Analysis of the otoliths sagitta, asteriscus and lapillus of bigeye scad selar crumenophthalmus (teleostei: carangidae) in manzanillo bay, mexican central pacific

Morphology, morphometry and growth rings of the otoliths: sagitta, asteriscus and lapillus of Selar crumenophthalmus in Manzanillo and Santiago bays in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico were studied. Differences between sexes, as right and left of the three pairs of otoliths were analyzed. In all cases the growth of the otoliths is eccentric to the core. Relationship between fish length and length and/or width of the otoliths showed that these structures are useful in the growth determination. Four growth rings were identified in sagittae and asterisci. Growth rings could not be observed in lapilli because the thickness of this structure prevents the observation by transparency. Growth is bigger in males than females in the case of the asteriscus and the lapillus, however in the case of the sagittae, it is bigger in females than males.