An attempt to determine applicability of various anatomical elements of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.,1758) in age and growth rate studies

Abstract

Various anatomical elements of the Arctic charr are discussed in terms of their applicability to age and growth rate studies. The following elements, obtained from 20 charr individuals caught in 1986 in Lake Svartvatnet, are considered: scales, otoliths, vertebrae, cleithrum, and some skull bones (operculum, interoperculum, suboperculum, ectopterygoid, and metapterygoid). Length growth rate was determined from scales, otoliths, and vertebrae.