Otoliths are calcium carbonate structures found in the inner ear of fish species in marine and freshwater habitats. Their morphology and shape are species-specific; therefore, they are commonly used in the taxonomictaxonomic and biological studies. In some cases, it is known that aberrant otoliths occur in fish farms, even in nature. Generally, aragonitic and vateritic otoliths are more common otolith crystals in several fish species. In the present study, the aberrant sagittal otolith morphology was examined and described for Diplodus puntazzo, Lepidorhombus boscii, Merlangius merlangus, Mullus barbatus, Pagellus acarne, Solea solea, and Trachurus mediterraneus from the Aegean Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Sea of Marmara. Five different sagittal otolith morphologies, from normal to completely crystalline, were identified as Type 0, Type 1, Type 2, Type 4 and Type 5. The current study presents for the first-time anomalous otolith morphology information on sagittal otoliths in D. puntazzo, L. boscii, P. acarne, and T. mediterraneus. It was revealed that fish species showed different and similar morphological otolith characteristics according to abnormal otolith morphology. Sagittal otolith abnormalities may have been caused by environmental factors, pollution, nutritional problems, stress, genetic predisposition and changes in water parameters as well as a combination of these. Further investigations should include both the morphology and chemical composition of the otoliths as well as the habitat characteristics and water parameters.

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