Otolith Rings

A new study published in ‘Nature’, tried to predict the effects of climate change on the physiological performance and distribution of organisms by studying the Otoliths.

Otolith – They are small, white bio-mineralized ear stones in the head.Small calcium carbonate crystals are accumulated every day as very thin layers over a tiny core, and this forms an otolith.

They are found in all fishes other than sharks, rays and lampreys but their shape and morphology is unique to each fish species.
It contributes to both hearing and vestibular function in fish.

Significance – When the fish dies the otoliths are preserved, separated from the decomposed fish body, and buried in the sediments of the sea floor unaffected for thousands of years.It records the age and growth of a fish from the date of hatch to the time of death and also reveals about fish’s health.

- Oxygen isotopes – It indicate the temperature the fish experienced when it was alive.
- Carbon isotopes – It reveal how quickly food was converted into energy.

Otoliths relevance in climate change - Animals’ energy needs shift with temperature and studying the otoliths can help us predict which animals are most at risk from rising temperatures.

Atlantic bluefin tuna in warmer waters had lower metabolic rates, showing that their bodies were unable to keep up with the energy costs of living in temperatures over 28°C.

Source:

Join Our Telegram

Cosmic Expansion

Red Sprite

Formation Day

03 Dec, 25
SHARE

On 1st November, eight Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu—along with five Union Territories—Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry—celebrate their Formation Day. This date marks an important milestone in India

Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Kachhua Sanctuary, is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. It is recognised as India’s first freshwater turtle wildlife sanctuary, established to conserve endangered turtle species and support the ecological health of the Ganga River. Location and Extent The sanctuary co

Introduction of AI and Computational Thinking (CT) in

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The Ministry of Education plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) from Class 3 onwards in the 2026–27 academic year. This initiative is part of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The aim is to prepare student

Sal Tree

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

Scientists from the Environment Department of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla have recently revealed that the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the most effective natural air purifier for combating rising pollution levels. Their findings highlight the tree’s superior capacity to trap dust, absorb gases, and cleanse the air compared

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The President of the United States has ordered the resumption of nuclear weapon testing after a gap of 33 years, the last test being in 1992. This decision marks a significant shift in global nuclear policy and has far-reaching implications for geopolitics, the environment, and international security. Status of Global Nuclear Weapon Testing