Age determination and growth of turbot and brill in the Adriatic Sea: reversal of the seasonal pattern of otolith zone formation

The growth of two commercially important flatfish. turbot (Psetta maxima) (L.) and brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) (L.), was investigated in the Adriatic using whole otoliths (sagittae) and stained otolith sections. At variance with the pattern usually observed in temperate seas, the opaque zone was found to be laid down in autumn and winter. and the translucent zone in spring and summer. Growth rates differed according to sex. with the females attaining greater body lengths. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were: L(infinity) = 66.2 cm, K = 0.31 years (1), and t(0) = - 0.14 years for turbot males. L(infinity) = 81.5 cm, K = 0.21 years(-1), and t(0) = -0.48 years for turbot females: L(infinity) = 40.2 cm. K = 0.49 years(-1), and t(0) = 1.03 years for brill males: L(infinity) = 50.1 cm, K = 0.27 years(-1), and t(0) = - 1.75 years for brill females. Growth rates and maximum age recorded for turbot were comparable to those reported in the North Sea.