Age and growth of the yellow dog shark Scoliodon laticaudus Muller and Henle from Bombay waters

Abstract

The age and growth of the shark Scoliodon laticaudus Muller and Henle [(= S.sonakowah (Cuvier) ] from Bombay waters have been studied by the length frequency method. The shark, which measures about 140 mm at birth, attains 260, 380,470, 530 and 590 mm at the end of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years respectively after birth. There is no difference in the growth rates of males and females. The females grow to a larger size and to an older age than the males. The growth is more or less slow as in the case of other sharks. The von Bertalanffy growth equation has been fitted to the observed values, for which the parameters calculated were K (on an annual basis) = 0.2731, L o^ = 755.23 mm and to =• -.5664 years. The length-at-age thus calculated agreed fairly closely with the observed values. The maximum length of this shark in Bombay waters is about 660 mm. Over 75 per cent of the landings were in the age group of 2-4 years ranging from 380 to 530 mm in total length.