Daily Otolith Increments Research Articles

Growth of 0-age Japanese Sardine <i>Sardinops melanostictus</i> in the Waters off the Western Coast of Kyushu

Growth of the 1992 and the 1993 year-class of 0-age Japanese sardine were estimated from daily otolith increments. Most of the specimens could be counted precisely until about 150 days old, and a few individuals were counted over 150 days old. The relationship between daily age (t) and body length (BL: mm) was as follows: BL=154.7(1-e-0.0094(t-16.78)). The daily growth rate was calculated from otolith increment width and the relationship between otolith radius and body length. Growth rates ranged from 0.04 to 1.10mm/day until 60 days old in the 1993 year-class. Hatching dates were calculated from sampling dates and daily age, and ranged from the last ten days of February to the middle ten days of March in both year-classes.

夏季の中部北太平洋におけるサンマの成熟と日齢

The maturation process and age in days of female Pacific saury Cololabis saira (Brevoort) in the central North Pacific Ocean were examined based on histological observations and otolith daily growth increments. The maturation process of Pacific saury used in this study (243-342mm in knob length) was divided into 6 stages: early yolk vesicle stage, late yolk vesicle stage, yolk formation stage, maturation stage, atretic stage I, and atretic stage II. Atretic stage fish were considered to be post-spawning as many degenerated oocytes were observed. The large size group (more than 296mm), in which fish were more than 1.5 years old as estimated from daily growth increments in otoliths, contained spawning and post-spawning individuals, although all individuals from the medium size group (241-295mm), from 10 months to 1 year and 3 months old, were immature. Since post-spawning fish were seen to have recovered their initial condition factors, it is suggested that they survive beyond the first spawning season. Based on observations of asynchronously developing oocytes, it is considered that Pacific saury spawn several times during a single spawning season.

Use of otolith strontium:calcium ratios for hindcasting larval cod Gadus morhua distributions relative to water masses on Georges Bank

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 119:37-44 (1995) - doi:10.3354/meps119037 Use of otolith strontium:calcium ratios for hindcasting larval cod Gadus morhua distributions relative to water masses on Georges Bank Townsend, D. W., Radtke, R. L., Malone, D. P., Wallinga, J. P. The concentration ratios of strontium to calcium in laboratory-reared larval cod otoliths are shown to be related to the water temperature (T) at the time of otolith precipitation. This relationship is curvilinear, and is best described by a simple exponential equation of the form (Sr/Ca x 1000 = a exp(-T/b). We show that when Sr/Ca elemental analyses are related to the daily growth increments in the larval otoliths, relative temperature histories of individual field-caught larvae can be reconstructed from the egg stage to the time of capture. We present preliminary examples of how such reconstructed temperature histories of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua larvae, collected on Georges Bank during April and May 1993, may be interpreted in relation to the broad-scale larval distributions and the hydrography of the Bank. Cod . Gadus morhua . Georges Bank . Otolith . Sr/Ca ratios . Hydrography . Temperature histories Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 119. Publication date: March 23, 1995 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 1995 Inter-Research.

Validation of daily growth increments in otoliths of Anguilla rostrata (Lesueur) elvers

The presence of daily growth increments in otoliths was validated for Anguilla rostrata. Elvers were captured at the freshwater–seawater interface of the Annaquatucket River, Rhode Island, immersed in a tetracycline hydrochloride solution to mark their otoliths, and maintained in stream aquaria for 10 or 20 d. Increment counts outside the tetracycline mark generally underestimated the number of days since marking by less than 5%. This underestimation was probably due to the time required for tetracycline incorporation after administration.

Formation of initial daily increments in sagittal otoliths of reared and wild Sardina pilchardus yolk-sac larvae

Daily deposition of growth increments in sagittal otoliths of reared and wild Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) larvae from hatching to complete yolk-sac absorption is reported. Increments laid down prior to hatching were observed. A distinct growth increment, ≃ 1 μm wide and located 5 to 7 μm from the focus is laid down on the day of hatching. Subsequently, narrower increments (<1 μm) are laid down daily throughout the yolk-sac stage. Measurements were made on the maximum radius of the sagittal otoliths of two groups of larvae: 83 larvae reared from fertilized eggs sampled from Ria de Muros (NW Spain), and 239 wild individuals sampled along the northern coasts of the Iberian peninsula. Counting of daily ring increments can provide a direct and valid estimation of larval age without the necessity for later correction.

Seasonal variation in growth of larval sole Solea solea (L.) and consequences on the success of larval immigration

This study investigates whether seasonal differences in growth rates during the pelagic larval phase are likely to effect the success of larval immigration. Daily increments in otoliths of larvae sampled in the northern Bay of Biscay, from February to May 1992, were used to estimate growth rates and spawning dates. Significant seasonal variations in growth occurred which were related to water temperature. Growth rates remained constant between late December and March, but showed a rapid increase from April onwards. Spawning dates, back-calculated from the larvae at the onset of metamorphosis (stage 4b), occurred over an 18-week period from December to early April, with peaks in late January and early February. 0-group sole were collected in the coastal nursery ground of the Bay of Vilaine at the beginning (April) and the end of the settlement period (June). Otolith analysis showed that the first and largest batch of immigrants caught in April were spawned between late December and February (mostly in early February). At the end of the settlement period 95% of the 0-group sampled were spawned between January and February, with a median spawning date in late January (week 4). These spawning date distributions were compared with literature data on spawning in the Bay of Biscay. Most of the surviving 0-group appeared to originate from the main spawning period, although during spawning early in the season they had experienced slow growth rate. Though still preliminary, the results suggest that seasonal differences in growth rate do not affect the success of larval immigration.

Growth and Daily Otolith Increments of Reared Round Herring &lt;i&gt;Etrumeus teles&lt;/i&gt; Larvae

Growth and Daily Otolith Increments of Reared Round Herring &lt;i&gt;Etrumeus teles&lt;/i&gt; Larvae

Spatial Variation in Food-Limited Growth of Juvenile Greenback Flounder, Rhombosolea tapirina: Evidence from Otolith Daily Increments and Otolith Scaling

Growth rates of juvenile flounder, Rhombosolea tapirina, determined from daily increment number, and the relationship between otolith and fish sizes (otolith scaling), were compared between two adjacent areas. Swan Bay, Victoria, a sheltered bay with a well-developed seagrass-detrital system, supports higher populations of prey and feeding rates of juvenile flounder than Port Phillip Bay, an area more exposed to waves and tidal currents. Temperature was significantly higher in Swan Bay (though generally less than 1 °C). Growth rates determined from daily increment number were similar within bays, but significantly different between bays. The pooled growth rate for Swan Bay (0.29 mm∙d−1) was significantly higher than for Port Phillip Bay (0.17 mm∙d−1). The same pattern was found for otolith scaling. Most of the variation in growth rates between the two bays was apparently related to food supply. A laboratory experiment indicated that otolith growth rate had a minimum level which was independent of somatic growth rate, and an additional component which was highly correlated with somatic growth rate. This resulted in an exponential decrease in otolith growth per unit somatic growth with increasing somatic growth rate such that variation in otolith scaling would be greatest at low growth rates.

Spawning Origin of Small, Late-Hatched Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) Larvae in a Maine Estuary

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) larvae have been collected for resource monitoring purposes in the Sheepscot River in mid-coastal Maine during October–February, for the past 20 years. During this period, the larval population in the river has typically peaked in October-early November and has been composed of larvae derived from August–September spawning in eastern Maine and New Brunswick waters and from September-early October spawning along the central Maine coast. Larvae from eastern coastal spawning areas are transported to the river by the prevailing westerly coastal current. The appearance of small (≤15 mm SL) larvae in the river during December and January 1985–1989 suggested an additional time and area of origin. Aging procedures based on enumeration of daily otolith increments showed the majority of these small larvae were spawned from mid October to mid November when spawning usually occurs in western Maine coastal waters and in the vicinity of Jeffreys Ledge. Comparison of back-calculated hatching dates for small larvae collected in the river with wind direction and velocity data from mid October through November suggested that larvae were transported eastward against a weakened Gulf of Maine coastal current to the Sheepscot River by complex wind-driven surface currents that occur off the western Maine coast in the fall. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY059 00003

Effects of photoperiod, feeding regime and water temperature on the formation of daily growth increments in otoliths of larval pike (Esox lucius L.)

Summary Otolith growth increments of larval pike, Esox lucius L., were examined using known-age fish reared in the laboratory. Under different photoperiod, feeding, and temperature regimes, increments in the lapilli of all laboratory-reared fish were formed daily, starting on day 2–3 after hatching. Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß van Photoperiode, Futterrhythmus und Wassertemperatur auf die Anlage von Otolithen-Tagesringen bei jungen Hechten (Esox luciusL.) Die Anlage von Tagesringen auf den Otolithen von Hechtlarven (Esox lucius L.) wurde unter verschie-denen Licht-, Futter- und Temperaturbedinungen im Labor untersucht. Bei allen Tieren setzte die Bildung von Tagesringen auf den Lapilli zwei lis dreiTage nach dem Schlüpfen ein.

Regional differences in duration of the planktonic larval stage of reef fishes in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Regional variation in the duration of the planktonic larval phase of three species of reef fishes, Thalassoma lucasanum (Labridae), Stegastes flavilatus, and Microspathodon dorsalis (Pomacentridae) was investigated between 1982 and 1991 at several sites in the tropical eastern Pacific over a distance of 3500 km, encompassing virtually their entire range of distribution. Durations of the larval phase, determined from counts of daily otolith increments, were significantly different (1.3 to 1.6 x) between sites. Populations of all three species had a consistently shorter larval life at the most northern site, Cabo San Lucas (Mexico) compared to Panama and the offshore islands of Galapagos and Cocos. Analyses of otolith increment width over the precompetent period revealed that this disparity in larval duration primarily reflected differences in larval growth rates: faster growing fish spent less time in the plankton. In T. lucasanum, some of the variation in larval duration between Panama and offshore sites (Galapagos Islands and Cocos Island) may be accounted for by a higher frequency of individuals delaying metamorphosis at the offshore sites. These data indicate that conditions in the planktonic environment are not homogeneous throughout the tropical eastern Pacific and may have a profound effect on aspects of the larval ecology of reef fishes in this region.

Limits for the detection of daily otolith increments in whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) larvae

The formation of daily otolith increments in European lake white-fish was evaluated in the laboratory during 40 days at 4, 6, and 8 °C under limited and ad libitum food supply. Daily increments were easily identified in larvae reared at 8 °C. At 6 °C and, more, at 4 °C, an unstructured perinuclear zone was formed, and daily increments could only be recognized in the light microscope starting from 10 to 35 days after hatching. In some larvae from the 4 °C groups, no increments at all were found. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) could not improve increment resolution. Only those increments could be viewed by SEM which were visible in the light microscope as well. We conclude that whitefish larvae which experience low (4–6 °C) temperatures during their first weeks of life, hence those which hatch in the lake, cannot be aged by the currently employed preparation techniques.

Daily Otolith increments in juvenile tropical Parrotfishes and Surgeonfishes

Otolith microstructure was examined in juvenile tropical herbivorous fish belonging to the families Acanthuridae and Saridae at Lizard Island. Growth increments on the lapilli of 14 species were validated by tetracycline marking in the laboratory. All species examined deposited growth increments on a daily basis. Increment counts in left and right lapilli were compared for consistency in increment deposition. Interobserver differences were examined as a possible cause of bias in age estimates for Ctenochaetus binotatus and Scarus schlegeli. Given the precision of otolith increment counts by an observer, the differences between counts of the left and right otoliths were acceptable, as were differences between independent observers reading the same otoliths.

An attempt to determine growth and hatching dates of juvenile sardine, Sardina pilchardus, in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Juvenile sardine, Sardina pilchardus Walbaum, 1792, were collected off Mallorca, Balearic Islands, during April–July 1989, and were aged by means of daily otolith increments. Growth rates were in the range of values reported for other clupeoids, although lower than those for larvae of the Mediterranean anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus. Hatching dates were back-calculated from the age in days and the date of capture. The data indicated that hatching was continuous, but revealed a low peak in the last half of November 1988 and a second, higher peak in the first half of March of the following year, in accordance with the general cycle of secondary production in this oligotrophic area.

Validation of Daily Otolith Increments for Young-of-the-Year White Crappies

Otolith increments formed daily in age-0 white crappies Pomoxis annularis; the first increment was present at hatch. We validated daily increments in larvae by comparing the number of rings with known age; for juveniles, we compared the number of rings past a tetracycline mark with the number of days elapsed since marking. Accuracy in ring counts decreased with fish older than 100 d. Starvation did not affect ring periodicity. The regression equation for otolith radius (R, mm) against fish total length (TL, mm) was TL = 54.9R + 3.32; the TL-intercept was not significantly different from zero. These results allow determination of hatching dates, age-specific mortality rates, and growth-rate patterns for age-0 white crappies.

Immigration of larval plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa L.) into the western wadden sea: A question of timing

Migration of larval plaice into a nursery area in the western Wadden Sea was monitored during three immigration seasons. Daily otolith increments were used to estimate age and hatch dates of the larvae, and the hatch dates were compared to egg-production curves. Different cohorts of larvae invaded the area, originating from different spawning grounds. During a cold year, most larvae probably came from the Western Channel, but during the two warm years most larvae originated from more northern spawning grounds. Settlement on a tidal flat showed a delayed response to immigration in the first part of the season, but a direct response later in the season. Length-frequency distributions of settled juveniles were compared to expected frequencies based on a simple growth model. It is argued that early in the season growth-related mortality may have been too high to ensure successful settlement, and that timing could be of significant importance for larval immigration to be successful.

Otolith increment widths and somatic growth rate: the presence of a time‐lag

Populations of the estuarine glass fish, Ambassis vachelli Richardson, were used to study the relationship between somatic growth and widths of daily increments in the sagittal otoliths. Variations in the somatic growth of A. vachelli were induced by a series of experimental feeding regimes which included feeding to satiation with two food sources and a starvation treatment. After 33 days of exposure to the experimental feeding regimes significant differences in the mean wet weight of individuals amongst the feeding treatments were recorded. Fishes subject to a starvation treatment showed a significant reduction in wet weight compared to the pretreatment population and the two experimental feeding regimes. No changes in lengths of fishes were recorded.Validation techniques revealed that daily increments were laid down in the sagittal and asteriscal otoliths. Estimates of ring widths from samples of sagittal otoliths revealed significant treatment effects. The increments of fishes from the starvation treatment showed a significant decline in mean increment width relative to the feeding treatments. This difference was detected only after a 15 day period of experimental feeding. It is suggested that the gradual decline in increment width reflects the exhaustion of readily mobilized energy reserves.

耳石輪紋によるワカサギの日齢査定

Daily otolith increments of the Japanese smelt Hypomesus transpacificus nipponensis, were validated to establish the age determination method for the population study and the early life history of this species. Artificially fertilized Japanese smelt was sequentially sampled from the age of 0 day to 145 days and the number of growth increments on sagittae was counted. The sagittal radius at hatching was about 10μm regardless of water temperature: i.e.9.81±0.73μm at 19.5°C, and 10.03±0.82μm at 10.0°C.The relation between the days after hatching (X) and the number of growth increments on sagittae over 10μm in radius (Y) was expressed by the linear regression of Y=0.966X+0.389(r=0.992, n=96, P 0.1), and thus the daily deposition of sagittal increments was confirmed. The maximum deviation from the mean day was 5 days (4.5%) at 145 days. The ageing rate (No. fish successfully aged/No. fish examined) gradually decreased to 50% at 145 days after hatching. Consequently, this method of age determination can be applicable for fish younger than 145 days of the age.

Otolith microstructure indicating growth and mortality among plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., post‐larval sub‐cohorts

Growth and mortality of post‐metamorphosed plaice were studied by means of daily increments in the sagittal otoliths. The Gompertz model was the best fit to length‐at‐age data and there were no significant differences between length‐at‐age and back‐calculated lengths. The microstructure pattern of the otoliths at metamorphosis was also used to estimate hatching and settlement distributions. Differential growth and mortality occurred among sub‐cohorts; growth rates and mortality were higher in fish that settled earlier. In 1986, the best survival was for a sub‐cohort settling in late May to early June. In contrast, in the warmer season of 1987, survival was highest for the second and third sub‐cohorts settling in late April and mid May.

Preliminary notes on the formation of daily increments in otoliths of Oreochromis aureus

Summary Daily growth increments were studied in otoliths of early stage Oreochromis aureus (Cichlidae, Teleostei). A laboratory experiment was carried out on the effect of temperature and food ratio on the otolith growth of juvenile fish. Juvenile O. aureus were reared at two different temperatures, 17°C and 28°C respectively. The young fish were fed two different ratios Trouvit beginning with the first day of swimming and external feeding. Samples were taken at random from each group and the sagitta otoliths were examined. Otolith growth was linearly related to somatic growth of individual fish. Otolith microstructure analysis showed that increment formation began two to three days prior to the transition to the free-swimming stage and continued thereafter following a daily pattern. Temperature and food ratios had a direct influence on the increment widths of the otouths.