About this Research Topic
It is known that otoliths’ shape, size, and morphology, in addition to the dimension and shape of sensory epithelia and ear structure, are intimately related to sound detection. This includes distinguishing between sounds with differences in frequencies and/or intensities, determination of sounds’ direction in a three-dimensional space, and detection of sound signals in the presence of unwanted sounds. These bone structures are widely used in taxonomy and ichthyology as they can provide a wide range of information about specimens. Indeed, they are characterised by continued growth during the entire fish’s lifetime, with a daily deposition of new material. Their isolation from the external environment and their metabolically inert capability makes them essential for intra- and inter-specific fish life history studies. Current otolith research should explore their innovative applications in the aquatic biological sciences.
At the interspecific level, otoliths' differences in fishes reflect the different hearing abilities that are strictly related to the species' different life habits, ecology, and life history traits. From an intra-specific point of view, otoliths' shape, and morphological differences between the different populations of the same species can be determined by several factors. Diet influences the composition and quantity of endolymph proteins, which are fundamental for otoliths' biomineralization processes. Water masses' physicochemical differences between geographical areas and genetic differences between population lineages can also induce differences in otolith morphology and shape. Moreover, genetic lineage, soundscape, and anthropic influences can modify otolith features. Improving the knowledge base on otoliths of fish species is also essential to understanding their eco-morphological adaptation to deep or extreme environments. Indeed, exploring fish biodiversity across a range of aquatic environments is essential. In this regard, the study of otoliths is a very informative tool still underestimated by the scientific community.
The present Research Topic is focused on the current research on otoliths, which should explore their applications within the aquatic sciences. Original research manuscripts based on experimental and environmental studies are preferable but review manuscripts, if adequately focused on a high-interest topic or geographical area, will be accepted. Themes of interest could be:
- Aging
- Fish stock evaluations
- Comparison among the same fish species from different geographical areas
- Chemical and microstructure features
- Morphological and shape analysis utilization
- Use of ancient otolith sampling for historical comparisons
- Life history traits description
- Technical protocols and innovative methods
- Aquaculture and fisheries sciences
At the interspecific level, otoliths' differences in fishes reflect the different hearing abilities that are strictly related to the species' different life habits, ecology, and life history traits. From an intra-specific point of view, otoliths' shape, and morphological differences between the different populations of the same species can be determined by several factors. Diet influences the composition and quantity of endolymph proteins, which are fundamental for otoliths' biomineralization processes. Water masses' physicochemical differences between geographical areas and genetic differences between population lineages can also induce differences in otolith morphology and shape. Moreover, genetic lineage, soundscape, and anthropic influences can modify otolith features. Improving the knowledge base on otoliths of fish species is also essential to understanding their eco-morphological adaptation to deep or extreme environments. Indeed, exploring fish biodiversity across a range of aquatic environments is essential. In this regard, the study of otoliths is a very informative tool still underestimated by the scientific community.
The present Research Topic is focused on the current research on otoliths, which should explore their applications within the aquatic sciences. Original research manuscripts based on experimental and environmental studies are preferable but review manuscripts, if adequately focused on a high-interest topic or geographical area, will be accepted. Themes of interest could be:
- Aging
- Fish stock evaluations
- Comparison among the same fish species from different geographical areas
- Chemical and microstructure features
- Morphological and shape analysis utilization
- Use of ancient otolith sampling for historical comparisons
- Life history traits description
- Technical protocols and innovative methods
- Aquaculture and fisheries sciences
Keywords: Otolith; Morphology; Fish; Marine Zoology; Evolutionary Biology; Life History Traits; Aquatic Environments; Functional Ecology; Fisheries; Aquaculture
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
