141
et al. 2003 ). The otoconia organic matrix disappeared if the predominant crystal
protein otoconin-90 (Oc90) is absent (Zhao et al. 2007 ).
An interesting question concerns the role of collagen domains within some of
these proteins (Davis et al. 2002 ). Thus, the otolin-1 extracted from the otoliths of the
chum salmon ( Oncorhynchus keta) , possess sequences of two tryptic peptides, which
are showed high homology with fragments of a saccular collagen. Furthermore,
“cloning of a cDNA coding for otolin-1 revealed that the deduced amino-acid
sequence contained a collagenous domain in the central part of the protein”
(Murayama et al. 2002 ).
We can speak about existence of the site-specifi c calcifi cation of otoconia especially in the macula where unique ionic microenvironment of the endolymph near
its epithelium occur. However, most of otoconia-related proteins have been reported
in other structures of the inner ear. It is suggested “that proteins are critical in
sequestering calcium for crystallization in the calcium-poor endolymph,” (Lundberg
et al. 2006 ).
3.3.2 Practical Applications of the Fish Otoliths
Ever since 1899, when Reibisch ( 1899 ) demonstrated that fi sh otoliths could be
used for accurate age determinations, these bodies have been subjected to extensive
studies. In his Science paper, Pannella ( 1971 ) reported about “the early-stage annual
rings in otoliths from some cold-temperate fi sh, which consist of thin growth bands,
the number of which corresponds to that of the days in a year. This indicates that
growth takes place by daily increments. Other recurrent patterns show a fortnightly
and monthly periodicity. Spawning rings are microscopically distinguishable from
winter rings,” (Panella 1971 ).
Today, it is established that the composition of these rings or growth marks
(Fig. 3.24 ), is determined by numerous endogenous and exogenous factors. Fablet
and co-workers (Fablet et al. 2007a , b ) proposed to use these characteristics as the
basis for exploiting them “as biological archives to defi ne environmental proxies
(e.g., for instance to reconstruct temperature series) or to reconstruct individual life
traits (e.g., individual age and growth information or migration paths),” (Fablet
et al. 2007a , b ).
The big potential of fi sh otoliths for reconstructing the environmental history of
individual animal and for distinguishing among them, stimulate amazing interest of
numerous scientifi c groups to study the elemental composition of fi sh otoliths today
(see for review Elsdon et al. 2008 ). Elemental analytics of fi sh otolith have been
used to differentiate among fi sh stocks, to infer migration, to reconstruct temperature history, validate age interpretations through radiochemical dating, and detect
anadromy, the phenomenon known as the migration of fi sh, from salt water to fresh
water, as well as to detect chemical marks applied through mass marking (Campana
1999 , 2001 ; Patterson 1999 ; Campana and Thorrold 2001 ; Campana et al. 1995 ,
2006 ; Fablet et al. 2007a , b ).
3.3 Otoconia and Otoliths
et al. 2003 ). The otoconia organic matrix disappeared if the predominant crystal
protein otoconin-90 (Oc90) is absent (Zhao et al. 2007 ).
An interesting question concerns the role of collagen domains within some of
these proteins (Davis et al. 2002 ). Thus, the otolin-1 extracted from the otoliths of the
chum salmon ( Oncorhynchus keta) , possess sequences of two tryptic peptides, which
are showed high homology with fragments of a saccular collagen. Furthermore,
“cloning of a cDNA coding for otolin-1 revealed that the deduced amino-acid
sequence contained a collagenous domain in the central part of the protein”
(Murayama et al. 2002 ).
We can speak about existence of the site-specifi c calcifi cation of otoconia especially in the macula where unique ionic microenvironment of the endolymph near
its epithelium occur. However, most of otoconia-related proteins have been reported
in other structures of the inner ear. It is suggested “that proteins are critical in
sequestering calcium for crystallization in the calcium-poor endolymph,” (Lundberg
et al. 2006 ).
3.3.2 Practical Applications of the Fish Otoliths
Ever since 1899, when Reibisch ( 1899 ) demonstrated that fi sh otoliths could be
used for accurate age determinations, these bodies have been subjected to extensive
studies. In his Science paper, Pannella ( 1971 ) reported about “the early-stage annual
rings in otoliths from some cold-temperate fi sh, which consist of thin growth bands,
the number of which corresponds to that of the days in a year. This indicates that
growth takes place by daily increments. Other recurrent patterns show a fortnightly
and monthly periodicity. Spawning rings are microscopically distinguishable from
winter rings,” (Panella 1971 ).
Today, it is established that the composition of these rings or growth marks
(Fig. 3.24 ), is determined by numerous endogenous and exogenous factors. Fablet
and co-workers (Fablet et al. 2007a , b ) proposed to use these characteristics as the
basis for exploiting them “as biological archives to defi ne environmental proxies
(e.g., for instance to reconstruct temperature series) or to reconstruct individual life
traits (e.g., individual age and growth information or migration paths),” (Fablet
et al. 2007a , b ).
The big potential of fi sh otoliths for reconstructing the environmental history of
individual animal and for distinguishing among them, stimulate amazing interest of
numerous scientifi c groups to study the elemental composition of fi sh otoliths today
(see for review Elsdon et al. 2008 ). Elemental analytics of fi sh otolith have been
used to differentiate among fi sh stocks, to infer migration, to reconstruct temperature history, validate age interpretations through radiochemical dating, and detect
anadromy, the phenomenon known as the migration of fi sh, from salt water to fresh
water, as well as to detect chemical marks applied through mass marking (Campana
1999 , 2001 ; Patterson 1999 ; Campana and Thorrold 2001 ; Campana et al. 1995 ,
2006 ; Fablet et al. 2007a , b ).
3.3 Otoconia and Otoliths