Retour au reportage Retour au reportage
20170047_0006

© Xavier COLOMBET/LEHNA/CNRS Images

Reference

20170047_0006

Coupe frontale de lapilus, un type d'otolithe prélevé sur un juvénile de chevesne

Frontal section of a lapillus, a type of otolith taken from a juvenile chub, Squalius cephalus, a very common species of freshwater fish in Europe, viewed using an optical microscope. Otoliths are mineral concretions found in the inner ear of vertebrates. This one was taken from a fish caught during electrofishing as part of a study on the growth of larvae and juveniles in the abandoned channels of the Rhône. The aim is to estimate the age of the fish in days by counting the successive daily deposits of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) on the otolith, from when the fish hatches (nucleus) to the date it is caught. After 200 days, it becomes difficult to estimate the age in days. The otolith section is sanded to obtain a smooth surface without micro-scratches.

Regional office(s)

Scientific topics

CNRS Images,

Our work is guided by the way scientists question the world around them and we translate their research into images to help people to understand the world better and to awaken their curiosity and wonderment.