胶州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的摄食生态特征

根据2011年2-11月在胶州湾海域进行的4个季节的底拖网调查,共收集624尾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼样品进行胃含物分析,对其摄食生态进行了初步研究.结果表明:六丝钝尾虾虎鱼摄食的饵料种类有40余种,其中优势饵料生物有日本鼓虾、经氏壳蛞蝓和细螯虾等.其食物组成存在明显的季节变化,除在4个季节均大量摄食虾类外,春季主要摄食腹足类,夏季主要以鱼类为食,秋季主要摄食虾类,冬季摄食桡足类和端足类等小型甲壳生物的比例较高,这主要与胶州湾饵料生物种类和数量的季节性变化有关.随着体长的增长,六丝钝尾虾虎鱼摄食的饵料生物由小型的桡足类逐渐转变为个体较大的经氏壳蛞蝓、绒毛细足蟹和日本鼓虾等,食物组成呈现出明显的体长变化.典范对应分析(CCA)表明,水温和盐度是影响六丝钝尾虾虎鱼摄食的主要因素,其次是体长和pH.     

长江口盐沼植被生境内斑尾刺虾虎鱼食性特征

根据2015年5月至2016年4月在长江口东滩盐沼湿地水域采集的斑尾刺虾虎鱼样本数据,分析了该生境斑尾刺虾虎鱼的生物学和食性特征。结果表明:共采集到斑尾刺虾虎鱼186尾,其中6—8月采集的数量较高,而其他月份较低。约96%个体为幼体(平均体长109 mm),平均摄食等级为1.5。斑尾刺虾虎鱼主要摄食虾类(IRI(%)=69.05)、鱼类(IRI(%)=17.31)、蟹类(IRI(%)=11.51)和双壳类(IRI(%)=0.95)等11大类41小类饵料生物;虾类作为最重要的饵料类别,其生物量、数量和出现频次百分比均排列第一,以安氏白虾(Exopalaemon annandalei)、日本沼虾Macrobrachium nipponense)、长额刺糠虾(Acanthomysis longirostris)等虾类为主要饵料。鱼类饵料中,以大鳍弹涂鱼(Periophthalmus magnuspinnatus)、大弹涂鱼(Boleophthalmus valenciennes)等虾虎鱼科鱼类为主要饵料。各月平均饱满指数P(%)波动较大,6—11月呈逐渐增加趋势。随着体长的增加,饵料组成中鱼类的比例呈逐渐增高趋势,成体个体的饵料中鱼类的生物量比例达65%以上,虾类的比例则下降明显。6—8月斑尾刺虾虎鱼白天样本中鱼类饵料的重量百分比显著高于夜晚(P0.01),约是夜晚的8倍;但虾类则是夜晚显著高于白天(P0.01),约是白天的2倍,而蟹类饵料的昼夜差异不显著。从等级聚类(即组平均法)的分类方法可知,斑尾刺虾虎鱼各体长组食物组成在10%相似性水平上可分为3类,即41—60、61—180 mm和181—200 mm。从营养生态位宽度来看,41—60 mm体长组生态位宽度值为0.86,而61—120 mm体长组随着体长的增大而增大,但121—160 mm体长组生态位有所降低。盐沼生境丰富的饵料环境为斑尾刺虾虎鱼提供了良好的摄食场所,同时盐沼植被茂密的植株也可为幼体提供躲避捕食者的最佳庇护所,初步证明盐沼对于斑尾刺虾虎鱼具有重要的生境价值。     

基于线性混合模型研究海州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼摄食生态

随着我国近海多种传统经济渔业资源的衰退,六丝钝尾虾虎鱼已成为海州湾等海域的优势鱼种之一,并在海洋食物网中发挥着重要作用。本研究根据2011年和2013—2016年春季和秋季在海州湾及其邻近海域进行的渔业资源底拖网调查,基于线性混合模型研究了海州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的摄食习性以及影响其摄食的主要因素,并对其摄食策略进行分析。结果表明: 海州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼以虾类、双壳类、端足类等14个饵料生物类群为食,其中端足类、虾类、双壳类、蛇尾类是其主要的饵料类群。从饵料生物种类来看,六丝钝尾虾虎鱼摄食的饵料种类有37种,优势饵料生物有钩虾、细螯虾、独眼钩虾、彩虹明樱蛤和鲜明鼓虾等。线性混合模型分析表明,海州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的摄食强度受体长、水深、季节、底层盐度的显著影响,其中,摄食强度与水深和底层盐度呈显著负相关关系,而与体长呈显著正相关关系,且春季的摄食强度显著高于秋季。聚类分析表明,以体长70 mm为界,可将六丝钝尾虾虎鱼划分为食性差异较大的两个体长组,其摄食随体长的变化主要与自身摄食能力与饵料生物丰度的变化有关。摄食策略分析表明,六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的营养生态位具有较高的表型间成分,对食物的种内竞争较低。本研究将有助于揭示六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的生活史特征,并为其资源的可持续利用和科学管理提供参考依据。     

基于胃含物和稳定同位素研究海州湾长蛇鲻的摄食习性

长蛇鲻(Saurida elongate)为温水性近海底栖鱼类,是目前海州湾的优势鱼种之一,在海州湾食物网中占据重要地位。本研究基于海州湾底拖网调查采集的样品,结合胃含物分析和碳、氮稳定同位素技术,分析了长蛇鲻的摄食习性。结果表明: 海州湾长蛇鲻摄食的主要饵料生物为戴氏赤虾、枪乌贼、长丝虾虎鱼、鳀、六丝钝尾虾虎鱼、细条天竺鲷、尖海龙和绯鱼衔。其δ¹³C值范围在-19.39‰～-16.23‰之间,平均值为(-18.01±0.85)‰,与体长无显著相关性;δ¹⁵N值范围在9.56‰～13.36‰之间,平均值为(11.77±0.86)‰,与体长呈显著正相关。长蛇鲻不同体长组的饵料生物贡献度差异较大,随着体长增加,其捕食能力增强、摄食器官逐渐完善、摄食饵料生物的比例发生变化,可能是导致其摄食习性随体长变化的主要原因。本研究有助于深入了解海州湾长蛇鲻的摄食生态,为海州湾食物网营养动力学研究提供了基础资料。     

长江口东滩湿地斑尾刺虾虎鱼的栖息亚生境选择和食性差异

2015年7月至2016年6月每月在长江口东滩湿地西南水域的光滩、盐沼(以海三棱藨草为主)和潮沟3种亚生境进行斑尾刺虾虎鱼的样本采集,分析斑尾刺虾虎鱼的丰度和食性差异.结果表明:6—11月均采集到斑尾刺虾虎鱼样本,以幼鱼为主,其他月份未采集到.其中,7月采集数量最多,为71尾,11月仅采集到3尾.潮沟中共采集到93尾,分别是光滩和盐沼的5.2和4.9倍.6—11月斑尾刺虾虎鱼的平均体长和体质量均呈逐渐增加趋势.斑尾刺虾虎鱼主要摄食虾类、蟹类、昆虫类和多毛类等10大类30小类饵料生物.其中,虾类是最重要的饵料类别,并以安氏白虾等白虾属为主;蟹类以相手蟹属为主;昆虫类以小划蝽等蝽科昆虫成虫为主;鱼类饵料的质量百分比相对较高,但数量比例很低.不同亚生境斑尾刺虾虎鱼的饵料组成差异较大.7—11月斑尾刺虾虎鱼的摄食等级随体长增大而明显增大,秋末(11月)平均摄食等级可达3.不同亚生境间的斑尾刺虾虎鱼丰度差异与其摄食饵料不同有关.     

基于碳、氮稳定同位素研究胶州湾普氏栉虾虎鱼的摄食习性

普氏栉虾虎鱼属于小型暖温性底层鱼类,是胶州湾鱼类群落中的优势种之一,在胶州湾食物网和生态系统中发挥着重要作用.本文应用碳、氮稳定同位素技术,基于胶州湾渔业资源底拖网调查采集的样品,对普氏栉虾虎鱼的摄食习性进行了研究.结果表明: 胶州湾普氏栉虾虎鱼的δ¹⁵N值范围为11.24‰～13.99‰,平均值为(12.70±0.70)‰,δ¹³C值范围为-20.67‰～-18.46‰,平均值为(-19.08±0.36)‰;各体长组的营养级范围为3.49～3.76,平均营养级为(3.62±0.21),其δ¹⁵N值和营养级与体长呈显著负相关,δ¹³C值与体长无显著相关性.普氏栉虾虎鱼摄食的主要饵料生物类群为多毛类、虾类和软体动物,浮游动物和颗粒有机物(POM)的饵料贡献率较小.聚类分析结果表明,普氏栉虾虎鱼各体长组食物组成的相似性均在92%以上,相似性较高,说明其摄食习性随体长变化无明显差异.普氏栉虾虎鱼在胶州湾生态系统中属于中级消费者,其摄食各饵料生物类群比例的变化可能是其营养级与体长呈负相关关系的主要原因.     

长江口鮻矢耳石形态特征及质量与年龄的关系

为研究长江口鮻矢耳石形态特征及其质量与年龄的关系,2017年2—6月从长江口水域采集鮻358尾,解剖并提取耳石324对,并对其形态学参数进行测量分析.结果表明:鮻矢耳石具有基叶和翼叶,中央听沟明显,矢耳石的大小和形状随个体生长变化明显,矢耳石由边缘规则的圆润瓜子状渐变为褊窄的叶片状,边缘波浪状突起逐渐变多.矢耳石平均密度为1.52 mg·mm^-2,平均矩形趋近率为0.68,耳石长占其体长的0.021%~0.047%,耳石宽占其体长的0.009%~0.021%,耳石质量占其体质量的0.045‰~0.731‰.鮻矢耳石长(OL)、宽(OW)、质量(OM)均与体长呈显著相关,耳石宽与耳石质量函数关系式的决定系数(R^2)最高(0.928).耳石质量与体长(BL)最佳拟合方程为幂函数:OM=0.0009BL1.8737(R2=0.967);耳石质量与年龄(A)以及体长与年龄的最佳拟合方程为多项式:OM=2.9262A^2+4.8437A+2.1894(R^2=0.847);BL=-3.2248A^2+102.54A+38.373(R^2=0.858),矢耳石质量与年龄呈显著线性相关,用耳石质量与年龄关系估算的年龄与从耳石上直接读取的年龄无显著差异,矢耳石质量可以作为鉴定鮻年龄的有效辅助手段.     

渤海鱼类食物关系的初步研究

本文材料取自1982年4月—1983年5月在渤海逐月进行的拖网探捕调查。共分析了54种鱼的1,863个胃。用3个指标确定各种饵料在鱼类食谱中的重要性:(1)重量百分比(W);(2)尾数百分比(N);(3)出现频率(F)。根据3个指标计算每种饵料的相对重要性指标:IRI=(N+W)·F。按照IRI的大小,渤海的鱼类大体上可分成5个类群:(1)浮游动物食性;(2)浮游和底栖动物食性;(3)底栖动物食性;(4)底栖和游泳动物食性;(5)游泳动物食性。这些龟类按Odum和Heald的方法可分成3个营养级:(1)低级肉食性鱼类;(2)中级肉食性鱼类;(3)高级肉食性鱼类。 在渤海饵料生物中,起主要作用的是浮游动物、鼓虾、短尾类、尖尾鰕虎鱼、钝尖尾鰕虎鱼和(鱼是)鱼.根据主耍饵料,渤海鱼类可以分成5个类群:(1)以黄盖鲽为代表,它们主食腔肠动物、多毛类和棘皮动物;(2)以鳎类为代表,主食鼓虾和短尾类;(3)以鳐类、石首鱼类为代表,主食鼓虾和钝尖尾锻虎鱼;(4)以(鱼是)鱼为代表,主食浮游动物;(5)以牙鲆为代表,主食鱼类。5个类群之间,仅第2、3两个类群在鼓虾上有食物竞争。 在除掉渤海湾、辽东湾及5米以内浅水区外的调查海区内的54种鱼1863个消化道中,仅发现8尾对虾,它表明对虾几乎没有被其它鱼类捕食。对近岸及各湾的幼体和仔、幼虾来说,可能并非如此,需要进行专门的调查后才能弄清。     

基于碳、氮稳定同位素技术研究象山港虾虎鱼类营养生态位

以象山港水域9种虾虎鱼为研究对象,利用稳定同位素技术分析虾虎鱼类的营养生态位和种间竞争关系。结果表明:所测样品δ13C值和δ15N值的变化范围分别为-20.4‰~-12.7‰和6.7‰~14.5‰,不同种类样品的δ15N值和δ13C值均存在显著差异;象山港虾虎鱼类营养层次整体较低,多数种类在该生态系统中起到次级消费者的作用;舌虾虎鱼(Glossogobius giuris)、矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)和六丝钝尾虾虎鱼(Amblychaeturichthys hexanema)的营养生态位宽幅相对较大,而小头栉孔虾虎鱼(Ctenotrypauchen microcephalus)、绿斑缰虾虎鱼(Amoya chlorostigmatoides)和纹缟虾虎鱼(Tridentiger trigonocephalus)等营养生态位宽幅相对较小;象山港虾虎鱼类营养生态位重叠严重,小头栉孔虾虎鱼-孔虾虎鱼(Trypauchen vagina)、髭缟虾虎鱼(Tridentiger barbatus)-纹缟虾虎鱼等之间存在激烈的营养生态位竞争。     

东海带鱼和小型鱼类空间异质性及其空间关系

根据2001年秋季东海区121个调查站位的调查资料,以变异函数为工具,分析带鱼和7种小型鱼类(黄鲫、棘头梅童鱼、鳄齿鱼、六丝钝尾虎鱼、发光鲷、七星底灯鱼和细条天竺鲷)的空间异质性及其空间关系.结果表明,带鱼的变异函数曲线与细条天竺鲷、六丝钝尾虎鱼和发光鲷的曲线极为相似,对不同距离的变异函数值进行相关分析,带鱼与上述3种小型鱼类均达到极显著相关水平(P<0.01).黄鲫和棘头梅童鱼的变异函数表现出纯金块效应,而其它几种鱼都可拟合为球状或指数模型,并且都具有较强的空间自相关特性,其中细条天竺鲷、六丝钝尾虎鱼和发光鲷的变程也都接近或超过带鱼265km的变程,带鱼与这3种小型鱼类之间具有较强的空间追随关系,因此它们是带鱼的主要摄食对象.     

Sexual dimorphism in the otolith shape of shi drum,Umbrina cirrosa (L.), in the eastern Mediterranean Sea: Fish size–otolith size relationships

Little is known about possible differences in sagitta otolith size and shape between sexes of the shi drum, Umbrina cirrosa, and relationships between their body and otolith size. Thus, this study aimed to fill this knowledge gap via examination of 414 sagittal otoliths from 108 male (total length 13.8–26.8 cm) and 99 female (13.5–26.7 cm) U. cirrosa caught between May 2017 and April 2018 in gillnets set at a depth of ~15 m in Mersin Bay, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. No statistical differences were observed between the shape indices of the left-sided and right-sided sagitta. However, there were significant differences in the size and shape of otoliths between males and females. The slopes of allometric power functions from otolith width × fish sizes gave significant differences between males and females (ANCOVA, P < 0.05). The relationship for length × weight of otoliths from both males and females showed isometric growth, whereas the relationship of otolith width × otolith weight showed positive allometry. Negative allometric growth was observed for the relationship otolith length × otolith width. In summary, this study revealed the presence of sexual dimorphism in the otolith shape of U. cirrosa, and the data on regression relationships of fish-otolith sizes can be used to estimate fish size from U. cirrosa otolith sizes.     

Relationships between fish and otolith size of nine deep‐sea fishes from the Andaman and Nicobar waters,North Indian Ocean

The study presents for the first time the otolith morphology of nine species of deep‐sea fishes. This study was based on sampling carried out on‐board FORV Sagar Sampada (Cruise No 349) during March‐April 2016, along the continental margin of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal using high speed demersal trawl. Unbroken (complete) otoliths from Polymixia fusca Kotthaus, 1970, Neoepinnula orientalis (Gilchrist & von Bonde 1924), Chlorophthalmus nigromarginatus (Kamohara, 1953), Cubiceps baxteri (McCulloch, 1923), Bembrops caudimacula (Steindachner, 1876), Neoscopelus microchir (Matsubara, 1943), Ostracoberyx dorygenis Fowler, 1934, Synagrops japonicus (Döderlein, 1883), and Bathyclupea hoskynii Alcock 1891) were used for this study. Length–weight relationships (LWR) and the regression between otolith size (width, weight, area and perimeter) and fish length (TL) of nine deep‐sea Fishes were considered. Numerical relationships derived from the relationship between otolith size and the fish can be used as predictors to estimate the prey size as well as to understand trophic relations and food web dynamics of these hitherto unexamined deep‐sea ichthyofauna. LWR showed negative allometric otolith growth in five species; four species showed positive allometric growth. Otolith size to fish size (TL) relation is explained by a simple linear regression considering otolith width (OW), otolith weight (OWe), otolith area (OA) and otolith perimeter (OP). Stronger r² values (>.76) indicate robustness, except for Cubiceps baxteri (r² = .65), and give better estimates for the TL of the fish.     

Relationships between fish size and otolith size of four bathydemersal fish species from the south eastern Arabian Sea,India

The objective of this study was to estimate a prey body size from the hard parts (e.g. otoliths) of a fish species frequently found in the guts of predators. Length–weight relationships between otolith size (length, height, weight and aspect ratio) and fish size (total length and weight) were determined for four fish species captured in the Arabian Sea by bottom trawl (2015 survey on‐board FORV Sagar Sampada, 200–300 m depth), off the west coast of India: Psenopsis cyanea, Pterygotrigla hemisticta, Bembrops caudimacula and Hoplostethus rubellopterus. No significant differences were noted between the size of the left and right otoliths (t test) in any of the four species. The length–weight relationship of the otolith in all four species showed a negative allometric growth pattern (t test, p < .05). The data fitted well to the regression model for otolith length (OL), otolith height (OH) and otolith weight (OW) to total length (TL) and total weight (TW). Results showed that these relationships are a helpful tool in predicting fish size from the otoliths and in calculating the biomass of these less‐studied fish species during feeding studies and palaentology.     

Relationships between total length and otolith measurements for 36 fish species from Gökçeada Island,Turkey

The relationships between fish total length and otolith measurements (OL, OW and OR) were described by means of allometric power equation for 36 fish species from Gokceada Island, Turkey. Regressions were also estimated at genus level. A total of 14364 specimens were collected monthly using beach seine (0–2 m) and beam trawl (5–20 m) from June 2013 to June 2014. Generally, the otolith length showed the highest correlation for predicting fish total length. This paper represents the first relationships between otolith morphometrics and fish total length for 12 species. These relationships can be useful for researchers who examining stomach contents of piscivorous predators.     

两种生态相关猎物鱼个性的种间差异及其捕食者效应

为探究不同猎物鱼个性的种间差异及其捕食者效应, 实验以乌鳢(Channa argus)为天然的捕食者, 选取自然界通常形成混合种群的高体鳑鲏(Rhodeus ocellatus)和麦穗鱼(Pseudorasbora parva)作为猎物鱼, 设置有捕食者和无捕食者处理组开展同质园实验; 之后, 分别测定了经历捕食环境处理的两种猎物鱼的探索性、活跃性和勇敢性3类个性特征, 分析两种猎物鱼个性特征的种间差异及其环境依赖性。结果发现: (1)高体鳑鲏和麦穗鱼个性存在显著的种间差异, 不管是否经历捕食者处理, 高体鳑鲏的探索性、活跃性和勇敢性均显著强于麦穗鱼(P<0.05); (2)捕食者处理导致高体鳑鲏和麦穗鱼探索性和勇敢性有增强的趋势, 但对二者的活跃性均无显著影响(P>0.05); (3)捕食者处理弱化了高体鳑鲏和麦穗鱼不同个性特征的种间差异, 强化了各自不同个性特征的偶联。结果提示: 两种猎物鱼个性特征的种间差异显著且均具有捕食者效应, 有捕食者环境下两种猎物鱼个性特征的种间差异变小, 表现出趋同化适应的趋势。     

Lesser Sandplover,Charadrius mongolus,in Turkey

Sagittal otoliths are widely used to determine taxon, age and size of the teleost fishes, and are useful tools for studies of prey-predator relationships, population dynamics and ichthyo-archaeology. They can also be used to estimate the size of the prey. We examined the relationships between otolith measurements (length, height and weight) and fish size (total length and weight) for two species of Argentinidae (Argentina sphyraena and Glossanodon leioglossus) from the Southern Aegean Sea, Turkey. Length, height and mass of sagittae were shown to be good indicators for the length and weight of fish in both species. Glossanodon leioglossus has relatively larger sagittae than Argentina sphyraena. Linear and exponential functions provided the best fit for relations between otolith and fish measurements. No significant differences were found between left and right otolith sizes.     

溪流大小及其空间位置对鱼类群落结构的影响

2008年10月和2009年10月分别对黄山地区阊江流域与青弋江流域1-3级浅水溪流中鱼类群落结构进行了研究,着重探讨了溪流大小及其空间位置对鱼类群落空间分布的影响。研究共捕获35种鱼类,阊江和青弋江分别为26和29种,其Jaccard相似性系数为57.1%;两流域间每样点的物种数差异显著,个体数差异极显著。在溪流级别梯度(1-3级)下,鱼类的物种数和个体数都呈上升的变动趋势,且物种数的变化相对个体数较显著。综合相关分析、逐步多元回归分析与典范相关分析的结果,阊江和青弋江中鱼类物种数的空间变化主要与下游量级相关,而个体数的空间变化主要与水宽相关。因此,阊江和青弋江1-3级浅水溪流中鱼类群落结构的空间分布格局是溪流大小和空间位置的共同作用结果,且溪流大小和空间位置分别决定鱼类的个体数与物种数的空间分布。       

珠江口棘头梅童鱼耳石的生长特性

研究了棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)耳石的形态参数、生长特性及其与鱼体生长的关系,选用左矢耳石为研究对象,用直线、对数、多项式、幂函数和指数函数拟合矢耳石各参数的生长关系式,依据耳石日轮鉴定了日龄。结果表明,体长范围为29.8～104.0 mm的棘头梅童鱼矢耳石的长直径随鱼体生长而增大,但短直径与长直径的比值以及长直径方向上的短半径与长半径的比值则基本稳定。矢耳石的长、宽和重之间,以及长半径和短半径之间均呈显著的幂函数相关关系;矢耳石生长与鱼体生长的关系中,矢耳石长、宽、厚、重与长半径和体长、体重之间的关系,除了体长与耳石厚的关系为显著的二次多项式外,全部呈显著的幂函数相关关系。     

Biometric relationships between body and otolith measurements in nine demersal fishes from north‐eastern Tasmanian waters,Australia

Relationships between fish and otolith measurements were analyzed in nine demersal fishes from the north‐eastern Tasmanian waters: Foetorepus calauropomus, Trachurus declivis, Parequula melbournensis, Neosebastes scorpaenoides, Platycephalus aurimaculatus, Platycephalus bassensis, Platycephalus conatus, Lepidotrigla mulhalli and Lepidotrigla vanessa. The values of exponent b from the relationships between fish weight and fish total length, total length and otolith length, total length and otolith width, and fish weight and otolith length were estimated. All above relationships were statistically significant. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the effect of the categorical factor of species in the fish length and otolith length relationship. Significant differences in fish length and otolith length relationship between species were highlighted in both gurnards and flatheads. Results from this study will provide novel information on quantitative biometric relationships between body and otolith measurements of fish species in Australian waters.     

Variability in fish size/otolith radius relationships among populations of Chinook salmon

Back-calculation of growth trajectories from otolith microstructure is a valuable tool for understanding mechanisms underlying variability in growth among fish populations. We analyzed fish length/otolith radius relationships for Snake River spring/summer Chinook and Snake River fall Chinook salmon, listed as separate “Evolutionarily Significant Units” (ESUs) under the US Endangered Species Act, to determine whether these ESUs shared relationships. In addition, we analyzed otoliths from seven separate populations within the Snake River spring/summer Chinook ESU to assess the variability in relationships among populations, which are much more closely related than ESUs. We also examined several potential functional forms for the equations. We found that the separate ESUs had significantly different fish length/otolith radius relationships, but that variability in otolith growth rate could not explain the difference. Relationships among populations within the spring/summer Chinook ESU did not vary nearly as much as those between ESUs. The quadratic model and the power model fit the data equally well, and constraining these models to pass through a biological intercept (estimated fish length and otolith radius at hatching) resulted in only a slight decrease in model fit. To test the ability of the models to back-calculate fish lengths, we predicted the length at tagging for 17 PIT-tagged fall Chinook that were measured at release and at recapture. The back-calculation demonstrated little bias (<1 mm FL, on average) and relatively small standard deviation (～3.5 mm) for the best model. When we repeated the back-calculation with data from both ESUs combined, bias increased substantially (to 15 mm FL), demonstrating the importance of determining the proper taxonomic level at which to combine data within a species.