Life History and Geographical Patterns of Growth in Capelin,Mallotus villosus, of the Labrador and Newfoundland Area

Growth patterns of capelin, Mallotus villosus, in the Labrador-Newfoundland region were examined on the basis of backcalculated estimates of fish length from otolith measurements.The occurrence of Lee's phenomenon and growth compensation as a characteristic feature of capelin growth is attributed to differential spawning mortality between the faster-growing and slowergrowing individuals of a year-class.A progressive increase in growth of capelin occurs from the northern to the southern parts of their distribution in the region, and this cline is attributed to differences in timing of the spawning season and the inter-related effects on the age at maturity.