Abstract: Age and growth estimation in fishes using bony structures usually presents some disadvantages in the analysis of growth rings due to the morphologic characteristics of the species. Therefore it is recommended to examine more than one structure through direct observation and by applying statistical methods. The objective of this study was to compare otoliths and cleithra of the grunt Haemulon steindachneri to validate adequate structures for determining the age and growth of the species. Two hundred and fifty specimens were used; the sample was captured by the handcrafted fleet of Southwest Margarita Island between September 2005 and April 2006. Otoliths and cleithra were removed from the animals and analysed with a magnification binocular glass and reflected light. The percentage of bony structures with clearly legible and non-legible growth rings was verified. Partial and total radiuses were measured, and the relation between the total length of the fish and the total radius of the structure was established. These parameters were used later to estimate the back-calculated lengths for each structure. A Fisher test was used to statistically compare the back-calculated average lengths of each group of age from otoliths and cleithra. The back-calculation did not present significant statistical differences (p> 0.05) between the four groups of age observed. The study concluded that both bony structures are statistically similar for age and growth studies of H. steindachneri. Otoliths are recommended as the appropriate structure for presenting easily removable and clearly visible growth rings without the need for any special treatment.
Keywords: Otolith, Cleithrum, Age, Growth, Haemulon steindachneri, Margarita Island, Venezuela.
Title: Comparison of Otoliths and Cleithra for Age and Growth Studies of the Grunt Haemulon steindachneri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) from Southwest Margarita Island, Venezuela
Author: Misael D. Morales, Leo W. González
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
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