Abstract
Abstract We counted annuli on otoliths, scales, anal fin rays, and anal fin spines of striped bass Morone saxatilis to determine precision of age estimates from several readers and relative accuracy of the estimates from the different structures. Our principal objective was to determine if estimates from scales, spines, and rays, which can be removed without harming the fish, were similar to those from otoliths. Among-reader variation was similar for spines, scales, and rays, and lowest for otoliths. Variation increased with fish total length (TL) for otoliths and scales. Age estimates from scales, spines, and rays were usually within 1 year of the otolith age estimate for striped bass shorter than 900 mm TL. However, for striped bass longer than 900 mm TL, estimates from spines and scales were lower than estimates from otoliths by averages of 1.6 and 3.0 years, respectively. Scales, spines, and rays can provide relatively accurate and precise age estimates for striped bass up to about 900 mm TL (age 10 f...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
