Glossary: Age Determination Methods for Northwest Atlantic Species
Terminology for age determination methods.
There have been several attempts to produce a set of standard terminologies for ageing studies throughout the years (Jensen 1965, Chilton and Beamish 1982, Wilson et al. 1987, Secor et al. 1995). All of the attempts to standardize terms have been designed to eliminate confusion in the interpretation of ageing structures; not all have been accepted. The following set of definitions are for terms are used throughout this manual. In some instances, they have been modified slightly from the 'standards' but are in no way contradictory from those standards.
Otolith morphology to determine age
Demersal Species
Pelagic species
Bivalve morphology to determine age
Surfclam
Ocean Quahog
Age determination notation
Examples:
| 5 | Five annuli counted (one clear interpretation) |
| 5(6) | Probably five, but possibly 6 annuli (moderately difficult to age, two interpretations possible) |
| 5? | Five annuli is the best estimate (difficult to age, more than two interpretations possible) |
| 5+ | Five annuli counted with an additional seasonal growth increment |
Definitions
Annulus Any zone which forms once each year, usually the "winter" growth zone which marks the end of a year of growth.
Check A discontinuity in a zone or pattern which is not a true annulus. Such rings are distinguished by the width of the zone relative to annuli, location relative to annuli, and incomplete formation or poor definition. Checks may also be differentiated from annuli on some scales by differences in platelet shape.
Chondrophore "Pit or large spoon-shaped form projecting from the hinge plate, usually supplemented by a prop extending to the surface of the valve" (Arnold 1965; Figure 3).
Circulus A concentric ridge formed on a scale by the periodic addition of material to the edge of the basal plate. The circuli on scales may be continuous or segmented by the scale radii, in which case the individual segments are termed platelets. Circuli are formed only on the outer surface of the scale; the inner surface is smooth. Circuli formed on bivalves are concentric, scalloped ridges which become crowded together at an annulus.
Collum Interruption in the sulcus acusticus which marks the location of the nucleus (Figure 1).
Image
Crystallized otolith An otolith displaying inadequate calcification (Figure 5). Age determinations are generally not possible due to missing annuli.
Ctenoid scale Type of scale having ctenii, or spine-like projections resembling the teeth of a comb, on its posterior edge.
Cutting over (also "crossing over" or erosion marks) Disruption of the circulus pattern on scales from erosion of the edge results in circuli formed after erosion that appear to intersect or "cross over" others that had been formed earlier. If scale edge erosion is an annual event, the "cutting over" marks may be used to detect annuli.
Cycloid scales Scales that are oval or elliptical in shape.
Edge Outer periphery of the age structure.
Edge type Summer/winter or opaque/hyaline deposition occurring on the outer edge of the age structure representing the most recent growth.
End of annulus Outermost edge of a winter growth zone designated as an annulus.
False annulus Sometimes used synonymously with "check", refers to a zone of slow growth that is not counted as an annulus; also, a characteristic check ring on scales or otoliths which occurs before the first annulus and fairly close to the focus (scales) or nucleus (otoliths).
Focus Center or origin of a scale.
Hinge "Interlocking toothed devices in a bivalve; hinge plate is the dorsal margin carrying the hinge teeth; hinge teeth are interlocking teeth that unite the valves" (Arnold 1965). Annuli occurring in the hinge teeth may correspond in number and relative location to annular lines seen in the valves of molluscs.
Hyaline Zone A zone that allows the passage of light (also referred to as a translucent zone). The zone is composed primarily of organic material (otolin) with a reduced amount of inorganic material in the form of short, thin calcium aragonite needles. With transmitted light, hyaline zones appear bright; with reflected light, they appear dark. "Winter" zones are normally composed of hyaline material.
Lumen Central cavity of a spine.
Margin Edge of a valve. The ventral valve margin of a bivalve is often referred to, since it represents the most recent accretion of shell growth.
Nucleus Central portion of an otolith (Figures 1-2); sometimes used synonymously with the terms core, kernel, or primordium.
Opaque Zone A zone that inhibits the passage of light. The zone is composed primarily of inorganic calcium aragonite needles which are long and thick relative to those formed in hyaline zones. With transmitted light, opaque zones appear dark; with reflected light, they appear bright. "Summer" zones are normally composed of opaque material.
Image
Platelets Individual segments of a circulus on some types of scales which are separated by the scale radii (Figure 6).
Image
Regenerated Scale Scale which replaces one previously lost. These cannot be used for age determination because the central area has no circuli or annular growth features (Figure 7).
Sagittae (often referred to simply as "otoliths") Largest of three pairs of otoliths located in the sacculus of the inner ear of a fish.
Settling Check Characteristic check ring on some marine groundfish otoliths. It occurs just outside the nucleus and is believed to form when the fish first become benthic in habit.
Shifted Otolith Otolith which has moved in the sacculus; recognized by additional growth occurring along a different axis from previous growth. Annuli may thus be present only on certain parts of a shifted otolith, and absent on other parts. Shifting often occurs in conjunction with crystallization of an otolith.
Split Discontinuity in an annular zone, analogous to a "check." This causes the annulus to appear as two or more closely spaced "winter" zones.
Sulcus acusticus (often referred to simply as "sulcus") Longitudinal groove extending down the convex surface of an otolith (Figure 1).
Umbo "That point of a bivalve situated immediately above the hinge, the beak, the first formed part of a bivalve" (Arnold 1965; Figures 3-4).
Valve "One of the separable portions of a shell; bivalve, a shell in two sections" (Arnold 1965; Figures 3-4).
References
Arnold, W.H. 1965. A glossary of a thousand-and-one terms used in conchology. Veliger 7 (Suppl.), 50p.
Chilton, D.E. and R.J. Beamish. 1982. Age determination for fishes studied by the Groundfish Program at the Pacific Biological Station. Can. Spec. Pub. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 60.
Jensen, A.C. 1965. A standard terminology and notation for otolith readers. ICNAF Res. Bull. 2:5-7.
Kalish, J.M, R.J. Beamish, E.B. Brothers, J.M. Casselman, R.I.C.C. Francis, H. Mosegaard, J. Panfili, E.D. Prince, R.E. Thresher, C.A. Wilson, and P.J. Wright. 1995. Glossary for otolith studies, p 723-729. In: Recent developments in fish otolith research. Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research, Number 19, University of South Carolina Press.
Wilson, C.W., R.J. Beamish, E.B. Brothers, K.D. Carlander, J.M. Casselman, J.M. Dean, A. Jearld, Jr., E.D. Prince, and A. Wild. 1987. Glossary, p 527-530. In: Summerfelt, R.C. and G.E. Hall (eds.), Age and Growth of Fish, Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA.