Validation of age determination methods and growth studies of the sand sole Pegusa lascaris (Soleidae) from the eastern-central Atlantic

[EN]The age and growth of the sand sole Pegusa lascaris from the Canarian Archipelago were studied from 2107 fish collected between January 2005 and December 2007. To find an appropriate method for age determination, sagittal otoliths were observed by surface-reading and frontal section and the results were compared. The two methods did not differ significantly in estimated age but the surface-reading method is superior in terms of cost and time efficiency. The sand sole has a moderate life span, with ages up to 10 years recorded. Individuals grow quickly in their first two years, attaining approximately 48% of their maximum standard length; after the second year, their growth rate drops rapidly as energy is diverted to reproduction. Males and females show dimorphism in growth, with females reaching a slightly greater length and age than males. Von Bertalanffy, seasonalized von Bertalanfy, Gompertz, and Schnute growth models were fitted to length-at-age data. Akaike weights for the seasonalized von Bertalanffy growth model indicated that the probability of choosing the correct model from the group of models used was >0.999 for males and females. The seasonalized von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated were: L? = 309 mm standard length, k = 0.166 yr?1, t0 = ?1.88 yr, C = 0.347, and ts = 0.578 for males; and L? = 318 mm standard length, k = 0.164 yr?1, t0 = ?1.653 yr, C = 0.820, and ts = 0.691 for females. Fish standard length and otolith radius are closely correlated (R2 = 0.902). The relation between standard length and otolith radius is described by a power function (a = 85.11, v = 0.906)

La radiactividad que nos rodea

[ES]La radiactividad es un fenómeno que se origina en los núcleos atómicos. Es un proceso espontáneo por el cual unos núcleos inestables se transforman en otros más estables, emitiendo radiación electromagnética muy energética o pequeñas partículas cargadas que tienen la propiedad de arrancar electrones de los átomos que constituyen la materia sobre la que inciden, pudiendo, de este modo, modificar las propiedades químicas de la misma. Esta emisión, llamada radiación ionizante, junto con los propios núcleos radiactivos inundan nuestro hábitat y a sus efectos estamos expuestos por el simple hecho de vivir en el planeta. Su origen puede ser natural o antropogénico. En esta conferencia se pretende explicar de manera sencilla en qué consiste la radiactividad, cómo se cuantifica, su interacción con nosotros y su presencuia en el medioambiente.

Aspectos biológicos de Paromola cuvieri (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Homolidae)

Máster en Gestión Sostenible de Recursos Pesqueros