Do Mediterranean fish assemblages associated with marine caves and rocky cliffs differ?

Bussotti, Simona; Guidetti, Paolo

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2008.09.023

Cited by 32 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The photic (exterior) area, the semi-dark area and the dark area were clearly different in both taxonomic composition and physico-chemical characteristics. These three biocoenoses are generally recognized in Mediterranean marine caves and have been identified for both mobile and hard-bottom cave communities (Riedl 1966;Pérès 1967;Bibiloni and Gili 1982;Balduzzi et al 1989;Gili et al 1986;Gili and Macpherson 1987;Bibiloni et al 1989;Fichez 1990;Marti et al 2004a;Bussotti et al 2006;Denitto et al 2007;Moscatello and Belmonte 2007;Bussotti and Guidetti 2009). Nevertheless, it was unknown so far whether a similar pattern of zonation also applies to soft substrate communities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soft-bottom crustacean assemblages in Mediterranean marine caves: the cave of Cerro Gordo (Granada, Spain) as case study

et al. 2012

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Although marine caves are priority conservation areas according to the Directive 92/43/CEE of the European Community, there is a lack of studies dealing with their softbottom communities. For a case study, we selected the Cerro Gordo cave at 15 m depth. Three different zones were defined: a semi-dark 25-m long entrance area, a dark intermediate area of 35 m, and the final zone at 90 m from the entrance. Sediment samples were taken from these zones as well as from outside the cave (control) by SCUBA diving. Six rectangular cores of 10 9 250 cm 2 were collected in each site for macrofaunal study, and three more replicates were taken to analyze physico-chemical parameters. The granulometry showed a clear gradient from medium sands outside the cave to silt and clay in the inner zone. Measurements of the crustacean assemblages showed that the number of species and abundance were significantly higher outside the cave (30-40 species,[4,000 ind m -2 ) than inside (5-10 species, \1,000 ind m -2 ). Multivariate analyses showed a clear difference in species composition between outside and inside the cave. Caprellids, tanaids, cumaceans, and decapods were only found outside the cave, while gammarids and isopods were present both outside and inside the cave. The gammarid Siphonoecetes sabatieri and the tanaid Apseudes latreilli were the dominant species outside the cave, while the gammarids Harpinia pectinata, Harpinia crenulata, and Harpinia ala were dominant inside. The present study represents an increase in depth range and geographic distribution for Kupellonura mediterranea and Monoculodes packardi. This is the first description of soft-bottom crustacean communities from submarine caves of southern Spain.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soft-bottom crustacean assemblages in Mediterranean marine caves: the cave of Cerro Gordo (Granada, Spain) as case study

et al. 2012

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“…This seems to be quite obvious in order to maintain local biodiversity (from species to ecosystems; Roberts et al 2003), along with the need not to neglect particular habitats that may contribute to local diversity by hosting exclusive species (e.g. marine caves; Bussotti & Guidetti 2009). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Timing and habitat preferences for settlement of juvenile fishes in the Marine Protected Area of Torre Guaceto (south-eastern Italy, Adriatic Sea)

Bussotti

Guidetti

2011

Italian Journal of Zoology

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Timing and habitat preferences for settlement of juvenile fishes were investigated at the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Torre Guaceto (SE Adriatic Sea) from April 2005 to March 2006. Data were obtained by visual census (on a fortnightly basis) in 10 habitat types identified within the depth range 0-6 m. A total of 22 taxa of juvenile fish was recorded: juveniles of 14 taxa were analysed for settlement timing and habitat preferences, whereas the other 8 taxa were only occasionally observed. Diplodus vulgaris and Sarpa salpa showed two settlement peaks, while the other 12 species displayed a single annual peak. Most species (10 out of 14) settled between late spring and early autumn. Juvenile labrids and Oblada melanura were mostly associated with exposed shallow rocks, while Diplodus sargus, D. vulgaris, D. puntazzo and S. salpa chiefly settled in shallow sheltered coves. Juveniles of Chromis chromis were found in sublittoral rocks and Posidonia oceanica beds. Spondilyosoma cantharus, Diplodus annularis and Dicentrarchus labrax mostly associated to P. oceanica and small-sized seagrasses for settlement, while Mullus surmuletus chiefly used sublittoral sands. This study provides evidence of clear coherence during settlement of many fishes in terms of habitat for settlement, while some discrepancy was found in terms of timing across the year. In addition, this study provided suggestive evidence of the potential of the MPA, relative to the habitats included within its borders, in hosting juvenile fish stages and thus contributing to sustain local diversity of the coastal fish fauna. Similar data would deserve to be properly considered to design MPAs and refine conservation targets.

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“…In rocky reefs and coralligenous habitats throughout the world, fish assemblages are important components of coastal biodiversity, contributing crucially to ecosystem functioning and representing important marine resources for humans Bellwood 2000, Bussotti andGuidetti, 2009). Various underwater visual census (UVC) methods have often been used in ichthyological research, especially on hard littoral bottoms where most widespread methods for the quantitative assessment of fish assemblages, such as capture meth-ods using trawls and other fishing gear, are hard to use (Harmelin-Vivien and Francour 1992, Lipej et al 2003, Soldo and Glavičić 2013.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A quantitative assessment of the cryptobenthic fish assemblage at deep littoral cliffs in the Mediterranean

et al. 2016

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Summary:The present study provides the first quantitative assessment of cryptobenthic fish species diversity and abundance on hard bottoms below 20 m depth by examining Mediterranean underwater reefs with deep vertical cliffs. Quantitative sampling was performed at depths down to about 45 m and yielded 220 cryptobenthic and 61 epibenthic individuals belonging to 21 species, showing that the cryptobenthic fishes highly outnumbered the epibenthic individuals. The study highlights the high diversity and abundance of this unexplored part of the benthic fish community. The cryptobenthic fish assemblage was dominated by the family Gobiidae in terms of both biodiversity (>60% of all species) and abundance (>90% of all specimens). Fish species previously considered rare were present and some of them were even numerous in this assemblage. Three out of fourteen recorded habitat variables (depth, rocky cliff surface area vs. the bottom of the cliff area, and the presence of sand as the bottom substrate) were identified as significant for species occurrence. Species were generalist in their choice of shelters since the size and quantity of semi-caves, caves, cavities and even bio-cover type had no significant influence on the species distribution and abundance.Keywords: cryptobenthic fishes; multivariate analysis; benthos; littoral zone; underwater cliffs; scuba diving. Evaluación cuantitativa de la comunidad de peces criptobenónicos en los acantilados profundos del litoral MediterráneoResumen: Este trabajo presenta una primera evaluación cuantitativa de la diversidad y abundancia de los peces criptobentónicos de fondos duros por debajo de 20 m de profundidad, como ejemplo de acantilados litorales sumergidos del Mediterráneo. Se realizó un muestreo a profundidades cercanas a 45 m de profundidad y se obtuvieron 220 individuos criptobentònicos y 61 epibentónicos pertenecientes a 21 especies. El estudio pone de manifiesto la gran diversidad y abundancia de esta fracción inexplorada de la comunidad de peces bentónicos. La familia Gobiidae domina la comunidad de peces criptobentónicos en biodiversidad y abundancia (>60% y >90% del total de especies respectivamente). Se han observado especies de peces de este grupo consideradas raras, incluso algunas son numerosas. Tres de cada 14 variables registradas del hábitat (profundidad, superficie rocosa del acantilado vs fondo del acantilado y presencia de arena en el sustrato del fondo) fueron significativas para la presencia de las especies. En la elección de los refugios las especies fueron generalistas ya que el tamaño y la cantidad de semicuevas, cuevas, cavidades e incluso tipos de cubierta biológica no tienen influencia significativa en la distribución y abundancia de las especies.Palabras clave: peces criptobentónicos; análisis multivariante; bentos; zona litoral; acantilados sumergidos; submarinismo.

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Do Mediterranean fish assemblages associated with marine caves and rocky cliffs differ?

Cited by 32 publications

References 46 publications

Soft-bottom crustacean assemblages in Mediterranean marine caves: the cave of Cerro Gordo (Granada, Spain) as case study

Soft-bottom crustacean assemblages in Mediterranean marine caves: the cave of Cerro Gordo (Granada, Spain) as case study

Timing and habitat preferences for settlement of juvenile fishes in the Marine Protected Area of Torre Guaceto (south-eastern Italy, Adriatic Sea)

A quantitative assessment of the cryptobenthic fish assemblage at deep littoral cliffs in the Mediterranean

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