Abstract
This study analyzes the influences of environmental variables on the weight-length relationship of the penaeid shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri during nine consecutive years (2005 to 2013) in northern Rio de Janeiro State. The main questions raised are: i) Does species relative growth vary along time? and ii) How are the environmental variables sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a and/or organic matter related to the relative growth? For males, the long-term mean of the allometric coefficient stayed <3 (immature: 2.49; mature: 2.91), whereas for females they were >3 (immature: 3.08; mature: 3.10). The sine-consine models highlighted the wave T period in which the allometric coefficient values complete one cycle of increase-decrease: 4.72 years and 14.72 years for immatures female and male, respectively; and 9.08 years and 9.98 years for matures male and females, respectively. The relative growth behavior varies in a predictable time scale; however, none of the environmental variables strongly supported the variation. Changes in the relative growth behavior are probably drive by intrinsic mechanisms to maintain the population locally.
Highlights
The relative growth of animals is estimated through the morphometric relationships that involves weight and body length (King 2007)
The main questions raised are: i) Does species relative growth vary along time? and ii) How are the environmental variables sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a and/or organic matter related to the relative growth? Despite analyzing past data (2005 to 2013), the results allow understanding how the relative growth of an important target species from small-scale fishery may be or not affected by eventual changes in its habitat, which is relevant to fisheries management
To answer the first question raised in this study (Does species relative growth vary along time?) both weight and length data of each gender and maturity stage were log10transformed
Summary
The relative growth of animals is estimated through the morphometric relationships that involves weight and body length (King 2007) From these relationships, it is possible, for instance, to compare the life history at different spatial and temporal scales, to assess the population dynamics, to estimate the production and biomass of a given population and to estimate the average weight of individuals at a given length (Santos et al 2002, King 2007, Ferreira et al 2008, Severino-Rodrigues et al 2016). Changes in environmental conditions can affect the base of marine food chains and the availability of local resources (Lewandowska et al 2012) This may have an immediate impact on the shrimps’ growth, since they are secondary
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