Depth Distribution and Abundance of Northern Adriatic Littoral Rocky Reef Blennioid Fishes (Blenniidae and Tripterygion)

Illich, Ingeborg P.; Kotrschal, Kurt

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0485.1990.tb00384.x

Cited by 38 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(1 reference statement)

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“…Numerous studies have segregated species by vertical distribution or according to bathymetry, with varying degrees of overlap (Gibson, 1982;Illich and Kotrschal, 1990;Macpherson, 1994). However, the studied intertidal rockpool ecosystem does not allow a high degree of vertical spatial segregation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trophic relationships in an intertidal rockpool fish assemblage in the gulf of Cádiz (NE Atlantic)

Velasco

Gómez-Cama

Hernando

et al. 2010

Journal of Marine Systems

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Many species of littoral fish that live in rocky substrates are syntopic, sharing the same coastal habitat. They have similar feeding behaviours and use small hollows as places to hide and spawn. In the present study, we identified a total of 16 resident fish species in a rockpool assemblage in the Gulf of Cádiz and studied their patterns of co-occurrence. The dietary analysis performed showed the occurrence of 2 mainly herbivorous species (Lipophrys canevae and Parablennius sanguinolentus), 8 mainly carnivorous species with a percentage occurrence of algae in the diet below 10% (Gobius paganellus, Gobius cobitis, Gobius bucchichi, Clinitrachus argentatus, Tripterygion delaisi, Lepadogaster lepadogaster, Lepadogaster purpurea and Lepadogaster candolii), and 6 species that are carnivorous in the earlier phases of their lives and gradually increase the proportion of algae in their diet (Lipophrys pholis, Paralipophrys trigloides, Parablennius incognitus, Salaria pavo, Coryphoblennius galerita and Symphodus roissali). The dietary overlap among the different species does not explain the different patterns of abundance found among co-occurring species. In the present study, the common use of abundant resources coupled with specialized use of other types of resources was observed, and this allows the different species to minimise the effects of possible trophic competition.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trophic relationships in an intertidal rockpool fish assemblage in the gulf of Cádiz (NE Atlantic)

Velasco

Gómez-Cama

Hernando

et al. 2010

Journal of Marine Systems

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“…Aidablennius sphynx (Valenciennes, 1836) is an endemic species of the Mediterranean Sea that lives on rocky shores from 0 to 1.5 metres depth with a distribution extending to the northern Atlantic coast of Morocco (Zander, 1986) (Illich and Kotrschal, 1990). The species is sexually dimorphic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction, gonad histology and fecundity of <i>Aidablennius sphynx</i> (Pisces: Blenniidae) of the Catalan Sea (North-Western Mediterranean)

Carrassón

Bau

2003

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY: The reproductive biology of the Mediterranean blenny fish Aidablennius sphynx was studied on the basis of microscopic and macroscopic analysis. A. sphynx is a resident species of the shallow waters of this region, lays demersal eggs and provides parental care to the developing embryos. Mature male gonads occur between March and July, whereas mature females appear between April and August. Male gonads are composed of the testis and the testicular gland. Spermatids are released into the testicular gland. The testicular gland is relatively more prominent than the testis after the reproductive season. Six stages of oocyte development (included atretic ones) are considered. Seasonal variations of gonads of both males and females are illustrated. Low fecundity was recorded, as the ovaries may contain432 to 1682 oocytes according to female size. Equations describing the relationship between gonad weight and length and weight of males and females are presented. Equations describing the relationship between absolute individual fecundity and length and weight of females are also presented.Key words: Aidablennius sphynx, reproduction, gonad histology, fecundity, Catalan Sea. RESUMEN: REPRODUCCIÓN E HISTOLOGÍA GONADAL DE AIDABLENNIUS SPHYNX (PISCES: BELNNIIDAE) EN EL MAR CATALÁN (MEDITERRÁNEO NOROCCIDENTAL). -La biología reproductiva del blénido mediterráneo Aidablennius sphynx ha sido estudiada en base a un análisis macroscópico y microscópico. A. sphynx es una especie residente de las aguas someras de esta región, pone huevos demersales y proporciona cuidado parental a los embriones en desarrollo. En machos se encuentran gónadas maduras entre marzo y julio, mientras que en hembras aparecen entre abril y agosto. Las gónadas masculinas están compuestas por el testículo y la glándula testicular. Después de la estación reproductiva, la glándula testicular es relativamente más prominente que el testículo. Se han considerado seis estadios de desarrollo ovocitario (incluyendo el estado de atresia). Se han ilustrado las variaciones estacionales de las gónadas de machos y hembras. Se ha registrado una baja fecundidad, ya que los ovarios pueden contener de 432 a 1682 ovocitos, dependiendo del tamaño de la hembra. Se han presentado las ecuaciones que describen la relación entre el peso de las gónadas y la longitud y el peso de los machos y hembras, respectivamente. Asimismo, se han descrito las ecuaciones que relacionan la fecundidad absoluta con la longitud y peso de las hembras.

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“…In this habitat type, Parablennius incognitus, which is a species that mainly feeds on algae and detritus (Goldschmid and Kotrschal 1981), was also relatively abundant. This species was found as the most abundant in a study conducted in the Adriatic Sea (Illich and Kotrschal 1990); while, in our study it represented only the 7.4% of the total (Fig. 7), with a maximum density of 1.1 spec · m -2 and 1.06 spec · m -2 reached, respectively, in RV and Srv (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…These environments with a high degree of physical heterogeneity would offer greater shelters and food availability used by blennies community to growth and reproduce. However, as reported in other studies (Abel 1962, Zander and Heymer 1977, Illich and Kotrschal 1990, Macpherson 1994, Macpherson and Zika 1999, Nieder et al 2000, a lot of variables such as bottom slope, bottom nature, cover type, substratum complexity, light, and exposure to water movements, are relevant in determining the habitat choice, playing a fundamental role in the distribution pattern of combtooth blennies, and should therefore be further investigated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The majority of species have cryptobenthic behaviour, sensu Miller (1979Miller ( , 1996, especially those of smaller size, who live inside holes of endolithic bivalves which are positively correlated with the body size of the fi sh (Kotrschal 1988). The majority of the marine Italian species, 19 in all (Relini and Lanteri 2010), can be found within the fi rst meters of depth with preference for the bathymetric range between the tidal zone and the fi rst meter of depth (Zander 1972, Patzner 1985, Illich and Kotrschal 1990, La Mesa and Vacchi 2005, Orlando-Bonaca and Lipej 2007, Duci et al 2009). Many species occur in this bathymetric range as true resident and show both morphological end ethological adaptations to this environment (Gibson 1969, 1982, Zander 1972.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat preference of combtooth blennies (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Blenniidae) in very shallow waters of the Ionian Sea, south-eastern Sicily, Italy

Tiralongo¹

2016

Acta Ichthyol. Piscat.

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Background. In the Mediterranean Sea, habitat preferences of small benthic fi shes of shallow waters have been poorly investigated. Although combtooth blennies are not of interest for fi sheries, they are often the dominant fi sh community on rocky bottoms within the fi rst meter of depth and in tidal pool environments, playing so an important role in the functioning of the coastal ecosystem. This study represents the fi rst detailed investigation concerning habitat preference and depth distribution of combtooth blennies in the Ionian Sea. Materials and methods.Occurrence and abundance of species were investigated by a non-destructive visual census method using snorkelling or SCUBA diving. We investigated 5 habitat types (bathymetric intervals between 0 and 3 m of depth) to fi nd difference in species richness and abundance in each one and between. Studies were conducted from June to October 2014 in the south-eastern coast of Sicily. Statistical method of the electivity index (EI) and principal component analysis (PCA) were utilized for the evaluation of the habitat preference of 11 species of combtooth blennies. Depth distribution for each species was box-plotted. For each habitat and depth, the Shannon-Wiener Index (H') and the Simpson Index (D) were calculated. Diversity profi les were performed in order to give a better understanding of the correlation between diversity and both habitat types and depth. Conclusion. This study highlights the importance of depth and habitat heterogeneity in biological diversity, species richness and population abundances of combtooth blennies in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Depth Distribution and Abundance of Northern Adriatic Littoral Rocky Reef Blennioid Fishes (Blenniidae and Tripterygion)

Cited by 38 publications

References 29 publications

Trophic relationships in an intertidal rockpool fish assemblage in the gulf of Cádiz (NE Atlantic)

Trophic relationships in an intertidal rockpool fish assemblage in the gulf of Cádiz (NE Atlantic)

Reproduction, gonad histology and fecundity of <i>Aidablennius sphynx</i> (Pisces: Blenniidae) of the Catalan Sea (North-Western Mediterranean)

Habitat preference of combtooth blennies (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Blenniidae) in very shallow waters of the Ionian Sea, south-eastern Sicily, Italy

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