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Chemical and structural characteristics of statoliths from the short-finned squid Illex illecebrosus

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Abstract

Statoliths of the short-finned squid Illex illecebrosus were chemically analyzed to define their chemical composition and surveyed by scanning electron microscope to differentiate internal structural patterns. X-ray diffraction data demonstrated that I. Illecebrosus statoliths were composed principally of CaCO3 in the aragonite crystal form. The crystals occurred in a protein matrix to form incremental patterns which radiated from the nucleus to the edge of the statoliths. The protein matrix comprised approximately 5% of the statolith by weight. The protein was principally composed of acidic amino acids. A high abundance of aspartic acid in the protein matrix indicated that the matrix would function as a template in the initiation and acceleration of the crystal growth of CaCO3. The rhythmic microstructural patterns, constructed of aragonite crystals in the protein matrix, were suggested to be daily in formation and subsequent growth estimations were in agreement with known life history information. The stable isotopic composition of the carbonate of I. illecebrosus statoliths suggested that oxygen may be deposited in isotopic equilibrium with the surrounding environment while carbon appeared to be related to biological processes. The information recorded in the statoliths as incremental growth and stable isotopic composition could provide valuable insights into the ecological history of squid.

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Author notes

  1. R. L. Radtke

    Present address: Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1346, 96744, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA

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  1. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Research and Resource Services, P.O. Box 5667, A10 5X1, St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada

    R. L. Radtke

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Communicated by S. K. Pierce, College Park

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Radtke, R.L. Chemical and structural characteristics of statoliths from the short-finned squid Illex illecebrosus . Marine Biology 76, 47–54 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393054

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