Memorial University DAI: Back-calculation of the growth of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the Canadian Northwest Atlantic from measurements of otoliths

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Title	Back-calculation of the growth of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the Canadian Northwest Atlantic from measurements of otoliths
Author	Winters, G. H.
Description	Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1969. Biology
Date	1969
Pagination	98 leaves : ill., maps
Subject	Capelin--North Atlantic Ocean
Degree	M.Sc.
Degree Grantor	Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Biology
Discipline	Biology
Language	Eng
Spatial Coverage	North Atlantic Ocean
Temporal Coverage	20th Century
Notes	Bibiography: leaves 80-88.
Abstract	The otolith radius-fish length relationship in capelin is shown to take the form of an heterogonic curve with an inflexion point occurring at the size of maturity for both sexes. This relationship changes with sex, age and maturity. A linear relationship between otolith radius and fish length, as determined by regression analyses, was found to exist only within an age-group. This necessitated the use of separate equations for back-calculating the lengths of each age. Growth curves of Trinity Bay capelin, as constructed from back- calculated lengths, indicated that male capelin grow faster than female capelin up to the age at maturity after which the growth rates remain the same. Inferences about age at first maturity of Trinity Bay capelin are made from otolith-age curves which suggest that capelin normally spawn more than once. Growth compensation in its typical form and Lee's phenomenon are shown to exist in capelin and reasons are given for their presence. It is suggested that growth compensation in capelin is not only acquired from the growth patterns of the different age-groups but is also an inherent feature of its growth. -- The method of ageing Trinity Bay capelin from otoliths is validated and the embryonic nucleus or larval check ring is described from the otoliths of larval capelin. Comparison of the otoliths of capelin from various regions of the northwest Atlantic indicates that there is a distinct decrease in the size of the first annulus from south to north. The otolith radius-fish length relationships of capelin from various regions of the northwest Atlantic are compared by age, sex and maturity. No consistent differences were apparent except those created by local variations in growth rate and maturity. Growth rates of capelin from the Bay of Fundy to northern Labrador are compared from otolith radius-age curves and length-at- age curves. The Bay of Fundy capelin are characterized by a fast growth rate, early maturity and small maximum size; the Labrador capelin are slow-growing, mature later and have a large maximum size; Newfoundland capelin are shown to be intermediate in growth rate. Reasons for these differences are discussed in relation to the hydrography of the area under consideration.
Type	Text
Resource Type	Electronic thesis or dissertation
Format	Image/jpeg; Application/pdf
Source	Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries
Local Identifier	76006413
Rights	The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
Collection	Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Scanning Status	Completed
PDF File	(5.14 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Winters_GeorgeH.pdf
CONTENTdm file name	46722.cpd