Age and growth of early‐life‐stage Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) from the northcentral Gulf of Mexico

Age and growth of early‐life‐stage Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus collected from Mississippi coastal waters in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico (GOM) are described using otolith microstructure analysis. Tarpon leptocephali (n = 95, 16.0—27.8 mm standard length, LS) collected from June throughOctober 2013—2018, ranged in age from 22 to 43 days (mean = 30.9 ± 0.5 days). Leptocephalus somatic growth rates ranged 0.46—1.24 mm day−1 (mean = 0.76 ± 0.02 mm day−1), and leptocephalus otolith growth rates ranged 1.78—3.97 μm day−1 (mean = 2.58 ± 0.04 μm day−1). Growth rates were inversely correlated to leptocephalus age, indicating the shrinkage phase associated with leptocephalus metamorphosis. Juvenile tarpon (n = 358, 50—359 mm fork length, LF) were collected from August through December 2007—2018. Juveniles exhibited a positive allometric relationship (adjusted R2 = 0.99, P