Distribution of Young Red Drums among Different Sea-Grass Meadows
- 2 March 1983
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
- Vol. 112 (2B) , 267-271
- https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(1983)112<267:doyrda>2.0.co;2
Abstract
Sea‐grass meadows appear to be a primary habitat for young red drums Sciaenops ocellatus in south‐Texas estuaries. The abundance of small red drums (6–27 mm standard length) in different meadows averaged 0.10–0.80/m2. Density estimates of young red drums showed no significant or nearly significant differences between the two types of sampling gear (benthic sled or 1.0‐m2 cage) or among sampling sites, which differed in plant height, blade density, or water depth. Small red drums were not found on large (>5 m across) nonvegetated sites; however, the ecotone between sea grass and nonvegetated bottom had significantly more red drums than did homogeneously vegetated sites. Heterogeneous sea‐grass meadows, therefore, may support more young red drums than homogeneous ones.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: