I am a research technician working on a two-year project using mesopelagic fish otoliths. We have some Argyropelecus olfersii hatchetfish specimens that I am trying to find the otoliths in, however I have been unable to locate them in the three individuals I've dissected so far.
I have been able to find them with relative ease in other mesopelagic species (Nansenia groenlandica and Maurolicus muelleri) but can't see any sign of them in the hatchetfish. Before dissecting more specimens and risking losing more material, I was hoping to ask if anyone has any advice. Thanks in advance.
Dear Jethro, have you tried under stereomicroscope? We have recently found them on A. hemigymnus, very difficult due to their size, but we managed about 70 specimens. However, I confirm that this genus is rather hard compared to other mesopelagic species.
Hi Marco, yes but only briefly - I will perservere! Do you have any tips about where in the head they are? Rather high up behind the cranium I guess?
There is a lot of information about otoliths in marine hatchetfish -- including your question in research gate.
in: https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALiCzsZRtaYz_uuX-C_ygSEirJjSMAJBVw:1666880969863&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=otolith+marine+hatchetfish+otolith&fir=rfuNoyqrfLB3QM%252CtMejYoAFCvmcWM%252C_%253BOSJ4wLSdrl1aIM%252CRz4mvI-A0hg9GM%252C_%253BSAZpY1OZI9pQJM%252C_nGe9Y1hWGy0iM%252C_%253BzhW1AjvIugv71M%252Ca_u3dvgFHgg7gM%252C_%253BkRY31BR4HUeu_M%252CTxQ4htA-TlXo-M%252C_%253BLRoK_puv4gFfSM%252C_TWLzJtzM4_fBM%252C_%253BLNb1W3ml5axEhM%252CQjtkZCYB5iLnfM%252C_%253BdTi_yaGK9Zmf4M%252ClZ5f7_mVeINKZM%252C_%253B9NzLlNC9YfmPDM%252CouzjXHm8R9Z-2M%252C_%253BoOU92iTbzwR34M%252CdtcSYL8AY1256M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQMrJJcvyurcPAjbeIHQiv281UeSw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjxrd3Az4D7AhWMat4KHQf8AN8QjJkEegQIChAC&biw=2560&bih=1329&dpr=1.5#imgrc=xzjUH89UkOpNmM
Do you have some picture of the said species? I would love if you can post them so that people can appreciate and see the help thy can render.
Just to update, I have managed to find them with fairly consistent success now! To locate them I remove the entire cranium from the fish (i.e. a rectangle of tissue between the eye and the operculum), then remove as much tissue as possible from the bone from underneath until the saccule is visible.
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