Age structure and growth by otolith interpretation of Mullus surmuletusL. from the North-west Moroccan Mediterranean Coast
By: Maryam E.L. Bakali, Mostafa Talbaoui, Abdenbi Bendriss
Key Words: Mullus surmuletus, North-west Moroccan Mediterranean coast, Otoliths, Age, Growth.
J. Bio. Env. Sci. 9(3), 143-157, September 2016.
[Generate Certificate]Abstract
Age and growth of the striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) were studied by examination of growth increments within otoliths of 2033 specimens caught between March 2007 and February 2009 from the North-west Moroccan Mediterranean coast. The values of slope in length-weight relationships were calculated as 3,173 for males and 3,178 for females. Marginal increment analysis showed an annual periodicity of increment formation. The parameters of L∞, K and t0were calculated for males as 35,64 cm, 0,13 year-1 and -2,17 year and for females as 39,40 cm, 0,19 year-1and -1,03 year, respectively. There was significant differential growth between sexes; females attained greater length at age values than males.
