part of start stage end stage otic lateral line TAO:0000464 zebrafish_anatomy ZFA:0000464 otic lateral lines One of eight distinct lateral lines in the 4-day larva positioned anterior to the ear. A sensory system on the surface of the fish, consisting of small sensory patches (neuromasts) distributed in discrete lines over the body surface. The lateral line system is stimulated by local water displacements and vibrations, and detects propulsion of the fish through the water, as well as facilitating shoaling, prey capture, and predator and obstacle avoidance. (See Anatomical Atlas entry for <a href='http://zfin.org/zf_info/anatomy/dict/lat_line/lat_line.html'>lateral line</a> by T. Whitfield.) lateral line anterior lateral line pharyngula:prim-15 adult