Age, growth and mortality of the Inshore Coarl Trout Plectropomus maculatus (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Central Great Barrier Reef, Australia

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
BP Ferrira ◽  
GR Russ
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Growth Curve ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Total Rate ◽  
Coral Trout ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Tetracycline Labelling

Age and growth of the inshore coral trout P. maculatus from the central Great Barrier Reef region was determined by studies of annuli in whole and sectioned sagittae. The periodicity of formation of the annulus was validated through tetracycline labelling of mark-recaptured fishes in the wild and of captive fishes in aquaria. Results obtained from three recaptured and five captive fishes showed that annuli are formed once a year during late winter and spring months. von Bertalanffy growth-curve parameters were L∞ = 60.00 cm SL, K= 0.206 and to = - 0.945 year. The oldest specimen examined was a 12-year-old male of 58 cm SL. The total rate of mortality (Z) was estimated to be 0.569.

scholarly journals Latitudinal and Cross-Shelf Patterns of Size, Growth and Mortality of a Tropical Damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus on the Great Barrier Reef

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kingsford ◽  
David Welch ◽  
Mark O'Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Spatial Models ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Outer Shelf ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Continental Shelves ◽  
Size Growth ◽  
Latitudinal Range

Patterns of age and growth of a sedentary damsel fish Acanthochromis polyacanthus were tested over a latitudinal range of approximately 10 degrees (1,200 km) on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Within latitudes these patterns were also compared on reefs across a continental shelf that ranged in width from 52 to 128 km. Although variation in length-max, growth, age-max and the von-Bertalanffy metrics of L, and K were found within and among latitudes, greatest variation in some demographic characteristics were found across the shelf regardless of latitude. Fish were always smaller at inner shelf reefs and grew more slowly when compared to mid and outer shelf reefs. The oldest fish collected was 11 years old and, there were no consistent variation in age-max among distances from shore. On outer reefs, there was a linear relationship with age-max and latitude. This ‘tropical gradient’ of age only explained 34% of the variation, further this was not found when the oldest 10% of fish were considered. Fish only reached an age-max of 6 years on the southern-most reefs. There was a trend for a smaller L with latitude but, it was not significant and L did not vary predictably with water temperature. The sampling of MPAs did not confound the resultant patterns. Instantaneous mortality rates were 0.245-0.685, highest at inner reefs and showed no consistent MPA-related patterns. Our study suggested that the mid and outer shelf waters of the GBR appeared best suited for growth of A. polyacanthus. In conclusion, position on continental shelves and related local environmental conditions needs to be considered in spatial models of growth.

A new species of Stephanostomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea, Acanthocolpidae) with a bizarre oral sucker: S. adlardi sp. nov. from the common coral trout Plectropomus leopardus (Lacepède, 1802) (Perciformes, Serranidae) from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef

2007 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney Bray ◽  
Thomas Cribb ◽  
Andrea Waeschenbach ◽  
D. Littlewood
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Oral Sucker ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Coral Trout ◽  
Lizard Island ◽  
The Common ◽  
Plectropomus Leopardus ◽  
A New Species

AbstractA new species of Acanthocolpidae, Stephanostomum adlardi is described from the serranid Plectropomus leopardus from Lizard Island in the northern Great Barrier Reef. It differs from all previously described acanthocolpids in the structure of the oral sucker which is extended into dorsal and ventral lobes each bearing a row of spines. A phylogenetic tree estimated from combined nuclear small and partial large ribosomal RNA gene sequences shows that, despite the unusual oral sucker structure, the species is a true member of the genus Stephanostomum. The molecular results also suggest that Monostephanostomum nolani is derived from within Stephanostomum.

Population estimates and size structure of Plectropomus leopardus (Pisces : Serranidae) in relation to no-fishing zones: mark-release-resighting and underwater visual census

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Zeller ◽  
G. R. Russ
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Visual Census ◽  
Underwater Visual Census ◽  
Coral Trout ◽  
Population Size Estimates ◽  
Lizard Island ◽  
Plectropomus Leopardus

A mark–release–resighting (MRR) technique was used to estimate population size of the coral trout, Plectropomus leopardus, on coral reefs fringing Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Fish were captured by hook-and-line fishing, and marked with individual freeze-brand numbers in August 1995. An underwater visual census (UVC) technique was used during September and October 1995 both for resighting of marked fish and to make an independent estimate of fish density and thus population size. The study area was 750 966 m2 . The UVC sampled 154 000 m2 (20.5%) of this area. Six different methods of analysis of MRR gave similar population size estimates (e.g. Petersen 12 873; 95% CI 9989–15 754) extrapolated to the 4.5 million-m2 reef area from datum to 20-m depth around Lizard Island. UVC gave a population size estimate (24 182; 95% CI 21 860–26 504) twice that of MRR. The lower estimate derived from MRR may be the result of tag-induced mortality, or of the relative difficulty in discriminating between marked and unmarked trout by UVC. This is only the second estimate of population size of coral trout on an area of the Great Barrier Reef.

Emergence of serranid pigment abnormality syndrome (SPAS) in wire netting cod (Epinephelus quoyanus) from Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 1201
Author(s):  
B. K. Diggles ◽  
I. Ernst ◽  
S. Wesche
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Course Of Disease ◽  
Coral Trout ◽  
Lower Jaw ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Causative Factors ◽  
Abnormal Pigmentation

Coral reefs worldwide are under increasing stress from anthropogenic impacts, but there are relatively few reports of increased rates of disease in coral reef fish. Herein we report the emergence of abnormal skin lesions in wild-caught wire netting cod (Epinephelus quoyanus) near Heron Island in the southern Great Barrier Reef. The lesion involves conspicuous darkening and disorganisation of the brown ‘wire netting’ colouration pattern typical of this species, most commonly on the lower jaw, premaxilla and head, with occasional involvement of the flanks and dorsal fin in some fish. The lesion was not present during research conducted in the mid-1990s; however, since it was first recorded in 2012, the prevalence of grossly visible lesions has increased to 16.9% in 2017, with fish >340mm long most affected (prevalence 64.7%). These data suggest emergence of the lesion is a recent phenomenon and that causative factors may be age related. Abnormal pigmentation lesions have only been observed to affect E. quoyanus and coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus; since 2010). Given the species affected and the currently unknown aetiology of these lesions, we name the condition serranid pigment abnormality syndrome (SPAS). Further research is required to determine its geographic distribution, establish causation and describe the course of disease in E. quoyanus.

Age and growth of jackass morwong (Nemadactylus macropterus Bloch & Schneider) in eastern Australian waters

1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Smith
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curve ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Significant Difference

N. macropterus, landed at the port of Eden, were sampled from July 1976 to June 1979. Saggital otoliths were used for age determination. A hyaline and an opaque ring were found to be formed during winter and summer. respectively. The growth of adult N. macropterus was adequately described by the von Bertalanffy growth curve. Females (K = 0.13, L∞ = 51.13) were found to grow faster, and to a greater age, than males (K = 0.17. L∞ = 45.50). No significant difference between sexes was apparent in the length-weight relationships.

Growth, mortality and recruitment rates of giant clams, Tridacna gigas and T. derasa, at Michaelmas Reef, central Great Barrier Reef, Australia

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Pearson ◽  
JL Munro
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Growth Curve ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Giant Clams ◽  
Tridacna Gigas ◽  
Annual Mortality

Growth, recruitment and mortality rates of a population of giant clams (Tridacna gigas and T. derasa) were monitored between 1978 and 1985 in a 2.7 ha study area on Michaelmas Reef, Great Barrier Reef. The initial 1978 census revealed the presence of 1166 T. gigas and 44 T. derasa. For T. gigas, the Fabens method provided growth-parameter estimates of L∞ = 85.7 cm, K = 0.07 and to = 0.732 year. The generated von Bertalanffy growth curve was a relatively poor fit to an empirical growth curve. A better description of growth was obtained for younger clams by using a forced value of L∞, = 80 cm, yielding K = 0.105 and to = 0.145 year. There was marked variability in the growth rate of individual clams, which has implications for the aquaculture industry. Average annual mortality rates in two census intervals (1978 to 1980-81 and 1980-81 to 1985) were 3.4 and 10.7% respectively. A comparison of the calculated size structure (assuming constant recruitment) with the observed size structure clearly suggested that recruitment was not constant and had declined drastically from a peak in the 1950s. For the much smaller population of T. derasa, the Fabens routine yielded estimates of L∞ = 46.91 cm, K= 0.108 and to = -0.188 year. The average annual mortality rate was 4.4%. Trends in recruitment could not be determined because of the small sample size. This study has highlighted the need for follow-up studies of this and other populations of giant clams if we are to understand more fully the processes of growth, recruitment and mortality in wild stocks and the implications for stock management and aquaculture.

scholarly journals Latitudinal and Cross-Shelf Patterns of Size, Age, Growth, and Mortality of a Tropical Damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus on the Great Barrier Reef

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kingsford ◽  
David Welch ◽  
Mark O’Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Spatial Models ◽  
Outer Shelf ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Color Morph ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Continental Shelves ◽  
Demographic Patterns ◽  
Negative Linear Relationship

Patterns of age and growth of a sedentary damsel fish Acanthochromis polyacanthus were tested over a latitudinal range of approximately 10 degrees (1200 km) on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Within latitudes, these patterns were also compared on reefs in distance strata (inner, mid, and outer) across a continental shelf that ranged in width from 52 to 128 km. Although variation in length-max (SLMAX), growth, age-max (AMAX), and the von Bertalanffy metrics of Linf and K were found within and among latitudes, the greatest variation in some demographic characteristics was found among distance strata across the shelf regardless of latitude. Fish were always relatively smaller at inner shelf reefs and grew more slowly when compared to mid and outer shelf reefs; this was true regardless of the color morph of fish. The oldest fish collected was 11 years old, and there was no consistent variation in age-max among distances from shore. On outer reefs, there was a negative linear relationship with age-max and latitude. This “tropical gradient” of age only explained 34% of the variation; furthermore, this was not found when only the oldest group of fish was considered (top 10%). Fish only reached an age-max of six years on the southernmost reefs. There was a trend for a smaller Linf with latitude but it was not significant and Linf did not vary predictably with water temperature. The sampling of marine protected areas (MPAs) and fished zones did not confound the resultant patterns in that fish were not consistently larger or older in MPAs or fished zones. Instantaneous mortality rates were 0.245–0.685; they were highest at inner reefs and also showed no consistent MPA-related patterns. Our study suggested that the mid and outer shelf waters of the GBR appeared best suited for growth of A. polyacanthus. In conclusion, the position on continental shelves dominated other geographical patterns and needs to be considered in spatial models of growth. We suggest that local environmental conditions such as turbidity and the quality and quantity of plankton likely have a strong influence on distance across the shelf-based demographic patterns of planktivores.

Age validation, growth and mortality rates of the tropical snappers (Pisces: Lutjanidae) Lutjanus adetii (Castelnau, 1873) and L. quinquelineatus (Bloch, 1790) from the central Great Barrier Reef, Australia

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Newman ◽  
DM Williams ◽  
GR Russ
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Age Validation ◽  
Differential Growth ◽  
Instantaneous Rate ◽  
Annulus Formation

The age and growth of Lutjanus adetii and L. quinquelineatus from the central Great Barrier Reef were determined from studies of annuli in sectioned otoliths (sagittae). The period of annulus formation was validated by oxytetracycline labelling of externally tagged fishes. For L. adetii, validation was obtained from tagged fishes that were recaptured after a minimum of 12 months at liberty, the first time this has been achieved for a Lutjanus species. A single opaque and translucent zone was formed once a year, with the opaque band (annulus) being formed during the winter months. Otolith weight was strongly correlated with age for both species. There was significant differential growth between the sexes in length-at-age and weight-at-age for both species, with males growing larger than females. The oldest individuals found were a male L. adetii of 24 years of age and a female L. quinquelineatus of 31 years of age. The shape of the growth curves were steep for the first few years and then became asymptotic. The annual instantaneous rate of natural mortality (M) was 0.235 for L. adetii and 0.154 for L. quinquelineatus, representing an annual survivorship of 79% and 86%, respectively. The protracted longevity and low natural mortality rates imply that both L. adetii and L. quinquelineatus are vulnerable to overfishing despite their small size.

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