Application of otolith mass and shape for discriminating scabbardfishes Aphanopus spp. in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean

7 pages, 2 figures, 3 tablesThe otolith was used to investigate the variability between Aphanopus carbo and Aphanopus intermedius inhabiting the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean. The results indicate a high degree of morphological affinity between species and areas; a noticeable metabolic change in the otolith shape was noted in the specimens of A. carbo, which may be related to migrations of individuals from shallow water (closer to the continental coast) to deeper water (archipelagos of Madeira and the Canary Islands). The results suggest a single population for both species in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, although not conclusivelyWe thank those individuals who helped in the data collection and sampling of specimens. This study was co-funded by PESCPROF 3 (05/MAC/4.2/M11 and co-financed by EU Interreg III-B programme) and AFORO3D (MICIN CTM2010-1970), and pursued in collaboration with the pilot projects RAIAP-36/2005 and 37/2005 that were co-financed by the EU and the Spanish Government. V.M.T. is an employee of CSIC in the modality of JAE-Postdoc of Programme Junta para la Ampliación de Estudios» co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF)Peer reviewe