Otolith location and function -- Otolith composition -- Otolith morphology -- Biological factors affecting otolith morphology -- Effects of preservation on otolith morphology -- Methods -- Using the atlas -- References -- Photographic plates -- Alphabetical species list
Summary
The shape of fish otoliths is highly species specific. Since otoliths resist degradation better than most other tissues, the shape and size of preserved or undigested otoliths recovered from fossilized sediments, native middens, and the stomachs and droppings of fish predators can be used to reconstruct the species composition of the diet or fish assemblage. This photographic atlas presents light and (or) scanning electron micrographs of 580 pairs of sagittal otoliths representing 288 species, 97 families, and 27 orders of fish from the northwest Atlantic
Notes
"NRC No. 46328"--Title page verso
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 10-11) and index
