scholarly journals Biological and statistical interpretation of size-at-age, mixed-effects models of growth

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Vincenzi ◽  
Dusan Jesensek ◽  
Alain J Crivelli
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Statistical Interpretation ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Single Observation ◽  
Group Variation ◽  
Size At Age

AbstractThe differences in life-history traits and processes between organisms living in the same or different populations contribute to determine their ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Recent advances in statistical and computational methods make it easier to investigate individual and group variation in life-history traits.We developed mixed-effect model formulations of the popular size-at-age von Bertalanffy and Gompertz growth functions to estimate individual and group variation in body growth, using as a model system four freshwater fish populations living in Slovenian streams, where tagged individuals were sampled for more than 10 years. We used the software Template Model Builder to estimate the parameters of the mixed-effect growth models.Estimates of asymptotic size from the Gompertz and von Bertalanffy models were not significantly correlated, but their predictions of size-at-age of individuals were strongly correlated (r > 0.99). Tests on data that were not used to estimate model parameters showed that predictions of individual growth trajectories using the random-effects model were accurately predicted (R2 > 0.80 for the best models over more than 500 predictions) starting from one single observation of body size early in life. Model results pointed to size ranks that are largely maintained throughout the lifetime of individuals in all populations.

scholarly journals Biological and statistical interpretation of size-at-age, mixed-effects models of growth

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 192146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Vincenzi ◽  
Dusan Jesensek ◽  
Alain J. Crivelli
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Effects Models ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Statistical Interpretation ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Single Observation ◽  
Growth Functions ◽  
Size At Age

The differences in life-history traits and processes between organisms living in the same or different populations contribute to their ecological and evolutionary dynamics. We developed mixed-effect model formulations of the popular size-at-age von Bertalanffy and Gompertz growth functions to estimate individual and group variation in body growth, using as a model system four freshwater fish populations, where tagged individuals were sampled for more than 10 years. We used the software Template Model Builder to estimate the parameters of the mixed-effect growth models. Tests on data that were not used to estimate model parameters showed good predictions of individual growth trajectories using the mixed-effects models and starting from one single observation of body size early in life; the best models had R 2 > 0.80 over more than 500 predictions. Estimates of asymptotic size from the Gompertz and von Bertalanffy models were not significantly correlated, but their predictions of size-at-age of individuals were strongly correlated ( r > 0.99), which suggests that choosing between the best models of the two growth functions would have negligible effects on the predictions of size-at-age of individuals. Model results pointed to size ranks that are largely maintained throughout the lifetime of individuals in all populations.

scholarly journals Age, growth and genetic status of the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) from Kashima-nada, Japan

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 548 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tanaka ◽  
T. Kitamura ◽  
T. Mochizuki ◽  
K. Kofuji
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
White Shark ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Top Predator ◽  
Monophyletic Clade ◽  
Loop Region ◽  
D Loop

The white shark, a top predator inhabiting the world’s oceans, is an endangered species. However, knowledge of its life-history traits and population structure is still limited. We hypothesised that life-history traits would vary among populations because the species’ various habitats are diverse and change through time. Age was estimated by counting growth bands in the centra of white sharks caught in Japan. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated at L∞ = 455 cm TL, k = 0.196 year–1 and t0 = –1.92 years for males and L∞ = 607 cm TL, k = 0.159 year–1 and t0 = –1.80 years for females. The growth rate to maturity was higher than that known for individuals from California and South Africa. Male sharks matured at 310 cm TL at 4 years of age and females began to mature at ~450 cm TL and 7 years. The D-loop-region sequences of mitochondrial DNA extracted from Japanese white sharks and GenBank datasets from sharks of California, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa indicate that Japanese white sharks form a monophyletic clade separate from the populations of other regions. The results suggest that unique life-history traits of Japanese white sharks may be caused by genetic differences.

Variation in Life History Patterns among New Zealand Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Populations

1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 1414-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Quinn ◽  
Martin J. Unwin
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Median Date ◽  
Timing Of Entry ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Size At Age

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were introduced to New Zealand, apparently from a single California population, and have been self-sustaining since about 1905. Salmon from the Waimakariri, Rakaia, Rangitata, and Waitaki rivers differed in various life history traits. The proportion of stream-type adults ranged from 29.1 to 75.6% in Rakaia and Waimakariri tributaries, respectively. Average age at maturity not only differed among the major rivers but also between two tributaries within the Rakaia River catchment. Length at age varied among rivers, the differences being most pronounced in older fish. Age structure and size at age combined to produce 91-, and 73-mm differences in mean length of males and females, respectively, among populations. Waitaki River salmon were not only long at age but also heavier for their length than other populations. The timing of entry into freshwater varied by over 1 mo between the Rakaia and Waitaki rivers, and median date of arrival on spawning grounds varied by 16 d between Rakaia and Waimakariri river tributaries. These life history traits are influenced, to varying degrees, by genetic and environmental factors. However, the suite of differences indicates that considerable adaptation to local conditions has occurred in about 20 generations.

Life-history variation among populations of Canadian Toads in Alberta, Canada

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (11) ◽  
pp. 1421-1430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian R Eaton ◽  
Cynthia A Paszkowski ◽  
Kent Kristensen ◽  
Michelle Hiltz
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Age At Maturity ◽  
Life History Variation ◽  
Size At Age ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Conservation Plans ◽  
Toad Bufo ◽  
Latitudinal Range

Development of appropriate conservation plans relies on life-history information and how life-history traits vary across populations of a species. Such data are lacking for many amphibians, including the Canadian Toad (Bufo hemiophrys Cope, 1886). Here we use skeletochronology to estimate size at age, growth rates, age at maturity, and longevity of toads from nine populations along a latitudinal gradient in Alberta, Canada. Size of individual toads within each year class was highly variable, but age and size (measured as snout-to-urostyle length) were significantly related for almost all populations. The largest individuals were found in the southern-most population, while the smallest toads were found in three populations from the middle of the latitudinal range studied. Growth rates were highest in the southern-most population and lowest at the three populations with relatively small individuals. Maximum age was from 7 to 12 years for the populations sampled. The oldest individuals were found in populations in the middle of the latitudinal range sampled; toads in these populations were smaller than those in all other populations. Age at maturity was 1 year old for males and 2 years old for females in most populations. This study shows that some life-history traits exhibit significant variation between Canadian Toad populations, suggesting that effective conservation of this species will need to include population or area-specific management.

Integrated mixed-effect growth models for species with incomplete ageing histories: a case study for the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta

2020 ◽  
Vol 636 ◽  
pp. 221-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
BE Chasco ◽  
JT Thorson ◽  
SS Heppell ◽  
L Avens ◽  
J Braun McNeill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Growth Process ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Caretta Caretta ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Growth Processes ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Capture Recapture

For stochastic growth processes, integrated mixed-effects (IME) models of capture-recapture data and size-at-age data from calcified structures such as otoliths can reduce bias in model parameters. Researchers have not fully explored the performance of IME models for simultaneously estimating the unknown ages, growth model parameters, and derived variables. We simulated capture-recapture observations for tagging experiments and skeletochronology (i.e. humerus growth) observations for stranded loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta based on previously published parameter estimates for 3 growth processes (logistic, Gompertz, and von Bertalanffy). We then fit IME models to the integrated and non-integrated data. For the integrated data (both tagging and skeletochronology), we found decreased bias and uncertainty in estimated growth parameters and ages, and decreased misspecification of the growth process based on AIC. Applying the IME model to Western Atlantic loggerheads, the von Bertalanffy growth process provided the best fit to the skeletochronology data for the humeri from 389 stranded turtles and capture-recapture data from 480 tagged turtles. The estimated mean growth coefficient (μk) and mean asymptotic straight carapace length (μ×) were equal to 0.076 yr-1 and 92.1 cm, respectively. The estimated mean ages of the stranded turtles and recaptured tagged turtles were 13.5 and 14.6 yr, respectively. Assuming the size-at-sexual maturity (SSM) is 95% of the asymptotic size, the mean and 95% predictive interval for the age-at-sexual maturity (ASM) was 38 (29, 49) yr. Our results demonstrate that IME models provide reduced bias of the growth parameters, unknown ages, and derived variables such as ASM.

scholarly journals Growth rates in two natural populations of Gasterosteus aculeatus in northwestern Spain: relationships with other life history parameters

2020 ◽  
pp. 233-242
Author(s):  
E. San Miguel ◽  
R. Amaro ◽  
J. Castro ◽  
M. Hermida ◽  
C. Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Nonlinear Function ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Peripheral Populations ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Von Bertalanffy Model

We analysed growth rates of two natural populations of the three–spined stickleback fish, Gasterosteus aculeatus, in Galicia (north–west of Spain) where it has a strictly annual life cycle. We used the von Bertalanffy growth model to estimate nonlinear function for length–at–age data sets. These European peripheral populations reach the highest growth rates (k of the von Bertalanffy model > 0.4 month–1) known for this species. Instantaneous mortality rates and fecundity were computed using von Bertalanffy model parameters for each population. Mortality rates found in Galician populations were 2.0–2.3 higher times than those observed in general for Gasterosteidae. Combining both mortality and fertility, different intermediate fitness optima in each population were obtained for mature females. Overall, these differences in life history compared to other studied populations of sticklebacks can be interpreted as local adaptations to a Mediterranean climate type with high degree–days. Consequently, these populations at the edges of the species’ range may have adapted to the unique environmental conditions and may be of interest in ecology and conservation.

scholarly journals Growth impacts in a changing ocean: insights from two coral reef fishes in an extreme environment

Coral Reefs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-446
Author(s):  
Daniele D’Agostino ◽  
John A. Burt ◽  
Veronica Santinelli ◽  
Grace O. Vaughan ◽  
Ashley M. Fowler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Life History ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Variable Environment ◽  
Oman Sea ◽  
Size At Age

AbstractDetermining the life-history consequences for fishes living in extreme and variable environments will be vital in predicting the likely impacts of ongoing climate change on reef fish demography. Here, we compare size-at-age and maximum body size of two common reef fish species (Lutjanus ehrenbergii and Pomacanthus maculosus) between the environmentally extreme Arabian/Persian Gulf (‘Arabian Gulf’) and adjacent comparably benign Oman Sea. Additionally, we use otolith increment width profiles to investigate the influence of temperature, salinity and productivity on the individual growth rates. Individuals of both species showed smaller size-at-age and lower maximum size in the Arabian Gulf compared to conspecifics in the less extreme and less variable environment of the Oman Sea, suggesting a life-history trade-off between size and metabolic demands. Salinity was the best environmental predictor of interannual growth across species and regions, with low growth corresponding to more saline conditions. However, salinity had a weaker negative effect on interannual growth of fishes in the Arabian Gulf than in the Oman Sea, indicating Arabian Gulf populations may be better able to acclimate to changing environmental conditions. Temperature had a weak positive effect on the interannual growth of fishes in the Arabian Gulf, suggesting that these populations may still be living within their thermal windows. Our results highlight the potential importance of osmoregulatory cost in impacting growth, and the need to consider the effect of multiple stressors when investigating the consequences of future climate change on fish demography.

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