The Biological Significance of the Variation in Crystalline Morph and Habit of Otoconia in Elasmobranchs

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Abstract
Four morphs of calcim carbonate (calcite, aragonite, vaterite and calcium carbonate monohydrate) organized into five different crystalline habits were found in the otoconia of elasmobranchs from New Zealand waters. Otoconia types within the three major groups of elasmobranches are compared with information on otoconia published in the literature. It is argued that variation in otoconia has less taxonomic significance than the morphological criteria used conventionally in the classification of elasmobranchs.

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