Title: Age estimation and specific growth pattern of boxlip mullet, Oedalechilus labeo (Cuvier, 1829) (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae), in the eastern Adriatic Sea
Abstract:The main objective of this study was to investigate boxlip mullet, Oedalechilus labeo (Cuvier, 1829), a species that lives in open, oligotrophic and stenohaline waters, exhibits slower growth rates an...The main objective of this study was to investigate boxlip mullet, Oedalechilus labeo (Cuvier, 1829), a species that lives in open, oligotrophic and stenohaline waters, exhibits slower growth rates and has a longer life span than other mugilids. A total of 1662 specimens ranging from 2.2 to 24.4 cm TL were obtained by beach seine in the eastern Adriatic Sea. The overall sex ratio was unbalanced in favour of females (1.0 : 1.3) and differed statistically from the expected 1 : 1. The reproductive season extended through summer and autumn. All specimens above 15 cm TL were sexually mature. Length-weight relationship for males was TW (g) = 0.010 × TL (cm)2.975 and TW (g) = 0.009 × TL (cm)3.014 for females. The age study comprised 150 (38.5%) males, 192 (49.4%) females, and 47 (12.1%) immature O. labeo, for a total of 389 individuals. Age of the fish was determined by scale readings, with the maximum age of 10+ observed for both sexes. A predominance of age classes 1+ and 2+ (71.0%) in the total catch was noted. Parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equation for combined samples were: L∞ = 25.93 cm, k = 0.192 year−1 and t0 = −1.427 year. The growth parameters showed that males grew at a slightly lower rate than females. The size and age frequency distributions of both sexes were not significantly different. When compared to other mugilids, O. labeo reaches the lowest maximum body length and has a relatively slower growth and a longer life span.Read More
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-12-13
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 2
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