Abstract
Annulus counts were compared between four sectioned levels of first dorsal-fin spines (D1–6) and anal-fin spines (A1–3) of Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax) caught in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The number of annuli observed in transverse sections varied significantly between spines of individual fish and between sections cut at varying distances along spines. Sections at levels ¼ and 1 condyle width (CW) of spines D4–6 and A3 displayed the greatest number of annuli and were not significantly different from one another. Pending validation of yearly periodicity of annulus formation, these sections could be used interchangeably in future age and growth studies on this species. The percentage of bone remodelling (vascularization) present within the central portion of fin-spine sections was negatively correlated with annulus counts. Vascularization affected the visibility of early formed annuli, which resulted in reduced counts and therefore ‘age’ estimates. Annulus counts were reduced in fin-spines D1–3, A1–2,...
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