Estimating meagre (Argyrosomus regius) size from otoliths and vertebrae

Gabriel, Sónia; Prista, Nuno; Costa, M. J.

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2012.04.046

Cited by 18 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Only M1 and M2 could be measured on the ultimate vertebra (or urostyle) (after Desse & Desse‐Berset ; Gabriel et al . ) (Figure ). M1, M2 and M3 were each measured three times, and the mean of each of the three measurements was used for the analysis and to address measurement error.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Furthermore, issues of bone preservation must be considered, including bone structure, processing, ingestion, weathering and dissolution (Gabriel et al . : 2864).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Extensive identification criteria were provided to ensure that each meagre vertebra could be distinguished along the vertebral column and the appropriate regression equation was applied to reconstruct total length (TL) (Gabriel et al . : table 1). Furthermore, Ritchie (: 177) measured the width of the posterior centrum of all atlas vertebrae identified to species to calculate weight and length determinations (see also Carder & Crock ; Carder et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of this allometric formula for Pacific Island archaeological assemblages is problematic, given that a unique regression equation is required for each vertebra along the vertebral column for every identified taxon (Gabriel et al . ; Seymour ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to Gabriel et al . (: 2862–4), there is substantial variability in the relationship between bone size and fish size, and as such comprehensive reference collections that represent a variety of growth stages/age, sex and capture environments are required to develop “mathematical models that explicitly account for such variability” and will facilitate reconstructions of fish length and weight and assessments of change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Applications of vertebral morphometrics in Pacific Island archaeological fishing studies

Lambrides

Weisler

2015

Archaeology in Oceania

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Furthermore, issues of bone preservation must be considered, including bone structure, processing, ingestion, weathering and dissolution (Gabriel et al . : 2864).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Applications of vertebral morphometrics in Pacific Island archaeological fishing studies

Lambrides

Weisler

2015

Archaeology in Oceania

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Assessing Protocols for Identifying Pacific Island Archaeological Fish Remains: The Contribution of Vertebrae

Lambrides

Weisler

2013

Int. J. Osteoarchaeol.

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Three fish bone identification protocols used for determining taxa composition for Pacific island archaeofaunal assemblages are evaluated. The protocols include using the following: (1) the most commonly identified five paired cranial bones and 'specials' or unique elements; (2) an expanded number of cranial bones; and (3) the less common inclusion of all vertebrae. Explicit identification and quantification protocols are outlined for systematically incorporating all vertebrae which, predictably, increases the number of identified specimens for an assemblage, thus providing more bones useful for reconstructing live fish biomass (weight and length). Significantly, a range of unique archaeological vertebrae are useful for calculating minimum number of individuals. Using a well-preserved assemblage from Henderson Island, Pitcairn Group, southeast Polynesia, numbering 6480 fish bones (concentration index = 21 580 m3 ), we demonstrate differences in rank-order abundance from three taxon identification protocols. For example, when using all vertebrae grouper (Serranidae) and surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae) are more numerically equivalent than when relying mostly on cranial bones for identification for minimum number of individuals and number of identified specimens. This has important implications for making comparisons between sites or across regions where different identification protocols were used. This pilot study demonstrates that using all vertebrae for taxon identification and quantification, not just unique hypurals (terminal vertebrae) or those from sharks and rays (Elasmobranchii), should be standard practice for identifying a greater number of bones to taxon and thereby providing better reconstructions of prehistoric fishing and subsistence practices in the Pacific.

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Length estimation of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) using vertebrae

Andrews

Mylona

Rivera

et al. 2022

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus; BFT) is a large (up to 3.3 m in length) pelagic predator which has been exploited throughout the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean since prehistoric times, as attested by its archeological remains. One key insight derivable from these remains is body size, which can indicate past fishing abilities, the impact of fishing, and past migration behavior. Despite this, there exists no reliable method to estimate the size of BFT found in archeological sites. Here, 13 modern Thunnus spp. skeletons were studied to provide power regression equations that estimate body length from vertebra dimensions. In modern specimens, the majority of BFT vertebrae can be differentiated by their morphological features, and thus, individual regression equations can be applied for each rank (position in vertebral column). In an archeological context, poor preservation may limit one's ability to identify rank; hence, "types" of vertebrae were defined, which enable length estimates when rank cannot be determined. At least one vertebra dimension, height, width, or length correlated highly with body length when vertebrae were ranked (R 2 > 0.97) or identified to types (R 2 > 0.98). Whether using rank or type, length estimates appear accurate to approximately ±10%. Finally, the method was applied to a sample of Roman-era BFT vertebrae to demonstrate its potential. It is acknowledged that further studies with larger sample sizes would provide more precision in BFT length estimates.

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Estimating meagre (Argyrosomus regius) size from otoliths and vertebrae

Cited by 18 publications

References 13 publications

Applications of vertebral morphometrics in Pacific Island archaeological fishing studies

Applications of vertebral morphometrics in Pacific Island archaeological fishing studies

Assessing Protocols for Identifying Pacific Island Archaeological Fish Remains: The Contribution of Vertebrae

Length estimation of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) using vertebrae

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