Bayesian hierarchical model used to analyze regression between fish body size and scale size: application to rare fish speciesZingel asper

Abstract

Key-words: hierarchical Bayes model, backcalculation, fish, scales, Zingel asper Back-calculation allows to increase available data on fish growth. The accuracy of back-calculation models is of paramount importance for growth analysis. Frequentist and Bayesian hierarchical approaches were used for regression between fish body size and scale size for the rare fish species Zingel asper. The Bayesian approach permits more reliable estimation of back-calculated size, taking into account biological information and cohort variability. This method greatly improves estimation of backcalculated length when sampling is uneven and/or small.