The effect of surface sculpturing on the interpretation of opaque and hyaline zones in the orange roughy otolith

Abstract

Opague and hyaline zones in orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus: Trachichtydidae) otoliths (sagittae) were shown to correspond to both surface sculpturing of the otolith, and to light refractive opaque and hyaline zones within the otolith which are independent of the otolith surface sculpture. Three different patterns of opaque zones resulted from this effect, patterns which depend on whether the otolith is observed by transmitted light, incident light, or in section.