Estimación de la longitud utilizando relaciones morfométricas de huesos del cráneo, cintura escapular, otolitos y medidas específicas del cuerpo en Merluccius hubbsi en aguas patagónicas

Merluccius hubbsi is the fish with the largest distributional range along the Argentinian Shelf and one of the most relevant species in the diet of many top predators in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Predictive regression equations were calculated to estimate total length using head and pectoral girdle bones lengths and specific body measurements. The 166 specimens studied were obtained in January and February 2008 by coastal hake trawlers operating at Chubut Province, Argentina. Ln- transformed data gave the best fits in the equations obtained. The present study supports the use of head and pectoral girdle bones as an alternative method to identify M. hubbsi and predict its length.