Abstract
In the present study, sagittal otoliths of confirmed male and female specimens of the gulf toadfish Opsanus beta that were collected monthly over the course of a year from Biscayne Bay, Florida, U.S.A. were analysed. The timing and frequency of O. beta spawning seasons are reported by examination of the gonado-somatic index. The estimated ages of males and females ranged from < 1 year to 6 and 5 years, respectively. Strong sexual dimorphism in growth was apparent with von Bertalanffy parameter estimates for males of L ∞ = 393·8 mm, K = 0·30, t0 = 0·36 and females of L∞ = 201·1 mm, K = 0·79, t0 = 0·47. Comparison with previously published growth trajectories of the more northerly distributed conspecific Opsanus tau showed that O. beta males had a higher growth rate. Female O. beta and O. tau growth trajectories appear similar, with an indication that the former becomes asymptotic at least a year before the latter. Results are discussed in the context of temperature regimes, reproductive energy allocation and waste urea excretion in the two species.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1750-1761 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Fish Biology |
| Volume | 75 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Age determination
- Ureotely
- Von Bertalanffy growth
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aquatic Science
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cite this
Age and growth of the gulf toadfish Opsanus beta based on otolith increment analysis. / Malca, E.; Barimo, J. F.; Serafy, J. E.; Walsh, P. J.
In: Journal of Fish Biology, Vol. 75, No. 7, 01.11.2009, p. 1750-1761.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Age and growth of the gulf toadfish Opsanus beta based on otolith increment analysis
AU - Malca, E.
AU - Barimo, J. F.
AU - Serafy, J. E.
AU - Walsh, P. J.
PY - 2009/11/1
Y1 - 2009/11/1
N2 - In the present study, sagittal otoliths of confirmed male and female specimens of the gulf toadfish Opsanus beta that were collected monthly over the course of a year from Biscayne Bay, Florida, U.S.A. were analysed. The timing and frequency of O. beta spawning seasons are reported by examination of the gonado-somatic index. The estimated ages of males and females ranged from < 1 year to 6 and 5 years, respectively. Strong sexual dimorphism in growth was apparent with von Bertalanffy parameter estimates for males of L ∞ = 393·8 mm, K = 0·30, t0 = 0·36 and females of L∞ = 201·1 mm, K = 0·79, t0 = 0·47. Comparison with previously published growth trajectories of the more northerly distributed conspecific Opsanus tau showed that O. beta males had a higher growth rate. Female O. beta and O. tau growth trajectories appear similar, with an indication that the former becomes asymptotic at least a year before the latter. Results are discussed in the context of temperature regimes, reproductive energy allocation and waste urea excretion in the two species.
AB - In the present study, sagittal otoliths of confirmed male and female specimens of the gulf toadfish Opsanus beta that were collected monthly over the course of a year from Biscayne Bay, Florida, U.S.A. were analysed. The timing and frequency of O. beta spawning seasons are reported by examination of the gonado-somatic index. The estimated ages of males and females ranged from < 1 year to 6 and 5 years, respectively. Strong sexual dimorphism in growth was apparent with von Bertalanffy parameter estimates for males of L ∞ = 393·8 mm, K = 0·30, t0 = 0·36 and females of L∞ = 201·1 mm, K = 0·79, t0 = 0·47. Comparison with previously published growth trajectories of the more northerly distributed conspecific Opsanus tau showed that O. beta males had a higher growth rate. Female O. beta and O. tau growth trajectories appear similar, with an indication that the former becomes asymptotic at least a year before the latter. Results are discussed in the context of temperature regimes, reproductive energy allocation and waste urea excretion in the two species.
KW - Age determination
KW - Ureotely
KW - Von Bertalanffy growth
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=72249103616&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02426.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02426.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 20738646
AN - SCOPUS:72249103616
VL - 75
SP - 1750
EP - 1761
JO - Journal of Fish Biology
JF - Journal of Fish Biology
SN - 0022-1112
IS - 7
ER -