Increment Formation In Otoliths Research Articles

Alizarin Red S Marking in Otoliths: A Study on the Growth Dynamics of Diplodus vulgaris Juveniles

This study investigates the age and growth rates of juvenile Diplodus vulgaris in the Çanakkale Strait, utilizing Alizarin Red S (ARS) marking to analyze otoliths for daily growth increments. The research aimed to validate the daily deposition of growth rings in otoliths as a reliable method for age determination in young fish. A total of 65 specimens were subjected to ARS immersion at varying concentrations to identify the optimal marking conditions that would not adversely affect the survival rates of the juveniles. Post-treatment, the fish were released into controlled environments and monitored over a period to assess the incorporation and visibility of ARS marks in the otoliths. The results demonstrated a clear correlation between fish size and age, with a consistent daily growth rate that supports the hypothesis of daily increment formation in otoliths. The mortality rate associated with ARS treatment was within acceptable limits, confirming the method's viability for non-lethal age and growth studies. This research not only underscores the effectiveness of ARS marking in studying juvenile fish growth patterns but also contributes to a better understanding of the life history of D. vulgaris in the Çanakkale Strait, offering valuable insights for fisheries management and conservation efforts.

Daily growth increments in otoliths of wild-caught honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens.

Otolith growth increments in wild-caught alizarin complex one (ALC)-marked honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens were examined to verify the veracity of the age determination method in cyprinids. ALC-marked G. caerulescens recaptured from their natural environment had lapilli increment counts outside the ALC ring mark that had formed on a daily basis during the juvenile stage. This apparently being the first direct evidence of daily periodicity of otolith increment formation in wild-caught cyprinids.

Early development of eel-tailed catfish, Tandanus tandanus (Mitchell) (Teleostei : Plotosidae), with validation of daily otolith increment formation

Eel-tailed catfish, Tandanus tandanus, have recently experienced widespread population declines in eastern Australia; with some southern populations facing the risk of extinction, the management and conservation of Queensland populations should be considered a priority. There is a lack of sound, scientific knowledge surrounding the species’ reproductive patterns and early life-history requirements. To assist in clarifying the influence of changes to the natural environment on the reproductive ecology of T. tandanus, we investigated their early life history using naturally fertilised eggs and larvae from a wild population. Nest depth ranged from 0.20 m to 1.35 m, with in situ temperatures between 15.1°C and 29.9°C, and in situ velocities from 0.00 to 0.52 ms–1. Eggs ranged in diameter from 2.6 to 4.0 mm throughout development, and preservation of eggs in ethanol caused significant shrinkage (mean 18.9%). Hatching took 4–7 days (mean 5.29 days; 15.7–28.0°C). Larvae collected from nests ranged in length from 5.1 mm to 15.3 mm SL, and in age from one day old to 16 days old. Larvae are likely to actively disperse from their nest at ~16 days old, as they approach juvenile metamorphosis. Daily otolith increment formation was validated up to 28 days after hatching; and sagittal otoliths were used to develop an age–length relationship for larvae. These results can assist researchers in estimating the timing of critical recruitment events, and investigating how the species’ early life history is influenced by environmental conditions.

Validation of Daily Periodicity of Otolith Increment Formation and Application for Analysis of Early Growth of Wild Juvenile Black Rockfish Sebastes cheni

Validation of Daily Periodicity of Otolith Increment Formation and Application for Analysis of Early Growth of Wild Juvenile Black Rockfish Sebastes cheni

Validation of Daily Increment Formation in Otoliths from Spring Chinook Salmon

Abstract Increments of a fish otolith are commonly used to estimate age and somatic growth; yet the accuracy of such estimates first requires an understanding of the periodicity with which increments are formed. We conducted a rearing experiment to evaluate daily formation of increments in otoliths from spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), an anadromous fish from the Yakima River, Washington. Specifically, we compared the known number of post-emergence days that fish were alive to the number of otolith increments formed after an emergence check. Our results indicated daily formation of otolith increments, thus corroborating previous studies and supporting the use of otolith increments to estimate age and somatic growth of individual Chinook salmon. Given the positive relationship between body size and survival to adulthood, continued use of otolith microstructure to quantify age and growth will help identify factors critical for the recovery of listed Chinook salmon populations.

Validation of otolith increment formation and the growth rate of fat greenling larvae

Validation of otolith increment formation and the growth rate of fat greenling larvae

Validation of daily increment formation in otoliths of immature and adult Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus

In order to validate daily increment formation in otoliths of immature and adult Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus, three rearing experiments using chemical marking of otoliths were conducted on adult anchovy in summer 2004 and immature anchovy in summer 2005 and in winter 2006. In the two experiments conducted in summer, the number of otolith microincrements between alizarin complexone (ALC) marks showed that microincrements were formed daily. In the summer 2005 experiment, immature anchovy under conditions of reduced daily food rations also showed daily microincrement formation. Average increment width was 0.9 μm in adults and 1.8–3.1 μm in immature anchovy. In contrast, no clear increments were observed between ALC marks on the otoliths from the experiment in winter 2006, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations failed to confirm clear increment formation. We consider that low water temperatures (<13–14°C) restricted otolith growth and lowered the contrast between the discontinuous and the incremental zones of the otolith increments. For age estimation of Japanese anchovy, clear increments wider than about 1 μm in the otolith can be regarded as daily increments. However, daily age estimation of immature and adult anchovy that experience low water temperatures in winter may be difficult due to the obscurity of the increments.

Changes in the timing of otolith zone formation in North Sea cod from otolith records: an early indicator of climate-induced temperature stress?

We examine the seasonal variation in otolith increment formation in southern North Sea cod as a means of monitoring how changes in sea temperature over the past 20 years have affected cod in the wild. Seasonal opaque zone formation was related to winter and early spring. Timing of opaque zone formation was not influenced by either temperature or fish length, but increasing age led to slightly earlier but slower opaque zone formation. In contrast, there was a clear shift in the timing of translucent zone formation with temperature. In warm years, translucent growth occurs up to 22 days earlier than in colder periods. Increasing age and smaller size-at-age resulted in an earlier transition from opaque to translucent edge formation. Translucent zone formation appears indicative of increasing metabolic stress, and the earlier onset provides direct evidence of the impact of increasing sea temperatures on wild North Sea cod stocks.

Effects of temperature, starvation and photoperiod on otolith increments in larval Chinese sucker, Myxocyprinus asiaticus

Effects of water temperature, starvation and photoperiod on otolith increment formation in larval Chinese sucker, Myxocyprinus asiaticus, were examined in this study. The results demonstrated that otolith increments of larvae reared under diel temperature fluctuations were very clear and appeared with a high contrast, while those of larvae raised under constant water temperatures were vague or hard to identify. The increment deposition rates were less than 1.0/day in later stage of starvation period. Also, increment deposition was affected by cyclic regimes of water temperature fluctuations, the number of increments corresponded to the cycle times rather than the exact days larvae experienced. However, varying of feeding frequency and photoperiod did not result in any alterations of daily increment formation. Increment width increased obviously with higher rearing temperatures till several days after yolk absorption. However, the width presented an ontogenetic decline during period of endogenous nutrition and the first several days of exogenous nutrition stage. Starvation decoupled the relationship between somatic growth and otolith growth; otolith kept growing, and increment width of starved larvae was similar to those in fed individuals before 9–20 days old; the divergence of increment width from the fed larvae occurred in later stage of starvation period. It can be concluded that temperature regimes and food levels are the major factors affecting increment formation in terms of clarity, deposition rate and width, while photoperiod and feeding frequency have less influence on it.

Otolith microstructure of Oxygymnocypris stewartii (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae, Schizothoracinae) in the Lhasa River in Tibet, China

Otolith microstructure of Oxygymnocypris stewartii collected from the Lhasa River was examined and described with regards to the early life history events. The monthly changes in the number of microincrements on the margin of the otolith were examined to validate the approximately daily periodicity of otolith increment formation. The microstructure of otoliths was used to detect changes in microincrement deposition patterns corresponding with events during early life. The annuli, microincrements and checks including the hatch check, yolk absorption check and several recurrent patterns in the otolith were described. Periodicity of the recurrent patterns was weekly, fortnightly and monthly. Through counting the number of the microincrements, it was confirmed that the primary growth of O. stewartii was in a period of 7 or 8 months from late March to October; it was estimated that O. stewartii might hatch between April and May.

Otolith microstructure of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta: formation of sea entry check and daily deposition of otolith increments in seawater conditions

To apply otolith microstructure to examination of age and growth of juvenile chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta inhabiting coastal waters, formation of otolith increments was investigated for juveniles reared in a seawater aquarium and in net pens. In all otoliths examined, a distinctive check was formed at the time of sea entry of the fish. The deposition of otolith increments after the check was daily for rearing both in the aquarium (57 days) and in the net pens (26 days). Check formation associated with sea entry was also observed in otoliths of juvenile salmon collected 1 km off the coast of Shari, Hokkaido, Japan. Transmitted light observation of otoliths of those fish revealed a transition in otolith increment appearance from dark to light. Otolith Sr: Ca ratio remarkably changed from a low to a high level, coinciding with the transition in otolith appearance. It is suggested that the transition was associated with individual sea entry. This study demonstrated that the check and/or transition associated with sea entry are applicable to a benchmark for otolith increment counts of juvenile chum salmon inhabiting coastal waters.

Does eel metamorphosis cause a breakdown in the tenets of otolith applications? A case study using the speckled worm eel (Myrophis punctatus, Ophichthidae)

Several basic tenets of otolith research have been questioned recently with regard to eel metamorphosis. Specifically, some researchers have suggested that otolith increment formation is not daily, and otolith material may be resorped during metamorphosis. We conducted a rearing experiment to test the hypothesis that increment formation is daily and that the otolith continues to grow during eel metamorphosis. We marked the otoliths of wild-caught Myrophis punctatus leptocephali and reared these fish through metamorphosis. Metamorphosis was characterized by a decreasing standard length, pre-anal length, and body depth accompanied by an increase in pigmentation and a change in behavior. Increment formation was daily or near-daily through metamorphosis, and the otolith continued to grow during metamorphosis. Thus, the basic tenets of otolith application apply to eel metamorphosis, and non-daily ring deposition and resorption should not be used as explanations for otolith characteristics of eels (e.g., back-calculated hatch dates) unless demonstrated experimentally.

Daily growth increment formation in otoliths of Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides during metamorphosis

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 312:255-263 (2006) - doi:10.3354/meps312255 Daily growth increment formation in otoliths of Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides during metamorphosis H. L. Chen, W. N. Tzeng* Institute of Fisheries Science, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, Taiwan 106, ROC *Corresponding author. Email: wnt@ccms.ntu.edu.tw ABSTRACT: The otolith microstructure of Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides was examined to determine whether there were influences on the deposition of otolith daily growth increments (DGIs) during metamorphosis from leptocephalus to juvenile. Leptocephali collected in a Taiwanese estuary in August 2003 were fully grown and completed metamorphosis in approximately 10 d during rearing in environmental conditions similar to those in the wild. The metamorphic process was divided into Stages II and III based on temporal changes in external morphology, otolith growth rate, and Sr/Ca ratio. The otolith increment width (OIW) was comparatively small for the leptocephalus (Stage I) before the experiment, increased rapidly at Stage II, and reached a maximum at the beginning of Stage III. In contrast, the otolith Sr/Ca ratio decreased sharply after Stage II. Metamorphosis was accompanied by a breakdown of Sr-rich sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the body, a change of body organization, body length shrinkage, and otolith rapid growth; growth increments in otoliths were deposited daily throughout. The metamorphic process of the Pacific tarpon leptocephalus is analogous to that of the anguillid eel, and the mechanism of otolith DGI deposition during metamorphosis may be similar. KEY WORDS: Elopiformes · Pacific tarpon · Megalops cyprinoides · Leptocephalus · Morphology · Metamorphosis · Otolith · Daily growth increments · Sr/Ca ratio Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 312. Online publication date: April 24, 2006 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2006 Inter-Research.

Variation in the periodicity and timing of increment formation in red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) otoliths

Marginal increment analysis was used to validate the periodicity of opaque increment formation in red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) otoliths and to test for variation in the periodicity and timing of increment formation across age classes, years and regions of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Marginal increment analysis demonstrated that opaque increments were deposited on an annual basis, a result supported by a preliminary experiment on a chemically tagged captive fish, although significant regional and temporal variation in the timing of increment formation was observed. Marginal increment analysis revealed a clear annual periodicity in increment formation for all age classes in the southern region but a more ambiguous pattern for most age classes in the northern region of the species distribution on the GBR. Opaque increments appeared to form 1 month earlier in the southern region than in the northern region and, in the southern region, formed 2 months earlier in 1999 than in 2000. No significant variation was observed in the timing of increment formation between age classes. Based on knowledge of the timing of otolith increment formation and spawning season of L. miniatus, an algorithm was developed for the estimation of age in months, irrespective of the time or location of capture.

Daily Increment Formation in Otoliths of the Redspotted Sunfish

To generate reliable age information for fishes, we must assess the robustness of techniques to environmental variation. We quantified daily ring deposition within the sagittal otoliths of known-age larval and juvenile redspotted sunfish Lepomis miniatus reared in ponds. We also determined how daily light : dark cycles mimicking natural conditions, reduced daylight, or constant daylight affected ring deposition in fish housed in aquaria. Additionally, we quantified how constant temperature (26°C), low daily variability in temperature (26±1°C), and high daily variability (26±2°C) affected production of daily rings. In pond-reared fish, the first increment was produced by the evening of hatch, and increment deposition occurred with 24-h periodicity through 119 d. Independent age estimates from two readers closely agreed. Photocycle and temperature variation did not affect periodicity of increment formation or the precision and accuracy of age estimates. Age and growth data can be reliably determined in this species to assess recruitment dynamics and develop management and conservation strategies.

Validation of daily increment formation in otoliths of juvenile and adult European anchovy

The otoliths of juveniles and adults of European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus held in aquaria were marked by immersion in oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) at concentrations between 350 and 410 mg l−1 for 12 h. Counts of microincrements between fluorescent bands validated the daily otolith increment formation. The otolith increments were easily readable at ×400 with average increment widths of c. 1·1 µm. Validation was successfully demonstrated in juveniles and adults maintained for short periods in the aquaria in the summer. For European anchovy captured as juvenile and reared to adults, however, increment formation appeared less than daily. The daily periodicity of the otoliths in juvenile European anchovy implies that counting of microincrements can be used to study their birth dates. The application of this technique to adults, however, may lead to the underestimation of actual age and further research needs to be done to clarify the reasons for the apparent loss of the daily rhythm over long periods.

Patterns of annual increment formation in otoliths of pomacentrids in the tropical western Atlantic: implications for population age-structure examination

Only recently have managers and scientists begun to collect age and growth informa- tion necessary for effective management of tropical marine ichthyofaunal communities. The majority of studies that have taken place in the tropics have focused on the Pacific Ocean, primarily on Aus- tralia's Great Barrier Reef. In this study, otoliths were collected from 2 pomacentrids at 5 locations in the tropical western Atlantic, and examined for their ability to provide information on age. The col- lection sites for these 2 species, Stegastes planifrons and S. partitus, represent different ranges of annual temperature variation. Otoliths were examined for the presence of clear and interpretable increments as well as timing of increment formation. Annual increment quality varied between species and between regions, with the trend being decreasing clarity with decreasing temperature range. However, interpretable increments were discovered in areas with as little as a 3°C annual water temperature fluctuation. Marginal increment analysis of S. planifrons otoliths revealed that increments formed on the otoliths were deposited once a year during the spring or early summer, suggesting that pomacentrids in the tropical western Atlantic may be aged using the same tech- niques as in other tropical regions and temperate environments. Counts of annual increments revealed that S. planifrons was significantly longer-lived than predicted by other methods. Informa- tion on age and growth collected for reef fishes in studies such as this should provide managers with the life-history information needed to assess population stability and production. This information will be more difficult to obtain in low-latitude regions of the tropical western Atlantic.

Otolith microincrements in the Antarctic fishes Notothenia coriiceps and Pseudochaenichthys georgianus

Larvae of Notothenia coriiceps (Nototheniidae: Teleostei) from naturally fertilized eggs were reared to determine the time to yolk absorption under different feeding regimes. The microstructure of sagittal otoliths was used to validate the periodicity of otolith increment formation, and to detect changes in microincrement deposition patterns corresponding with events during early life. For comparison, otolith microstructures from a sample of larvae of Pseudochaenichthys georgianus (Channichthyidae: Teleostei) were used to estimate hatch dates, growth and time to yolk absorption in the field.

The influence of photoperiod and feeding frequency on the distinctness of daily otolith increments in larval whitefish ( Coregonus lavaretus L.)

It has been observed earlier that in larval and juvenile whitefish ( Coregonus lavaretus) from Lake Constance, Germany, otolith increments are deposited daily, whereas daily deposition could not be confirmed in larval whitefish from Lake Pyhäselkä, Finland. In these studies, Lake Constance whitefish experienced 12 to 14 hours light per day, while light intensity in Finnish lakes was under 100 lux for about two hours only and complete darkness was never observed. Therefore, I tested the alternative hypotheses that (i) lack of a clear zeitgeber or (ii) continuous feeding throughout 24 hours leads to an irregular formation of otolith increments so that daily increments cannot be counted unequivocally. Lake Constance whitefish larvae were reared under continuous illumination, and they were fed either during 24 hours or during 10 hours only. Control fish were reared under local photoperiod conditions and fed during 10 hours. After four weeks, sagittae were removed and their microstructure was analysed. Control fish had clearly defined daily increments. Fish from the continuous light and 10 hours feeding groups had some subdaily increments but their age could still be determined reliably. Fish from the continuous light and 24 hours feeding groups had many narrow increments and age could not be estimated. These results lend support to the hypothesis that continuous feeding throughout 24 hours leads to the formation of multiple increments per day.

Growth-dependent age estimation in herring ( Clupea harengus L.) larvae

A controlled laboratory experiment was carried out to investigate growth-dependent otolith increment formation in herring larvae under constant and variable feeding regimes. Larvae of Norwegian spring-spawning herring were reared at 8°C for 46 days using nominal prey densities of 40 (low) or 1200 (high) prey l −1. Two groups of larvae were offered constant prey levels throughout the experiment (high or low), whereas the prey levels in two other groups were temporarily increased or decreased. All groups were marked twice with alizarin complexone immersion when prey levels were changed (day 18 and day 32 post hatching). Overall survival in the experiment ranged from 36 to 51%, and daily growth in length ranged from 0.02 to 0.4 mm per day. Average daily otolith growth (sagitta) in the low-prey-density group was below 0.2 μm per day, and the apparent increment formation rate was significantly below 1 per day. The high-prey-density group had an increment deposition rate of about 1 per day after the first marking, and these increments averaged 1.1 μm in width. The alizarin marking confirmed that otolith growth responded to increased prey densities and larval growth within a few days, but the response to deteriorating feeding conditions was slower. The apparent increment deposition rate was below 1 per day during the inter-mark period at average otolith growth rates of less than 1 μm per day. In the present study the increment deposition rate was correlated both with larval growth and larval size. The otolith growth pattern confirmed that there was a high correlation between larval size at sampling and previous larval size both within and between groups ( r s>0.6 after 4 weeks). The ratios of otolith sizes at different ages within individual larvae could be used to identify groups of larvae and to a large extent also individual larvae originating from different prey regimes.