MORPHOLOGY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SACCULAR OTOLITHS FROM 5 SPECIES OF THE GENUS COELORINCHUS (GADIFORMES, MACROURIDAE) FROM THE SOUTHEAST ATLANTIC

The morphology of the saccular otolith (sagitta) of five species of the genus Coelorinchus (grenadiers) from the southeastern Atlantic (C. coelorinchus, C. fasciatus, C. occa, C. braueri, and C. acanthiger) was analyzed macro- and ultrastructurally by digital image processing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Interspecies variations have been noted in the morphology and ultrastructure of the sulcus acusticus and are linked to differences in form of the entire otolith. This relationship may indicate a genetic regulation in the growth of the sulcus. Standard canonical analysis of biometric measurements of the otolith and acoustic sulcus has proved to be a good way to distinguish otoliths of the five species of Coelorinchus. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.