Life-history- and ecosystem-driven variation in composition and residence pattern of seabream species (Perciformes: Sparidae) in two Mediterranean coastal lagoons.
Species composition and length-frequency distributions of six sparid fish species were investigated in two central Mediterranean coastal lagoons off the western coast of Italy: Fogliano and Caprolace. In the former, the sparid fauna was dominated by the gilt-head seabream (Sparus aurata), whereas in Caprolace, species composition was more homogeneous across all six species. Size structure varied considerably among species: S. aurata, Diplodus puntazzo and Diplodus vulgaris had a single-cohort structure in both lagoons, whereas in Diplodus annularis and Diplodus sargus at least two cohorts were identified. In Lithognathus mormyrus inter-lagoon variation was detected, with a single-cohort structure in Fogliano and a two-cohort structure in Caprolace. While inter-specific differences can be explained by variation in life-history strategies among species, intra-specific variation in L. mormyrus is likely to be determined by the known differences between the two habitats: Fogliano being a more confined lagoon, and Caprolace more extensively influenced by the sea.
Mariani
Stefano
S
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK. stefano.mariani@ucd.ie
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011158:Population Growth; D021541:Sea Bream / Q000254:growth & development*; D012621:Seasons; D013045:Species Specificity