Growth pattern and daily growth increment in lanternfish (Benthosema pterotum) of the Oman Sea

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Abstract

Lanternfish (Benthosema pterptum) is one of the most important fish species in the Oman
Sea. We randomly sampled 300 myctophids from different depths in spring and winter 2009
in the Oman Sea using mid-water trawls. Male to female sex ratio was 0.36:0.64. The thin
sections (60-80μm) of sagitta otoliths of the fish were prepared using polishing method. These
sections showed that increment growth rings of lanternfish otolith are formed daily and the
age condition is distinguishable on a daily basis. We found the life span of the species to be
short (with a maximum of 349 micro-increments counted) and probably less than a year. The
relationship between standard length (SL) and daily growth increment (D) was expressed as
the linear equation: SL=0.87D+12.37 (R2=0.97). The relationship between lanternfish weight
(W) and daily growth increment (D) was expressed as power equation: W=0.00003D1.754
(R2=0.95). Furthermore, morphometrical characteristics of otolith including otolith weight
and length and daily growth increment relationships were expressed as linear equation
(R2=0.96 and R2=0.83). The results showed that lanternfish growth rate were in the range
0.241mm/d-1 to 0.138mm/d-1 and decreased by body size and age in this range.
*Corresponding author

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Iranian Scientific Fisheries Journal
Volume 20, Issue 1
September and October 2011
Pages 147-160

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