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Pacific Conservation Biology Pacific Conservation Biology Society
A journal dedicated to conservation and wildlife management in the Pacific region.
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Otolith microstructure reveals long lifespan for Giant Boarfish (Paristiopterus labiosus) (Günther 1872)

Valerio Visconti https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2669-7785 A B F , Dallas J. Hamilton C and Peter G. Coulson https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0165-0788 D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.

B School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.

C Coastal Marine Group, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

D Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, North Beach, WA 6020, Australia.

E Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: valerio.visconti@cefas.co.uk

Pacific Conservation Biology - https://doi.org/10.1071/PC20074
Submitted: 18 September 2020  Accepted: 10 November 2020   Published online: 1 December 2020

Abstract

Life-history traits and the ecology of the family Pentacerotidae are known for only a fraction of the 13 species distributed worldwide. The Giant Boarfish (Paristiopterus labiosus) is known for its increasing recreational fishery and for undergoing spawning aggregations in Australasian waters but the biological characteristics remain scarce. Here, we report the capture of a large P. labiosus (962 mm total length and 9.2 kg total weight), close to the reported maximum size of 910 mm total length, from New Zealand waters and its age estimation. An estimated age of 36 years, based on counts of opaque zones in thin otolith sections, provides important information on the potential lifespan of the species, an important step forward to better understand its life history.

Keywords: ear stones, Giant Boarfish, life history, lifespan, longevity, Pentacerotidae, recreational fishing, sagittal otoliths.


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