AGE AND GROWTH OF MEGRIM LEPIDORHOMBUS-BOSCII, RISSO OF THE PORTUGUESE CONTINENTAL COAST

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.