Growth, reproduction and mortality of the sea hare Dolabella auricularia (Gastropoda: Aplysiidae) in the Central Visayas, Philippines

Abstract

The growth parameters W infinity and K of the von Bertalanffy growth equation were estimated from size-frequency data of the sea hare D. auricularia using an objective, computer-based method. The results obtained from two locations in the central Philippines were comparable, although based on only a few individuals; the means for both sites were W infinity =493 g and K=0.9 (yearly basis). Spawning and recruitment were found to occur throughoutthe year with peaks in May to July and September to October.