Parameters of equations for group growth of golden king crab Lithodes aequispinus in the northern Okhotsk Sea

Growth of golden king crab in the northern Okhotsk Sea is considered. Parameters of von Bertalanffy growth equation were estimated using SLCA method (Shepherd's length composition analysis): the asymptotic carapace width W_∞ was 252.0 mm for males and 165.3 mm for females; the growth rate K was 0.081 and 0.130, respectively. Relative increment per molt for males with carapace width of 116-154 mm was estimated as 11.6 % for the carapace width and 10.9 % for the carapace length. Directly determined (by tagging) dependence of males molt frequency on their size was approximated by logistic curve of molting probability with the threshold of 164 mm carapace width for 50 % probability of annual molt. Mean probability of annual molt for recruits was estimated as 87 %, for pre-recruits — as 92 %. Taking into account the data on increment per molt and annual molt probability, the growth curve for males had the parameters: W_∞ = 296 mm and K = 0.073. The age of recruits was estimated as 9 years by SLCA approach and as 8 years on the results of tagging. The growth equations parameters were determined for the first time for golden king crab in natural habitat in the Russian waters. These results could be used in models and for theoretical studies of Crustacean life history.

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