Short Communication

Determining the most suitable method of otolith preparation for estimating the age of tigerfish, Hydrocynus vittatus in the Pongolapoort Dam, South Africa

Published in: African Zoology
Volume 48 , issue 1 , 2013 , pages: 187–192

DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2013.11407582

Author(s): M. Soekoe Department of Zoology, South Africa , F. H. van der Bank Department of Zoology, South Africa , N. J. Smit North-West University, Potchefstroom

Keywords: age , asterisci , lapilli , otolith , tigerfish

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Abstract

This study compares sectioned and whole lapillus and asterisci otoliths as suitable structures for ageing tigerfish, Hydrocynus vittatus. Fifty tigerfish were collected from the Pongolapoort Dam, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Growth zone counts on sectioned lapilli showed the greatest percentage agreement (52%) and highest precision (APE = 4.77%, CV = 6.20%). Growth zone counts were symmetrically distributed between structures (Bowker's tests P > 0.125). Between-reader analysis also showed sectioned lapilli to have the highest percentage agreement (68%) and best precision (APE = 5.55%, CV = 7.85%).

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