Measurementsongroundorsectionedotoliths-Horizon.PDFVIP

Journal ofFish Biology (1992) 41,201-207 Measurements on ground or sectioned otoliths: possibilities of bias J. PANFILIAND M.-C. XIMENES CEMAGREF,Division Aquaculture et Pêche, B.P. 5095,34033 Montpellier Cedex,France (Received 11 October 1991, Accepted 17 December 1991) Back-calculation usually requires measurements of growth marks revealed on otoliths by specific preparations. The standardization of the grinding (or sectioning) plane is necessary, but difficult, especially along the antero-posterior axis. In order to show the importance of the grinding plane, tetracycline labelling of eel otoliths (Anguilla anguilla L.) has been used. This marking has a calcio-traumatic effect on otoliths, which can be revealed wiih staining techniques. Unless the grinding plane is incorrect, the tetracycline labelling and the staining of the ground surface are then superposed. Key words: otoliths; sectioning; measurement bias; growth rings; Anguilla anguilla. I. INTRODUCTION Otoliths are commonly used for age determination in fish. Apart from the direct age estimates given by the number of annual rings or micro-increments? measure- ments can be taken and used for instance in back-calculation of growth. Generally, preliminary preparations of the otoliths are necessary before observations. One of the most common preparation technique, burning and cracking the otolith, devel- oped first by Christensen (1964), reveals growth marks but does not permit standardized measurements, because of the random alignment of the fractured plane. The staining technique, developed by Albrechtsen (1968), offers the possi- bility of measuring narrow marks. These measurements can be standardized,