Seasonal differences in the growth of pilchard Sardina pilchardus larvae in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean)

1 page, 1 figure
The long- and short-term growth of 3.5 to 16 mm standard length Sardina pilchardus larvae was compared between two cruises conducter in autumn and winter in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean). Growth was significantly higher in November than February, as assenssed by muscle fibre recruitment and RNA/DNA ratios. Otolith age-length relationships suggested a similar trend. Sea temperature is regarded as a plausible explanatory factor for the differences in growth.