Habitat use patterns of newly settled spotted seatrout in estuaries of the north‐western Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Abstract This study examined habitat use patterns of newly settled spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus (Cuvier) across several Gulf of Mexico estuaries. Intensive sampling using an epibenthic sled was conducted in three Texas bays and among three potential habitat types. A long‐term data set (1982 to 1997) from the National Marine Fisheries Service was also used to examine C. nebulosus habitat use patterns in both marsh and seagrass‐dominated bay systems for broad regional comparisons along the north‐western Gulf of Mexico. Vegetated habitat types such as seagrass and marsh supported the highest densities and use was dependent upon availability of particular vegetated habitat types. In laboratory mesocosm experiments, both wild‐caught and hatchery‐reared C. nebulosus, showed strong selection for structured and vegetated habitat types. These field and laboratory results suggest that seagrass meadows and marshes may be functioning as important habitat for C. nebulosus in Gulf of Mexico, and other habitat types such as oyster reef need further evaluation.