NOTE Pierce et al.: Age and growth of Harengula jaguana in Florida waters 
209 
spawning season from February to August. Other authors 
(Gunter, 1945; Springer and Woodburn, 1960; Low, 1973; 
Modde and Ross, 1981) have noted one to two peak spawn- 
ing events in April or September, or in both months. Ob- 
served length frequencies from our collections, specifically 
in Tampa Bay, suggest nearly continuous spawning year 
round. Fish spawned early could conceivably reach matu- 
rity and become a spawner in the fall of the same year. 
In summary, H. jaguana are evidently fast-growing, 
short-lived fish. In coastal waters off West Palm Beach 
they appear to attain heavier weights and larger sizes at 
age than do fish inhabiting Tampa Bay. Although these 
differences might be genetically influenced, local environ- 
mental conditions seem the more likely cause of the ob- 
served significant variation in H. jaguana growth rates 
between coasts of Florida. 
Acknowledgments 
We would like to thank Peter Hood, Mike Murphy, Jim 
Quinn, Judy Leiby, Llyn French, and three anonymous 
reviewers for comments that improved the manuscript. We 
would also like to thank Renee Bishop for extensive help 
in producing the SEM micrographs. This manuscript was 
used in partial fulfillment of a Master of Science degree 
for Daryl Pierce from the University of South Florida, Col- 
lege of Marine Science, St. Petersburg. The research was 
funded in part by the Florida Saltwater Fishing License 
revenues. 
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