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Age, growth, biological and ecological aspects of Remora osteochir (Echeneidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2015

P. Battaglia ,
A. Potoschi ,
M. Valastro ,
F. Andaloro  and
T. Romeo
P. Battaglia*
Affiliation:
ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy
A. Potoschi
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres Salita Sperone, 31–98166, Messina, Italy
M. Valastro
Affiliation:
Aquastudio, Via Trapani 6, 98121 Messina, Italy
F. Andaloro
Affiliation:
ISPRA, STS Palermo, via Salvatore Puglisi 9, 90143 Palermo, Italy
T. Romeo
Affiliation:
ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy
*
Correspondence should be addressed to:P. Battaglia, ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy email: pietro.battaglia@isprambiente.it
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Abstract

This paper provides for the first time data on age and growth of Remora osteochir, also describing its sagittal otolith together with other biological and ecological aspects. Overall, 236 individuals of marlin sucker were collected in the southern-central Mediterranean Sea, from 2008 to 2009. All samples were hosted by the Mediterranean spearfish, Tetrapturus belone, caught by surface longline and harpoon. Analysis of gonads identified a reproductive peak during June and July. The estimated growth parameters according to the von Bertalanffy equation were: L∞ = 27.37 cm TL, k = 0.248 year−1, t0 = −1.36 year. The length-weight relationship, computed by using eviscerate weight, highlighted an isometric growth for both sexes, as supported by the other results: similar sizes, growth curves and disc length-total length relationship.

Keywords

ageotolithsgrowthRemora osteochirEcheneidaeMediterranean Sea
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 96 , Issue 3 , May 2016 , pp. 639 - 645
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2015 

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