The importance of this study lies in the in-depth exploration of the ecological diversity of otoliths in <i>Elops </i><i>l</i><i>acerta</i>, based on the analysis of data from 260 individuals collected from various sites, including the Porto Novo lagoon, the Cotonou lagoon, Lake Nokoué, and the Atlantic coast in southern Benin. The results highlight significant variations in otolith morphology, establishing relevant links with the biological parameters of the fish at each site. Exploration of the asymmetry between the right and left sides reveals notable distinctions between these two aspects. Analysis of otolith shape thus emerges as a valuable tool for discriminating between stocks and providing a better understanding of ecological variations. The local diversity observed highlights the crucial importance of implementing adaptive management strategies to ensure effective conservation of the species and its habitat.
Villanueva, M.C. (2004) Biodiversity and Trophic Relationships in Some Estuarine and Lagoon Environments of West Africa: Adaptations to Environmental Pressures. Ph.D. Thesis, Institut national polytechnique de Toulouse, Toulouse.
Ben Bouih, H., Nassali, H., Leblans, M. and Srhiri, A. (2004) Contamination en metaux traces des sediments du lac Fouarat. Afrique Science : Revue Internationale des Sciences et Technologie , 1, 109-125. https://doi.org/10.4314/afsci.v1i1.35403
Chao, L.N. (1978) A Basis for Classifying Western Atlantic Sciaenidae (Teleostei: Perciformes). NOAA Technical Report NMFS Circular.
Mahé, K., Ider, D., Massaro, A., Hamed, O., Jurado-Ruzafa, A., Goncalves, P., et al. (2019) Directional Bilateral Asymmetry in Otolith Morphology May Affect Fish Stock Discrimination Based on Otolith Shape Analysis. ICES Journal of Marine Science , 76, 232-243. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsy163
Bolles, K.L. and Begg, G.A. (2000) Distinctions between Silver Hake ( Merluccius bilinearis ) Stocks in U.S. Waters of the Northwest Atlantic Based on Whole Otolith Morphometric. Fishery Bulletin , 98, 451-462.
Campana, S.E. and Casselman, J.M. (1993) Stock Discrimination Using Otolith Shape Analysis. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 50, 1062-1108. https://doi.org/10.1139/f93-123
Cardinale, M., Doering-Arjes, P., Kastowsky, M. and Mosegaard, H. (2004) Effects of Sex, Stock, and Environment on the Shape of Known-Age Atlantic Cod ( Gadus morhua ) Otoliths. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 61, 158-167. https://doi.org/10.1139/f03-151
Castonguay, M., Simard, P. and Gagnon, P. (1991) Usefulness of Fourier Analysis of Otolith Shape for Atlantic Mackerel ( Scomber scobrus ) Stock Discrimination. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 48, 296-302. https://doi.org/10.1139/f91-041
Merigot, B., Letourneur, Y. and Lecomte-Finiger, R. (2007) Characterization of Local Populations of the Common Sole Solea solea (Pisces, Soleidae) in the NW Mediterranean through Otolith Morphometrics and Shape Analysis. Marine Biology , 151, 997-1008. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0549-0
Mejri, M., Trojette, M., Allaya, H., Ben Faleh, A., Jmil, I. and Chalh, A. (2018) Use of Otolith Shape to Differentiate Two Lagoon Populations of Pagellus erythrinus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae) in Tunisian Waters. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria , 48, 153-161. https://doi.org/10.3750/AIEP/02376
Begg, G.A. and Brown, R.W. (2000) Stock Identification of Haddock Melanogram mus aeglefinus on the Georges Bank Based on Otolith Shape Analysis. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society , 129, 935-945. https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(2000)129 2.3.CO;2
Mille, T., Mahe, K., Villanueva, M.C., De Pontual, H. and Ernande, B. (2015) Sagittal Otolith Morphogenesis Asymmetry in Marine Fishes. Journal of Fish Biology , 87, 646-663. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12746
Lombarte, A. and Lieonart, J. (1993) Otolith Size Changes Related with Body Growth, Habitat Depth and Temperature. Environmental Biology of Fishes , 37, 297-306. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004637
Ben Labidi, M., Mejri, M., Shahin, A., Quignard, J.P., Trabelsi, M. and Ben Faleh, A. (2020) Asymetrie fluctuante des otolithes dans les Boops boops (actinopterygii, sparidae) de deux stations marines (bizerte et kelibia) dans les eaux tunisiennes. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , 100, 2-16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315420001022
Paxton, J.R. (2000) Fish Otoliths: Do Sizes Correlate with Taxonomic Group, Habitat and/or Luminescence? Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London . Series B : Biological Sciences , 355, 1299-1303. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2000.0688
Tuset, V.M., Lombarte, A., Gonzalez, J.A., Pertusa, J.F. and Lorente, M.J. (2003) Comparative Morphology of the Sagittal Otolith in Serranus spp. Journal of Fish Biology , 63, 1491-1504. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2003.00262.x
Lombarte, A. and Cruz, A. (2007) Otolith Size Trends in Marine Fish Communities from Different Depth Strata. Journal of Fish Biology , 71, 53-76. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01465.x
Stransky, C. and MacLellan, S.E. (2005) Species Separation and Zoogeography of Redfish and Rockfish (Genus Sebastes ) by Otolith Shape Analysis. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 62, 2265-2276. https://doi.org/10.1139/f05-143
Hüssy, K. (2008) Otolith Shape in Juvenile Cod ( Gadus morhua ): Ontogenetic and Environmental Effects. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , 364, 35-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2008.06.026
Lleonart, J., Salat, J. and Torres, G.J. (2000) Removing Allometric Effects of Body Size in Morphological Analysis. Journal of Theoretical Biology , 205, 85-93. https://doi.org/10.1006/jtbi.2000.2043
Downhower, J.F., Blumer, L.S., Lejeune, P., Gaudin, P., Marconato, A. and Bisazza, A. (1990) Otolith Asymmetry in Cottus Bairdi and Cottus Gobio. Polskie Archiwum Hydrobiologii , 37, 209-220.
Lemberget, T. and Mccormick, M.I. (2009) Replenishment Success Linked to Fluctuating Asymmetry in Larval Fish. Oecologia , 159, 83-93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-008-1212-x
DıAz-Gil, C., Palmer, M., Catalan, I.A., Alos, J., Fuiman, L.A., Garcıa, E., Del Mar Gil, M., et al. (2015) Otolith Fluctuating Asymmetry: A Misconception of Its Biological Relevance? ICES Journal of Marine Science , 72, 2079-2089. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsv067
Green, A.A., Mosaliganti, K.R., Swinburne, I.A., Obholzer, N.D. and Megason, S.G. (2017) Recovery of Shape and Size in a Developing Organ Pair. Developmental Dynamics , 246, 451-465. https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.24498
Bird, J.L., Eppler, D.T. and Checkley Jr., D.M. (1986) Comparison of Herring Otoliths Using Fourier Series Shape Analysis. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 43, 1228-1234. https://doi.org/10.1139/f86-152
Begg, G.A. and Brown, R.W. (2000) Stock Identification of Haddock Melanogram mus aeglefinus on the Georges Bank Based on Otolith Shape Analysis. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society , 129, 935-945. https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(2000)129 2.3.CO;2
Adams, A.J., Horodysky, A.Z., McBride, R.S., Guindon, K., Shenker, J., MacDonald, T.C., et al. (2013) Global Conservation Status and Research Needs for Tarpons (Megalopidae), Ladyfishes (Elopidae) and Bonefishes (Albulidae). Fish and Fisheries , 15, 280-311.
Levesque, J. (2010) Habitat Use Patterns of Juvenile Ladyfish ( Elopes saurus ) in Florida (USA) Estuaries. Wildlife Biology in Practice , 6, 39-56. https://doi.org/10.2461/wbp.2010.6.4
Agboola, J.I. and Anetekhai, M.A. (2008) Length-Weight Relationships of Some Fresh and Brackish Water Fishes in Badagry Creek, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Ichthyology , 24, 623-625. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2008.01079.x
Abowei, J.F.N. (2010) The Condition Factor, Lengthweight Relationship and Abundance of Elops seneganensis (Regan, 1909) from Nkoro River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Advance Journal of Food Science and Technology , 2, 16-21.
Ugwumba, O.A. (1989) Distribution and Growth Pattern of the Ten-Pounder (Val.) in the Freshwater, Estuarine and Marine Environments of Lagos, Nigeria. Archiv für Hydrobiologie , 115, 451-462. https://doi.org/10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/115/1989/451
Aceves-Medina, G., Jim Enez-Rosenberg, S.P.A. and Hinojosa-Medina, A. (2003) Fish Larvae from the Gulf of California. Scientia Marina , 67, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2003.67n11
Tzeng, W.N., Chen, H.L. and Teng, H.Y. (2005) The Recruitment Dynamic of Elops Hawaiensis Leptocephalus in Gongshytyan Creek Estuary of Northern Taiwan. Journal of the Fisheries Society of Taiwan , 32, 129-130.
Pandare, D. and Tamoikine, M.Y. (1997) Etude de l’ichthyoplancton dans les eaux cotieres et estuariennes bordees de mangroves en afrique de l’ouest, guineeetsen egal. In: Kjerfve, B., Drude De Lacerda, L. and El Hadji Salif, D., Eds., Mangrove Ecosystem Studies in Latin America and Africa , UNESCO, Paris, 241-263.
Hie-Dare, J.P. (1982) Croissance de la phase lagunaire de elops lacerta. Documents Scientifiques, Centre de Recherches Océanologiques, Abidjan (Côte d’ivoire).
Albaret, J.J. (1987) Les peuplements de poissons de la casamance (senegal) en periode de secheresse. Revue d ’ hydrobiologie tropicale , 20, 291-310.
Lestrel, P.E. (1997) Fourier Descriptors and Their Applications in Biology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511529870
Andrialovanirina, N., Caillault, É.P., Couette, S., Laffont, R., Poloni, L., Lutet-Toti, C. and Mahé, K. (2023) Asymmetry of Sagittal Otolith Shape Based on Inner Ear Side Tested on Mediterranean Red Mullet ( Mullus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758): Comparative Analysis of 2D and 3D Otolith Shape Data. Symmetry , 15, Article 1067. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15051067
Kuhl, F. and Giardina, C. (1982) Elliptic Fourier Features of a Closed Contour. Computer Graphics and Image Processing , 18, 236-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/0146-664X(82)90034-X
Cadrin, S.X. and Friedland, K.D. (1999) The Utility of Image Processing Techniques for Morphometric Analysis and Stock Identification. Fisheries Research , 43, 129-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-7836(99)00070-3
Rohlf, F.J. and Archie, J.W. (1984) A Comparison of Fourier Methods for the Description of Wing Shape in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Systematic Biology , 33, 302-317. https://doi.org/10.2307/2413076
MahE, K., Evano, H., Mille, T., Muths, D. and Bourjea, J. (2016) Otolith Shape as a Valuable Tool to Evaluate the Stock Structure of Swordfish Xiphias gladius in the Indian Ocean. African Journal of Marine Science , 38, 457-464. https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2016.1224205
Allam, N. (2018) Application de l’analyse discriminante lineaire (lda) dans la reconnaissance du visage. Memoire de fin D’etude.
Boschetti, A. and Massaron L. (2016) Python Data Science Essentials. 2nd Edition, Springer, Dordrecht.
Moreira, C., Froufe, E., Vaz-Pires, P. and Correia, A.T. (2019) Otolith Shape Analysis as a Tool to Infer the Population Structure of the Blue Jack Mackerel, Trachurus picturatus , in the NE Atlantic. Fisheries Research , 209, 40-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2018.09.010
Muniz, A.A., Moura, A., Triay-Portella, R., Moreira, C., Santos, P.T. and Correia, A.T. (2020) Population Structure of the Chub Mackerel ( Scomber colias ) in the North-East Atlantic Inferred from Otolith Shape and Body Morphometrics. Marine and Freshwater Research , 72, 341-352. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF19389
Ndour, F., Le Loc’H, O.T., Thiaw, J.M. and Laë, R. (2011) Étude du régime alimentaire de deux espèces de Cichlidae en situation contrastée dans un estuaire tropical inverse d’Afrique de l’Ouest (Casamance, Sénégal) [Study of the Diet of Two Species of Cichlidae in Contrasting Situation in a West African (Casamance, Senegal) Inverse Tropical Estuary]. Journal des Sciences Halieutiques et Aquatiques , 4, 120-133.
Torres, G.J., Lombarte, A. and Morales-Nin, B. (2000) Sagittal Otolith Size and Shape Variability to Identify Geographical Intraspecific Differences in Three Species of Genus Merluccius . Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , 80, 333-342. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315499001915
Cardinale, M., Doerin-Arjes, P., Kastowsky, M. and Mosegaard, H. (2004) Effects of Sex, Stock, and Environment on the Shape of Known-Age Atlantic Cod ( Gadus morhua ) Otoliths. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 61, 158-167. https://doi.org/10.1139/f03-151
Gagliano, M. and McCormick, M.I. (2004) Feeding History Influences Otolith Shape in Tropical Fish. Marine Ecology Progress Series , 278, 291-296. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps278291
Swan, S.C., Geffen, A.J., Morales-Nin, B., Gordon, J.D.M., Shimmield, T., Sawyer, T. and Massutí, E. (2006) Otolith Chemistry: An Aid to Stock Separation of Helicolenus dactylopterus (Bluemouth) and Merluccius merluccius (European Hake) in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. ICES Journal of Marine Science , 63, 504-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icesjms.2005.08.012
Vignon, M. and Morat, F. (2010) Environmental and Genetic Determinant of Otolith Shape Revealed by a Non-Indigenous Tropical Fish. Marine Ecology Progress Series , 411, 231-241. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08651
Grønkjaer, P. and M.K. (2003) Fluctuating Asymmetry and Nutritional Condition of Baltic Cod ( Gadus morhua ) Larvae. Marine Biology , 143, 191-197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-003-1064-1
Lychakov, D.V. and Rebane, Y.T. (2005) Fish Otolith Mass Asymmetry: Morphometry and Influence on Acoustic Functionality. Hearing Research , 201, 55-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2004.08.017
Lychakov, D.V., Rebane, Y.T., Lombarte, A., Demestre, M. and Fuiman, L.A. (2008) Saccular Otolith Mass Asymmetry in Adult Flatfishes. Journal of Fish Biology , 72, 2579-2594. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.01869.x
Lychakov, D. (2013) Behavioral Lateralization and Otolith Asymmetry. Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology , 49, 441-456. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0022093013040099
Møller, A.P. and Shykoff, J.A. (1999) Morphological Developmental Stability in Plants: Patterns and Causes. International Journal of Plant Sciences , 160, S135-S146. https://doi.org/10.1086/314219
Cañás, L., Stransky, C., Schlickeisen, J., Sampedro, M.P. and Fariña A.C. (2012) Use of the Otolith Shape Analysis in Stock Identification of Anglerfish ( Lophius piscatorius ) in the Northeast Atlantic. ICES Journal of Marine Science , 69, 250-256. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fss006
Al-Rasady, I.H., Jawad, L.A., Al-Mamry, J.M., Al-Mamari, H.M., Al-Yarubi, M. and Mamary, D.S. (2010) Fluctuating Asymmetry in the Otolith Length and Width of Rhynchorhamphus Georgi (Valenciennes, 1846) (Family: Hemiramphidae) Collected from the Sea of Oman. Museo Civico di Storia Naturale — Ferrara , 13, 85-89.
Jawad, L.A. and Al-Mamry, J.M. (2012) Relationship between Fish Length and Otolith Dimensions in the Carangid Fish (Carangoides Coeruleopinnatus (Rüppell, 1830)) Collected from the Sea of Oman. Journal of FisheriesSciences.com , 6, 203-208.
Mille, T. (2015) Sources de variation intra-populationnelle de la morphologie des otolithes: Asymétrie directionnelle et régime alimentaire. Master’s Thesis, Université de Lille, Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
Petursdottir, G., Begg, G.A. and Marteinsdottir, G. (2006) Discrimination between Icelandic Cod ( Gadus morhua L.) Populations from Adjacent Spawning Areas Based on Otolith Growth and Shape. Fisheries Research , 80, 182-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2006.05.002
Duarte-Neto, P., Lessa, R., Stosic, B. and Morize, E. (2008) L’utilisation d’otolithes sagittaux dans la discrimination des stocks de coryphènes communes ( Coryphaena hippurus ) au large du nord-est du Brésil à l’aide de descripteurs multiformes ICES Journal of Marine Science , 65, 1144-1152. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsn090
Mahé, K., Oudard, C., Mille, T., Keating, J., Goncalves, P., Worsoe Clausen, L., et al. (2016) Identifying Blue Whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou ) Stock Structure in the Northeast Atlantic by Otolith Shape Analysis. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 73, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2015-0332
Rebaya, M., Ben Faleh, A.R., Allaya, H., Khedher, M., Trojette, M., Marsaoui, B., Fatnassi, M., Chalh, A., Quignard, J.P. and Trabelsi, M. (2017) Otolith Shape Discrimination of Liza ramada (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) from Marine and Estuarine Populations in Tunisia. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria , 47, 13-21. https://doi.org/10.3750/AIEP/02006
Trojette, M., Ben Faleh, A., Fatnassi, M., Marsaoui, B., Mahouachi, N.H., Chalh, A., Quignard, J.P. and Trabelsi, M. (2015) Stock Discrimination of Two Insular Populations of Diplodus annularis (Actinop-Terygii: Perciformes: Sparidae) along the Coast of Tunisia by Analysis of Otolith Shape. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria , 45, 363-372. https://doi.org/10.3750/AIP2015.45.4.04
Zhang, C., Ye, Z., Li, Z., Wan, R., Ren, Y. and Dou, S. (2016) Population Structure of Japanese Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius in the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea: Evidence from Random Forests Based on Otolith Features. Fisheries Science , 82, 251-256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-016-0968-x
Campana, S.E. and Neilson, J.D. (1985) Microstructure of Fish Otoliths. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 42, 1014-1032. https://doi.org/10.1139/f85-127
Abée-Lund, J.H. (1988) Otolith Shape Discriminates between Juvenile Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar L., and Brown Trout, Salmo trutta L. Journal of Fish Biology , 33, 899-903. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1988.tb05538.x
Tuset, V.M., Rosin, P.L. and Lombarte, A. (2006) Sagittal Otolith Shape Used in the Identification of Fishes of the Genus Serranus. Fisheries Research , 81, 316-325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2006.06.020
Monteiro, L.R., Di Beneditto, A.P.M., Guillermo, L.H. and Rivera, L.A. (2005) Allometric Changes and Shape Differentiation of Sagitta Otoliths in Sciaenid Fishes. Fisheries Research , 74, 288-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2005.03.002
Reichenbacher, B., Feulner, G.R. and Schulz-Mirbach, T. (2009) Geographic Variation in Otolith Morphology among Freshwater Populations of Aphanius dispar (Teleostei, Cyprinodontiformes) from the Southeastern Arabian Peninsula. Journal of Morphology , 270, 469-484. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.10702
Campana, S.E. and Thorrold, S.R. (2001) Otoliths, Increments, and Elements: Keys to a Comprehensive Understanding of Fish Populations. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 58, 30-38. https://doi.org/10.1139/f00-177