scholarly journals Age and growth of the king mackerel (Scomberomorus Cavalla) off the northeastern coast of Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Francisco de Nóbrega ◽  
Rosangela Paula Lessa

Age and growth of the king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) were estimated for northeastern Brazil. A total of 405 sagittal otoliths from 140 males (24.4-112 cm), 73 females (28-114.8 cm) and 193 specimens of unknown sex (11.5-121 cm) were examined. Marginal increment analysis indicated an annual pattern for growth band deposition. The age classes ranged from 1 to 15 years. Length ranged from 11.5 to 121 cm. The Schnute model indicated that the von Bertalanffy growth model demonstrated the best adjustment, with p=1/b, and was therefore used for estimating growth. Back-calculated curves had smaller variances, giving the following estimated growth parameters for males: L∞= 116.8 cm, K = 0.190, t0 = 0.377; and females: L∞= 132.7 cm, K = 0.159 and t0 = 0.387. In order to compare the curves for males and females, the overlapping of 95% confidence intervals was performed for the parameters generated from the von Bertalanffy non-linear least square method. Specimens between 3 and 8 years of age represented 82.2% (n=5,783) of the catch composition, characterizing the species as a catchable stock in the region.

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 1145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Hsun Hsu ◽  
Shoou Jeng Joung ◽  
Robert E. Hueter ◽  
Kwang Ming Liu

This study estimated age and growth of the largest extant fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) by counting vertebral band pairs from 92 specimens comprising 43 males (2.68–9.88 m total length [TL]), 30 females (1.60–7.02 m TL), and 19 unsexed individuals (2.83–6.67 m TL) taken by Taiwanese commercial fisheries during 2001–06. Growth band pairs up to 25 and 42 were counted for a 6.38-m TL female and a 9.88-m TL male, respectively. Using marginal increment ratio and centrum edge analysis, band pairs were postulated to be formed twice a year. The two-parameter von Bertalanffy growth function provided the best fit without significant differences between sexes. Growth parameters were calculated for both sexes as L∞ = 16.80 m TL, k = 0.037 year–1; annual band pair formation would modify these parameters to L∞ = 15.34 m TL, k = 0.021 year–1. Using data reported in another study for 50% size at maturity for males (8.1 m TL), and the largest immature and smallest mature females (8.7 and 9.6 m TL, respectively) in the Indo-Pacific, these TLs converted to ages at maturity of 17 years for males and 19–22 years for females. The longevity was calculated to be 80.4 years.


Author(s):  
Paulo A.S. Costa ◽  
Adriana C. Braga ◽  
Juan P. Rubinich ◽  
Antônio Olinto Ávila-da-Silva ◽  
Cassiano M. Neto

The age and growth of the snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus, from central and south-eastern Brazil were studied by otolith analysis from a sample of 341 specimens, ranging from 325 to 1216 mm in total length (TL) caught with bottom longlines between 1996 and 1998. Otolith length grew proportionally with the increasing TL of the fish. Marginal increment analysis indicated that a single opaque band forms each year during autumn–winter. The maximum estimated age was 54 years, which significantly extends the previously estimated life-span of 21–29 years for this species. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for both sexes were estimated as L∞ = 1098.4 mm TL, K = 0.062 year −1 and t0 = –2.68. The study revealed differences in mean length-at-age and size at recruitment, as well as in growth parameters between the central and the south-eastern Brazilian coast, which can be attributed mainly to different fishing pressures. The snowy grouper was found at depths of 82–492 m, and showed a positive relationship between age and depth, suggesting differential movements of older fish to deeper waters.


2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Barbosa Henriques ◽  
Pedro Mestre Ferreira Alves ◽  
Oscar José Sallée Barreto ◽  
Marcelo Ricardo de Souza

The Litopenaeus schmitti and Farfantepenaeus paulensis shrimp captured in estuaries are marketed as live bait for recreational fishing. As an alternative to shrimp extractive activities, the authors evaluated the rearing of these species in a recirculation culture system. For each species, the grow-out study was carried out in two 120-day production cycles, using 3,300 juveniles of an average length of 25 mm and weight of 0.9 grams in each, distributed in 12 tanks of 1,500 liters and 1.32 m2, at a population density of 208.3 shrimp per m2. The growth parameters were obtained using the von Bertalanffy model based on the length (mm) and age (weeks) data. The adjustments were made in the R environment of the non-linear least-square method. The von Bertalanffy growth model showed a proper fit, with determination coefficients of 0.900 for L. schmitti and 0.841 for F. paulensis. The values of L∞ and k were 172.66 and 0.027 mm for L. schmitti and 110.13 mm and 0.050 for F. paulensis, respectively. In the current study, L. schmitti showed negative allometric growth (p=4,314x10-18) and F. paulensis isometric growth (p=0.267). The growth of shrimp obtained in the proposed recirculation system can supply live bait for the sport fishing market.


Author(s):  
Ana Rita Vieira ◽  
Ana Neves ◽  
Vera Sequeira ◽  
Rafaela Barros Paiva ◽  
Leonel Serrano Gordo

The forkbeard, Phycis phycis, is an important commercial species in Portugal; however, little information is available on its biology. Age and growth of the forkbeard from Portuguese continental waters were studied using 687 otoliths from specimens caught between May 2011 and December 2012. Otoliths were transversally sectioned, and assigned ages were validated by marginal increment analysis and edge analysis, and indices of precision were also calculated to corroborate ageing within and between readers. Validation techniques showed that an annual growth increment is formed every year, corresponding to the succession of an opaque and a translucent growth zone. Specimens ranged from 15.5 to 67.1 cm total length (TL), and their estimated ages ranged between 0 and 18 years. The forkbeard is a relatively slow growing, long lived species, that does not show sexual dimorphism in growth. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for forkbeard from the Portuguese continental waters were L∞ = 75.14 cm TL, k = 0.10 yr−1 and t0 = −2.09 yr.


2010 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 1149-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleena R. Perez ◽  
Gregor M. Cailliet ◽  
David A. Ebert

The sandpaper skate,Bathyraja kincaidii, is one of four skate species commonly taken in trawl fisheries off central California although very little is known about its life history. In this study, age and growth were evaluated from 187 vertebrae using a common growth band counting method. An attempt to use marginal increment analysis and centrum edge analysis failed to validate the annual periodicity of growth band formation; however, it is a valid assumption based on structural similarity from other studies. Assuming annual band formation, von Bertalanffy growth parameters were determined for females (L∞ = 537.3 mm; k = 0.237; to = –1.629; N = 99) and males (L∞ = 580.2 mm; k = 0.185; to = –2.530; N = 88). Maximum likelihood ratios indicated no significant difference (P > 0.05) between male and female von Bertalanffy growth parameters, thus data were combined (L∞ = 557.8 mm; k = 0.207; to = –2.147; N = 187). Age estimates from band counts in vertebral centra indicated a minimum longevity of 17 and 18 years for female and maleB. kincaidii, respectively. Caudal thorns were also assessed for age analyses, but were deemed unreliable and could not be used to verify age estimates from vertebral centra.


2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-378
Author(s):  
Penprapa Phaeviset ◽  
Pisit Phomikong ◽  
Piyathap Avakul ◽  
Sontaya Koolkalaya ◽  
Wachira Kwangkhang ◽  
...  

The spotted catfish, Arius maculatus (Thunberg, 1792), is a euryhaline fish that is economically important in the Indo-West Pacific. Population dynamics studies and stock assessments of this species have focused on marine stocks, but not those from fresh water. In this study, the age and growth of A. maculatus were, therefore, investigated for the inland stock in Songkhla Lake, Thailand. A total of 213 individuals ranging between 35 and 238 mm TL were used. The length–weight relation indicated positive allometry of this population. Three hard parts (otolith, dorsal- and pectoral-fin spines) were used for aging. The marginal increment ratio confirmed that an annulus was deposited once a year in all three hard parts. All of the samples were aged between 0+ and 6+ years. Verification of age estimates from three readers showed that the otolith was the most suitable part for age estimation. Three growth models (von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, and logistic) were applied in the study. The von Bertalanffy model best described the growth of this fish in Songkhla Lake. The obtained asymptotic length was 290.87 mm TL and the relative growth rate parameter was 0.166 year–1. Our results will be applied as inputs for fish stock assessment models. The obtained growth parameters also can serve as a reference for A. maculatus stocks elsewhere.


2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Francisco de Nóbrega ◽  
Rosangela Paula Lessa

Age and growth of the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus brasiliensis) caught off northeastern Brazil were determined. A total of 831 otoliths were examined - 296 from males (12 - 75 cm FL), 212 from females (11.5 - 72 cm FL) and 323 from specimens of undetermined sex (12.4 - 75 cm FL). There was a high percentage of juveniles in the catches, resulting mainly from the use of gillnets. Marginal increment analysis of the otoliths indicated that the shortest distances from the last ring to the edge occurred from November to May, laying down just one ring annually. One to eight rings were found, with specimen lengths ranging from 11.5 to 75.8 cm. The Schunute model was used to determine what model was best fit the data, demonstrating that the specialized von Bertalanffy growth equation is the most appropriate. Curves were established for males (L∞ = 79.52 cm, K = 0.189, t0 = -0.384 year) and females (L∞ = 109.18 cm, K = 0.114, t0 = -0.414 year), which resulted in distinct growth patterns between sexes. Based on the parameters estimated for the sexes separately, males have an approximate longevity of 15.5 years, whereas female longevity is 25.9 years. Specimens between 2 and 6 years of age represented 86% (n = 5,290) of the catch composition, characterizing the species as a catchable stock in the region. The present study updates essential information for assessing the stock of this important resource, for which the last growth studies in the region were carried out approximately thirty years ago.


2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1157-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosângela Lessa ◽  
Camila R. Da Silva ◽  
June F. Dias ◽  
Francisco M. Santana

Age and growth of Agassiz's parrotfish Sparisoma frondosum captured off Brazil (Pernambuco) were estimated using sagittal otoliths from 251 specimens. Sex of each specimen was determined and showed that 130 specimens were females (13.1 to 36.8 cm TL) and 121 were males (17.5 to 36.6 cm TL). The otolith marginal increment analysis indicated a single translucent ring formed every year. Parameters of growth curves were derived for the von Bertalanffy (VBGF) and Gompertz models. Based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC), both models were suitable for describing the growth of this species. VBGF parameters were estimated for males L∞ = 39.74 cm TL, K = 0.22, t0 = −1.63 years, females L∞ = 32.38 cm TL, K = 0.44; t0 = −0.23 years; and for the sexes combined L∞ = 33.66 cm TL, K = 0.41, t0 = −0.27 years. The study showed that 55% of individuals were 3 and 4 years of age, with maximal age of 9 years. Mature females (>17.6 cm TL) accounted for 45% of the sample. The age at first maturity for females was 1.6 years. For males the size at first maturity was not determined as immature individuals were not present in the overall sample. Also, primary males (PM) and specimens with gonads undergoing sexual transition were not found. The age structure and growth parameters for S. frondosum are an important contribution to the assessment of the state of exploitation of this species.


2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. Ambrosio ◽  
Thiago J. Balbi ◽  
Talitha M. Francisco ◽  
Luiz C. Gomes ◽  
Marina S. Zuliani ◽  
...  

This study has aims to determine the age and to estimate the growth parameters using scales of the species. Individuals of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887) used in this study were captured in the commercial fishery conducted in the region, along the year 2006. The model selected to express the growth of the species was the von Bertalanffy Sl= Sl∞*[1-exp-k(t-to)]. To determine if scales are suitable for studying the growth of pacu, we analyzed the relation between standard length (Sl) and the radius of the scales through linear regression. The period of annuli formation was determined analyzing the variations in the marginal increment and evaluating the consistency of the readings through the analysis of the coefficient of variations (CVs) for the average standard lengths of each age (number of rings) observed in the scales. The relationship between Ls of the fish and the radius of the scales showed that scales can be used to study the age and growth of P. mesopotamicus (R= 0.79). CVs were always below 20%, demonstrating the consistency of the readings. Annuli formation occurred in February, probably related to trophic migration that occurs in this month in the region. Equations that represents the growth in length obtained for P. mesopotamicus are Sl=50.00*[1-exp-0.18(t-(-3.00)] for males and Sl=59.23*[1-exp-0.14(t-(-3.36)] for females. The growth parameters obtained in this study were lower compared to other studies previously conducted for the same species and can related to overexploitation that species is submitted by fishing in the region. These values show also that females of pacu attain greater asymptotic length than males that growth faster.


1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
AF Withell ◽  
JWJ Wankowski

Age and growth were estimated from counts of otolith annuli for pink ling (Genypterus blacodes) and gemfish (Rexea solandri). Sections of otoliths were preferable for age determinations of pink ling, whereas whole otoliths were preferable for gemfish. Validation of the assigned age classes was not achieved. Petersen's length-frequency method was unsuccessful and marginal increment methods were unsuitable for the species studied. Growth of males and females did not differ significantly for either pink ling or gemfish. Both species had a relatively slow growth rate, had a moderately long life-span and could reach body lengths in excess of 1 m. Maximum ages of pink ling and gemfish were, respectively, 21 and 13 years. Mean length-at-age and the von Bertalanffy growth functions were estimated. For pink ling (all individuals combined), K = 0.095 and L∞ = 135.5 cm. For gemfish the best estimates were K = 0.153 and L∞ = 112.3 cm. Precision of age determinations made independently by two readers for pink ling and gemfish, respectively, was 65% and 95% within �1 annulus; average per cent error, respectively, was 4.7% and 3.1%. Paired t-tests on ages assigned to each species by the two readers indicated no significant difference between ages assigned to gemfish, but there was a significant, albeit unbiased, difference for ages assigned to pink ling. However, for pink ling, estimates of the growth parameters derived separately from age determinations by the two readers were virtually identical.


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