Sexual differentiation and gonad development in striped mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) from South Carolina estuaries*

The striped mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) is distributed circumglobally in tropical and semitropical waters between latitudes 42°N and 42°S (Thomson, 1963; Rossi et al., 1998). Even though considered a marine species, striped mullet are euryhaline and can be found year round throughout the full range of estuarine salinities in the southeastern United States (Jacot, 1920; Anderson, 1958). Striped mullet are important throughout the world for commercial fisheries and aquaculture. In the southeastern United States there are large-scale commercial fisheries for striped mullet in North Carolina and Florida. South Carolina and Georgia have much more limited landings (NMFS1). The commercial effort in the southeastern United States targets “roe” fish (fish containing roe) during the fall spawning migration. Throughout the rest of the year mullet are fished commercially for human consumption (particularly the west coast of Florida) and bait (Anderson, 1958). Striped mullet have a significant economic impact in the southeast where they represented a landings value of 16.4 million dollars from 1994 to 2000 (NMFS1). Striped mullet landings in the Gulf of Mexico were significantly higher with a landings value of 86.2 million dollars for the same time period. Striped mullet are also one of the most important forage fishes that occur in the estuaries of the southeast and represent a significant food source for upper level piscivores (Wenner et al.2). Sexual differentiation and gonad development in striped mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) from South Carolina estuaries*