IMES
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Ryan Dail - Project Update
Being that my topic is about how NOAA uses otoliths to benefit coastal fisheries, I wanted to take time to learn a little bit more about the otolith itself instead of just what it is used for. Each fish (with the exception of a few species) have calcium carbonate structures located behind the brain called otoliths. The otoliths are commonly referred to as "earstones". There are three types of otoliths in a fish, all of which help in hearing and balance. The sagittae being the largest of the three, is involved in detecting and converting sound waves into electrical signals. This is the otolith that researchers use to gather specific information about the fish and its environment. The second otolith is called the asterisci. This otolith aids the sagittae in the detection and processing of sound. The lapilli is the third otolith and this otolith is involved in the detection of gravitational force as well as sound.
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Excellent!! I'm so impressed by what you have accomplished and learned! So my question continues to be about the rings--you told me in class that you thought 1 ring = maybe 2 years(?)--do the rings tell you anything else--kind of like a tree ring that can not only tell you how old it is but also environmental conditions such as drought, etc. THIS is a VERY interesting project!!!
ReplyDeleteI am an instructor of fish biology and am seeking a reference for the above otolith image. Do you know the species of fish that owns (owned) these otoliths? Did you create this picture yourself? If not, then where did you acquire it? I searched, but cannot find it on the web.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Jeff
Jeff--Ryan is no longer in the lab; his posts were done in Fall, 2013. However, I did find this photo at this website... http://www.elkhornslough.org/scienceinaction/fish_0603.htm
ReplyDeleteHope this helps! Debra Woodall, PhD
Daytona State College