Annual growth was significantly different between estimated growth (back-calculated) and actual observations of tagged pallid sturgeon. Accuracy of age estimates from known-age fish was 13%, whereas 72% of estimates were within 2 years of the true age. We used pallid sturgeon ( Scaphirhynchus albus) to evaluate the efficacy of mark–recapture data from known-age, hatchery-reared fish (ages 1 to 7) to corroborate age and growth estimates obtained from sectioned pectoral fin rays. An understanding of the age structure and the associated dynamics determined from these data for long-lived species is critical for both perseverance of at-risk species and maintenance of exploited species. Long-lived species from marine and freshwater environments have experienced declines linked to anthropogenic effects such as overexploitation, dam construction, and habitat modification.
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