Age and growth of Paracentrotus lividus Lamarck, 1816 (Echinodermata-Echinoidea) in the Gulf of Tunis (Mediterranean Sea)

The age of Paracentrotus lividus in the Gulf of Tunis was evaluated by analysing the natural growth banding in the interambulacral plates from the oral part of the test. It appeared that growth rates increased in spring and summer, and decreased in autumn and winter. The maximum age and diameter were estimated to be 8 years and 53 mm respectively. Compared to populations of Paracentrotus lividus from NW Mediterranean and Atlantic, that of the gulf of Tunis presented a more rapid growth.Original Abstract: L'evaluation de l'age de Paracentrotus lividus du golfe de Tunis a ete realisee a l'aide de la methode d'analyse des stries d'accroissement des plaques interambulacraires de la partie orale du test. Le rythme de croissance est eleve au printemps et en ete, et faible en automne et en hiver. La longevite et le diametre maximal des individus ont ete estimes respectivement a 8 ans et a 53 mm. Compare aux populations de Paracentrotus lividus de la Mediterranee nord-occidentale et de l'Atlantique, celles du golfe de Tunis presentent une croissance plus rapide.