Abstract:

These data were included in analyses of larval red snapper abundance and condition in relation to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWHOS) and environmental conditions within the study region. Ichthyoplankton samples were collected once a month (May through October) along a cross-shelf transect off the coast of Alabama (USA) during years prior (2007–2009) and after (2011, 2013) the DWHOS, and twice a month during the DWHOS (2010). Samples were collected during daylight hours using a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Environmental Sampling System (BIONESS; Open Seas Instrumentation, Inc., Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada). The BIONESS had a 0.25-m2 mouth opening fitted with 333 μm or 202 μm mesh nets. All Red Snapper larvae used in the morphometric analyses were imaged under a dissecting microscope fitted with a high-resolution digital camera (Canon EOS Rebel T3i, Canon Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Body dimensions were measured using i-Solution Lite imaging software (IMT i-Solution, Inc., Rochester, New York). Web-based and open sources of environmental data used in the analyses are also reported here.

Suggested Citation:

Frank Hernandez, Jesse Filbrun, Jeffrey Fang, John Ransom. 2016. Abundance estimates and morphometric measurements of Red Snapper larvae collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7J964CB

Publications:

Hernandez, F. J., Filbrun, J. E., Fang, J., & Ransom, J. T. (2016). Condition of larval red snapper ( Lutjanus campechanus ) relative to environmental variability and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill . Environmental Research Letters, 11(9), 094019. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/11/9/094019

Purpose:

These data were used to examine potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on larval red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) abundance and body condition. Variability in larval body condition was also investigated in relation to environmental parameters observed in the region.

Data Parameters and Units:

Larval red snapper abundance is reported as number of larvae per 10 m2; larval dry weight is reported in micrograms; larval body measures (notochord length, depth at pectoral fin, depth at anus, head length, head height, eye diameter, and lower jaw length) are reported in millimeters. Plankton net mesh (um); Depth_bin (meters below surface that net was towed) Sampling locations: Site Name Latitude (decimal degrees) Longitude (decimal degrees) T20 30.0902 N, 88.19 W T35 29.7905 N, 88.2083 W

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