Functional effect of vaterite - The presence of an alternative crystalline structure in otolith alters escape kinematics of the brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Using juvenile (0+ years) Salmo trutta originating from the wild in experimental conditions, we report for the first time that the deposition of calcium carbonate in its crystalline vateritic polymorph has pervasive significant effect on the escape kinematics of fish. The presence of an alternative crystalline structure in otolith is therefore suspected to alter fish's behavior in ways that decrease their chances of survival. We also report that altered behavior in vateritic individuals is partially compensated in presence of a functional lateral line (compared with the same individuals with lateral line chemically inhibited)