Growth of Cobitis narentana Karaman, 1928 in the Neretva River, Croatia

Folia Biol (Krakow). 2003:51 Suppl:155-7.

Abstract

Age and growth of Cobitis narentana were examined in the delta of Neretva River in Croatia. Maximum observed length was 100.4 mm for females and 63.5 for males. Five age classes were determined, from 0+ to 4+. For both females (61.0%) and males (53.8%), the greatest proportion of specimens were in the 1+ age category. Growth was faster in males in the first year of life, while females grew at a faster rate than males after the first year. The Fulton condition factor was determined (CF=0.588 for males and CF=0.618 for females). The length-weight relationship was determined for females (W=8xl0(-5)L2.9325) and males (W=2x l0(-5)L2.6431). The parameter b was calculated as less than b=3.0, thus establishing that growth in both males and females was allometric. Growth rate was determined using the von Bertalanffy growth rate curves for females (Lt=101.1[ 1-e(-0.5(t-0.94)]; r2=0.99) and for males (Lt=65.3[1-e(-0.54(t-2.27)]; r2=0.97). The resulting growth rate coefficient (K) was found to be slightly higher in males (0.54) than in females (0.5).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biometry
  • Body Constitution*
  • Croatia
  • Cypriniformes / growth & development*
  • Rivers
  • Sex Factors