Naslov
Age, Growth, and Utility of Otolith Morphometrics as Predictors of Age in the European Barracuda, Sphyraena sphyraena (Sphyraenidae): Preliminary Data

Autori
Ferri, Josipa ; Brzica, Anđela

Izvornik
Fishes (2410-3888) 7 (2022), 2; 68, 8

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
age ; growth ; otoliths ; morphometry ; Sphyraena sphyraena

Sažetak
Age and growth of the European barracuda, Sphyraena sphyraena, were determined by examining sagittal otoliths belonging to fish sampled in the eastern Adriatic Sea, as the northernmost region of the Mediterranean. A total of 113 specimens (59 females, 53 males, and one individual of indeterminate sex), ranging from 23.4 to 42.5 cm in total length, were analyzed. The maximum observed age was 5 years for both females and males, and this barracuda population was dominated by 3 year old fish. Growth was described by the von Bertalanffy growth curve (L∞ = 55.58 cm, K = 0.12 year−1, t0 = −4.29 year, R2 = 0.580), and the growth performance index (Φ’) was 2.57. Otolith length, width, and mass were measured, and the utility of these morphometrics as predictors of age in S. sphyraena was evaluated. The results showed that counting otolith annuli produced a better estimation of age than proposed linear models based on relationships between observed fish age and otolith morphometrics. In comparison with age and growth data available in the literature for S. sphyraena, our results from the Adriatic Sea provide more insights into the life- history traits of this species and can be used in the future effective management and conservation.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA