VARIATION IN SETTLEMENT AND LARVAL DURATION OF KING GEORGE WHITING, SILLAGINODES-PUNCTATA (SILLAGINIDAE), IN SWAN BAY, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

Abstract

Increments in otoliths of larval S. punctata form daily. A transition in the microstructure of otoliths from late-stage larvae was apparently related to environmental changes associated with entry to Port Phillip Bay. The pattern of abundance of post-larvae supported the contention that the transition was formed immediately prior to "settlement' in seagrass habitats. Backcalculation to the otolith transition suggested that five cohorts had entered Swan Bay, each c10 days apart, from late September to early November. The larval phase of King George whiting settling in Port Phillip Bay was extremely long and variable, ranging from 100-170 days. Age at settlement was more variable than length, ..