Age Assessment and Growth Analysis of Mugilcephalus in the South Moroccan Atlantic | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Article 72, Volume 28, Issue 3, May and June 2024, Pages 1271-1286 PDF (882.28 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2024.362481 | ||
| Author | ||
| Nawal lamraouhi Lamraouhi et al. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study is the first exploration aimed at estimating the age of Mugilcephalus (grey mullet) in the southern Atlantic region of Morocco using otolithometry, a sclerochronological technique for analyzing growth rings in otoliths that were collected from 122 specimens from this region. The primary objective was to understand the correlations between age, weight, and length of individuals to unveil growth parameters necessary to implement species stock assessment models. This study exhibited five distinct age groups ranging from 4 to 8. The growth parameters were estimated for both sexes combined (L∞ = 949.21mm, K = 0.113, and t0 = -1.772), and the von Bertalanffy equation was Lt = 94,921* [1 - e-0.113 (t+1.7727)]. The growth performance index (φ′) was 5.93, and T max was 26.54 years. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between age and length growth equations for both sexes, indicating that growth rates accelerated to a peak before slowing. There is a nonlinear relationship between age and length increment. The independent samples t-test revealed no significant difference in mean weight between males and females. Age analysis and growth in weight and length provide the necessary elements to model growth and carry out sustainable management of the stock of this species. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Mugilcephalus; Growth; Otolith; Age; Otolithometry | ||
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