Study of the Age of Centropomus robalito by Otoliths Analysis of sagitta, asteriscus and lapillus in Mexican Central Pacific

Abstract

Morphology, morphometry and growth rings of the otoliths: Sagitta, asteriscus and lapillus of Centropomus robalito Jordan and Gilbert 1882 in Cuyutlan lagoon, Colima, Mexico were studied. Samples were taken from October 2015 to September 2016. Differences between sexes, as right and left of the three pairs of otoliths were analyzed. In all cases the growth of the otoliths was eccentric to the core. The relationship between total length of the fish and length of the sagitta showed that this structure is suitable to determine the age of this species. Nine growth rings were identified on sagittae. The identification of growth rings was carried out only in sagittae. Data on lengths obtained by polymodal curves of C. robalito were compared to the present results.

Ontogenetic variation in the sagitta otolith of Centropomus undecimalis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Centropomidae) in a tropical estuary

“…The presence of an elongated, rounded and pronounced rostrum are characteristics pointed out by Gallardo-Cabello et al (2017) and Espino-Barr et al (2019) for the genus Centropomus and are characteristics that were also observed in the presently reported study. Gallardo-Cabello et al (2017) also point out that for otoliths of the species Centropomus nigrescens Günther, 1864 there is an absence of pronounced notches (excisura major and minor) causing the absence of both antirostrum and pararostrum, this seems to be a characteristic of the genus in larger individuals, since that the presently reported study detected that the prevalence of the excisura decreases along with the ontogenetic development of Centropomus undecimalis.…”

“…agreeing with what was observed by Espino-Barr et al (2019). Gallardo-Cabello et al (2017) and Espino-Barr et al (2019) also indicated that the otoliths of species within the genus Centropomus have a concave exterior, according to the presently reported study, and that along the growth both the flexion and the thickness of the otolith tend to increase. Ontogenetic changes in otolith contour have been widely observed in several species (Capoccioni et al 2011, Vignon 2012.…”

Staining protocols affect use of otolith to estimate the demography of the damselfish sergeant major (Abudefduf vaigiensis)

“…For stain concentration, Dunn's post hoc comparisons showed a significant difference between low and high concentrations ( p = 0.008), but not for medium and high ( p = 0.273) and low and medium ( p = 0.061). In many fishes, the asterisci have been shown to have fainter and smaller daily increments (Tsukamoto & Kajihara, 1987) and more irregular concentric increments (Espino‐Barr, 2019). Although daily increment deposition in the asterisci of A. vaigiensis was validated, we hypothesize that the thinner depositions (1–2 μm, as opposed to 3–5 μm for the lapillus and sagittae) provide less opportunity for the absorption of stain, or less visibility of the mark, resulting in lower marking scores.…”