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Age and growth of the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier off the east coast of Australia |
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| Authors: | B J Holmes V M Peddemors A N Gutteridge P T Geraghty R W K Chan I R Tibbetts M B Bennett |
| Institution: | 1. School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia;2. Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries New South Wales, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, Australia;3. Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia;4. Office of Planning and Strategic Management, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, NSW, Australia |
| Abstract: | Total lengths (LT) at age and growth rates for south‐west Pacific Galeocerdo cuvier were estimated from vertebral growth‐band counts of 202 sagitally sectioned centra from 112 females (71–430 cm LT), 79 males (72–351 cm LT) and 11 of unknown sex. Captive growth data were also examined to complement vertebral age estimations. The sexes combined modelled growth coefficient (k = 0·08) was smaller than previously reported for G. cuvier populations elsewhere. Split‐band and narrow banding patterns were identified as potential sources of age underestimation in this species. |
| Keywords: | growth modelling life history vertebral ageing |