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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 58(12)

Rapid changes in life-history characteristics of a long-lived temperate reef fish

Philippe E. Ziegler A B , Jeremy M. Lyle A , Malcolm Haddon A and Graeme P. Ewing A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Marine Research Laboratories, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 49, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: pziegler@utas.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 58(12) 1096-1107 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF07137
Submitted: 26 July 2007  Accepted: 5 November 2007   Published: 13 December 2007

Abstract

Banded morwong, Cheilodactylus spectabilis, a long-lived sedentary temperate reef fish, has undergone rapid changes in its growth and maturity characteristics along the east coast of Tasmania, Australia. Over a period of 10 years, growth of young males and females has consistently accelerated, such that in 2005, 3-year-old fish were up to 40 mm or 13% longer compared with 1996, and age at 50% maturity for females had declined from 4 to 3 years. The magnitude and speed of the observed changes were unexpected given the species’ longevity (maximum age of over 95 years). The underlying mechanisms for the changes remain unclear but density-dependent responses to changes in population size and age composition, possibly mediated through reduced competition for shelter and intra-specific interactions, may have been contributing factors. Increasing sea surface temperatures over part of the period of change does not appear to have been a major driver and a genetic response to fishing seems unlikely. Notwithstanding any uncertainty, C. spectabilis populations have become more productive in recent years, challenging the general approach towards stock assessment where life-history characteristics are assumed to remain stable across contrasting levels of stock abundance and environmental conditions.

Additional keywords: age structure, Cheilodactylidae, density-dependence, growth, maturity, water temperature.


Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge Ray Murphy, Tim Debnam and Sean Tracey for assistance in collecting and processing biological samples. The present study was partially supported by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC Projects 1995/145 and 2002/057).


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