Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation into the Occurrence of Juvenile Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis, a Subtropical Estuarine Sport Fish, in Saltmarshes Beyond Their Established Range

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Estuaries and Coasts Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Given recent trends of warming water temperatures and shifting fish distributions, detecting range expansion is important for resource management and planning. The subtropical common snook Centropomus undecimalis (hereafter referred to as snook) is an estuarine species that historically extended from the tropics to southern portions of Florida and Texas, but this range has been expanding for the past decade. We collected juvenile snook (n = 16; size range = 96–210-mm standard length [SL]) in saltmarshes of South Carolina, which is well outside their usual range but not unprecedented. Growth rates of juvenile snook in South Carolina (0.72-mm SL d−1) were similar to those reported for Florida during a cold period, but faster than rates reported for Florida during a recent period of mild winters (0.49-mm SL d−1). Based on collection and estimated hatch dates, and supported by winter water temperature records, juvenile snook overwintered for at least 1 year allowing them to grow to sizes that are typical for emigration from nursery habitats to open estuarine shorelines. Continued work is needed to determine whether there is potential for ongoing range expansion of snook to the region, and a strategy is proposed to focus on future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  • Aliaume, C., A. Zerbi, J.C. Joyeux, and J.M. Miller. 2000. Growth of juvenile Centropomus undecimalis in a tropical island. Environmental Biology of Fishes 59 (3): 299–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J., D. Williford, A. González, C. Chapa, F. Martinez-Andrade, and R.D. Overath. 2020. Demographic, taxonomic, and genetic characterization of the snook species complex (Centropomus spp.) along the leading edge of its range in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40 (1): 190–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bangley, C.W., L. Paramore, D.S. Shiffman, and R.A. Rulifson. 2018. Increased abundance and nursery habitat use of the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) in response to a changing environment in a warm-temperate estuary. Scientific Reports 8 (1): 6018.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbour, A.B., A.J. Adams, and K. Lorenzen. 2014. Size-based, seasonal, and multidirectional movements of an estuarine fish species in a habitat mosaic. Marine Ecology Progress Series 507: 263–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blewett, D.A., and P.W. Stevens. 2014. Temperature variability in a sub-tropical estuary and implications for common snook Centropomus undecimalis. Gulf of Mexico Science 1: 44–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boucek, R.E., M.R. Heithaus, R. Santos, P.W. Stevens, and J.S. Rehage. 2017. Can animal habitat use patterns influence their vulnerability to extreme climate events? An estuarine sportfish case study. Global Change Biology 23 (10): 4045–4057.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conover, D.O. 1990. The relation between capacity for growth and length of growing season: evidence for and implications of countergradient variation. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 119 (3): 416–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahlberg, M.D. 1972. An ecological study of Georgia coastal fishes. Fishery Bulletin 70: 323–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denit, K., and S. Sponaugle. 2004. Growth variation, settlement, and spawning of gray snapper across a latitudinal gradient. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133 (6): 1339–1355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira, G.V.B., M. Barletta, and A.R.A. Lima. 2019. Use of estuarine resources by top predator fishes. How do ecological patterns affect rates of contamination by microplastics. Science of the Total Environment 655: 292–304.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hare, J.A., M.J. Wuenschel, and M.E. Kimball. 2012. Projecting range limits with coupled thermal tolerance-climate change models: an example based on gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) along the U.S. east coast. PLoS One 7 (12): e52294.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hare J.A., W.E. Morrison, M.W. Nelson, M.M. Stachura, E.J. Teeters, R.B. Griffis,  M.A. Alexander, J.D. Scott, L. Alade, R.J. Bell, A.S. Chute, K.L. Curti, T.H. Curtis, D. Kircheis, J.F. Kocik, S.M. Lucey, C.T. McCandless, L.M. Milke, D.E. Richardson, E. Robillard, H.J. Walsh, M.C. McManus, K.E. Marancik, and C.A. Griswold. 2016. A vulnerability assessment of fish and invertebrates to climate change on the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf. PLoS ONE 11(2): e0146756. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0146756.

  • Heck, K.L., F.J. Fodrie, S. Madsen, C.J. Baillie, and D.A. Byron. 2015. Seagrass consumption by native and a tropically associated fish species: potential impacts of the tropicalization of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology Progress Series 520: 165–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández-Vidal, U., X. Chiappa-Carrara, and W. Contreras-Sánchez. 2014. Reproductive variability of the common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, in environments of contrasting salinities interconnected by the Grijalva-Usumacinta fluvial system. Ciencias Marinas 40 (3): 173–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howells, R.G., A.J. Sonski, P.L. Shafland, and B.D. Hilton. 1990. Lower temperature tolerance of snook, Centropomus undecimalis. Northeast Gulf Science 11: 155–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kleisner, K.M., M.J. Fogarty, S. McGee, J.A. Hare, S. Moret, C.T. Perretti, and V.S. Saba. 2017. Marine species distribution shifts on the U.S. Northeast Continental Shelf under continued ocean warming. Progress in Oceanography 153: 24–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ley, J.A., and H.J. Rolls. 2018. Using otolith microchemistry to assess nursery habitat contribution and function at a fine spatial scale. Marine Ecology Progress Series 606: 151–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linton, T.L., and W.I. Rickards. 1965. Young common snook on the coast of Georgia. Quarterly Journal Florida Academy of Science 28: 185–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunz, G.R. 1953. First record of the marine fish Centropomus undecimalis in South Carolina. Copeia 4: 240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mace, M.M., III, E.R. Haffey, and M.E. Kimball. 2017. Low-temperature tolerance of juvenile tarpon Megalops atlanticus. Environmental Biology of Fishes 100 (8): 913–922.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mace, M.M., III, M.E. Kimball, and E.R. Haffey. 2018. Recruitment and habitat use of early life stage tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in South Carolina estuaries. Estuaries and Coasts 41 (3): 841–854.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mace, M.M., III, M.E. Kimball, G.M. Elmo, and D.P. Crane. 2020. Overwinter survival, age, and growth of juvenile tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in a shallow, tidally-restricted habitat in South Carolina. Environmental Biology of Fishes 103 (8): 965–972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malinowski, C., J. Cavin, J. Chanton, L. Chasar, F. Coleman, and C. Koenig. 2019. Trophic relationships and niche partitioning of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus and common snook Centropomus undecimalis in coastal estuaries of South Florida. Estuaries and Coasts 42 (3): 842–856.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J.R., and R.L. Shipp. 1971. Occurrence of juvenile Snook, Centropomus undecimalis, in North Carolina waters. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 100 (1): 131–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matich, P., and M.R. Heithaus. 2012. Effects of an extreme temperature event on the behavior and age structure of an estuarine top predator, Carcharhinus leucas. Marine Ecology Progress Series 447: 165–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMichael, R.H., Jr., K.M. Peters, and G.R. Parsons. 1989. Early life history of the snook, Centropomus undecimalis, in Tampa Bay, Florida. Northeast Gulf Science 10: 113–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morley, J.W., R.D. Batt, and M.L. Pinsky. 2017. Marine assemblages respond rapidly to winter climate variability. Global Change Biology 23 (7): 2590–2601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Payne, N.L., J.A. Smith, D.E. van der Meulen, M.D. Taylor, Y.Y. Watanabe, A. Takahashi, T.A. Marzullo, C.A. Gray, G. Cadiou, and I.M. Suthers. 2016. Temperature-dependence of fish performance in the wild: links with species biogeography and physiological thermal tolerance. Functional Ecology 30 (6): 903–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perera-García, M.A., M. Mendoza-Carranza, W.M. Contreras-Sánchez, M. Huerta-Ortíz, and E. Pérez-Sánchez. 2011. Reproductive biology of common snook Centropomus undecimalis (Perciformes: Centropomidae) in two tropical habitats. Revista de Biología Tropical 59 (2): 669–681.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, A.L., P.J. Low, J.R. Ellis, and J.D. Reynolds. 2005. Climate change and distribution shifts in marine fishes. Science 308 (5730): 1912–1915.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, K.M., R.E. Matheson Jr., and R.G. Taylor. 1998. Reproduction and early life history of common snook, Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch), in Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science 62: 509–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinsky, M.L., B. Worm, M.J. Fogarty, J.L. Sarmiento, and S.A. Levin. 2013. Marine taxa track local climate velocities. Science 341 (6151): 1239–1242.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pistole, E. 2019. Pioneer snook: the genetic effects of the northward range expansion of common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in the Gulf of Mexico. M.S. Thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 62 pp.

  • Poloczanska, E., C. Brown, W. Sydeman, W. Kiessling, D.S. Schoeman, P.J. Moore, K. Brander, J.F. Bruno, L.B. Buckley, M.T. Burrows, C.M. Duarte, B.S. Halpern, J. Holding, C.V. Kappel, M.I. O’Conner, J.M. Pandolfi, C. Parmesan, F. Schwing, S.A. Thompson, and A.J. Richardson. 2013. Global imprint of climate change on marine life. Nature Climate Change 3 (10): 919–925.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poulakis, G.R., P.W. Stevens, A.A. Timmers, T.R. Wiley, and C.A. Simpfendorfer. 2011. Abiotic affinities and spatiotemporal distribution of the endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, in a south-western Florida nursery. Marine and Freshwater Research 62 (10): 1165–1177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purtlebaugh, C., C.W. Martin, and M.S. Allen. 2020. Poleward expansion of common snook Centropomus undecimalis in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico and future research needs. PLoS One 15 (6): e0234083.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riley, M.E., C.A. Johnston, I.C. Feller, and B.D. Griffen. 2014. Range expansion of Aratus pisonii (mangrove tree crab) into novel vegetative habitats. Southeastern Naturalist 13 (4): N43–N48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riley, M.E., and B.D. Griffen. 2017. Habitat-specific differences alter traditional biogeographic patterns of life history in a climate-change induced range expansion. PLoS One 12 (5): e0176263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rivas, L.R. 1986. Systematic review of the perciform fishes of the genus Centropomus. Copeia 1986 (3): 579–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, K., P.W. Stevens, J.E. Hill, A.A. Trotter, J.L. Ritch, K.L. Williams, J.T. Patterson, and Q.M. Tuckett. 2020. Coastal wetland restoration improves habitat for juvenile sportfish in Tampa Bay, Florida, U.S.A. Restoration Ecology 28 (5): 1283–1295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Secor, D.H., S.E. Campana, V.S. Zdanowicz, J.W.H. Lam, L. Yang, and J.R. Rooker. 2002. Inter-laboratory comparison of Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna otolith microconstituents. ICES Journal of Marine Science 59 (6): 1294–1304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, R.D., R.S. Kik IV, J.S. Diana, E.S. Rutherford, and M.J. Wiley. 2015. Evidence of countergradient variation in growth of spotted gars from core and peripheral populations. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 144: 837–850.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, P.W., D.A. Blewett, and G.R. Poulakis. 2007. Variable habitat use by juvenile common snook, Centropomus undecimalis (Pisces: Centropomidae): applying a life-history model in a southwest Florida estuary. Bulletin of Marine Science 80: 93–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, P.W., R.E. Boucek, A.A. Trotter, J.L. Ritch, E.R. Johnson, C.P. Shea, D.A. Blewett, and J.S. Rehage. 2018. Illustrating the value of cross-site comparisons: habitat use by a large, euryhaline fish differs along a latitudinal gradient. Fisheries Research 208: 42–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, P.W., J. Dutka-Gianelli, E.J. Nagid, A.A. Trotter, K.G. Johnson, T. Tuten, and J.A. Whittington. 2020. Niche partitioning among snook (Pisces: Centropomidae) in rivers of southeastern Florida and implications for species range limits. Estuaries and Coasts 43 (2): 396–408.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sunday, J.M., A.E. Bates, M.R. Kearney, R.K. Colwell, N.K. Dulvy, J.T. Longino, and R.B. Huey. 2014. Thermal-safety margins and the necessity of thermoregulatory behavior across latitude and elevation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 111 (15): 5610–5615.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, R.G., H.J. Grier, and J.A. Whittington. 1998. Spawning rhythms of common snook in Florida. Journal of Fish Biology 53 (3): 502–520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, R.G., J.A. Whittington, H.J. Grier, and R.E. Crabtree. 2000. Age, growth, maturation, and protandric sex reversal in common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, from the east and west coasts of South Florida. Fishery Bulletin 98: 612–612.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, J.W., Jr. 1987. Snook and tarpon snook culture and preliminary evaluation for commercial farming. Progressive Fish-Culturist 49 (1): 49–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanderkooy, S. 2009. A practical handbook for determining the age of Gulf of Mexico fishes. 2nd ed. Ocean Springs, MS: Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vergés, A., P.D. Steinberg, M.E. Hay, A.G.B. Poore, A.H. Campbell, E. Ballesteros, K.L. Heck, D.J. Booth, M.A. Coleman, D.A. Feary, W. Figueira, T. Laglois, E.M. Marzinelli, T. Mizerek, P.J. Mumby, Y. Nakamura, M. Roughan, E. van Sebille, A.S. Gupta, D.A. Smale, F. Tomas, T. Wernberg, and S.K. Wilson. 2014. The tropicalization of temperate marine ecosystems: climate-mediated changes in herbivory and community phase shifts. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 281 (1789): 20140846.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winner, B.L., D.A. Blewett, R.H. McMichael Jr., and C.B. Guenther. 2010. Relative abundance and distribution of common snook along shoreline habitats of Florida estuaries. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 139 (1): 62–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, J.M., B.G. Yeiser, E.R. Ault, J.A. Whittington, and J. Dutka-Gianelli. 2016. Spawning site fidelity, catchment, and dispersal of common snook along the east coast of Florida. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 145 (2): 400–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank faculty, staff, and students from the University of South Carolina’s Baruch Marine Field Laboratory (B. Pfirrmann, W. Strosnider), Coastal Carolina University (G. Herigan, J. McNabb), and others for their assistance with this study.

Funding

Field efforts were supported by the Belle W. Baruch Foundation Harry M. Lightsey, Jr. Visiting Scholar program, and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT). Aging was supported with funds collected from the State of Florida Saltwater Fishing License sales, US Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Federal Aid for Sport Fish Restoration to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA

    Philip W. Stevens & Jared L. Ritch

  2. Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, University of South Carolina, 2306 Crabhall Road, Georgetown, SC, 29440, USA

    Matthew E. Kimball & Garrett M. Elmo

  3. Department of Biology, Coastal Carolina University, 107 Chanticleer Drive East, Conway, SC, 29526, USA

    Garrett M. Elmo & Derek P. Crane

  4. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tequesta Field Laboratory, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 19199 Southeast Federal Highway, Tequesta, FL, 33469, USA

    Kyle L. Williams

Authors
  1. Philip W. Stevens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matthew E. Kimball
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Garrett M. Elmo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kyle L. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jared L. Ritch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Derek P. Crane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philip W. Stevens.

Ethics declarations

This research was conducted in accordance with the guidelines set forth in University of South Carolina IACUC Animal Care and Use Protocols #2338-101197-030317 and #2484-101488-030420.

Additional information

Communicated by Matthew D. Taylor

Supplementary Information

ESM 1

(DOCX 17 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Stevens, P.W., Kimball, M.E., Elmo, G.M. et al. Investigation into the Occurrence of Juvenile Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis, a Subtropical Estuarine Sport Fish, in Saltmarshes Beyond Their Established Range. Estuaries and Coasts 44, 1477–1483 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00884-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00884-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation