Study of lanternfish Benthosema pterotum otolith from morphological view

To estimate the growth condition of dominant lanternfish (Benthosema pterptum) in the Oman Sea, 274 specimens were collected and length-weight (LW) relationships have been calculated. LW, with no significant differences between males (W=0.00001L2.989 with R2=0.90) and females (W=0.000007L2.990 with R2=0.94), showed that the growth pattern is isometric (R2=0.93). The thin section (60-80µm) of sagitta otoliths with use of polishing method were prepared. These sections showed that increment growth ring, from the width and shape, divided into the central, middle and external growth zones, surrounding nucleus. Furthermore, external view of left and right sagitta otoliths and morphological parameters were evaluated in details. The result of this study showed that the shape of otolith were oval and sulcus had two distinact area, ostium and caudain. This data can be used for the stomach contents studies of predators feeding on this species.