While otoliths are considered the most reliable structure to accurately age fish, a variety of otolith preparation techniques are available, which have consequences on the otolith’s optical properties and therefore interpretation of growth bands. Recently, numerous studies from a variety of authors have criticised the use of whole otoliths in ageing sparids with sectioned otoliths subsequently acknowledged as the most reliable preparation technique. Despite this criticism; ageing data is still being generated from whole otoliths and other unreliable structures such as scales. In an attempt to understand the severity of this issue we conducted a global literature review of otolith preparation protocols used for sparids. We identified global spatial inconsistencies in otolith preparation techniques with some regions predominately using methods other than sectioned otoliths to age sparids. The review highlights the need for a standardisation of otolith preparation methods and a move towards the use of sectioned otoliths, or at least valid support where alternative structures or preparation techniques are used. Given that large numbers of studies have been conducted on whole otoliths in certain regions, it may be necessary to revaluate the existing growth parameters to ensure that accurate information is incorporated into management structures.

中文翻译：

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切开的耳石还是整耳石？用于老化鲷鱼的硬结构制备技术的全球综述

虽然耳石被认为是最可靠的结构来准确老化鱼，但有多种耳石制备技术可供使用，这些技术会对耳石的光学特性产生影响，从而对生长带的解释产生影响。最近，来自不同作者的大量研究批评了在老化的耳石中使用整个耳石，随后将耳石切片作为最可靠的制备技术。尽管有这样的批评；仍在从整个耳石和其他不可靠的结构（如鳞片）中生成老化数据。为了了解这个问题的严重性，我们对用于耳石的耳石制备方案进行了全球文献综述。我们确定了耳石制备技术的全球空间不一致，一些地区主要使用除切片耳石以外的方法来老化耳石。审查强调需要耳石制备方法的标准化，并朝着使用分段耳石的方向发展，或者至少在使用替代结构或制备技术的情况下提供有效支持。鉴于对某些地区的整个耳石进行了大量研究，可能有必要重新评估现有的生长参数，以确保将准确的信息纳入管理结构。或至少在使用替代结构或制备技术的情况下提供有效支持。鉴于对某些地区的整个耳石进行了大量研究，可能有必要重新评估现有的生长参数，以确保将准确的信息纳入管理结构。或至少在使用替代结构或制备技术的情况下提供有效支持。鉴于对某些地区的整个耳石进行了大量研究，可能有必要重新评估现有的生长参数，以确保将准确的信息纳入管理结构。