Morphologic features of otolith of Myctophum asperum in continental shelf slope of northern South China Sea

We studied the morphological characteristics and parameters of otolith of 207 Myctophum asperum collected in the continental shelf slope of the northern South China Sea during June to July, 2015. Results show that the otolith length (L₁), otolith width (L₂), otolith perimeter (P) and otolith area (A) had significant sex difference. The otolith width, otolith perimeter and otolith area were best described by logarithmic function with standard length (P < 0.05). The otolith length was best described by power function with standard length (P < 0.05). The otolith length and otolith width were best described by power function with body mass (P < 0.05). The otolith perimeter and otolith area were best described by logarithmic function with body mass (P < 0.05). The absolute size and relative size of otolith increased and remained stable with increasing standard length, respectively. Rostrum and antirostrum had linear relationship.