Growth stanza in fish life history using otoliths shape: the protandric Centropomus case (Carangaria: Centropomidae)

ABSTRACT Morphoanatomical or physiological changes coupled with in body size are known as allometric relationships. The objective of this study was to identify the points growth Centropomus based on otolith morphometry and morphogeometry. For purpose, 455 individuals C. undecimalis 176 parallelus were collected from artisanal fishermen coast state Alagoas, Brazil. sagittal otoliths measured for length, height, perimeter, area weighed. potential polyphasic models fitted between total fish length length. morphotypes wen describe by form Fourier descriptors shape indices. model detected three phases. first stanza at 46.8 cm second 75.9 cm. parallelus, it 18.8 41.2 Each has a specific morphotype both species. exhibited ontogenetic their pattern two stanzas changing points. corresponded lengths reached over life cycles, such maturity sexual reversion.