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This study analysed growth and recruitment of Pacific yellowleg shrimp, Farfantepenaeus californiensis (Holmes, 1900) populations inhabiting semi-arid coastal lagoons and the continental shelf in a semi-arid, subtropical region in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Sampling of the yellowleg shrimp population was conducted in the coastal lagoon and offshore on a monthly basis from December 2001 to November 2003. The length of females ranged from 90 to 150 mm, greater lengths were more common offshore during April and July. In the lagoon, smaller specimens prevailed all year. There were no significant differences between lagoon and offshore in mean length to within 1% of probability. The dynamics of penaeid shrimp in semi-arid climate lagoons differ from the pattern found in more semi-tropical parts of the Mexican Pacific, where lagoons do not have permanent communication with the Gulf of California. Evidence suggests that this species can complete its life cycle in the lagoon system or on the continental shelf.