Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization of local populations of the common sole Solea solea (Pisces, Soleidae) in the NW Mediterranean through otolith morphometrics and shape analysis

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Shape analyses were carried out on otoliths of the common sole, Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758), in order to discriminate local populations in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea. Samples were collected in various environments like coastal lagoons, the outlet of the Rhone River as well as other marine sites. Morphological analyses highlighted a significant asymmetry between the left and right otoliths. This character could be acquired during or shortly after settlement on soft-bottoms when the individuals really become flatfishes. The otolith shape was described by seven harmonics from elliptic Fourier descriptors and by five indices of shape (coefficient of form, roundness, circularity, rectangularity, and ellipticity). The existence of several local populations of common sole in the NW Mediterranean was demonstrated. In particular, discriminant analyses highlighted significant differences in otolith shape according both to fish size and to the types of environment in which the fish live, i.e. coastal lagoons vs. marine sites, but also between sites belonging to the same type (lagoons, and marine sites). The differences in shape could be linked (1) to the particular environmental conditions of each site, and (2) to changes in metabolic and/or physiological conditions according to the stage of development of the fish which most likely influences the otolith growth.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguirre H, Lombarte A (1999) Ecomorphological comparison of sagittae of Mullus barbatus and M. surmulletus. J Fish Biol 55:105–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Aldebert Y (1997) Demersal resources of the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). Impact of exploitation on fish diversity. Vie Milieu 47:275–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Anken RH, Kappel T, Rahmann H (1998) Morphometry of fish inner ear otoliths after development at 3G hypergravity. Acta Oto Laryngo 118:534–539

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Begg GA, Brown RW (2000) Stock identification of haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus on Georges Bank based on otolith shape analysis. Trans Am Fish Soc 129:935–945

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Begg GA, Overholtz WJ, Munroe NJ (2001) The use of internal otolith morphometrics for identification of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) stocks on George Bank. Fish Bull 99:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellan-Santini D, Lacaze JC, Poizat C (eds) (1994) Les biocénoses marines et littorales de Méditerranée. Synthèse, menaces et perspectives. Muséum National Histoire Naturelle, Paris

  • Bolles KL, Begg GA (2000) Distinction between silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) stocks in US waters of the northwest Atlantic based on whole otolith morphometrics. Fish Bull 98:451–462

    Google Scholar 

  • Campana SE (1999) Chemistry and composition of fish otoliths: pathways, mechanisms and applications. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 188:263–297

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Campana SE, Casselman JL (1993) Stock discrimination using otolith shape analysis. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 50:1062–1083

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campana SE, Neilson JD (1985) Microstructure of fish otoliths. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 42:1014–1032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campillo A (1992) Les pêcheries françaises de Méditerranée: synthèse des connaissances. IFREMER, RIDRV-92/019-RH Sète, 206 pp

  • Cardinale M, Doering-Arjes P, Kastowsky M, Mosegaard H (2004) Effects of sex, stock, and environment on the shape of known-age Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) otoliths. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 61:158–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casselman JM (1987) Determination of age and growth. In: Weatherley AH, Gill HS (eds) The biology of fish growth. Academic, Orlando, pp 209–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Castanguay M, Simard P, Gagnon P (1991) Usefulness of Fourier analysis of otolith shape for Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) stock discrimination. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 48:296–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crampton JS (1995) Elliptic Fourier shape analysis of fossil bivalves, practical consideration. Lethaia 28:179–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darnaude AM, Harmelin-Vivien ML, Salen-Picard C (2001) Food partitioning among flatfish (Pisces, Pleuronectiforms) juveniles in Mediterranean coastal shallow sandy areas. J Mar Biol Assoc UK 81:119–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darnaude AM, Salen-Picard C, Polunin NVC, Harmelin-Vivien ML (2004a) Trophodynamic linkage between river run-off and coastal fishery yield elucidated by stable isotope data in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). Oecologia 138:325–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darnaude AM, Salen-Picard C, Harmelin-Vivien ML (2004b) Depth variation in terrestrial particulate organic matter exploitation by marine coastal benthic communities off the Rhone River delta (NW Mediterranean). Mar Ecol Prog Ser 275:47–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Vries DA, Grimes CB, Prager MH (2002) Using otolith shape analysis to distinguish eastern Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean stocks of king mackerel. Fish Res 57:51–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrugio H, Olivier P, Biagi F (1993) An overview of the history, knowledge, recent and future research trends in Mediterranean fisheries. Sci Mar 57:105–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferraton F, Harmelin-Vivien ML, Mellon-Duval C, Souplet A (2006) Does spatio-temporal variation in diet affect condition and abundance of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) juveniles in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean)? Mar Ecol Prog Ser (in press)

  • Ferson S, Rohlf FJ, Koehn RK (1985) Measuring shape variation of two-dimensional outlines. Syst Zool 34:59–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedland KD, Reddin DG (1994) Use of otolith morphology in stock discriminations of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Can J Fish Aquat Sci 51:91–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaertner JC, Chessel D, Bertrand JA (1997) Stability of spatial structures of demersal assemblages: a multitable approach. Aquat Living Resour 11:75–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaertner JC, Bertrand JA, Gil de Sola L, Durbec JP, Ferrandis E, Souplet A (2005) Large spatial scale variation of demersal fish assemblage on the continental shelf of the NW Mediterranean Sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 297:245–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gagliano M, McCormick MI (2004) Feeding history influences otolith shape in tropical fish. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 278:291–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gauldie RW, Neilson DGA (1990) Otolith growth in fishes. Comp Biochem Physiol 97:119–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graf W, Baker R (1983) Adaptive changes of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in flatfish are achieved by reorganization of central nervous pathways. Science 221:777–779

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Guelorget O, Pertuisot JP (1992) Paralic ecosystems, biological organization and functioning. Vie Milieu 42:215–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoff GR, Fuiman LA (1993) Morphometry and composition of red drum otoliths: changes associated with temperature, somatic growth rate, age. Comp Biochem Physiol 106:209–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iwata H, Ukai Y (2002) Shape: a computer program package for quantitative evaluation of biological shapes based on Elliptic Fourier descriptors. J Hered 93:384–385

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhl FP, Giardina CR (1982) Elliptic Fourier features of a closed contour. Comput Graph Image Process 18:236–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L’Abée-Lund JH (1988) Otolith shape discriminates between juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and brown trout, Salmo trutta L. J Fish Biol 33:899–903

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L’Abée-Lund JH, Jensen AJ (1993) Otoliths as natural tags in the systematics of salmonids. Environ Biol Fishes 36:389–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lecomte-Finiger R (1999) L’otolithe, la boîte noire des Téléostéens. Ann Biol 38:107–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Lombarte A, Lleonart J (1993) Otolith size changes related with body growth, habitat depth and temperature. Environ Biol Fishes 37:297–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lychakov DV, Rebane YT (2000) Otolith regularities. Hear Res 143:83–102

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lychakov DV, Rebane YT (2005) Fish otolith mass asymmetry: morphometry and influence on acoustic functionality. Hear Res 201:55–69

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Newman SJ, Dunk IJ (2002) Growth, age validation, mortality, and other population characteristics of the red emperor snapper, Lutjanus sebae (Cuvier, 1828), off the Kimberley Coast of North-Western Australia. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 55:67–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nolf D (1985) Otolithi piscium. In: Schultze HP (ed) Handbook of paleoichthyology. Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart New York, pp 1–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Nolf D (1993) A survey of perciform otoliths and their interest for phylogenetic analysis, with an iconographic synopsis of the Percoidei. Bull Mar Sci 52:220–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Panfili J, de Pontual H, Troadec H, Wright PJ (Eds) (2002) Manuel de sclérochronologie des poissons. Coédition Ifremer-IRD. Paris

  • Pannella G (1971) Fish otolith: daily growth layers and periodical patterns. Science 173:1124–1126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parisi-Baradad V, Lombarte A, Garcia-Ladona E, Cabestany J, Piera J, Chic O (2005) Otolith shape contour analysis using affine transformation invariant wavelet transforms and curvature scale space representation. Mar Fresh Res 56:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parmentier E, Vandewalle P, Lagardère F (2001) Morpho-anatomy of the otic region in carapid fishes: ecomorphological study of their otoliths. J Fish Biol 58:1046–1068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponton D (2006) Is geometric morphometrics efficient for comparing otolith shape of different fish species? J Morphol 267:750–757

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Popper AN, Ramcharitar J, Campana SE (2005) Why otoliths? Insights from inner ear physiology and fisheries biology. Mar Fresh Res 56:497–504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pothin K, Letourneur Y, Lecomte-Finiger R (2004) Age, growth and mortality of the tropical grouper Epinephelus merra Bloch, 1793 (Pisces, Serranidae) on Reunion Island, SW Indian Ocean. Vie Milieu 54:193–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Pothin K, Gonzales-Salas C, Chabanet P, Lecomte-Finiger R (2006) Distinction between Mulloidichthys flavolineatus juveniles from Reunion Island and Mauritius Island (south-west Indian Ocean) based on otolith morphometrics. J Fish Biol 69:38–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quéro J-C, Vayne J-J (1997) Les poissons de mer des pêches françaises. Delachaux & Niestlé, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddin DG, Stansbury DE, Short PB (1988) Contigent of origin of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) at West Greenland. J Cons Int Explor Mer 44:180–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reist JD (1985) An empirical evaluation of several univariate methods that adjust for size variation in morphometric data. Can J Zool 63:1429–1439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russ JC (1990) Computer-assisted microscopy: the measurement and analysis of images. Plenum Press, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Salen-Picard C, Darnaude AM, Arlhac D, Harmelin-Vivien ML (2002) Fluctuations of macrobenthic populations: a link between climate-driven river run-off and sole fishery yields in the Gulf of Lions. Oecologia 133:380–388

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shéhata S (1984) Contribution à la connaissance des Soléidés (Poissons, Téléostéens) du golfe du Lion. Systématique—Ecobiologie. Thèse de Doctorat, Université de Montpellier II. Montpellier

  • Smith MK (1992) Regional differences in otolith morphology of the deep slope red snapper Etelis carbunculus. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 49:795–804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stransky C (2005) Geographic variation of golden redfish (Sebastes marinus) and deep-sea redfish (S. mentella) in the North Atlantic based on otolith shape analysis. ICES J Mar Sci 62:1691–1698

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stransky C, MacLellan SE (2005) Species separation and zoogeography of redfish and rockfish (genus Sebastes) by otolith shape analysis. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 62:2265–2276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takabayashi A, Ohmura-Iwasaki T (2003) Functional asymmetry estimated by measurements of otolith in fish. Biol Sci Space 17:293–297

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Toole CL, Markle DF, Harris PM (1993) Relationship between otolith microstructure, microchemistry, and early life history events in Dover sole, Microstomus pacificus. Fish Bull 91:732–753

    Google Scholar 

  • Tracey SR, Lyle JM, Duhamel G (2006) Application of elliptical Fourier analysis of otolith form as a tool for stock identification. Fish Res 77:138–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuset VM, Lozano IJ, Gonzalez JA, Pertusa JF, Garcia-Diaz MM (2003a) Shape indices to identify regional differences in otolith morphology of comber Serranus cabrilla (L., 1758). J Appl Ichthyol 19:88–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuset VM, Lombarte A, Gonzalez JA, Pertusa JF, Lorentes MJ (2003b) Comparative morphology of the sagittal otolith in Serranus spp. J Fish Biol 63:1491–1504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Volpedo A, Echeverria DD (2003) Ecomorphological patterns of the sagittal in fish on the continental shelf off Argentine. Fish Res 60:551–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watkinson DA, Gillis DM (2005) Stock discrimination of Lake Winnipeg walleye based on Fourier and wavelet description of scale outline signals. Fish Res 72:193–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Greatest thanks are expressed to J.-P. Durbec for his valuable statistical advices, M. Pichon for improving our English on a first draft, J.-P. Quignard for his precious help with fishermen from the lagoons of Thau and Mauguio, A. Darnaude for collecting most individuals off the Rhone River mouth during her PhD, and the anonymous referees for their constructive suggestions on the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre d’Océanologie de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, UMR CNRS 6540, Campus de Luminy, 13288, Marseille Cedex 09, France

    Bastien Mérigot & Yves Letourneur

  2. Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Université de Perpignan, UMR CNRS 8046, Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan Cedex, France

    Raymonde Lecomte-Finiger

Authors
  1. Bastien Mérigot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yves Letourneur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Raymonde Lecomte-Finiger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yves Letourneur.

Additional information

Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mérigot, B., Letourneur, Y. & Lecomte-Finiger, R. Characterization of local populations of the common sole Solea solea (Pisces, Soleidae) in the NW Mediterranean through otolith morphometrics and shape analysis. Mar Biol 151, 997–1008 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0549-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0549-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation