Modeling Annual Growth Variation using a Hierarchical Bayesian Approach and the von Bertalanffy Growth Function, with Application to Lake Trout in Southern Lake Huron

2007 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. X. He ◽  
J. R. Bence
Author(s):  
David K.A. Barnes ◽  
Lloyd S. Peck

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.


Author(s):  
Ricardo Serrão Santos ◽  
Richard D. M. Nash ◽  
Stephen J. Hawkins

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.


1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 1689-1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
William S. Hearn ◽  
George M. Leigh

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.


1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Pauly ◽  
M Soriano-Bartz ◽  
J Moreau ◽  
A Jarre-Teichmann

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26
Author(s):  
Freddy Omar López Quintero ◽  
Javier E. Contreras-Reyes ◽  
Rodrigo Wiff ◽  
Reinaldo B. Arellano-Valle

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 1916-1922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett T. van Poorten ◽  
Carl J. Walters

Bioenergetics models are commonly used to predict effects of changes in metabolic rates and food availability on growth. However, food intake rate generally is assumed to vary as Wd, where d = 2/3, an assumption based on observations from feeding trials in laboratory studies. Further, the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) is specifically integrated using this assumption. We argue that when considered from an ecological perspective, d is highly uncertain, dependent on how swimming speed, reactive distance, and prey biomass varies ontogenetically with the growth of a predator. Incorrectly specifying d leads to incorrect predictions of consumption and metabolism, especially at younger ages that are typically under-sampled. Three alternate means of detecting departures from d = 2/3 are provided, the most promising of which involves fixing initial length of the generalized VBGF to the length at endogenous feeding and directly calculating von Bertalanffy parameters (L∞, K, t0). Using this approach, it may be possible to more accurately estimate consumption and metabolism and to characterize lifetime growth.


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