GROWTH PARAMETERS AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE INDEXES FOR SOME POPULATIONS OF MARINE (, SILURIFORMES, )

Gonzalo Velasco* María Cristina Oddone**

Key words: Population dynamics, growth comparisons. Dinâmica de populações, comparações de crescimento.

Abstract

In order to allow growth comparisons and the indirect estimation of some of the von Bertalanffy growth model’s parameters (specifically K or L∞), growth parameters and growth performance index (Φ′) of 13 populations of 11 Ariidae are here presented and analysed. Some previously published data were re-analysed with non- linear regression procedures to ensure comparison. In general, these species attain large sizes slowly. Growth performance index (Φ′) for these 13 populations had values ranging from 2.487 to 3.254 with a mean value of 2.895.

Endereço dos autores: * Depto. Oceanografia, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG). C. P. 474, Rio Grande, RS, CEP 96201-900, Brasil. **Curso de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Campus Rio Claro - Av. 24 A, 1515, C.P. 199, Rio Claro, SP, CEP 13506-900, Brasil. Autor correspondente. E-mail: [email protected]

Acta Biologica Leopoldensia Vol. 26 Nº 2 julho/dezembro 2004 p. 307-313 308

Resumo

PARÂMETROS DE CRESCIMENTO E ÍNDICES DE PERFORMANCE DE CRES- CIMENTO PARA ALGUMAS POPULAÇÕES DE BAGRES MARINHOS (ACTINOPTERYGII, SILURIFORMES, ARIIDAE). Com o objetivo de permitir compara- ções entre populações e o cálculo indireto de alguns dos parâmetros de crescimento do modelo de von Bertalanffy (especificamente K ou L∞), os parâmetros de crescimento de 13 populações de 11 espécies de bagres semi-anádromos (Fam. Ariidae) são apresenta- dos e analisados. Alguns dados previamente publicados foram re-analisados utilizando procedimentos de regressão não-linear para permitir a comparação dos parâmetros en- contrados. Em geral, estes bagres alcançam grandes tamanhos crescendo lentamente. Os índices de performance de crescimento (Φ′) para estas 13 populações apresentaram valores entre 2,487 e 3,254, com um valor médio de 2,895.

Introduction

The Ariidae family (Pisces, Siluriformes) includes 14 genera and 120 species of tropical and sub-tropical marine (anadromous or semi-anadromous) catfishes. In general, these species attain large sizes, are long living, slow growing, have low fecundity and mouthbreed their eggs (Nelson, 1976; Rimmer e Merrick, 1982; Reis, 1986 a, Velasco et al., no prelo). Some of the species are targeted by industrial and artisanal fisheries and significantly contribute to the total regional production (Dmitrenko, 1975; Reis, 1986 b, c; Bawazeer, 1987; Froese e Pauly, 1996). For many of these fishery ∞ resources, growth parameters for the Von Bertalanffy model (L , K and t0) (Bertalanffy, 1976; Pauly, 1984; Moreau, 1987) have been estimated by several authors (Table I) since this population parameters are important to describe the species and also are inputs in several fishery production models (Sparre et al., 1989; Hilborn e Walters, 1992). Some age studies have been performed by analysing or spines’ annuli (year growth rings in these structures). Other studies, mainly in tropical countries, rely on length frequency data to estimate indirectly growth parameters. In all cases, age and growth parameters’ determination are time and capi- tal consuming techniques (for sampling, preparation and analysis of the age structures or length frequency data). However, these growth parameters are essential for managing the stocks (Pauly, 1984; Sparre et al., 1989; Hilborn e Walters, 1992). Since the asymptotic length (L∞) can be estimated from the maximum ∞ observed length (Lmax) by using TAYLOR’s equation L = Lmax/0.95 (Taylor, 1958, 309

1960; Sparre et al., 1989), the parameter K (growth constant or stress factor, according to Pauly, 1984) can be estimated using L∞ and the growth performance index Φ′(described below) (Pauly e Munro, 1984). This growth performance index also allows to compare different species’ growth in terms of length, assuming that the species grows according to the Von Bertalanffy model (Pauly e Munro, op cit.). The aim of this paper is to present the growth performance index Φ′ as a tool for growth comparison and as an alternative procedure to estimate some VON BERTALANFFY’s model growth parameters (L∞ or K) for the species of the Ariidae family.

Material and Methods

Published data on growth for 13 populations of 11 Ariidae species from different regions (Table I) were reviewed and reanalysed when possible, according to the availability of data in the literature. For thalassinus and Hexanematichthys guatemalensis, the data of mean length-at-age presented by ∞ the original authors were used to recalculate growth parameters (L , K and t0) by non-linear regressions, adjusted by least-squares using the Marquardt algorithm (Statgraphics Plus – Manugistics Inc.). For the remaining species the growth parameters are presented as published by the authors. The growth performance index was calculated according to the following formula (Pauly e Munro, 1984):

Φ′= Log(K)+2Log(L∞)

where K and L∞ are two parameters from the traditional VON BERTALANFFY growth function: the growth constant – or stress factor – and the asymptotic length, respectively (Pauly, 1984; Moreau, 1987; Sparre et al., 1989). Length data is generally presented as total length (LT), although some authors use standard (LS) or fork length (LF).

Results and Discussion

Growth parameters for the 13 Ariidae populations and the corresponding growth performance index (Φ′) are presented in Table I. The species here included inhabit waters of America, and Asia, representing quite well this Family. Values of Φ′ ranged from 2.487 (Arius spixii) to 3.254 (Arius dussumieri) with a mean value of 2.895 (SD: 0.213). 310 Froese e Pauly, 1996) Froese e Pauly,

apud Froese e Pauly, 1996) Froese e Pauly,

apud 1996) Froese e Pauly, )

apud Froese e Pauly, 1996) Froese e Pauly, (1986 Froese e Pauly, 1996) Froese e Pauly,

in press

apud . (

et al. apud

et al ) for 11 Ariidae catfish species (Valid ) for 11 Source Φ′ Φ′ Φ′ Φ′ Φ′ Φ′

2.487 Etchevers (1978) 0

- ) t -1 (year

K ) and growth performance index ( (cm)

0 ∞

L and t

K , ∞ India 102.70 0.17 -0.50India 3.254 e James (1989 Vasudevappa 82.00India 92.23* 0.21 0.10 -0.18 -0.79 3.150 Dan (1980 2.925 modified from Dmitrenko (1975)

L Brazil 118.60 0.04 -1.50 2.782 Velasco Kuwait 106.40 0.06 -2.10 2.860 Bawazeer (1987) Mexico 124.84* 0.07 -0.38 3.040 (1978) modified from Warburton Guinea 70.00*Guinea 0.14 65.00*Guinea -0.39 0.15 61.20* 2.842 -0.31 0.17 Conand, Camara e Domain (1995) 2.813 -0.28 Conand, Camara e Domain (1995) 2.806 Conand, Camara e Domain (1995) Indonesia 45.00 0.73 - 3.170 Dwiponggo 68.50 0.15Venezuela 29.86** - 0.34 2.847 N’jock (1990 Costa Rica 48.00 0.20 - 2.664(1980 Stephenson

Hexanematichthys Arius thalassinus barbus Notarius troschelii Arius dussumieri Arius heudelotii Arius latiscutatus Arius maculatus Arius parkii Arius tenuispinis Arius thalassinus

Arius heudelotii Arius spixii (cm) refers to fork length (LF) and ** to standard length (LS). Other cases refer total (LT). ∞ Species1) Region 13) 11) 11) 3) 5) 7) 10) 8) 9) 12) 4) 6) 2) guatemalensis

L TABLE I - Growth parameters ( species names listed according to www.fishbase.org, in alphabetical order). species names listed according to www.fishbase.org, * 311

The Ariidae family presents relatively high values of asymptotic length (L∞) and, as expected, low values of K, since these parameters are inversely correlated (Beverton e Holt, 1959; Pauly, 1984; Velasco et al., no prelo). Regarding the estuarine fauna, this catfishes are among the larger (Nelson, 1976; Rimmer e Merrick, 1982; Vieira e Castello, 1997) and the asymptotic length data showed here confirms this. In the particular case of Arius thalassinus’ parameters, data on mean length- at-age presented by Dmitrenko (1975) in his tables 2 and 5, differs from the mean length-at-age that can be calculated from his data in table 3. Growth parameters calculated for the first set of length-at-age data produced an estimate of L¥ too low for this species (55.5 cm) if compared with the data of the captured A. thalassinus the author presented and the same parameter calculated by Bawazeer (1987) (Table I). The value of K, on the other hand, was higher than the expected (0.19 year -1). However, the parameters calculated here with the second set of (original) data, produced more realistic results in view of the expected growth performance of Ariidae species (L∞=92.23, K=0.1). This set of parameters is shown in Table I. Comparisons of growth performance indexes calculated using different length measurements (LT, LF, LS), should be avoided. However, growth performance indexes obtained with different body length data would be around the same figure, in each case, and can be therefore used for comparison. According to Pauly e Munro (1984) related species present similar values of Φ′ and each taxa may have a particular distribution of values, different from other taxa, and can be described by its mean value, i.e. the value of this parameter for species from a particular family should be closer to its average than to the average value of another family, for example. Growth parameters for the species analysed are shown in the form of an auximetric grid (sensu Pauly, 1984) (Figure 1). The species’ data are distributed in an elongated cluster. The values for Arius maculatus and A. spixii, that presented particularly high values of K (A. maculatus, mainly) and low values of L∞, seemed rather different from all the other analysed species in this family (these two species are indicated by numbers 5 and 7 in Figure 1). These differences can be due to some inaccuracy when calculating growth parameters -since age determination is not an exact technique - or to real biological differences for this two species. Nevertheless, following the ideas of Pauly e Munro (1984) stated above and the representativity of the species included in the present paper, we believe the mean value presented can be used to describe this Family and calculate the parameter K for relative species when needed for stock assessment purposes. 312

FIGURE 1 – Auximetric grid showing data on L∞ and K of 13 populations of 11 Ariidae catfish species. Labels represent the number of the species in Table I.

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to the referee and the ABL’s editorial board for the suggestions and corrections. Prof. Dr. E. G. Reis provided useful literature.

References

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Recebido em 20/4/2004 Aceito em 22/9/2004