Age Validation from Otolith Growth Seasons
Determination of age for spotted sand bass from otolith growth zones with edge type analysis
Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences - Published 2005
Age and Growth of Spotted Sand Bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, in Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico, with Age Validation using Otolith Edge Analysis
Spotted sand bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, were collected from Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico covering as wide a size range as possible over four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter). Age was estimated and growth parameters calculated from growth zones counted in transverse otolith sections. An otolith edge analysis indicated an opaque growth zone was deposited once per year during the summer, validating the annual periodicity. Spotted sand bass from this region are fast growing with a relatively short life span of up to 11 years. Growth differs from the disjunct Pacific coast population by having a higher growth rate and a shorter longevity.
Andrews, A.H., Laman, E.A., Bennett, T., Jones, E. and Cailliet, G.M. 2005. Age and growth of the spotted sand bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, in Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja Norte, Mexico with age validation using otolith edge analysis. Bull. Southern California Acad. Sci. 104(1): 14-25.
Below is Figure 2 from the publication, a well-defined otolith showing the growth zone pattern that was counted for this species in otolith cross sections.
