Age estimation and growth of the zebra seabream Diplodus cervinus cervinus (Lowe, 1838) on the Canary Islands shelf (Central-east Atlantic)

The zebra seabream, Diplodus cervinus cervinus, is one of the most important coastal demersal species inhabiting in the Canary Islands. Growth analysis revealed that this species is a slow growing and a long-lived species, with ages of up to 17 years. Each translucent zone in the otoliths represented an annulus with a year's growth represented by an opaque and its adjacent hyaline zone. Length at age was described by the specialised von Bertalanffy growth model (L-infinity = 594 mm, k = 0. 156 year 1, and to = -0.188 year), the Schnute growth model (y(1) = 98 mm; y(2) = 565 mm; a = 0.131; b = 1.158) and the seasonalised. von Bertalanffy growth model (L-infinity = 594 mm; k = 0.156 year(-1); t(0) = -0.095 year; C = 0.639; t(s) = 0.818). A power relationship (a = 45.82 and v = 1.2414) was estimated between total length and the otolith radius. Backcalculated length were similar tu those predicted by the growth models. Growth parameters estimated from the backcalculated sizes at age were L-infinity = 612 mm; k = 0.152 year(-1); t(0) = -0.32 year. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.