Study of lanternfish Benthosema pterotum otolith from morphological view
Keywords:
Lanternfish, Benthosema pterotum, Growth, Otolith microstructure, Oman SeaAbstract
To estimate the growth condition of dominant lanternfish (Benthosema pterptum) in the Oman Sea, ٢٧٤ specimens were collected and length-weight (LW) relationships have been calculated. LW, with no significant differences between males (W=٠٫٠٠٠٠١L٢٫٩٨٩ with R٢=٠٫٩٠) and females (W=٠٫٠٠٠٠٠٧L٢٫٩٩٠ with R٢=٠٫٩٤), showed that the growth pattern is isometric (R٢=٠٫٩٣). The thin section (٦٠-٨٠μm) of sagitta otoliths with use of polishing method were prepared. These sections showed that increment growth ring, from the width and shape, divided into the central, middle and external growth zones, surrounding nucleus. Furthermore, external view of left and right sagitta otoliths and morphological parameters were evaluated in details. The result of this study showed that the shape of otolith were oval and sulcus had two distinact area, ostium and caudain. This data can be used for the stomach contents studies of predators feeding on this species.