Spatial and Seasonal Distribution of Recruitment and Population Connectivity of Lutjanus argentimaculatus among Marine Habitats in the World Biosphere Reserve of Cu Lao Cham-Hoi An

Abstract

Results of our study show that juveniles of the mangrove red snapper are found all year round from the Cua Dai river mouth to Cam Kim upstream of the Thu Bon estuary, with no clear patterns of distribution between months. Variability in recruitment of juvenile fish of ≤50 mm TL was observed from June until February, and the youngest fish (≥18 mm TL) were found in mid-June. Adult mangrove red snapper TL ≥400 mm were only recorded from coral reef offshore islands. There is likely a connection between both fish habitats separated by a distance of approximately 18 km. The results of red snapper DNA analysis show homogeneity of juveniles and adult the population structures.