J. David Wells
dc.contributor.authorJay Rooker
dc.date.accessioned2024-03-25T16:30:16Z
dc.date.available2024-03-25T16:30:16Z
dc.date.issued2024-03-07
dc.description.abstractAtlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) are capable of long-distance migrations (hundreds of kilometers) but also exhibit resident behaviors in estuarine and coastal habitats. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution of juvenile tarpon and identify migration pathways of adult tarpon in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Spatial distribution of juvenile tarpon was investigated using gillnet data collected by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) over the past four decades. Generalized additive models (GAMs) indicated that salinity and water temperature played a significant role in tarpon presence, with tarpon occurrences peaking in the fall and increasing over the past four decades in this region. Adult tarpon caught off Texas (n = 40) and Louisiana (n = 4) were tagged with acoustic transmitters to characterize spatial and temporal trends in their movements and migrations. Of the 44 acoustic transmitters deployed, 18 of the individuals were detected (n = 16 west of the Mississippi River Delta and n = 2 east of the Mississippi River Delta). Tarpon tagged west of the Mississippi River Delta off Texas migrated south in the fall and winter into areas of south Texas and potentially into Mexico, while individuals tagged east of the delta migrated into Florida during the same time period, suggesting the presence of two unique migratory contingents or subpopulations in this region. An improved understanding of the habitat requirements and migratory patterns of tarpon inhabiting the Gulf of Mexico is critically needed by resource managers to assess the vulnerability of each contingent to fishing pressure, and this information will guide multi-state and multi-national conservation efforts to rebuild and sustain tarpon populations.
dc.identifier.citationStephens SA, Dance MA, Zapp Sluis M, Kline RJ, Streich MK, Stunz GW, et al. (2024) Spatial distribution and movement of Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. PLoS ONE 19(3): e0298394. https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298394
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298394
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1969.6/97785
dc.publisherPLoS ONE
dc.titleSpatial distribution and movement of Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico
dc.typeArticle

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
80_Stephens_etal2024 (SpatialDistributionMovementTarponNGOM).pdf
Size:
2.38 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.72 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Publications