title: Age and growth of the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier off the east coast of Australia.
abstract: Total lengths (L(T)) at age and growth rates for south-west Pacific Galeocerdo cuvier were estimated from vertebral growth-band counts of 202 sagitally sectioned centra from 112 females (71-430 cm L(T)), 79 males (72-351 cm L(T)) and 11 of unknown sex. Captive growth data were also examined to complement vertebral age estimations. The sexes combined modelled growth coefficient (k = 0.08) was smaller than previously reported for G. cuvier populations elsewhere. Split-band and narrow banding patterns were identified as potential sources of age underestimation in this species.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries New South Wales, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Peddemors
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Gutteridge
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Geraghty
authors.affiliation: Office of Planning and Strategic Management, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia.
authors.forename: R W K
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Tibbetts
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D012754:Sharks / Q000254:growth & development*; D013131:Spine / Q000254:growth & development
keywords: growth modelling; life history; vertebral ageing