Development and growth rates of Centropages typicus

This paper presents an updated review of our knowledge about Centropages typicus development and growth based on a synthesis of all data found in the literature on stage durations, development rates, size, weight, and C:N ratios. Developmental and growth characteristics have been recorded during field time series and cruises, as well as in controlled laboratory experiments. A few laboratory studies have contributed to an understanding of the impact of food quantity, food quality and temperature on growth and development.C. typicus has a sigmoidal development pattern when the contribution of the different stages to total development time is considered, CIV and CV having much longer durations than preceding stages. The development times of this species are closely related to temperature with a nearly equiproportional development. In turn, food conditions, both in quantity and quality, have less effect on development than on growth rate, leading to large variations in weight within stage, even larger than those predicted from changes in length and biovolume. Actual measurements of weight and biochemical composition are required to better understand the growth of C. typicus in relation to food composition. As a consequence, our review shows that weight–length relationships obtained in particular environmental conditions may be inadequate for others.The combination of a temperature-dependent development rate and a food-dependent growth rate may explain why shelf regions are a more favourable environment for C. typicus as compared to offshore regions, as they support large females, production of more and better quality eggs, and probably better survival of the offspring.