Caracterización de microestructuras en otolitos de juveniles de anguila Ophichthus remiger del norte del Perú

Luis Usca; Analucia Alarco; Eliana Orosco; Jesús Rujel; Emperatriz Gómez; Jacqueline Palacios

doi:10.53554/boletin.v41i1.459

Authors

Luis Usca Instituto del Mar del Perú, Dirección General de Investigaciones de Recursos Demersales y Litorales, Callao, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0522-7135
Analucia Alarco Investigador independiente, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7732-7744
Eliana Orosco Investigador independiente, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5237-5568
Jesús Rujel Instituto del Mar del Perú, Dirección General de Investigaciones de Recursos Demersales y Litorales, Callao, Perú. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6860-1779
Emperatriz Gómez Instituto del Mar del Perú, Dirección General de Investigaciones de Recursos Demersales y Litorales, Callao, Perú. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7155-6950
Jacqueline Palacios Instituto del Mar del Perú, Dirección General de Investigaciones de Recursos Demersales y Litorales, Callao, Perú. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8814-158X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53554/boletin.v41i1.459

Keywords:

Microincrements, leptocephalus, metamorphosis, Anguilliformes, check

Abstract

This study investigates the sagittal otolith microstructure of juvenile Ophichthus remiger from northern Peru in order to characterize otolith features and describe growth patterns during the early stages of development. A total of 35 juveniles, ranging from 19 to 25 cm total length (TL), were examined. Otoliths were prepared and analyzed by optical microscopy. Distinct ontogenetic marks were identified, including the nucleus, hatching, first feeding, metamorphosis, and postmetamorphic stages, together with their corresponding leptocephalus, metamorphic, and
postmetamorphic growth zones. Microincrement counts and radius measurements associated with each mark were used to estimate otolith growth rates throughout the different developmental phases. The results showed a noticeable increase in microincrement width during metamorphosis, followed by a reduction during the postmetamorphic stage. Mean growth rates were 1.20 ± 0.1 µm/day during the first-feeding phase, 2.11 ± 0.4 µm/day during the intermediate metamorphic phase (M1), and 2.0 ± 0.4 µm/day during the final metamorphic phase (M2). The metamorphic transition period was estimated to occur between 13 and 25 days. These findings demonstrate clear shifts in growth dynamics linked to early ontogenetic development and provide valuable baseline information for age validation and growth modeling of O. remiger.

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