Otolith Growth Patterns Research Articles

What fish biologists should know about bivalve shells

Similarities between shell and otolith growth patterns are numerous. Both have been shown to have subdaily and daily increments, fortnightly variations, and annual patterns. Some of the less obvious common features include the production of irregular microgrowth patterns at low temperature, increased transparency at high temperature, reduced increment clarity in field to laboratory transferred individuals, and uncoupling between somatic growth and growth of the calcified structure. A principal difference between shells and otoliths is that while microgrowth increments are found in bivalve larvae, presence of internal daily increments has not been verified for any species. Applications of shell and otolith growth patterns have also been similar. Both have been used to reconstruct the effect of environmental and ontogenetic events after they have taken place and to obtain age data critical for estimating growth rate, recruitment, and survivorship. Recent evidence suggests that growth in these calcified structures has the potential to provide information on physiological processes. Evidence is provided for bivalves that respiration rates could potentially be predicted from shell growth rates.

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.

Variable larval growth in a coral reef fish

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 206:213-226 (2000) - doi:10.3354/meps206213 Variable larval growth in a coral reef fish Steven P. Searcy*, Su Sponaugle** Marine Sciences Research Center, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5000, USA Present addresses: *Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8208, USA. E-mail: spsearcy@unity.ncsu.edu **Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Florida, Miami 33149-1098, USA ABSTRACT: Understanding the functional linkages between the pelagic and demersal stages of marine organisms is a central goal in ecology. To better understand events that occurred during the larval period as well as their initial influence on juvenile traits, we examined individual level variation in early life-history traits (larval and early juvenile otolith growth rates, size-at-age, and larval duration) of 3 seasonal cohorts of the common coral reef fish Thalassoma bifasciatum (Bloch) (Labridae). Juveniles were collected at regular intervals (every second day) for 2 wk following their first appearance on the nearshore reefs of Barbados, West Indies. Otolith analysis indicated that each cohort exhibited a broad range of larval traits. Individuals with shorter larval durations had faster otolith growth and settled at relatively smaller sizes (based on otolith length and standard length) than larvae with longer larval durations, which exhibited slower otolith growth rates. Despite the range in larval durations for T. bifasciatum, otolith growth records revealed no evidence for delay of metamorphosis. Instead, the range in larval durations is likely to be the result of a variable pelagic environment influencing growth rates. Because metamorphosis in this species is an energetically costly non-feeding (3 to 5 d) period, we propose that successful metamorphosis requires a minimum energy reserve. Slower growers may need to remain in the plankton longer (consequently attaining larger sizes) to obtain this minimum condition. Variability in early life-history traits also occurred among the seasonal cohorts. Despite differences in patterns of larval otolith growth, mean larval duration was similar for the 2 fall cohorts (57 and 55 d), but much shorter for the spring cohort (42 d). Such inter-cohort variability in early life-history traits suggests a variable pelagic environment. In contrast to the larval period, juvenile growth rates were much less variable within and among cohorts, reflecting a more constant physical and biological environment on the reef. KEY WORDS: Coral reef fish · Early life-history traits · Juvenile growth · Larval growth · Growth plasticity · Otolith · Pelagic larval duration · Condition at settlement · Thalassoma bifasciatum Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 206. Online publication date: November 03, 2000 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2000 Inter-Research.

Environmental Factors Affect Daily Increment Deposition and Otolith Growth in Young Colorado Squawfish

Otolith microstructure of endangered Colorado squawfish Ptychocheilus lucius was investigated to determine patterns of otolith growth and to validate daily deposition of increments. Sagittae and lapilli formed prior to hatching. After fish hatched, otolith increments were deposited daily whether larvae were reared at a constant 22°C temperature or subjected to fluctuating temperatures (±2.5°/d) centered at 18, 22, or 26°C. Otolith increments were clearer and counts of increments were more accurate for fish reared at fluctuating than at constant temperatures. Otolith growth was lower at 18°C than at 22 or 26°C, but evidence of a direct effect of temperature on otolith growth was inconclusive. Lapillus diameters of slow-growing Colorado squawfish were larger than those of similar-sized but fast-growing fish, indicating that fish and otolith growth rates were not proportional. When larvae were starved, growth in body length generally ceased immediately but otolith growth continued for up to 15 d. Otolith growth was reduced for up to 5 d after starved fish began to feed. Timing of starvation and reduced growth may not be accurately recorded by reduced otolith increment spacing. Low-contrast otolith increments in wild fish may indicate periods of low food abundance and starvation. Increased otolith growth early in life could reflect the start of exogenous feeding by Colorado squawfish larvae, a habitat shift to warmer water, or both. Otolith analysis will be useful for elucidating age, growth, and recruitment patterns of young Colorado squawfish.

Early life history of herring larvae in contrasting feeding environments determined by otolith microstructure analysis

Newly hatched autumn‐spawned herring larvae Clupea harengus were released in two 2500‐m3 outdoor mesocosms and reared over a 2‐month period. Hydrographic conditions were similar in the two mesocosms, but the average plankton density was initially more than 10 times higher in mesocosm B compared to mesocosm A (>11−1v. <0.11−1). Half‐way through the experiment the feeding conditions reversed with three times higher average densities in mesocosm A than in mesocosm B (>31−1v.∼11−1). Herring larvae were sampled with a 0.3‐m2 two‐chambered net twice weekly, and survivors were harvested by draining the mesocosms at the end of the experiment. Otolith growth trajectories of individual larvae were determined by relating radial otolith size with number of increments from the outer edge of the otolith (days before capture). The increment widths during the first 3 weeks after hatching, including the first‐check size, were generally wider among larvae from mesocosm B (relatively good initial feeding conditions) than among those from mesocosm A (poor initial feeding conditions). The otolith growth pattern also confirmed that the surviving herring in mesocosm A belonged to the upper size range of larvae in the mesocosm after only 2–3 weeks from hatching; no such trend was found in mesocosm B. In both mesocosms the otolith size‐at‐age indicated that with the present sampling gear, herring larvae larger than 20–25 mm were underrepresented in the net samples. The information obtained from otolith‐size‐at‐age is compared with other morphometric and biochemical measures of size and condition of larvae obtained throughout the experiment.

Importance of stream versus early lake rearing for rainbow trout fry in Lake Alexandrina, South Island, New Zealand, determined from otolith daily growth patterns

Abstract Otolith daily growth increment patterns were used to discriminate between early life‐history patterns of 0+ rainbow trout and to determine the contribution of each to adult recruitment. Inlet stream residents had narrow increments (2.13–3.18 μm) and Outlet Creek residents generally had wide increments (3.63–4.26 μm) across the entire otolith radius. The dominant otolith growth pattern in lake juveniles comprised narrow increments before emergence (3.23–3.66 μm) with wide increments (4.34 μm) soon after emergence. This “early lake migrant” pattern was consistent with incubation in cool inlet streams followed by emigration to the warmer lake upon emergence. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) using mean increment widths at 50, 150, and 200 |im from the primordia discriminated between these patterns (78% overall classification success; 96.5% for inlet stream residents, 60.0% for Outlet Creek residents, 77.0% for early lake migrants). Estimated proportions (from DFA) of the early life‐history types in the adult population were 28% inlet stream residents, 17% Outlet Creek residents, and 55% early lake migrants. Assuming daily formation of growth increments, mean fork length and mean number of days after emergence that early lake migrants entered the lake was 25.8 (± 1.1) mm and 1.4 (+ 6.4) days, respectively. Inlet stream residents appeared to emerge earlier in the spring and have higher survival than early lake migrants.

Sagittal otolith growth patterns in regularly and irregularly spawning burbot,Lota lota, in northern Finland

Sagittal otolith growth patterns were compared among three burbot,Lota lota, populations in northern Finland. Coastal burbot off Simo on the northern coast of the Bothnian Bay and lake burbot from Lake Kemijarvi represented populations with about 30% non-spawning adult individuals, while the river burbot from the River Kitinen spawned regularly. Irregular growth patterns i.e. crenulations on the dorsal edge of the sagitta and pointed extensions in the rostrum region and cloudy appearance of the sagittal otoliths, as observed by light, scanning and transmission microscopy, occurred significantly more often in the coastal and lake burbot than in the river burbot. This could not be explained by differences in age or size. Its possible relationship to supposed reproduction disorder is discussed.

Growth of sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, larval and juvenile stages and their otoliths under quasi-steady temperature conditions

The relationship between somatic growth and growth of otoliths of sea bass larvae, postlarvae and juveniles under relatively steady temperature conditions was studied. Larvae were incubated at the constant ambient temperature of 13.5°C, whereas postlarvae and juveniles were reared at a comparatively steady temperature ranging from 18.6 to 20.4°C, with a mean of 19.67°C. The patterns of both somatic and otolith growth were found to be similar. Differentiated data on larvae length and otolith diameters indicated three periods of change in their growth rates. Since temperature was kept relatively steady during the experiment, and larvae fed ad libitum, these periods could be attributed with relative certainty to intrinsic changes which occur during stage-specific periods of growth. The third period of change in both growth rates indicates a specific phase of growth during metamorphosis. The changes in growth rates, as well as the raw time series of the growth of both larval lengths and otolith diameters, may be described by higher order polynomials with a high degree of probability levels. A non-linear relationship between body length and otolith diameters was established, indicating positive allometric growth of otoliths. It was also observed that the coefficient of allometric growth changed at the time estimated for the end of metamorphosis. Thus, a non-linear relationship and changes in the coefficients of allometry should be borne in mind when back-calculating somatic growth from the growth of otoliths.

Otolith microstructure and growth patterns during the early life history of lanternfishes (family Myctophidae)

The microstructure of the central part of the sagittal otoliths of 55 myctophid species belonging to 27 genera of lanternfishes was compared by means of light and scanning electron microscopy. Multiple primordia were found in the nuclei of all otoliths. In most species and genera a symmetrical pattern of accessory primordia (AP) was observed: they were located along the same growth increment, which indicates simultaneous formation. A clustered pattern of AP was found only in species belonging to the tribe Gymnoscopelini: AP occurred at several growth increments, which indicates that they developed sequentially. The growth increments formed after the formation of clustered AP revealed a sectorial otolith structure, i.e., growth increments were not continuous but separated by radial discontinuities. The pattern and time of formation of AP were found to influence the relationship between otolith diameter and fish length in the Myctophidae. The formation of numerous AP concurrently with transformation of the larva led to a dissociation of fish growth from otolith growth. When AP appeared simultaneously but before transformation, the allometric relationship between otolith size and fish length was not disrupted by this process. Sequential formation of AP considerably before transformation, which occurred only in the Gymnoscopelini, led to an isometric relationship between fish size and otolith size. The potential importance of the AP pattern as a distinguishing character for myctophid larvae is considered to be greatest in the Gymnoscopelini, as these growth centers, in the form of external protrusions, were evident over a wide range of sizes from small larvae to early juveniles.

Differences in the Age of Pacific Hake (Merluccius productus) Using Whole Otoliths and Sections of Otoliths

Ages determined for older Pacific hake from sections through the nucleus of otoliths were older than the ages determined from the otolith surface for the two populations studied. Growth of all parts of the otolith was not identical throughout the life of the fish. The change in the pattern of otolith growth occurred about the age at which the growth in length of the fish was reduced. Despite the disproportionate growth in length and height of the otolith, the thickness of the otolith, especially in the ventral interior portion, continued to increase with age. Section ages appear to be more reliable for older fish because of this allometric change in otolith growth with increasing fish age. It is suggested that the examination of sections of otoliths should become a routine approach in any attempt to age fish using otoliths. Key words: age determination, otolith, otolith section, otolith growth, aging errors, Pacific hake, Strait of Georgia

Some Aspects of the Biology of the Sandeel,Ammodytes TobianusL., in Langstone Harbour, Hampshire

This paper is concerned with the biology of the sandeel,Ammodytes tobianusL., in Langstone Harbour, Hampshire; this was the main area studied in a survey of sandeel populations which are exploited for bait along the south coast of England. Aspects considered are the relative occurrence of the spawning groups; spawning seasons; population structure in terms of length, sex, age and maturity; mortality; annual growth; seasonal growth; and condition. The seasonal pattern of otolith growth and its application to the back-calculation technique, has been described elsewhere (Reay, 1972).A. tobianusforms over 95% of the total sandeel catch in Langstone Harbour.Hyperoplus lanceolatus(Le Sauvage) is the only other species to occur regularly, but individuals of the three other British species,A. marinusRaitt,H. immaculatus(Corbin), andGymnammodytes semisquamatus(Jourdain), have also been recorded. This pattern of species composition is also found in the other inshore areas studied along the south coast.

The Seasonal Pattern of Otolith Growth and its Application to Back-Calculation Studies in Ammodytes Tobianus L.

The Seasonal Pattern of Otolith Growth and its Application to Back-Calculation Studies in Ammodytes Tobianus L.

A Comparative Study of the Yellowtail Flounder from Three Atlantic Fishing Areas

Yellowtail flounders, Limanda ferruginea, from two Nova Scotian fishing areas, Middle Ground and Western Bank, and a southern region near Cape Cod were compared in 1946 with reference to rate of growth, sexual maturity, age and size composition, otolith growth, relative growth of three body parts, and meristic characters. The oldest and slowest-growing fish occurred on Middle Ground, the youngest and fastest-growing fish in the Cape Cod area. Cape Cod yellowtails matured sexually at a much younger age and smaller size than yellowtails from the other regions. Old large fish predominated in commercial catches from Middle Ground and Western Bank; commercial catches from the Cape Cod area were largely composed of young small fish. The 1943 year-class was dominant among the young age-groups on Western Bank; this year-class was scarce in the Cape Cod sample. The yellowtails of each area showed distinctive patterns of otolith growth. Otoliths of Cape Cod yellowtails differed from those of Middle Ground and Western Bank in the relative amount of growth in different years. Cape Cod fish had smaller heads and pectoral fins and larger otoliths than specimens from the other areas. Mean values of dorsal and anal fin-ray numbers were highest in Middle Ground and lowest in Cape Cod fish. Significant differences existed between the numbers of dorsal and anal fin-rays in Cape Cod yellowtails and each of the other samples; Middle Ground and Western Bank samples were not significantly different. Cape Cod yellowtails differed in all respects from either Middle Ground or Western Bank fish and it was concluded that in 1946 the Cape Cod yellowtails formed a distinct population.Western Bank fish, although closely resembling those of Middle Ground, differed from them in some characteristics. It was suggested that the yellowtails of the two regions formed a large population possessing clines of characters.Water temperatures appeared to be important in contributing to the differences between the populations.