Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Crystalline otoliths in teleosts: Comparisons between hatchery and wild coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the Strait of Georgia

  • Published:
Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Otoliths, or ‘ear stones’, are calcium carbonate structures found in all vertebrates. In teleosts, they have a number of sensory functions, including hearing. Daily growth increments of these structures have permitted advanced age and population studies of teleosts. Whereas ‘normal’ otoliths are composed of crystals imbedded within a protein matrix as aragonite, a ‘crystalline’ form of calcium carbonate termed vaterite is also found. A review of the otolith literature demonstrates a significant level of understanding of the structure and function of otoliths, but the cause for crystalline otolith structure remains speculative. Pairs of otoliths from hatchery and wild juvenile and adult coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were examined visually for determination of otolith microstructure type. The vateritic or crystalline otoliths were found in much higher percentages in juvenile hatchery-reared coho salmon than in juvenile wild coho salmon, supporting previous studies. There did not seem to be any negative impact on size or survival. There was also no correlation between crystalline otoliths and premature maturation in coho males. A preliminary study of adult coho salmon returning to Big Qualicum and Chilliwack hatcheries showed even higher ratios of vateritic otoliths than observed in juveniles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • M. Asano Y. Mugiya (1993) ArticleTitleBiochemical and calcium-binding properties of water-soluble proteins isolated from otoliths of the tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus Comp. Biochem. Physiol 104 201–205

    Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Beamish D. McCaughran J.R. King R.M. Sweeting G.A. McFarlane (2000) ArticleTitleEstimating the abundance of juvenile coho salmon in the Strait of Georgia by means of surface trawls N. Am. J. Fish. Manage 20 369–375 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(2000)020<0369:ETAOJC>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R.W. Blacker (1974) Recent advances in otolith studies F.R.H. Harden Jones (Eds) Sea Fisheries Research Wiley NY, NY 67–90

    Google Scholar 

  • C.A. Bowen C.R. Bronte R.L. Argyle J.V. Adams J.E. Johnson (1999) ArticleTitleVateritic sagitta in wild and stocked lake trout: applicability to stock origin Trans. Am. Fish. Soc 128 929–938 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1999)128<0929:VSIWAS>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.R. Bronte J.H. Selgeby J.H. Saylor G.S. Miller N.R. Foster (1995) ArticleTitleHatching, dispersal, and bathymetric distribution of age-0 wild lake trout at the Gull Island shoal complex, Lake Superior J. Great Lakes Res 21 IssueIDSuppl. 1 233–245

    Google Scholar 

  • E.B. Brothers (1981) ArticleTitleWhat can otolith microstructure tells us about daily events in the early life history of fish? Rap. PV. Reunions, Cons. Int. L’explor. de la Mer 198 393–394

    Google Scholar 

  • E.B. Brothers (1984) Otoliths studies on early life history stages of fishes: Applications to systematics G. Moser (Eds) International Symposium on Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. Specific Publ. American Soceity of Ichthyol. Herpet. La Jolla California 50–57

    Google Scholar 

  • S.E. Campana (1983a) ArticleTitleCalcium deposition and otolith check formation during periods of stress in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch. Comp. Biochem. Physiol 75A 215–220 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0300-9629(83)90073-7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3sXktlKhsbk%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S.E. Campana (1983b) ArticleTitleFeeding periodicity and the production of daily growth increments in otoliths of steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) and starry flounder (Platyichthys stellatus) Can. J. Zool 61 1591–1597

    Google Scholar 

  • S.E. Campana (1999) ArticleTitleChemistry and composition of fish otoliths: Pathways, mechanisms, and applications Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser 188 263–297 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjtFKmtA%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S.E. Campana J.D. Neilson (1985) ArticleTitleMicrostructure of fish otoliths Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci 42 1014–1032

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Carlstrom (1963) ArticleTitleA crystallographic study of vertebrate otoliths Biol. Bull 125 441–463

    Google Scholar 

  • J.M. Casselman (1990) ArticleTitleGrowth and relative size of calcified structures in fish Trans. Am. Fish. Soc 119 673–688 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1990)119<0673:GARSOC>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R.W. Casteel (1974) ArticleTitleIdentification of the species of Pacific salmon (Genus Oncorhynchus) native to North America based upon otoliths Copeia 1974 305–311

    Google Scholar 

  • A.W. David C.B. Grimes J.J. Isely (1994) ArticleTitleVaterite sagittal otoliths in hatchery-reared juvenile red drums Prog. Fish Cult 56 301–303 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8640(1994)056<0301:VSOIHR>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E.T. Degens (1976) ArticleTitleMolecular mechanisms of carbonate, phosphate and silica deposition in the living cell Topics Curr. Chem 64 1–112 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE28Xkslems7g%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E.T. Degens W.G. Deuser R.L. Haedrich (1969) ArticleTitleMolecular structure and composition of fish otoliths Mar. Biol 2 105–113 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00347005 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaF1MXktFSksrc%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P.A.M. Gaemers (1984) ArticleTitleTaxonomic position of the Cichlidae (Pisces: Perciformes) as demonstrated by the morphology of their otoliths Neth. J. Zool 34 566–595

    Google Scholar 

  • R.W. Gauldie (1986) ArticleTitleVaterite otoliths from chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) NZ J. Mar. Fish. Res 20 209–217 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL28Xls12hsb0%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R.W. Gauldie (1996) ArticleTitleEffects of temperature and vaterite replacement on the chemistry of metal ions in the otoliths of Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci 53 2016–2026

    Google Scholar 

  • R.W. Gauldie I.F. West G. Coote N. Merrett (1995) ArticleTitleStrontium variation and oxygen isotope water temperature record in the otoliths of the deep water fishes Trachyrincus murrayi and Coryphaenoides mediterraneus Comp. Biochem. Physiol 110 271–280 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0300-9629(94)00191-U

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. Irie (1960) ArticleTitleThe growth of the fish otolith J. Fac. Fish. Anim. Husb. Hiroshima Univ 3 203–229

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Johansson (1966) ArticleTitleContribution to the biology of the dab (Limanda limanda L.) in Icelandic waters Rit. Fiskideldar 4 18–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Y. Kitano D.W. Hood (1965) ArticleTitleThe influence of organic material on the polymorphic crystallisation of calcium carbonate Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 29 29–41 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0016-7037(65)90075-X Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaF2MXlslylsA%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H.A. Lowenstein S. Weiner (1989) On Biomineralization Oxford University Press NY 315

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Morales-Nin (1995) ArticleTitleCaracteristicas de los otolitos cristalinos de Genypterus capensis (Smith, 1874) (Pisces: Ophidiidae) Invest. Pesq. (Barc.) 49 379–386

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Mosegaard H. Svedang K. Taberman (1988) ArticleTitleUncoupling of somatic otolith growth rates in arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) as an effect of differences in temperature response Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci 45 1514–1524

    Google Scholar 

  • Y. Mugiya (1972) ArticleTitleOn aberrant sagittas of teleostean fishes Jap. J. Icthyol 19 11–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Y. Mugiya (1974) ArticleTitleCalcium-45 behaviour at the level of the otolithic organs of rainbow trout Bull. Jap. Soc. Fish 40 457–463 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE2cXks1Wgsrg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Y. Mugiya (1984) ArticleTitleDiurnal rhythm in otolith formation in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri: Seasonal reversal of the rhythm in relation to plasma calcium concentrations Comp. Biochem. Physiol 78A 289–293 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2cXks12ks7Y%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Y. Mugiya N. Watabe J. Yamada J.M. Dean D.J. Dunkelberger M. Shimizu (1981) ArticleTitleDiurnal rhythm in otolith formation in the goldfish, Carassius auratus Entomorphology 97 144–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Munk K., Smikrud K. (2002). Relationships of otolith size to fish size and otolith ages for Yelloweye (Sebastes ruberrimus) and Quillback (S. maliger) Rockfishes. Regional Information Report No. 5J02-05, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries, 50 pp.

  • E. Murayama Y. Takagi T. Hoira J.G. Davis M.I. Greene H. Nagasawa (2002) ArticleTitleFish otolith contains a unique structural protein, otolin-1 Eur. J. Biochem 269 688–696 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.0014-2956.2001.02701.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XhtVygs78%3D Occurrence Handle11856329

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J.D. Neilson G. Geen (1982) ArticleTitleOtoliths of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Daily growth increments and factors influencing their production Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci 39 1340–1347

    Google Scholar 

  • A.M. Oliveira M. Farina I.P. Lidka B. Kachar (1996) ArticleTitleVaterite, calcite and aratonite in the otoliths of three species of piranha Naturwissen 83 133–135 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XitVOgsrs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K.H. Palmork M.E.U. Taylor (1963) ArticleTitleThe crystal structure of aberrant otoliths Acta Chem. Scand 17 1457–1458 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaF3sXks1KnsLs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G. Panella (1971) ArticleTitleFish otoliths: Daily growth layers and periodical patterns Science 173 1124–1127 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CS2D3Mzjtlc%3D Occurrence Handle5098955

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peck T.P. (1970) Differentiation of hatchery and stream juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) from Washington and Oregon by the use of scales and otoliths. Master’s Thesis, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 67 pp.

  • R.L. Radtke (1984) ArticleTitleFormation and structural composition of larval striped mullet otoliths Trans. Am. Fish. Soc 113 186–191 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1984)113<186:FASCOL>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R.L. Radtke T.E. Targett (1984) ArticleTitleRhythmic structural and chemical patterns in otoliths of the Antarctic fish Notothenia larseni: Their application to age determination Polar Biol 3 23–210 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00292624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Rannou Thiriot-Quievreux (1975) ArticleTitleStructure des otoliths d’un Macroouridae bathyal. Etude au microscope electronique a bayalage Ann. Inst. Oceanogr 51 195–201

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Reibisch (1899) ArticleTitleUeber die Eizahl bei Pleuronectes platessa und die Alterbestimmung dieser Form aus den Otolithen Wiss. Meeresuntersuch Abt. Kiel. N.F 4 231–248

    Google Scholar 

  • N. Shinobu Y. Mugiya (1995) ArticleTitleEffects of ovine prolactin, bovine growth hormone and trioodothyronine on the calcification of otoliths and scales in the hypopysectomized goldfish Carassius auratus Fish. Sci 61 950–963

    Google Scholar 

  • M.B. Strong J.D. Neilson J.J. Hunt (1986) ArticleTitleAberrant crystallization of pollock (Pollachius virens) otoliths Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci 43 1457–1463

    Google Scholar 

  • R.M. Sweeting R.M. Beamish D.J. Noakes C.M. Neville (2003) ArticleTitleReplacement of wild coho salmon by hatchery-reared coho salmon in the Strait of Georgia over the past three decades N. Am. J. Fish. Manage 23 492–502 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(2003)023<0492:ROWCSB>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B.D. Taubert D.W. Cole (1977) ArticleTitleDaily rings in otoliths of three species of Lepomis and Tilapia mossambica J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can 34 332–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobin, R.S. Blood, C.L. and Forsberg J.E. (2005) Incidence of crystallized otoliths from the 2000 to 2002 IPHC setline and NMFS trawl surveys. In: International Pacific Halibut Commission Report of Assessment and Research Activities 2004, Seattle, WA. pp 327–338.

  • D.W. Townsend (1980) ArticleTitleMicrostructural growth increments in some Antarctic fish otoliths Cybium 3 17–22

    Google Scholar 

  • D.W. Townsend R.F. Shaw (1982) ArticleTitleDaily growth increments in otolith of blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, from above the Arctic Circle Sarsia 67 143–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Z. Zhang R.J. Beamish (1994) ArticleTitleUse of otolith microstructure to identify hatchery-reared and wild Pacific salmon NPAFC Bull 90 1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Z. Zhang R.J. Beamish B.E. Riddell (1995) ArticleTitleDifference in otolith microstructure between hatchery-reared and wild chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci 52 344–352

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6N7, Canada

    R. M. Sweeting, R. J. Beamish & C. M. Neville

Authors
  1. R. M. Sweeting
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. J. Beamish
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. M. Neville
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. M. Sweeting.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sweeting, R.M., Beamish, R.J. & Neville, C.M. Crystalline otoliths in teleosts: Comparisons between hatchery and wild coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the Strait of Georgia. Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 14, 361–369 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-005-3793-3

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-005-3793-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation