Comparative otolith morphology of sciaenids occurring along the north-west coast of India

Abstract

Otolith morphology of 12 species of sciaenids collected from Mumbai, India was compared to investigate species specific variations if any . The relationship of length of fish with morphological measurements of otolith such as length, width and mass were established. Morphology of sagitta showed significant changes in overall shape of ostium, cauda, areal depression and calcareous concrescence on the outer surface during the course of their development. Analysis of the morphometric relationships indicated that otolith length, width and mass have a high degree of dependence on the fish length and weight in all the species studied. As it is difficult to identify some of the species of sciaenids based on their external characters, the present study would form the basis to differentiate the sciaenid species based on the morphological variation in otolith.