Otolith morphometry provides length and weight predictions and insights about capture sites of Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae)

ABSTRACT

Here we choose the sábalo Prochilodus lineatus, to answer the following questions: How the otolith length and weight are correlated to fish measurements (length and weight)? How reliable are the otoliths measurements to predict the length and age of P. lineatus? Finally, we propose predictive equations of the length and weight of the fish using length and weight of the otolith. The otoliths were sampled from individuals collected in the Upper Paraná River floodplain during 2012 and 2013 years. The relationships among the otolith measurements and both length and weight of the fish were performed using linear regressions. To test whether the length and weight of the otolith differ between the sampled sites, Variance Analysis was performed. Finally, we made analysis of Kruskal-Wallis to verify if the measurements obtained through the otoliths could be used to distinguish the age of the fish. We demonstrate that the length and weight of the otolith are good proxies to predict the length and weight of the fish. Although some ages were statistically different, this result does not support the idea that the age of the fish can be accurately inferred only using otolith measures.

Keywords:
Age of fish; Lapillus; Migratory fish; Otolith description; Sábalo

RESUMO

Neste trabalho o curimba Prochilodus lineatus foi utilizado para responder as seguintes questões: Como o comprimento e o peso dos otólitos são correlacionados com o comprimento e o peso do peixe? Até que ponto as medidas dos otólitos são confiáveis para predizer a idade do P. lineatus? Finalmente, nós propomos equações preditivas do comprimento e peso do peixe utilizando o comprimento e o peso do otólito. Os otólitos foram amostrados de indivíduos coletados na planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná durante os anos de 2012 e 2013. As relações entre as medidas dos otólitos e o peso e comprimento do peixe foram verificadas utilizando regressões lineares. Para testar se o comprimento e o peso do otólito diferem entre locais foram utilizadas Análises de Variância e para testar se as medidas dos otólitos são suficientes para distinguir as idades foram utilizados testes de Kruskal-Wallis. Nós demonstramos que o comprimento e o peso do otólito são bons preditores do comprimento e peso do peixe. Embora algumas idades foram estatisticamente diferentes entre as medidas dos otólitos, esse resultado não suporta a ideia de que a idade do peixe pode ser inferida de forma acurada somente utilizando as medidas dos otólitos.

Palavras-chave:
Curimba; Descrição de otólitos; Idade de peixes; Lapillus; Peixes migradores

Introduction

Historically, otoliths have been mainly used for age and growth studies, with a focus on inputs for stock assessments (Chris-Francis, Campana, 2004) and to produce basic information about growth parameters of fish stocks. Due to their chemical and morphological proprieties, otoliths, however, have been more recently used to separate populations of the same species (Campana et al., 1999; Radhakrishnan et al., 2012; Škeljo, Ferri, 2012), and even species identification. This is particularly relevant in archeology, paleontology and animal diet studies, since otoliths are usually preserved in the fossil record and frequently found in stomach contents of several species (Fitch, Brownell, 1968; Van Neer et al., 2002; Reichenbacher et al., 2007).

The taxonomic characteristics of otoliths have been explored mainly for the marine environment, and various species guides describe in detail the morphology of otoliths (Tuset et al., 2008). In freshwater fish, especially for those descended from the Ostariophysi lineage, the sagitta otolith is reduced and is not used for age and growth studies, while pairs of asteriscus and lapillus otoliths are more developed and have distinctive characteristics for each species. In this sense, the morphological characterization of the otolith can be critical in studies of trophic webs, assisting in the identification of prey through the otoliths found in the stomach contents, and allowing the reconstruction of past fauna compositions (Reichenbacher et al., 2007).

The main method to perform age inferences through otolith is by reading the growth rings produced periodically. This can be done in several ways, for example, cutting the otolith in different planes or performing readings on the entire otolith (see Secor et al., 1991). However, age estimates are usually difficult to obtain using these structures, due to the high cost equipment and skills necessary to process the otolith and make precise and accurate readings (Ilkyaz et al., 2011).

An alternative to minimize these difficulties is to obtain the age using only the morphometry and the weight of the otolith, so that the otolith does not need to be processed. To obtain the age in a reliable manner, there must be a strong correlation between fish growth and growth of the otolith and, furthermore, a set of fish shall be aged using annulus counts. The otoliths, in contrast to other bones, only have accretion processes; this tends to result in positive relationship between the growth of the otolith and fish growth (Battaglia et al., 2010; Humston et al., 2015). Thus, predictive models that use the weight or any other measure of the otolith could provide cheaper methods to estimate age, as they do not require specialized reader skills nor expensive processing of the otolith (Chris-Francis et al., 2005).

The sábalo Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837) is an important commercial species distributed abundantly in South America, belongs to the Prochilodontidae family, which is characterized mainly by its migratory behaviour (Agostinho et al., 2000). This species has suffered severe population depletions, mainly due to the construction of reservoirs that block access to spawning and nursery grounds (Agostinho et al., 2007; Barletta et al., 2010; Fontes-Júnior et al., 2012). Prochilodus spp. forms the foundation of artisanal fisheries for several basins in South America (Welcomme, 1979; Harvey, Carolsfeld, 2003; Baigún et al., 2013). For example, P. lineatus is one of the most important species for fisheries in the Itaipu Reservoir (Gomes, Agostinho, 1997; Okada et al., 2005) and contributed almost 90% (~ 295 tons) of the total freshwater fishes of the Argentinean catch between 1994 and 2010 (Iwaszkiw, Lacoste, 2011).

One way to provide solutions to solve these problems is to better understand population aspects so that accurate and reliable information is generated and encourage more complex assessments of fish stocks. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to (1) describe the morphology of the lapillus otoliths of Prochilodus lineatus and (2) to provide morphometric details of the lapillus otoliths and addressed the following questions: How the otolith length and weight are correlated to fish measurements (length and weight)? How reliable are the otoliths measurements to predict the length and age of P. lineatus? Finally, we propose predictive equations of the length and weight of the fish using length and weight of the otolith. The otolith lapillus was chosen due to the previous results indicating that this is the best pair of otoliths for age checks in Prochilodus lineatus. Thus, a better understanding of its structure is essential for population studies as well as studies of species identification and reconstruction of trophic webs.

Material and Methods

Study area and sampling. The study covered ten sampling stations located in the Upper Paraná River Floodplain (Fig. 1): three rivers (Paraná, Baía and Ivinhema), four open lakes (lagoa do Guaraná, lagoa dos Patos, lagoa das Garças e ressaco do Pau Véio) and three closed lakes (lagoa Ventura, lagoa do Osmar e lagoa Fechada). This set of sites comprises the main growth and breeding sites of P. lineatus, since the population of this species has a marked spatial structure (Santana, Minte-Vera, 2017).

Fig. 1
Study area and location of sampling sites in the floodplain of the Upper Paraná River (Baía River - 1; Ivinhema River - 2; Paraná River - 3; lagoa guaraná - 4; lagoa dos patos - 5; lagoa das garças - 6; lagoa do Osmar - 7; ressaco do paú véio - 8; lagoa fechada - 9; lagoa ventura - 10).

Five samplings were performed: June, September and December 2012 and March and June 2013 using 11 sizes of mesh gillnets (2.4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 cm, between opposite knots). Each gillnet remained in the water for 24 hours at each sample site and were revisited every 8 hours. Additionally, in the lakes associated with each river, trawls were performed. Before extraction of the otoliths, the standard length (mm) and total weight (g) of fish were obtained. The otoliths were extracted using a cross-section cut on the dorsal surface of the fish’s head to expose the inner ear where the otoliths are inserted (VanderKooy, Guindon-Tisdel, 2003).

Otolith morphology and morphometry. The morphological description of lapillus otoliths was defined according to the terminology adopted by Assis (2005). This author proposes an interesting discussion on the morphological importance of otolith lapillus for teleost fish, both in relation to identification and systematics. Photographs of the otoliths were taken using a scanning electron microscope (SHIMADZU; Model: SS550). Lapillus is the most robust pair of otoliths of P. lineatus, because sagitta is very small and the asteriscus, although it is the largest, is more fragile. Therefore, lapillus is more likely to be found intact in stomach contents and fossil record.

To make predictions about the length and weight of the fish, we took the length (LO) and weight (WgO) of lapillus otolith. These two measurements were made because it has already been demonstrated that the length and weight of otolith are the measures most correlated to somatic growth (Megalofonou, 2006; Jawad et al., 2011; Zan et al., 2015). The measures were performed using a digital caliper to the nearest 0.1 mm of precision. The weight was measured using a digital balance with a precision of 0.0001 g. Since the right otolith was cut to provide the age estimates, only the left otoliths were used for the morphometric analysis.

Age determination. The right otoliths were embedded in epoxy acrylic resin and cut using a low-speed Buehler IsoMet hard diamond saw. Three cross-sections were made close to the core of each otolith. The rings (annuli) were counted under transmitted light on a stereoscopic microscope under 40X magnification. The validation and time of formation of the rings were obtained using the increment marginal method proposed by Lai (1987). The marginal increment considers the distances of the last and next to last ring to the edge of the otolith. This metric demonstrated that only one ring is formed annually during the winter, more details about age, growth and validation patterns can be seen in Santana, Minte-Vera (2017). The left otoliths were deposited in the collection of the Growth and Reproduction Laboratory of the Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquicultura (Nupélia) in the Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Paraná, Brazil. Voucher specimens of P. lineatus (NUP 13783) were deposited in the Coleção de Peixes do Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquicultura da Universidade Estadual de Maringá.

Data analysis. Pearson correlations were performed to check the degree of association between the lapillus length with lapillus weight. Positive correlations indicate that growth in otolith length is directly associated with the increase of its weight. The lack of correlation indicates that the otolith grows in one dimension, but not in the other.

The relationships among the otolith measurements and both length and weight of the fish were verified using linear regressions. To meet the assumptions of analysis, the fish weight was log transformed. In all analyses, the otolith measurements were considered predictors for the fish length or weight.

To test whether the length and weight of the otolith differ between the sampled sites, Variance Analysis was performed. However, due to the positive association between fish length and otolith length and weight, the fish length effect was removed (Lleonart et al., 2000). For this, linear regressions between the length and weight of the otolith and the length of the fish were adjusted and, by means of the equations, all otolith measurements were standardized to a standard fish length of 22 cm (Tab. 1). The value of 22 cm was chosen because it is a length sampled in all the rivers (Baía, Ivinhema and Paraná). The standardized value of otolith length and weight was obtained by regression equations incorporating the residuals (difference between observed and expected measurements) and multiplying the angular coefficient by the adopted standard length (22 cm). In Tab. 1 is an example of how the measurements were standardized, this procedure was followed for all observed values of otolith length and weight.

Tab. 1
Equations used and example of how the standardization of the length and weight of the otolith was carried out by removing the effect of the standard length of Prochilodus lineatus. This procedure was done for all observed values. a = angular coefficient; b = intercept.

River	Equation	Observed Value	Predict Value	Residuals (Observed - Predict)	Standardized Value = (a*22) + (b+residuals)
Baía	LO = 2.3768+0.0797*SL	4.46	4.24975	0.21025	4.32725
Ivinhema	LO = 2.084+0.0931*SL	4.66	4.67218	-0.01218	4.12002
Paraná	LO = 1.8771+0.0988*SL	4.46	4.2438	0.2162	4.2185
Baía	WgO = 0.0004+0.0006*SL	0.0139	0.0145	-0.0006	0.013
Ivinhema	WgO = -0.0043+0.0008*SL	0.0217	0.01682	0.00488	0.01818
Paraná	WgO = -0.0062+0.0009*SL	0.0179	0.01585	0.00205	0.01565

Finally, we made analysis of Kruskal-Wallis to verify if the measurements obtained through the otoliths could be used to distinguish the age of the fish. In these analyses, age was considered as a factor and the length and weight were the response variables. All analyses were performed using the R software (R Core Team, 2017) and the adopted level of significance was p < 0.05.

Results

Otolith morphology and morphometry. The lapillus otolith has a wedge-shaped dorsal body, narrowing from the lateral to the medial side, while its posterior region is wider and rectilinear (Fig. 2). Also, the lapillus is a very small otolith; its length is greater than its width (Tab. 2). Their length ranged from 2.03 to 5.95 mm (mean = 4.20 ± 0.57 SD) and the weight from 0.0016 to 0.0484 g (mean = 0.015 ± 0.005 SD). We found a positive correlation between the length and weight of the otolith (r = 0.93) indicating that the otolith has a uniform growth in length and weight dimensions.

Fig. 2
Lapillus otolith images of Prochilodus lineatus from a scanning electron microscope with 40X magnification. LO - otolith length; WO - otolith width; the white bar scale is equal to 1 mm. V - Ventral; D - Dorsal, P - Posterior; A - Anterior; the highlighted region (grey region - highlighted digitally) is the macular hump.

Tab. 2
Range of the measurements observed in the lapillus otoliths of Prochilodus lineatus. Otolith Length, Otolith Width and Otolith Weight. SD = standard deviation.

	Range	Mean ± SD
Length	2.03 - 5.95	4.2 ± 0.57 (mm)
Width	1.36 - 3.98	2.84 ± 0.38 (mm)
Weight	0.0016 - 0.0484	0.015 ± 0.005 (g)

Using the measurements of otoliths as predictors for length, weight and age of the fish. Regression analysis using the otolith measurements as predictors of standard fish length indicated that there is a positive relationship between the length and weight of otolith and the standard length of the fish. Otolith’s weight is slightly better to predict the length of the fish (r² = 0.82) than the otolith’s length (r² = 0.80) (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3
Fits of the linear regressions between lapillus otolith and standard length of Prochilodus lineatus: a. Otolith Length (r² = 0.80) and b. Otolith Weight (r² = 0.82); the shaded area represents the confidence interval of 95% of the estimate; loess fit of raw residuals are in right panels.

The length and weight of the otolith were also good predictors of the weight’s fish (Fig. 4). However, the length of the otolith was better adjusted to the smaller fish, so that when the otolith weight was used, it was evident that the fit overestimated the values for the smaller fish.

Fig. 4
Fits between lapillus otolith measures and the weight of Prochilodus lineatus: a. Otolith Length (r² = 0.85) and b. Otolith Weight (r² = 0.78); the shaded area represents the confidence interval of 95% of the estimate; loess fit of raw residuals are in right panels.

The length and weight of the otolith were efficient to distinguish the Paraná River from the other two rivers sampled (Baía and Ivinhema), however, in both cases there was no difference between the Baía and Ivinhema rivers. Our analyses indicate that the otoliths of the fish caught in the Paraná River are smaller and lighter than the otoliths caught in the other two rivers (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5
Analysis of variance between the length and weight of otolith of Prochilodus lineatus in the three rivers sampled (Baía, Ivinhema and Paraná).

Age estimates were made by counting the age rings present in lapillus otolith ranging from 2 to 7 years (ages 2 and 7 were not included in the analysis because they have only one individual). Through analysis of the marginal increment in otolith it was confirmed that only one annual ring is formed in the period from June to August.

Despite the success in predicting the length and weight of the fish using the otolith measurements, the relationship between the age of the fish and these variables does not have the same pattern. Analysis of variance performed between the length and weight of the otolith and the age obtained by the same individual were significant (Fig. 6). However, we note that the standard error range is similar for ages 3, 4 and 5, precluding the prediction of these ages through their respective measures of otoliths. The Tukey test indicated that only fish with six years of age can be easily categorized, but the weight of the otolith seems more effective than otolith length.

Fig. 6
Kruskall-Wallis results of the lapillus length and weight in each Prochilodus lineatus age; ages 2 and 7 were not included in analysis because they only have one sample.

Discussion

Here, we demonstrate that the length and weight of the otolith are good proxies to predict the length and weight of the fish (the otolith length was the best variable explaining the variance of fish length), a fact corroborated by Megalofonou (2006). This result has two main implications: in diet studies (Waessle et al., 2003), once the otoliths are found well preserved in stomach contents, it is possible to predict the size of the prey that was eaten by the predator with a high degree of reliability; and in fossil studies, the size and shape of otoliths provide evidence for the diversity and size of extinct fish (Reichenbacher et al., 2007).

Together, the morphology and morphometry of the otoliths can provide a lot of information, especially on the ecology of P. lineatus. Dei Tos et al. (2010) performed a review of age and growth of freshwater fish in South America and concluded that most studies used scales to make the reading of growth rings. Currently the use of otoliths in freshwater studies have increased (Silva, Stewart 2006; Lopez Cazorla, Sidorkewicj, 2011; Lozano et al., 2014). For example, one otolith atlas of Brazilian freshwater fish with relevant information was recently published (Breem, Schulz, 2014). Never theless, age and growth studies of freshwater fish using otoliths are still in the process of consolidation and far from stage of similar studies for marine species.

The morphometry of otoliths has often been used to make predictions about the length, age and weight of fish (Chris-Francis, Campana, 2004; Ilkyaz et al., 2011; Matić -Skoko et al., 2011). Jawad et al. (2011) claim that, in some cases, is possible that otolith weight can fits better to fish length because the otoliths stop growing in length when the fish reaches its maximum length. So, once the fish reaches its asymptotic length, the otolith mainly increases in weight and thickness.

Assis (2005), in his extensive discussion of the morphology of the lapillus otolith, notes that there are two main types of otolith: those from clupeiform fishes and those from non-clupeiform fishes. The lapillus otolith of P. lineatus belongs to the second group, which is characterized by a remarkable gibbus maculae and a dorsal shaped body. This otolith has a regular shape and generally very similar across many species, a fact that complicates their use in taxonomic studies. It is a very resistant otolith and is easily manipulated and extracted.

The length and weight of the otolith were sufficient to differentiate fish from the Paraná River from the Baía and Ivinhema rivers. As Reynalte-Tataje et al. (2013) point out, the Ivinhema River is one of the main tributaries of the Paraná River along its floodplain and this river is a natural nursery and a great breeding site for migratory species, which has a wide diversity of habitats, availability of food and little fishing pressure, since it is an environmental park.

These characteristics explain the greater weight and length of the otoliths of this river in relation to the otoliths of the Paraná River, since fish from the Paraná River probably grow faster due to both environmental pressures (competition and predation) and anthropic pressures, such as fishing and changes in river flow (Agostinho et al., 2004; Okada et al., 2005). Still, several authors (Walls et al., 1990; Meekan, Fortier, 1996; Enberg et al., 2011) have shown that faster growth can be an evolutionary response since growing faster implies “escaping” from high mortality rates in the early stages of life and maximize survivorship and reproduction.

Once age estimates are fundamental to studies of stocks assessments, population dynamics and growth (Campana, Thorrold, 2001), we highlight that the use of otolith morphometry to make age predictions should be further investigated and, if possible, more used. The use of morphometry of the otolith in age and growth studies can reduce costs and time necessary to produce good information, so that continuous monitoring programs and stock assessments can use this information to improve its effectiveness.

The use of morphometry of the otolith as the fish age predictor is only one alternative to the traditional and already well-studied techniques that involve the processing of otoliths. Obviously, this methodology does not replace the other, but comes as a great alternative to complement and enhance the work with freshwater species. Here we test the differences between the age of fish using length and weight and found that there is high overlap between the measures, especially in the initial ages. Although some ages were statistically different, this result does not support the idea that the age of the fish can be accurately inferred only using these measures.

We propose as directions for future works, studies should focus on better understanding the otoliths and producing databases of morphological and morphometric information. Examples of marine biology should be followed, particularly aiming to provide more information regarding all species. Indirect methods for age estimation should be used with caution because of the inaccuracies and biases associated with the method and, the results presented here are fundamental to the advancement of studies of age and growth in South America, mainly because it is a species with large commercial interest that has suffered great pressure and population reductions.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de nível Superior (CAPES) for financial support (Finance Code 001) and NUPÉLIA (Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquicultura) for logistical support. We are very grateful to Dr. Steven Campana for contributions and advice and also to the Complexo de Centrais de Apoio à Pesquisa da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM) for its help in using the scanning electron microscope. We also thank the anonymous reviewers and editors for valuable comments that improved the manuscript.

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Edited by

Franco Teixeira de Mello

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  08 Nov 2018
• Date of issue
  2018

History

• Received
  26 July 2018
• Accepted
  21 Aug 2018