Do environmental conditions (temperature and food composition) affect otolith shape during fish early-juvenile phase? An experimental approach applied to European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Otolith shape is an efficient tool for fish stock discrimination. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the environmental parameters that could influence otolith morphogenesis and growth. Current global ocean warming negatively affects the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA) by phytoplankton and thus their availability in marine food webs. As EPA and DHA are essential nutrients for most fish species, their deficiency could...