Staining protocols affect use of otolith to estimate the demography of the damselfish sergeant major (Abudefduf vaigiensis)

This study assessed the otolith (sagittae, lapilli, and asterisci) increment deposition rate in the range-shifting damselfish, A. vaigiensis, using different concentrations of Alizain Red S and evaluated the impact of staining on increment width. Daily increment deposition was verified in all otolith types and presented clearer fluorescent markings in the lapilli and sagittae than the asterisci, with high stain concentration showing the best clarity. Higher stain concentrations were found to decrease increment width, suggesting care is needed when using stained otoliths as a proxy for growth for this species.

Automated summary

This study assessed the deposition rate of pigment in the otoliths of the range-shifting damselfish, A. vaigiensis, and found that higher stain concentrations provide better clarity but also decrease the increment width.