GROWTH OF ANCHOVY LARVAE ENGRAULIS RINGENS IN CENTRAL CHILE, DETERMINED BY DAILY INCREMENT COUNTS IN OTOLITHS

Abstract

Growth cates of anchovy larvae Engraulis ringens were determined in the Talcahuano zone (36°35'S), near to the southernmost limit of its geographical range of distribution. The ageing method used was daily ring counts in otoliths. Growth of otoliths is allometric in relation to larval size, and to age. A power and Schnute equations were the best fits for larval length as a function of age, in the size interval considered, bul we prefered to use the former because of its parsimony. E. ringens shows a low growth rate in the studied area, probably due to harsh environmental conditions.