Experimental measurements were made in the laboratory to determine the swimming capacities of settlement‐stage fish larvae of several Mediterranean coastal species collected from the nearshore waters of Corsica, France. Critical swimming speed (Ucrit, cm s−1) was measured to provide a realistic laboratory estimate of in situ swimming speed. Morphometric traits were measured to assess potential predictors of a species’ swimming ability and, when possible, daily otolith increments were used to estimate age. Observed swimming speeds were consistent with other temperate species and demonstrated that the tested species are competent swimmers and not passive components of their environment. Morphological traits varied in their correlation with Ucrit across groups and species. Direct measurements of morphological traits were better predictors than calculated ratios. Pelagic larval duration had little relationship with swimming speed among species for which daily otolith increments were counted. In addition to expanding the database on swimming capacities of settlement‐stage fish larvae in the Mediterranean Sea, this study also developed methods that simplify the assessment of larval fish swimming ability. Swimming speed data are essential for improving larval dispersal models and for predicting recruitment rates in coastal fish populations.
The relationship between ostracod and macrophyte communities has been seldom studied, especially in urban parks. The main purpose of this research is to explore such a relationship in the area of Rome (Italy), and in particular in the Appia Antica Regional Park, to provide information about the environmental characteristics influencing both the assemblages and to document for the first time the distribution of freshwater ostracods in an area inside the city of Rome. The survey has considered different water bodies: springs, channels, ditches, and a pond. Chemical and physical parameters were measured seasonally in conjunction with the ostracod sampling in 13 sites. The ostracod assemblage includes 11 species whereas the macrophyte community is formed by 17 species. Their link with the measured abiotic parameters has been studied through statistical analyses. The results clearly separate the investigated area in one sector where COD and phosphates are the driving factors and another sector where inorganic nitron ions, pH, and conductivity are the main influencing factors. Although the macrophyte community is clearly affected by human pressure, the relationship with the ostracod assemblages seems well established and identified by exclusive pairs or groups of species. Among them, the Cypria lacustris–Lemna minuta duo is of considerable importance, being L. minuta an exotic species, known as an invasive weed in some areas of Europe and spread in Italy only recently. The fact that the 13 sites were characterized by different public access regulation has been partially mirrored by both ostracod and macrophyte distribution since the majority of the sites characterized by the highest diversity are those with restricted access. In general, notwithstanding the anthropic pressure, the occurrence of different kinds of water bodies has allowed the development of ostracod and macrophyte associations, which are rarely represented in an urban park.
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