R. Castilho et al., AGE AND GROWTH OF MEGRIM LEPIDORHOMBUS-BOSCII, RISSO OF THE PORTUGUESE CONTINENTAL COAST, Fisheries research, 16(4), 1993, pp. 339-346
The first study of age and growth of four-spotted scaldfish, more comm
only known as megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii, Risso), an important (by c
atch) species of the Portuguese trawl fishery from the Atlantic coast
is presented. The analysis was based on data obtained from a total of
609 specimens sampled between 1985 and 1986. Otoliths were used for ag
e determination. The Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated
using the non-linear fitting method: L(t) (females)=440 [1-e-0.14(t+1.
52)] and L(t)=375 [1-e-0.14(t+1.93)] for males. L(infinity) and t(o) v
alues are significantly different. The megrim grows allometrically (sl
ope of length-weight regressions > 3). Females live longer and gain we
ight at a faster rate than males. Differences in growth between sexes
become more apparent from the second year onwards.