Erratum: Admitting ageing error when fitting growth curves: an example using the von Bertalanffy growth function with random effects

Growth and mortality of L. aurata (Risso,1810) were estimated in the lagoon of Klisova-Messolonghi (W. Greece), based on age estimation from scale readings of a total of 1048 individuals, ranging between 10 and 59 cm in total length (TL). Age determination revealed nine age classes (0+ to 8+). Maximum age was found to be 8 years for females and 6 years for males respectively. The growth pattern of L. aurata exhibited allometry (b=3.26). The species seems to achieve 34% of its growth during the first year; thereafter the annual growth rate drops. Both sexes presented similar von Bertalanffy growth curves. The von Bertalanffy growth function for the estimated total length-at-age was found Lt = 70.78 [1 - e -0.129(t+1.345)] for the combined sexes. Otolith weight, length and width were tested and they were found to be very good predictors for age. Between the present L. aurata growth parameters and those of other Mediterranean, Caspian and Atlantic Sea for the same species, there were found significant differences in its growth parameters. The total (Z) and natural (M) mortality rate was found to be 0.54 years-1 and 0.33 years-1 respectively. The estimated exploitation rate was found to be E=0.395 which suggests that the existing fishing pressure on L. aurata is rather moderate in the investigated region.

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Age and growth estimates for the starry smoothhound (Mustelus asterias) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsp295 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 67 (5) ◽

pp. 931-939 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Edward D. Farrell ◽

Stefano Mariani ◽

Maurice W. Clarke

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Ocean ◽

Growth Curves ◽

Growth Function ◽

Age And Growth ◽

Von Bertalanffy ◽

Northeast Atlantic ◽

Von Bertalanffy Growth Function ◽

Female Data ◽

Northeast Atlantic Ocean ◽

Future Work

Abstract Farrell, E. D., Mariani, S., and Clarke, M. W. 2010. Age and growth estimates for the starry smoothhound (Mustelus asterias) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 931–939. Age, growth, and longevity were estimated for the starry smoothhound (Mustelus asterias), based on the interpretation of sectioned vertebrae of 106 males (35–104 cm stretch total length, STL) and 114 females (44–112 cm STL). Growth curves were fitted to length-at-age data using von Bertalanffy and Gompertz models. The three-parameter von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) provided the best statistical fit to the male data (L∞ = 103.7 cm STL, L0 = 38.1 cm STL, k = 0.195 year−1). The Gompertz growth function provided the best statistical fit to the female data, although the estimated parameters were biologically unreasonable. Therefore, the three-parameter VBGF was also accepted for females (L∞ = 123.5 cm STL, L0 = 34.9 cm STL, k = 0.146 year−1). Longevity was estimated to be 13 and 18.3 years for males and females, respectively. The length–weight relationship is also presented for 304 male and 424 female M. asterias. The von Bertalanffy model was fitted to the weight-at-age data. These estimates can form the basis of future work on the assessment and management of this species.

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Admitting ageing error when fitting growth curves: an example using the von Bertalanffy growth function with random effects

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f06-179 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 205-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Jason M Cope ◽

André E Punt

Keyword(s):

Random Effects ◽

Gamma Distribution ◽

Growth Curve ◽

Life Histories ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Growth Models ◽

Growth Function ◽

Von Bertalanffy ◽

Modeling Framework ◽

Von Bertalanffy Growth Function

A way to explicitly incorporate ageing error into the estimation of von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) parameters using a random effects (RE) modeling framework is presented. This RE framework also accounts for the effects of selectivity on growth curve estimation by characterizing the distribution of true ages derived from multiple age reads using either an exponential or gamma distribution. Simulation testing across four life histories is used to compare the RE approach with standard nonlinear (SNL) approaches that use the primary, average, or median ages in growth estimation. Sensitivity tests compare the effects of assumed length and ageing error, selectivity, and recruitment variability on the estimation of growth curve parameters. Results support the use of the RE method using a gamma distribution over the SNL methods because RE method estimates of VBGF growth parameters were more precise across life histories and sensitivity trials. This general approach can be applied and expanded to other growth models. Applications demonstrate that the results from RE methods may differ in biologically important ways to those obtained from SNL approaches.

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An Antarctic shelf population of the deep-sea, Pacific brachiopod Neorhynchia strebeli

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315400071757 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (2) ◽

pp. 399-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

David K.A. Barnes ◽

Lloyd S. Peck

Keyword(s):

Deep Sea ◽

Growth Function ◽

Weddell Sea ◽

Von Bertalanffy ◽

Growth Rings ◽

Von Bertalanffy Growth Function ◽

Annual Periodicity ◽

A Site ◽

The Antarctic ◽

Order Rhynchonellida

Thirty-five specimens of the articulate brachiopod Neorhynchia strebeli were collected from a site at 814 m in the Weddell Sea. This was only the second species of the order Rhynchonellida to be found in Antarctica. Formerly N. strebeli was known solely from abyssal Pacific Ocean localities. A circumantarctic distribution is suggested in addition to the known deep-sea Pacific range. The specimens of this collection showed considerable commissure variation, suggesting that the previously proposed erection of two subspecies on the basis of this character is erroneous, and emphasises the phenotypic plasticity of some articulate brachiopods. The valve lengths and the number of alpha growth rings in the sample showed a normal distribution and a von Bertalanffy growth function was fitted to the data: Lt = 23 (1-exp[-0·228t]). If the alpha growth rings were of annual periodicity, the ages attained by the Antarctic N. strebeli of 11 y would be substantially lower than those reported for other Weddell Sea brachiopods. The epibiotic communities occurring on the valves of N. strebeli were impoverished, which is characteristic of deep water Antarctic brachiopods. The few specimens collected with their substratum were attached to small pebbles, but the typical attachment substrata may be different.

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Age, Growth and Sex Ratio of the Azorean Rock-Pool Blenny, Parablennius Sanguinolentus Parvicornis

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315400039175 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 75 (3) ◽

pp. 751-754 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Ricardo Serrão Santos ◽

Richard D. M. Nash ◽

Stephen J. Hawkins

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Growth Function ◽

Early Growth ◽

Reproductive Season ◽

First Year ◽

Von Bertalanffy ◽

Rock Pool ◽

Total Length ◽

Von Bertalanffy Growth Function ◽

One Year

The age and population structure of Parablennius sanguinolentus parvicornis (Valenciennes) (Pisces: Blenniidae) from the Azores have been studied. Total length and weight relationships are given for each sex. Age study was based on otoliths readings. The von Bertalanffy growth function was applied to describe the growth in total length with age. At the end of the first year mean (±SD) total length was significantly different in males (7.1 ±1.5 cm) and females (6.1 ±1.2 cm). One-year-old males participate in reproduction as satellites, whereas females do not. The implications of this in early growth rate of the males is discussed. During the two most important months of the reproductive season (i.e. June and July), the sex ratio was significantly biased towards males, particularly in the larger size classes.

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Comparing Polynomial and von Bertalanffy Growth Functions for Fitting Tag–Recapture Data

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f94-169 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 51 (8) ◽

pp. 1689-1691 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

William S. Hearn ◽

George M. Leigh

Keyword(s):

Growth Function ◽

Growth Increment ◽

Bias Reduction ◽

Release Time ◽

Von Bertalanffy ◽

Growth Functions ◽

Straight Line ◽

Von Bertalanffy Growth Function ◽

Multiple Measurements ◽

The One

The properties of polynomial and von Bertalanffy growth functions are compared for analysing data from tag–recapture experiments in which fish are recaptured once. For the quadratic and von Bertalanffy growth functions, explicit formulae are obtained for the expected growth increment in terms of length-at-release, time-at-liberty, and the function parameters. If the least-squares fitting technique is used the von Bertalanffy function fits tag–recapture data with no more bias (probably less) than any other growth function, including polynomial growth functions. A bias-reduction technique for fitting the von Bertalanffy growth function to tag–recapture data is not applicable to other growth functions. We conclude that, apart from the straight line, the von Bertalanffy growth function is the one with the most desirable mathematical and statistical properties for fitting to tag–recapture data. The matter of the function that best characterises the way a specific fish species grows can be adequately addressed only by analyses of multiple measurements of individual fish.

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A new model accounting for seasonal cessation of growth in fishes

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf9921151 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

pp. 1151 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

S Pauly ◽

M Soriano-Bartz ◽

J Moreau ◽

A Jarre-Teichmann

Keyword(s):

Salmo Salar ◽

Growth Function ◽

Sine Wave ◽

Smooth Transition ◽

Von Bertalanffy ◽

New Model ◽

Von Bertalanffy Growth Function ◽

Zero Growth ◽

Key Features ◽

Summer Growth

A modified version of the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) is proposed in which a sine wave modifies a standard version of the VBGF, enabling a smooth transition between rapid summer growth and a variable period of zero growth (in length) during winter or during the dry season for aestivating fishes. The key features of a nonlinear routine for fitting this new model are also presented, with emphasis on the estimation of the period of zero growth. Application examples, to Salmo salar and Trisopterus esmarkii, are presented.

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