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Exploring Growth Patterns of Maurolicus muelleri across Three Northeast Atlantic Regions

Abstract

Maurolicus muelleri is an important component of mesopelagic ecosystems; nevertheless, we possess only limited knowledge about its biological features. We collected samples of M. muelleri from six scientific surveys between 2019 and 2021 in three geographical areas in the Northeast Atlantic waters (from South to North): the Bay of Biscay, the Celtic Sea, and the Norwegian Sea. Geographical variations in otolith growth, fish age, length, weight, and condition, as well as length–weight relationships and von Bertalanffy growth models (VBGMs), were investigated. Length-weight relationships revealed differences associated with the fish’s origin, paralleling the annual and daily otolith growth. VBGM parameters increased progressively northwards, in accordance with Bergmann’s rules. Fish length was positively related to the otolith radio, and Lee’s phenomenon was undetected. The impact of environmental variables, such as temperature and food availability, is debated, with these considered potential drivers of this variability. Populations may belong to separated units, either genetically or morphologically, representing differences in biological parameters as a signal of geographical divergence.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

  • Paula Alvarez
  • Naroa Aldanondo
  • Alina M. Wieczorek
  • Thibault Cariou
  • Guillermo Boyra
  • Eduardo Grimaldo
  • Webjørn Raunsgård Melle
  • Thor A. Klevjer

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Ocean / Fisheries and New Biomarine Industry
  • Marine Institute
  • Spain
  • UiT The Arctic University of Norway
  • Institute of Marine Research
  • National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd.

Year

2024

Published in

Fishes

Volume

9

Issue

7

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository