Age estimation and growth of the zebra seabream Diplodus cervinus cervinus (Lowe, 1838) on the Canary Islands shelf (Central-east Atlantic)

Abstract

The zebra seabream, Diplodus cervinus cervinus, is one of the most important coastal demersal species inhabiting in the Canary Islands. Growth analysis revealed that this species is a slow growing and a long-lived species, with ages of up to 17 years. Each translucent zone in the otoliths represented an annulus with a year’s growth represented by an opaque and its adjacent hyaline zone. Length at age was described by the specialised von Bertalanffy growth model ( L ∞=594 mm, k=0.156 year −1, and t 0=−0.188 year), the Schnute growth model ( y 1=98 mm; y 2=565 mm; a=0.131; b=1.158) and the seasonalised von Bertalanffy growth model ( L ∞=594 mm; k=0.156 year −1; t 0=−0.095 year; C=0.639; t s=0.818). A power relationship ( a=45.82 and v=1.2414) was estimated between total length and the otolith radius. Backcalculated length were similar to those predicted by the growth models. Growth parameters estimated from the backcalculated sizes at age were L ∞=612 mm; k=0.152 year −1; t 0=−0.32 year.