Morphometric analysis on sagitta, asteriscus and lapillus of Shortnose Mojarra Diapterus brevirostris (Teleostei: Gerreidae) in Cuyutlan coastal Lagoon, Colima, Mexico

Morphology, morphometry and growth rings of the otoliths: sagitta, asteriscus and lapillus of Diapterus brevirostris from Cuyutlán Lagoon in Colima, Mexico were studied. The samples were obtained from the commercial catch from April 2010 to July 2012. Right and left and sex differences of the three pairs of otoliths were analyzed. Relations between total length of the fish and length and width of the otolith showed that these structures can be used to determine age in fish. Growth in otoliths is eccentric according to the core in all cases. Six growth rings were identified in sagittae and asterisci. These marks could not be seen in lapilli because of the thickness of this structure. Growth of sagittae and lapilli is faster in males than females of 160 to 320 mm total length. Nonetheless, it was observed that growth in asterisci is faster in females than in males of 160 to 320 mm.