Back-calculation of total length of Argentine seabass Acanthistius patachonicus using morphometric relationships of bones and measurements of the body

Abstract

Predictive regression equations were generated to estimate total length of the Argentine seabass (Acanthistius patachonicus) using skull and pectoral girdle bones, specific body, and otolith lengths. Regressions of skull and pectoral girdle bones, specific body and otolith lengths were all statistically significant. Generating regressions between specific bones and external characteristics of the body meaningfully increases the ability to analyse the information obtained from studies of stomach contents of predator fish from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Keywords

• Diagnostic bones
• piscivores
• top predator
• diet