A new deepwater assfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bassozetus nielseni</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae), from the North Atlantic and West Indian oceans

A new deepwater assfish, Bassozetus nielseni sp. nov., is described from 29 specimens [147–615 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from the North Atlantic and West Indian oceans. It is distinguished from 13 congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays 122–129, long rakers on first gill arch 11–14, oblique scales 20–25, abdominal vertebrae 13–14, head length 18.1–21.3 % SL, body depth at anal-fin origin 8.2–14.6 % SL, predorsal length 16.4–20.1 % SL, tail length 62.7–68.0 % SL, posterior tip of pelvic-fin rays anterior to anus, a single median basibranchial tooth patch, dorsal margin of sagittal otolith smooth, and fins pale yellowish brown (preserved condition).     

A new deepwater assfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bassozetus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mozambiquensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae), from the western Indian Ocean

A new deepwater assfish, Bassozetus mozambiquensis sp. nov., is described from a single specimen (431 mm SL) collected from the western Indian Ocean. Originally identified as Bassozetus compressus (Günther 1878), it was subsequently found to be distinguishable from 12 valid species of the genus due to the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays 117; long rakers on first gill arch 14; oblique scales ca. 30; total vertebrae 65; pelvic-fin length 9.5 % of standard length; a single median basibranchial tooth patch; sagittal otolith lacking a small process on anterior margin, dorsal margin smooth, an ostial channel present.     

胶州湾12种饵料鱼类耳石大小与体长的关系

根据2008年11月至2009年8月在胶州湾海域进行的逐月定点底拖网调查, 选择12种常见的饵料鱼类作为研究对象, 运用最小二乘法分析了每种饵料鱼类的体长与耳石形态大小(包括耳石的长度、宽度、长半径和短半径)的关系, 并建立回归方程, 旨在为深入研究高营养级鱼类的摄食生态和食物网营养动力学提供基础资料。研究表明, 12种饵料鱼类的体长与体重均呈显著的幂函数关系(P0.05), 回归系数b值在2.871-3.371, 平均值为3.1590.110 (95% CL), b值最小的鱼种是六丝钝尾虾虎鱼Amblychaeturichthys hexanema, 最大的是细条天竺鲷Apogon lineatus。经检验, Liza haematocheilus和箭鱼衔Callionymus sagitta的b值与3无显著差异(P0.05), 属等速生长; 李氏鱼衔Callionymus richardsonii和六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的b值显著小于3 (P0.05), 属负异速生长; 其余8种鱼类的b值均大于3 (P0.05), 为正异速生长。方差分析表明, 12种鱼类的体长与耳石各个形态参数的回归关系均极显著(P0.01)。在所有48个回归方程中, 有37个方程的决定系数R2值大于0.8, 拟合效果较好; 有9个回归方程的R2值在0.7-0.8; 其余2个回归方程的R2值小于0.7, 拟合效果略差。其中, 各方程拟合效果最好的是六丝钝尾虾虎鱼, 其R2值均接近于1。通过比较同种鱼类各个回归方程的R2值可知, 在这12种饵料鱼类中, 多数鱼种体长与耳石长度和宽度的拟合效果要略好于体长与耳石半径的拟合效果, 因此在实际应用中, 可以通过测量耳石的长度和宽度来推算饵料鱼类的体长等形态参数。另一方面, 由于多数鱼类的耳石比较脆, 尤其是耳石的两端更容易破损, 因此与耳石长度相比, 耳石宽度与体长的回归方程更加适合于实际应用。       

Ecological niche specialization inferred from morphological variation and otolith strontium of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus L. found within open lake systems of southern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada

The presence of two morphotypes of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus was confirmed via morphological variation and otolith strontium (Sr) within three open-lake systems of southern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada: Qinngu (LH001), Iqalugaarjuit Lake (PG082) and Qasigiat (PG015). Analysis of otolith Sr indicates that a component of each S. alpinus population within lakes LH001 and PG082 is migratory (large–maturing S. alpinus ), whereas another component is lake-resident (small–maturing S. alpinus ). Alternatively, small and large maturing S. alpinus may both inhabit tidal habitats during their lifetime in lake PG015. Three morphological characters were identified by principal factor analysis (PFA) as characters that were different between maturity groups for all lakes studied: eye diameter, pectoral fin length and pelvic fin length. As well, upper jaw length (LH001 and PG082) and fork depth (PG015) were identified in PFA as traits that differed between morphs. Univariate tests of morphological characters identified by PFA demonstrated maturity group differences with the exception of eye diameter in Lake PG015 and upper jaw length and pelvic fin length in lake LH001. No difference was found in the MANOVA test of upper and lower gill raker number between small–maturing and undeveloped fish within all lakes studied. Clear morphological variation observed between small–maturing and undeveloped fish in all three lakes of the study suggests ecological niche separation between morphotypes. This is the first documented case of lake-resident S. alpinus use of the tidal habitat in the presence of a migratory large–maturing morphotype.     

鲫耳石重量与年龄的关系及其在年龄鉴定中的作用

耳石重量在年龄组间重叠较少,大小相近的个体,年龄大的,即生长慢的耳石重量比年龄小的,即生长快的大,不同龄组之间耳石重量有显著差异（P＜0．05）,按年龄组在耳石重量与相应的体长作图,可初步判断观测年龄的可靠性,分析耳石重量频率分布能分离出体长相近,年龄不同的个体,其结构与耳石年轮观测的基本一致,耳石重量与年龄呈显著线性正相关（P＜0．05）,用耳石重量与年龄关系估算的年龄从耳石上直接读取的年龄无显著差异（P＞0．05）,文中对耳石重量直接用于确定鱼类年龄的可能性作了分析和探讨。     

Sagittal otolith morphogenesis asymmetry in marine fishes

This study investigated and compared asymmetry in sagittal otolith shape and length between left and right inner ears in four roundfish and four flatfish species of commercial interest. For each species, the effects of ontogenetic changes (individual age and total body length), sexual dimorphism (individual sex) and the otolith's location on the right or left side of the head, on the shape and length of paired otoliths (between 143 and 702 pairs according to species) were evaluated. Ontogenetic changes in otolith shape and length were observed for all species. Sexual dimorphism, either in otolith shape and length or in their ontogenetic changes, was detected for half of the species, be they round or flat. Significant directional asymmetry in otolith shape and length was detected in one roundfish species each, but its inconsistency across species and its small average amplitude (6·17% for shape and 1·99% for length) suggested that it has barely any biological relevance. Significant directional asymmetry in otolith shape and length was found for all flatfish species except otolith length for one species. Its average amplitude varied between 2·06 and 17·50% for shape and between 0·00 and 11·83% for length and increased significantly throughout ontogeny for two species, one dextral and one sinistral. The longer (length) and rounder otolith (shape) appeared to be always on the blind side whatever the species. These results suggest differential biomineralization between the blind and ocular inner ears in flatfish species that could result from perturbations of the proximal‐distal gradient of otolith precursors in the endolymph and the otolith position relative to the geometry of the saccular epithelium due to body morphology asymmetry and lateralized behaviour. The fact that asymmetry never exceeded 18% even at the individual level suggests an evolutionary canalization of otolith shape symmetry to avoid negative effects on fish hearing and balance. Technically, asymmetry should be accounted for in future studies based on otolith shape.     

Relationship of otolith length to fish total length in six demersal species from the NW Mediterranean Sea

Relationships between otolith major axis length (mm) and fish size (total length, cm) were described by means of linear regression analysis for six demersal fish species from the NW Mediterranean: blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), greater forkbeard (Phycis blennoides), red mullet (Mullus barbatus), poor cod (Trisopetus minutus capelanus), horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), and Mediterranean mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus). Results show that reconstruction of body size from otolith measurement is possible by applying this approach based on the relationship of otolith length – fish length.     

Biometric relationships between body and otolith measurements in nine demersal fishes from north‐eastern Tasmanian waters,Australia

Relationships between fish and otolith measurements were analyzed in nine demersal fishes from the north‐eastern Tasmanian waters: Foetorepus calauropomus, Trachurus declivis, Parequula melbournensis, Neosebastes scorpaenoides, Platycephalus aurimaculatus, Platycephalus bassensis, Platycephalus conatus, Lepidotrigla mulhalli and Lepidotrigla vanessa. The values of exponent b from the relationships between fish weight and fish total length, total length and otolith length, total length and otolith width, and fish weight and otolith length were estimated. All above relationships were statistically significant. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the effect of the categorical factor of species in the fish length and otolith length relationship. Significant differences in fish length and otolith length relationship between species were highlighted in both gurnards and flatheads. Results from this study will provide novel information on quantitative biometric relationships between body and otolith measurements of fish species in Australian waters.     

Gill raker structure and selective predation on zooplankton by particulate feeding fish

The relationship between the gill raker structure of planktivorous fish (number, distance between gill rakers and length) and selective feeding on different species and size classes of zooplankton was studied. Gill raker structure was measured for brown trout Salmo trutta , Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus , whitefish Coregonus lavaretus , roach Rutilus rutilus , bleak Alburnus alburnus , and three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus . All species are facultative planktivorous fish and occur commonly in Scandinavian lakes. The effect of gill raker structure was studied by comparing prey found in fish stomachs with the availability of zooplankton from several lakes. Gill raker length and distance were significantly correlated with fish length. Although gill raker structure differed among species, all fish species selected the larger zooplankters. The minimum size of cladoceran species found in fish stomachs was much smaller than the distance between gill rakers. Despite great differences in gill raker spacing, the minimum size ingested of Daphnia galeata and Bosmina longispina was similar for all predators. The hypothesis that small zooplankton are strained and retained by the gill rakers in particulate feeding planktivorous fish, particularly in salmonids and roach, is rejected.     

长江口鮻矢耳石形态特征及质量与年龄的关系

为研究长江口鮻矢耳石形态特征及其质量与年龄的关系,2017年2—6月从长江口水域采集鮻358尾,解剖并提取耳石324对,并对其形态学参数进行测量分析.结果表明:鮻矢耳石具有基叶和翼叶,中央听沟明显,矢耳石的大小和形状随个体生长变化明显,矢耳石由边缘规则的圆润瓜子状渐变为褊窄的叶片状,边缘波浪状突起逐渐变多.矢耳石平均密度为1.52 mg·mm^-2,平均矩形趋近率为0.68,耳石长占其体长的0.021%~0.047%,耳石宽占其体长的0.009%~0.021%,耳石质量占其体质量的0.045‰~0.731‰.鮻矢耳石长(OL)、宽(OW)、质量(OM)均与体长呈显著相关,耳石宽与耳石质量函数关系式的决定系数(R^2)最高(0.928).耳石质量与体长(BL)最佳拟合方程为幂函数:OM=0.0009BL1.8737(R2=0.967);耳石质量与年龄(A)以及体长与年龄的最佳拟合方程为多项式:OM=2.9262A^2+4.8437A+2.1894(R^2=0.847);BL=-3.2248A^2+102.54A+38.373(R^2=0.858),矢耳石质量与年龄呈显著线性相关,用耳石质量与年龄关系估算的年龄与从耳石上直接读取的年龄无显著差异,矢耳石质量可以作为鉴定鮻年龄的有效辅助手段.     

Relationships between fish size and otolith size of four bathydemersal fish species from the south eastern Arabian Sea,India

The objective of this study was to estimate a prey body size from the hard parts (e.g. otoliths) of a fish species frequently found in the guts of predators. Length–weight relationships between otolith size (length, height, weight and aspect ratio) and fish size (total length and weight) were determined for four fish species captured in the Arabian Sea by bottom trawl (2015 survey on‐board FORV Sagar Sampada, 200–300 m depth), off the west coast of India: Psenopsis cyanea, Pterygotrigla hemisticta, Bembrops caudimacula and Hoplostethus rubellopterus. No significant differences were noted between the size of the left and right otoliths (t test) in any of the four species. The length–weight relationship of the otolith in all four species showed a negative allometric growth pattern (t test, p < .05). The data fitted well to the regression model for otolith length (OL), otolith height (OH) and otolith weight (OW) to total length (TL) and total weight (TW). Results showed that these relationships are a helpful tool in predicting fish size from the otoliths and in calculating the biomass of these less‐studied fish species during feeding studies and palaentology.     

Atomic emission and proton microprobe studies of the ion content of otoliths of chinook salmon aimed at recovering the temperature life history of individuals

Atomic emission experiments on whole otoliths of the chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytcha) show that a statistically significant relationship exists between otolith ion content (Fr, Zn, Mn, Na, Sr, P), ambient temperature, body length and otolith weight amongst individuals maintained under controlled diet and water conditions. Direct proton microprobe studies confirm these results and suggest that it may be possible to recover the temperature life history of individual fishes from the otolith.     

Comparison of otolith growth and morphology with somatic growth and age in young-of-the-year bluefin tuna

Otolith morphological characteristics were studied using image analysis techniques and the relationships between otolith growth and somatic growth and age, as estimated from counting daily otolith increments, were examined in young-of-the-year (YOY) bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus ranging in fork length ( L _F) from 8·5 to 55·5 cm. Whole otolith length, width, area and perimeter, and three shape indexes, circularity, E value and rectangularity, were extracted for each pair of sagittae. Since no statistical significant differences between left and right otolith morphometrics were found, only one otolith from each fish was used for correlations. Statistically significant relationships were observed between otoliths measurements and fish somatic growth when a linear regression was applied after logarithmic transformation of all variables tested. Among the variables, otolith length was the one that showed the highest correlation with L _F, followed by otolith area and perimeter, whereas otolith rectangularity exhibited the lowest correlation. Statistically significant relationships were also observed between the otolith variables tested and the age of the fish, which ranged from 20 to 129 days. The ages estimated using otolith mass were very close to those assessed using daily increment counts (bias ranged from 1 to 24 days). Therefore, otolith mass could represent a valuable criterion for age estimation in YOY bluefin tuna that is objective, economic and easy to perform compared to daily increment counting method.     

Morphometric analysis of otoliths of juvenile crucifix sea catfish Sciades proops (Valenciennes, 1840)

The objective of this study was to analyze the morphometry of otoliths for Sciades proops juveniles by testing the hypothesis of equality in morphometric relationships for the right and left otoliths, which could then be interchangeably used to estimate fish size or weight. Samples were obtained monthly directly from anglers after each event that took place off the state of Sergipe from March/2014 to April/2015. Anglers used rod and reel during these events, with no restriction on hook size or line thickness. Each fish specimen sampled had their total weight (W, g) and total length (TL, cm) measured and their lapillus otoliths removed and stored separately. Each otolith had its length (OL), width (OWi), and thickness (OT) measured (all in mm) under a stereomicroscope. Otoliths were weighed using a precision scale (OW, g). A total of 883 specimens were sampled: TL = 12.0–60.5 cm and W = 9.8–1880 g. The weight‐length relationship for the juvenile fishes was W = 0.0052TL^3.086 and for their otoliths was OW = 0.0002OL^3.177. The weight‐length and length‐length relationships fitted for each otolith (right and left) were not statistically different and thus all relations were estimated for grouped otoliths. The length‐length relationships for the otoliths were: OWi = 0.947OL?0.205 and OT = O.484OL?0.698. The relationship estimated for juvenile fish and otolith weight was Wj = 1076.1OW?9.120. For juvenile fish total length and otolith length, width and thickness, the following relationships were estimated: TLj = 4.028OL?3.199, TLj = 4.208OWi?2.091, and TLj = 7.824OT + 3.659, respectively. Relationships between fish and otolith size, and between fish and otolith weight indicated a change in slope close to L_m50, which should be better explored when more adult specimens are available.     

Otolith length/fish length relationship of leptocephali,elvers, and sub-adult (reared) eelsAnguilla anguilla

Synopsis The otolith length and the total fish length of 9 leptocephali, 29 elvers and 51 sub-adult eels were measured. For the 51 eels a significant correlation between otolith and fish length was found. No similar correlation was found for leptocephali and elvers because of their similar total length. It was found that the growth of the otolith from leptocephali and elvers differs from the growth of herring larvae otoliths.     

Exposure to thyroid hormone in ovo affects otolith crystallization in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Calcareous otoliths in the inner ears of fishes are necessary for proper hearing and vestibular function. Sagittal otoliths are usually composed of the calcium carbonate polymorph aragonite but may contain the polymorph vaterite, a phenomenon called otolith crystallization. The causes of otolith crystallization are poorly understood. Thyroid hormone (TH) can influence the chemical microenvironment and structure of the inner ear, suggesting that TH may influence otolith crystallization. The present study examined the effect of exogenous TH treatment on sagittal otolith crystallization and growth in larval and juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. In the first experiment, 110?C179?day-old fish raised from TH-treated oocytes had significantly fewer sagittal otoliths containing the crystalline calcium carbonate polymorph vaterite as compared to untreated fish. Vaterite-containing otoliths were significantly longer than those containing the typical polymorph aragonite, although there was no effect of TH treatment on otolith length. In the second experiment, juveniles immersed in an exogenous solution of TH for 6?weeks had slightly longer otoliths (relative to fish length) than age-matched controls, but this effect was not significant. This juvenile population had a very high percentage (88.3?%) of vaterite sagittae overall and this percentage did not change significantly with treatment, suggesting the switch from aragonite to vaterite occurred prior to inclusion of the fish in the study. These results suggest that early manipulation of TH levels may affect calcium carbonate deposition on the otolith but that later TH exposure is unable to restore typical otolith composition.     

Growth and morphological development of sagittal otoliths of larval and early juvenile Trachurus japonicus

The daily periodicity of growth increment formation in sagittal otoliths of jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus was validated by marking otoliths with alizarin complexone (ALC). Analysis of otoliths of known‐age juveniles confirmed that the first increment formed on day 3 after hatching, and was associated with first feeding. A total of 198 specimens, ranging from 2·6 to 49·2 mm in body length (notochord length or standard length) and from 7 to 78 days in age, were collected in the East China Sea and Tosa Bay, and used to examine the association between otolith morphological development and ontogenetic development. The relationship between body length ( L ) and otolith radius ( R ) was significantly described by the linear function L  = 2·65 + 0·0425 R ( n  = 198, r ² = 0·99, P  < 0·001), indicating that somatic growth history can be reconstructed from otolith growth patterns. The otolith was primarily spherical in the preflexion larval stage, and became elongated with notochord flexion. The first secondary primordium formed at c . 25 days, during the middle postflexion stage, and was associated with metamorphosis. By c . 42 days the sagittal otolith was adult‐like in morphology, with the primary growth zone enclosed by the marginal growth zone, except in the anterior rostrum area. Thus age, growth and developmental stages were recorded in sagittal otoliths during the larval and early juvenile stages of jack mackerel.     

The relationships between fish size and otolith dimensions in the common sole (Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758)) captured in the Northeastern Mediterranean

Fish specimens were captured by a commercial bottom trawler at a depth of 50–80 m from Iskenderun Bay (Hatay, Turkey) between December 2017 and May 2018. The bottom trawl gear used was equipped with a 44 mm stretched mesh size net at the cod-end. Blind side and eyed side otolith lengths (OL), otolith breadths (OB) and otolith weights (OW) were measured from each specimen to the nearest 0.001 mm and 0.0001g respectively. A total of 110 fish (43 females and 67 males) were collected. Total length ranged from 20.8 to 28.2 cm and 68.0 to 166.1 g (males) and 21.1 to −28.5 cm and 74.5 to 201.4 g (females). The coefficients of determination between fish weight and otolith weight, and total length and otolith weight (sexes combined) were found as R² = .7694 (0.77) and R² = .6274 (0.63), respectively. A moderate positive relationship between the total length-otolith dimensions, and fish weight-otolith dimensions, was also demonstrated.     

Relationships between total length and otolith measurements for 36 fish species from Gökçeada Island,Turkey

The relationships between fish total length and otolith measurements (OL, OW and OR) were described by means of allometric power equation for 36 fish species from Gokceada Island, Turkey. Regressions were also estimated at genus level. A total of 14364 specimens were collected monthly using beach seine (0–2 m) and beam trawl (5–20 m) from June 2013 to June 2014. Generally, the otolith length showed the highest correlation for predicting fish total length. This paper represents the first relationships between otolith morphometrics and fish total length for 12 species. These relationships can be useful for researchers who examining stomach contents of piscivorous predators.     

Sexual dimorphism in the otolith shape of shi drum,Umbrina cirrosa (L.), in the eastern Mediterranean Sea: Fish size–otolith size relationships

Little is known about possible differences in sagitta otolith size and shape between sexes of the shi drum, Umbrina cirrosa, and relationships between their body and otolith size. Thus, this study aimed to fill this knowledge gap via examination of 414 sagittal otoliths from 108 male (total length 13.8–26.8 cm) and 99 female (13.5–26.7 cm) U. cirrosa caught between May 2017 and April 2018 in gillnets set at a depth of ~15 m in Mersin Bay, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. No statistical differences were observed between the shape indices of the left-sided and right-sided sagitta. However, there were significant differences in the size and shape of otoliths between males and females. The slopes of allometric power functions from otolith width × fish sizes gave significant differences between males and females (ANCOVA, P < 0.05). The relationship for length × weight of otoliths from both males and females showed isometric growth, whereas the relationship of otolith width × otolith weight showed positive allometry. Negative allometric growth was observed for the relationship otolith length × otolith width. In summary, this study revealed the presence of sexual dimorphism in the otolith shape of U. cirrosa, and the data on regression relationships of fish-otolith sizes can be used to estimate fish size from U. cirrosa otolith sizes.