The growth rings found on fish ear bones can be used to measure the impact of climate change in aquatic environments according to scientists from the CSIRO.
The earbones, or “otoliths”, produce growth rings annually that can be measured and counted to estimate age and growth rates.
“They are widely used to support fishery stock assessments, and are beginning to be used to measure and predict ecological responses to ocean warming and climate change,” said Dr John Morrongiello.
“Otoliths record variations in growth rates that reflect environmental conditions. Longer-lived fish and older samples take us back as far as the 1800s.”
Read more at CSIRO