TABLE 2. — Menhaden eggs collected on cnjlses of the Theodore N. CM, South Atlantic coast of the 



United States, 1953-54 



^ Based on the observed development rate of yellowfin menhaden eggs (Reintjes, unpubl. MS., see 



P- 5). 



2 H.S. = high speed tows made between regular stations with Gulf lA sampler (Arnold and Gehringer, 



1952). 



Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Larger larvae 

 (10-22 mm.) occurred in 1 1 collections 

 during cruise 1 (Feb. 10-Mar. 10) in 

 nearly half of the collections taken 

 during cruise 5 (Jan. 20-Feb. 25), and 

 in one collection at the end of cruise 9 

 (Dec. 10). 



DISCUSSION 



The occurrence of menhaden eggs 

 and small larvae in the collections 

 from the three winter cruises (1, 5, and 

 9) and their absence during the six 

 cruises (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8) conducted 

 from late April to November furnished 

 evidence that menhaden spawn along the 

 south Atlajitic coast generally from 

 December to February. Furthermore, 

 the principal spawning areas may be 

 limited to certain localities, namely. 

 Cape Lookout and Cape Canaveral to 

 Jupiter Inlet. Based on the known 



distribution of juvenile and adult men- 

 haden (Hildebrand, 1948; June, 1958; 

 and Reintjes, I960), the eggs and larvae 

 encountered in the vicinity of Cape 

 Lookout may be those of Atlcintic men- 

 haden, while those encountered between 

 Cape Canaveral aind Jupiter Inlet, may 

 be those of yellowfin menhaden. Incuba- 

 tion and absorption of the yolk sac is 

 accomplished in 1 week or less, hence 

 there probably is relatively little drift 

 from the imnaediate vicinity of spawn- 

 ing. The scarcity of eggs in the collec- 

 tions thus might be due to their limited 

 distribution and brief existence. 



Larvae were more widely distributed 

 due to a longer period of exposure to 

 trajisporting currents em.d their ability 

 to swim. Although the elapsed tinrie from 

 absorption of the yolk sac to time of 

 entry into an estuary is vinknown, be- 

 tween 1 and 3 months is indicated by 

 observations of subsequent growth 

 within the estuary. (Chamberlin, 



