Does living in burrows shape the sagittal otolith of gobiid fishes (Teleostei, Gobiidae)? A comparison of species facultatively or permanently inhabiting burrows of shrimps
Journal: Journal of Vertebrate Biology
Year: 2026

The inner ear of teleost fishes is crucial for hearing and balance. It contains three pairs of otoliths that stimulate the innervating nerve as they move, with the saccular otolith (sagitta) being the largest in most taxa. Shape and size influence the motion of the sagitta and hence sound detection and balance, and are influenced by the ecological niche occupied by the fishes. We were interested in whether the otoliths differ along a spatial gradient in sympatric gobiids. We investigated free-li