Sagittal Otolith Morphology of Sharpsnout Seabream Diplodus puntazzo (Walbaum, 1792) in the Aegean Sea

Abstract

SUMMARY:The morphology, biometry and shape indices of the left and right sagittal otoliths were studied for sharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo species from Aegean Sea. The shape, sulcus acusticus shape, proximal and distal surfaces, anterior and posterior regions of left and right sagittal otoliths for a total of 52 D. puntazzo were analyzed. The morphometric measurements such as weight, length, width, area and perimeter were recorded for each pair of sagittal otoliths of the sharpsnout seabream. The shape indices such as form factor, roundness, aspect ratio, circularity, rectangularity, and ellipticity were calculated for left and right sagittal otoliths of D. puntazzo. The otolith width and ellipticity were significantly different (P <0.05) for left and right sagittal otolith measurements and shape indices, respectively in D. puntazzo inhabiting the Aegean Sea. Morphological characteristics of fish otoliths were highly variable in species and populations; there was limited information on the sagittal otolith morphology and shape indices. The present study provided sufficient information of the sharpsnout seabream left and right otolith morphologies, biometry, and shape indices in the Aegean Sea, they may provide a useful tool for marine and freshwater species discrimination and identification in further investigations.

Morphologic, morphometric and contour shape variations of sagittal otoliths of Lepidorhombus spp. in the Aegean Sea

“…In previous studies, it was usually reported that the otolith shape is species‐specific for fish species and that in the normal case the otolith shape is consistent within the same species (Bostanci et al, 2016; Kontaş et al, 2020; Tuset et al, 2008; Yedier, 2021b; Zengin et al, 2015). However, in the present study, it was determined that the blind and eyed side otoliths of the same species showed statistical differences in the morphometric and contour shape analysis results.…”

Age, growth and otolith morphometrics of Serranus hepatus (L., 1758) in two areas of the Eastern Mediterranean

“…However, similar growth patterns characterized the species in the two study areas. Variation in otolith morphology and shape is known to be related to genetic and/or environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, depth and food availability (Campana and Casselman, 1993;Lombarte and Lleonart, 1993;Capoccioni et al, 2011;Bostanci et al, 2016;Smolinski et al, 2020;Nazir and Khan, 2021). In addition, Bose et al (2020) suggest that the otolith width is highly influenced by selected environmental factors.…”