Sex-specific somatic–otolith growth relationship in two Gadidae |
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| Authors: | M Vallisneri † V Trotta S Cavicchi C Piccinetti ‡ |
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| Institution: | Department of Evolutionary Experimental Biology, University of Bologna, via Selmi, 3-40126 Bologna, Italy; and Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fishery, University of Bologna, Fano (PU), Italy |
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| Abstract: | Otolith and somatic mass of two Gadidae ( Merlangius merlangus and Trisopterus minutus ) were compared in order to analyse the sex-specific relationship between otolith and somatic growth at age. In the present study, otolith mass appeared a reliable indicator of age in both species. Otolith growth reflected somatic growth, but the relationship between these characters varied and differed between species and sexes. |
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| Keywords: | otolith growth sex-specific growth somatic growth |
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