Continuous and discontinuous growth in the otolith of Macruronus novaezelandiae (Merlucciidae: Teleostei)

Abstract Viewed by transmitted light, the lapillus and astericus otoliths Macruronus novaezelandiae (Merlucciidae) contain radial bands of similar width to the distances between steps on the surface of the otolith. The sagitta otolith has a multi‐prismatic structure and shows differences in ultrastructure between its dorsal and ventral growth axes, as well as its sulcal (inward‐facing) and anti‐sulcal (outward‐facing) parts. The ultrastructure of the sagitta shows that not all of the optical and etched checks in the central growth axis represent true discontinuities in the crystal growth of the otolith; they are the result of refraction around narrow optically active refractive bands. Microincrement growth along the dorsal prisms of the otolith from the primordium to the growing edge shows discontinuities in crystal growth at the boundary of the primordium and at the intersection of prisms. Parts of the ventral edge of the otolith show discontinuous crystal growth apparently caused by the physical growth restriction at the point at which the otolith is supported by the skull. Both the anti‐sulcal and sulcal parts of the otolith often show discontinuities in the crystal structure alongside zones of continuous microincrement deposition, or evidence of continuous crystal growth, documenting simultaneous continuous and discontinuous growth in closely juxtaposed parts of the same otolith. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.