Predicting Atlantic Bonefish ( Albula vulpes ) Fork Length From Head Morphometry

This study developed predictive models using generalized linear statistical analyses to estimate Atlantic bonefish ( Albula vulpes ) fork length (FL) dependent on four head morphometry covariates: snout length, eye diameter, postorbital head length, and head length. A total of 257 South Florida bonefish were examined, which ranged from 28 to 720 mm FL. Each of the morphometric measurements was highly correlated with FL, with coefficients of determination ( r 2 ) that ranged from 0.9592 for eye diameter to 0.9959 for head length. Total length (TL) was also highly correlated with FL. Sex differences in the morphometric measurements were examined; however, no significant sexual dimorphism was detected. All of the morphometric measurements examined were good predictors of Atlantic bonefish FL and TL.