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Traditional approaches to estimate length at first maturity ( L 50 ) retrieve better results than alternative ones in a Neotropical heptapterid
Author(s) -
Soares Bruno E.,
Barros Thiago F.,
Hashiguti Danielly T.,
Pereira Douglas C.,
Ferreira Karina C. F.,
Caramaschi Érica P.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/jfb.14505
Subject(s) - biology , maturity (psychological) , electrofishing , fish <actinopterygii> , population , fishery , statistics , ecology , demography , mathematics , psychology , developmental psychology , sociology
Length at first maturity ( L 50 ) is an important tool for the management and conservation of fish populations. Traditional approaches based on macroscopic and microscopic maturity staging exhibit high accuracy and precision, while alternative approaches ( e.g. , I g ‐based staging, stanza changing point) are less resource‐demanding. Herein, we compare four approaches to estimate L 50 in a population of the heptapterid Rhamdioglanis transfasciatus from Atlantic Forest streams. Fish were sampled monthly during a year by using electrofishing. We measured the length (cm), mass (g), and gonad mass (g) of each specimen, then classified their maturity status macroscopically and microscopically. Alternative approaches were strongly discordant from traditional ones. Logistic curves considering mature individuals as those displaying at least 1% of the maximum I g in the sample greatly underestimated L 50 for females and overestimated L 50 for males. The stanza changing point derived from the polyphasic growth model underestimated L 50 in both cases. Despite the increasing development of less onerous approaches, it seems that they are not suitable for all fish populations and the requirements to use such approaches demand further investigation.