Comparison of Methods for Estimating Age, Growth, and Related Population Characteristics of White Crappies
- 1 November 1991
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in North American Journal of Fisheries Management
- Vol. 11 (4) , 492-498
- https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1991)011<0492:comfea>2.3.co;2
Abstract
Estimates of age and growth of the white crappie Pomoxis annularis in Mississippi were based on 2,162 sets of scales and otoliths and on 4,196 length samples. The maximum ages identified were 8 years from otoliths, 7 from scales, and 6 from length-frequency analysis with the computer program MIX. Ages assigned to scales and otoliths by two readers agreed 79 and 91% of the time, respectively. Ages assigned to scales and otoliths taken from the same fish agreed only 74% of the time. Ages determined from scale and otolith samples obtained from known-age white crappies disagreed because the scales had developed a false annulus. At age 1, but not at older ages, estimates of growth derived from otoliths were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than those derived from scales. Growth estimated from length-frequency modes was generally slower than that estimated from scales or otoliths, but it was significantly slower only at age 1. Unless length samples are obtained during the period of annulus formation, le...Keywords
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