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Fishery Bulletin 1 1 1 (4) 
The appearance of a U-shaped relationship between 
record sizes of lutjanids and latitude among 3 genera 
highlights the chronic lack of basic length and weight 
information on equatorial and Asian populations of lut- 
janids in the Indo-West Pacific. These records also sug- 
gest that James’s rule may apply in age-based studies 
when such studies are eventually undertaken in those 
countries. 
Conclusions 
As with some studies of site-attached coral reef fish- 
es, our findings of larger terminal size, faster growth, 
and larger size at maturity for John’s Snapper far- 
thest from the equator agree with James’s rule but 
do not agree with the presumption of “slower growth 
in colder water” of the temperature-size rule for ec- 
totherms. Further, age-based studies alone cannot re- 
solve the variability in the growth response reported 
in some tropical studies. More powerful insights can 
be obtained through the use of the concept of OCLT 
and measurement of physiological response to exercise 
and thermal challenges in populations along latitudi- 
nal dines. 
The existence of older, larger John’s Snapper in the 
southern portion of the range of this species has raised 
some compelling questions concerning the lifetime re- 
productive output and subsequent recruitment rates of 
tropical fish populations at the warmer core and cooler 
limits of their ranges. If recruitment also is marginal 
at thermal limits, then is the development of larger 
gonads each year over a longer life in cooler waters a 
wasted investment for John’s Snapper or is it an adap- 
tation to episodic recruitment success? Such questions 
can be investigated only if age-based studies of fish 
demography are accompanied by information on size- 
fecundity curves and egg size and quality, along with 
some relative indices of recruitment. 
Acknowledgments 
We wish to thank all the tackle store proprietors, nu- 
merous anglers, and spearfishing individuals who pro- 
vided specimens for use in this study or assisted with 
fieldwork. From the fishing community, we would like 
to thank, in particular, A. J. McDougall, D. Donald, A. 
Mead, E. Riddle, M. Kenway, S. Boyle, and R Haz- 
ard. Archived otoliths and fish frames were supplied 
also by D. Milton, G. McPherson, M. Sheaves, and A. 
Coleman. Field and laboratory support was provided 
by R. Steckis, J. Jenke, C. Skepper, and B. Robertson. 
We especially appreciate the critical and constructive 
advice of 3 reviewers including J. H. Choat and A. J. 
McDougall. 
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