Synopsis
Age and growth were studied inRhizoprionodon taylori using specimens caught in Cleveland Bay, North Queensland, Australia. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated using three different techniques: vertebral ageing, back calculation and length frequency. Vertebrae from 138 specimens were sectioned and narrow circuli counted to estimate age. Marginal increment analysis verified that circuli were produced annually in late summer, probably as a result of stress during the mating season. The oldest female was 7 and male 6 years old. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated from vertebral ageing data for males were tO = 0.410 yr, K = 1.337, L∞ = 652.2 mm, and for females tO = 0.455 yr, K = 1.013 and L∞ = 732.5 mm. Growth parameters determined by length frequency and back calculation techniques concurred with those from vertebral ageing. Growth of the 0+ age class was very rapid, averaging 140% of the size at birth in the first year. Males and females matured after only one year, the lowest age at maturity reported in the family Carcharhinidae. Annual growth increments decreased rapidly after maturity, and little growth occurred after three years.
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Simpfendorfer, C.A. Age and growth of the Australian sharpnose shark,Rhizoprionodon taylori, from north Queensland, Australia. Environ Biol Fish 36, 233–241 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001718
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001718