Estimation of body size using morphometric relationships of head bones, pectoral fin bones and bony precaudal distance in Raneya brasiliensis (Kaup, 1856) (Pisces, Ophidiiformes, Ophidiidae) in Patagonian waters

Abstract

The opbidiid fish Raneya brasiliensis (Kaup, 1856), is a key link in the Southwestern Patagonian higher level food web. Predictive regression equations were calculated to estimate total length in this species, using head length, various head bone lengths, cleithrum length and bony precaudal length as the independent variables. Log-transformed data gave the best fits in the equations obtained.