A. Cruz, A. Lombarte (2004): Otolith size and its relationship with colour
patterns and sound production. Journal of Fish Biology; Volume 65, Issue 6,
Page 1512-1525
Abstract: A comparative, morphometric study was made of the 185 sagitta
otoliths from 18 species belonging to four coastal perciform families of the
northwest Mediterranean: the Labridae, Sparidae, Haemulidae and Sciaenidae.
Species with relatively large otoliths belonged to groups considered
specialists in sound production (sciaenids and haemulids), while those with
small otoliths belonged to groups that rely on bright or contrasted colour
patterns for visual communication (labrids). In sparids, species with clear
body marks had smaller otoliths than species without dark stripes or dots.
These findings support the hypothesis that otolith size is related to
hearing ability in the inner ear.
Sonja Amoser, PhD Student
University of Vienna, Institute of Zoology
Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43-1-4277-54467 oder +43-664-5006106 (private)
Fax: +43-1-4277-54506
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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