Crystallographic Characterization of Otoliths from Larimus breviceps (Cuvier, 1830)

Abstract

Otoliths are structures that integrate the sensory system of teleost fish and have a species-specific shape that is normally formed using calcium carbonate as an aragonite. Sciaenid otoliths typically exhibit a higher frequency of aragonite deposition.This study aimed to characterize the crystallization of sagittal otoliths and determine the frequency of anomalous otoliths in Larimus breviceps. To this end, we collected 90 L. breviceps specimens from the coast of Paraná (Brazil), and the otoliths were removed from the palate region. Raman spectrometry was performed on 30 otoliths, and aragonite deposition was measured in all otoliths without any abnormal morphology. The frequency of morphological changes in otoliths was 1.1%.These results confirmed the tendency of aragonite deposition in the otoliths of L. breviceps.