- Biology, Ecology, Photography, Zoology, Marine Biology, Paleontology, and 28 moreMarine Ecology, Philosophy of Biology, Fisheries, Maritime History, Fisheries Biology, Fisheries Management, Fisheries Science, Ichthyology, Sustainable fisheries, Fishery Stock Assessment and Management, Small scale fisheries, Marine and Fisheries Policy, Ecosystem-based Fishery Management, Socio-economics of Fishery Management, Anthropology of Science, Anthropology of Fishery, Foraging Ecology (Foraging Ecology), Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management, Climate Impacts to Fisheries, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Ecosystem Modelling, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, Traditional Fisheries, Stable isotope ecology, Mediterranean, Fish Biology, Fish Larvae and Juvenile Ecology (Settlement and Recruitment Processes), and Fish Ecologyedit
- As an aquatic ecologist, oscillating between estuaries and the ocean, I have focused my research mainly on aquatic fo... moreAs an aquatic ecologist, oscillating between estuaries and the ocean, I have focused my research mainly on aquatic food-webs and on how fish are affected by anthropogenic factors, such as fisheries, climate change or pollution.
I use a wide range of approaches to assess the condition of fish, both at individual and population levels. I have experience on state-of-the-art analytical techniques, such as stable isotopes and fatty acid analyses and biochemistry-based methods of analysis of fish condition. Currently, I am delving into the perks of ecological modelling and studying the seal-fisheries interactions in the Baltic Sea.
As a curious, committed scientist, I am willing to explore the links between aquatic ecosystems and coastal livelihoods, and to channel my skills and knowledge on fish ecology and pelagic food webs towards the conservation and management of marine resources.edit
The global temperature increase due to global change is predicted to be between 3.3 - 5.7 C by 2100 leading to changes at the base of the marine food web in species composition, abundance, and quality at the base of the marine food web... more
The global temperature increase due to global change is predicted to be between 3.3 - 5.7 C by 2100 leading to changes at the base of the marine food web in species composition, abundance, and quality at the base of the marine food web leading to flow-on effects of higher trophic levels such as fish and humans. Changes in marine prey availability and nutritional quality can affect juvenile salmon conditions (i.e., growth, condition, and mortality) during the early marine phase. There is limited knowledge of the interplay between prey availability and prey quality and the importance of food quality under food-satiated conditions. Here, a three-phase feeding experiment measured the effects of nutritional quality (fatty acid composition and ratios) on juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) condition. Experimental diets represented the present three different climate scenarios with a present-day diet (Euphausia pacifica), a control diet (commercial aquaculture diet), and a p...
Research Interests:
Memoria de tesis doctoral presentada por David Costalago Meruelo para optar al grado de Doctor en Ciencias del Mar de la Universitat de Barcelona (UB), realizada bajo la direccion de la Dra. Isabel Palomera Laforga del Institut de... more
Memoria de tesis doctoral presentada por David Costalago Meruelo para optar al grado de Doctor en Ciencias del Mar de la Universitat de Barcelona (UB), realizada bajo la direccion de la Dra. Isabel Palomera Laforga del Institut de Ciencies del Mar (ICM-CSIC), bienio 2006-2008.-- 215 pages
Research Interests:
The alternation of the classic and microbial food-webs in spring and winter, respectively, and the trespass towards higher trophic levels represented by fish early stages, are not well understood in Patagonia. These trophic routes were... more
The alternation of the classic and microbial food-webs in spring and winter, respectively, and the trespass towards higher trophic levels represented by fish early stages, are not well understood in Patagonia. These trophic routes were investigated in the inner Sea of Chiloe, an estuary of high ecological relevance in northern Patagonia. The isotopic values of δ13C and δ15N of ichthyoplankton and particulate organic matter were analyzed in late winter and spring 2017 to evaluate whether seasonal changes (e.g. in the composition of the freshwater discharge) were reflected in the isotopic signals of fish larvae. For this purpose, larvae of dominant fish species with contrasting feeding strategies were collected up to 100 m depth. The inshore zone of northern Patagonia was characterized by a dominance of marine carbon production, with increasing input of terrestrial organic matter during winter. δ13C values < -25 ‰ at the outermost estuary stations indicated the influence of allocht...
Research Interests: Zoology, Biology, Ecology, Food web, Ichthyoplankton, and 3 moreTrophic Level, Estuary, and Sebastes
Cape anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus is an ecologically and economically important pelagic fish species occurring along the coast of South Africa. A recent eastward shift in Cape anchovy distribution indicates that environmental conditions... more
Cape anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus is an ecologically and economically important pelagic fish species occurring along the coast of South Africa. A recent eastward shift in Cape anchovy distribution indicates that environmental conditions are becoming more favorable for the species on the east coast. This shift is particularly important in the sheltered Algoa Bay region, a nursery area for fish larvae. However, the relatively low productivity of the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem on the eastern coast of South Africa may result in an anchovy population in poorer nutritional condition and with slower growth rates than the west coast population. Using otolith and nucleic acid analyses, the growth rates of anchovy larvae from the western and southeastern coasts of South Africa were compared. The otolith analysis results indicated that, at any given age, individual growth rates for anchovy larvae were higher on the southeast coast than on the west coast. The RNA:DNA values also i...
Research Interests: Zoology, Oceanography, Biology, Ecology, Population, and 6 moreOtolith, Fishery, Anchovy, Engraulis, Bay, and pelagic zone
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Las poblaciones de peces pelágicos como las de anchoa y sardina son las más explotadas en el Mediterráneo. Además, al ser especies de vida corta, especialmente afectadas por las fluctuaciones ambientales, es imprescindible profundizar en... more
Las poblaciones de peces pelágicos como las de anchoa y sardina son las más explotadas en el Mediterráneo. Además, al ser especies de vida corta, especialmente afectadas por las fluctuaciones ambientales, es imprescindible profundizar en los aspectos de su biología para establecer una gestión adecuada del recurso. Este trabajo se encuadra en un proyecto sobre la ecología trófica de estas especies en el Golf de León, y presenta los resultados obtenidos sobre la alimentación de los juveniles de anchoa y sardina. Se obtuvieron muestras de peces y de plancton durante campañas científicas a bordo del N/O L´Europe, llevadas a cabo en julio de 2007 (PELMED07), diciembre de 2007 (JUVALION07) y enero de 2009 (JUVALION09) en el Golfo de León. Los juveniles se capturaron mediante una red de arrastre pelágico, a distintas horas del día, y se congelaron inmediatamente para el análisis en laboratorio de sus contenidos estomacales. Las muestras de plancton se recolectaron con una red WP2 de 200μm ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Information on dietary habits of mesograzers in Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows is scarce and restricted to a few species. Here we provide data on the most likely food sources for eight gastropod species inferred from stable isotope... more
Information on dietary habits of mesograzers in Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows is scarce and restricted to a few species. Here we provide data on the most likely food sources for eight gastropod species inferred from stable isotope data. We observed very similar isotopic signals for all species regardless of trophic guild category, indicating similar consumption behaviour with a main diet contribution from epiphytes. We also review the state of knowledge on gastropod-epiphyte-seagrass interactions, with particular emphasis on the scarcity of studies derived from Mediterranean systems. Laboratory experiments showed that under moderately nutrient-enriched conditions, two species of gastropods (Bittium reticulatum and Jujubinus striatus) were controlling epiphyte biomass at high grazer densities, with no consequences for seagrass performance. Finally, the results of a long-term in situ fertilisation experiment showed that the δ15N signal for seagrass, epiphytes and gastropods refl...
Research Interests:
Requirements for a fishery to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification include demonstrating that targeted populations (‘MSC stocks’) are fished at sustainable levels. The credibility of this claim can be evaluated by... more
Requirements for a fishery to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification include demonstrating that targeted populations (‘MSC stocks’) are fished at sustainable levels. The credibility of this claim can be evaluated by comparing estimated abundance of MSC stocks to benchmarks based on sustainability criteria. Additionally, to evaluate whether MSC certification provides a meaningful distinction, the sustainability status of MSC stocks can be compared with that of populations without a linked certificate (‘non-MSC stocks’). It is expected that MSC stocks are more likely to be maintained at levels of high abundance relative to sustainability benchmarks compared to non-MSC stocks. Similarly, it is expected that MSC stocks are less likely to become overfished, and if they do become overfished, that fisheries are incentivised to aid in their rebuilding to avoid suspension of certification. We compare published biomass estimates relative to biological reference points between ...
Research Interests:
6th World Fisheries Congress: Sustainable Fisheries in a Changing World, 7-11 May 2012, Edinburgh, Scotland
South African estuarine systems are becoming increasingly altered by anthropogenic and environmental factors, but the consequences of such changes for these systems are still not fully understood. The most common approach for evaluating... more
South African estuarine systems are becoming increasingly altered by anthropogenic and environmental factors, but the consequences of such changes for these systems are still not fully understood. The most common approach for evaluating the ecological status of aquatic systems is studying their associated foodwebs. Due to their high abundance and important ecological role, the larvae of estuarine round herring Gilchristella aestuaria (Gilchrist, 1913) are key candidates for examining the foodweb structure and function of southern African estuaries. The foodwebs and trophic interactions of G. aestuaria larvae in six estuaries in South Africa were compared using larvae sampled in November 2013 and analysed using δ13C and δ15N and Bayesian isotopic mixing models. The main prey type for G. aestuaria larvae in all estuaries was zooplankton. We found a high similarity among the Kariega, Gamtoos, Great Fish and Sundays estuaries in terms of consumers and potential sources for both δ13C and δ15N signatures. Significant differences were found in δ13C values among marine-dominated estuaries, such as the Kromme Estuary, and the more freshwater-dominated systems. In addition, in the Kromme Estuary particulate organic matter was very important in the diet of G. aestuaria larvae. Our results suggest that both food availability and physical environmental parameters strongly affect the diet and condition of G. aestuaria and, consequently, the entire foodweb in the system.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Seleccionar todos Título: Muchos barcos para pocos peces. La insostenible política pesquera europea, en el punto de mira. Autores: Morote, Elvira; Costalago, David Revista: Ecologista, El, 2010; (64) Página(s): 46-47 ISSN: 15752712. ...
Research Interests:
Fish growth and survival are largely determined by the nutritional quality of their food, and the fish that grow quickly during early life stages are more likely to reproduce. To adequately estimate the quality of the prey for fish, it is... more
Fish growth and survival are largely determined by the nutritional quality of their food, and the fish that grow quickly during early life stages are more likely to reproduce. To adequately estimate the quality of the prey for fish, it is necessary to understand the trophic links at the base of the food-web. Trophic biomarkers (e.g., stable isotopes and fatty acids) are particularly useful to discriminate and quantify food-web relationships. We explored the connections between plankton food-web components, and the seasonal and spatial dynamics of the trophic biomarkers and how this determines the availability of high-quality prey for juvenile Pacific salmon and Pacific herring in the Strait of Georgia, Canada. We demonstrate that the plankton food-web in the region is largely supported by diatom and flagellate production. We also show that spatial differences in terms of energy transfer efficiency exist in the region. Further, we found that the fatty acid composition of the zooplank...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Uno de los recursos pesqueros más explotados en el mar Mediterráneo es la anchoa europea, Engraulis encrasicolus Linnaeus 1875, que se distribuye por todo el litoral mediterráneo, hasta el mar Negro, y por la costa atlántica, desde... more
Uno de los recursos pesqueros más explotados en el mar Mediterráneo es la anchoa europea, Engraulis encrasicolus Linnaeus 1875, que se distribuye por todo el litoral mediterráneo, hasta el mar Negro, y por la costa atlántica, desde Sudáfrica hasta el mar del Norte. Durante miles de años ha sido una de las especies más apreciadas por todos los pobladores del Mediterráneo occidental. Pero durante los últimos tiempos, la enorme capacidad de extracción de las modernas técnicas de pesca ha llevado a la población hasta el límite, poniendo en peligro su subsistencia
Elucidating the impact of climatic changes on fish populations can be complicated due to the important number of associated factors that affect the environment and the biology of the species. Also other anthropogenic alterations in the... more
Elucidating the impact of climatic changes on fish populations can be complicated due to the important number of associated factors that affect the environment and the biology of the species. Also other anthropogenic alterations in the ecosystem, such as overfishing or eutrophication, often entail alterations in the trophic structure of the communities. In the case of anchovy and sardine, studies show that in highly productive areas (i.e. Humboldt current system, Benguela current system, California current system and Galician coast), but also in other non-upwelling zones (Kuroshio current system), these two species display regime shifts of abundance along the year. These fluctuations are supposed to be due mainly to long-term environmental variations. However, anchovy and sardine in the Northwestern Mediterranean, an oligotrophic area compared to the formerly mentioned, do not seem to present temporal alternations in their populations. Another characteristic of these populations tha...
In this study, the feeding apparatus (gill rakers, GR) and the diet composition of European sardine Sardina pilchardus populations living in two contrasting environments were compared: the upwelling area off western Iberia and the... more
In this study, the feeding apparatus (gill rakers, GR) and the diet composition of European sardine Sardina pilchardus populations living in two contrasting environments were compared: the upwelling area off western Iberia and the comparatively less productive region of the north-western Mediterranean Sea. The importance of local adaptations in the trophic ecology of this species was estimated. Sardina pilchardus from the Atlantic Iberian coast and from the north-western Mediterranean Sea have clear differences in the feeding apparatus and diet compositions. Those from the Atlantic Iberian coast have significantly more GRs than S. pilchardus of the same size range in the Mediterranean Sea. While S. pilchardus from the Mediterranean Sea mostly depend on prey ranging between 750-1500 and 3000-4000 µm, corresponding mostly to cladocerans, decapods and copepods, those from the Atlantic depend on smaller prey (50-500 and 1000-1500 µm) that include phytoplankton and copepods, particularly...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Seleccionar todos Título: Muchos barcos para pocos peces. La insostenible política pesquera europea, en el punto de mira. Autores: Morote, Elvira; Costalago, David Revista: Ecologista, El, 2010; (64) Página(s): 46-47 ISSN: 15752712. ...
Research Interests:
Un dels recursos pesquers més explotats a la Mediterrània és l'anxova europea (Engraulis encrasicolus L.), que es distribueix per tot el litoral mediterrani fins a la mar Negra i per la costa atlàntica, des de Sudàfrica fins a la mar... more
Un dels recursos pesquers més explotats a la Mediterrània és l'anxova europea (Engraulis encrasicolus L.), que es distribueix per tot el litoral mediterrani fins a la mar Negra i per la costa atlàntica, des de Sudàfrica fins a la mar del Nord. Durant milers d'anys ha estat una de les espècies més apreciades per tots els pobladors de la Mediterrània occidental, però els darrers temps l'enorme capacitat d'extracció de les tècniques pesqueres modernes ha portat la població al límit, i en posa en perill la subsistència.
Research Interests:
In this study, the feeding apparatus (gill rakers, GRs) and the diet composition of European sardine Sardina pilchardus populations living in two contrasting environments were compared: the upwelling area off western Iberia and the... more
In this study, the feeding apparatus (gill rakers, GRs) and the diet composition of European sardine Sardina pilchardus populations living in two contrasting environments were compared: the upwelling area off western Iberia and the comparatively less productive region of the north-western Mediterranean Sea. The importance of local adaptations in the trophic ecology of this species was estimated. Sardina pilchardus from the Atlantic Iberian coast and from the north-western Mediterranean Sea have clear differences in the feeding apparatus and diet compositions. Those from the Atlantic Iberian coast have signifiantly more GRs than S. pilchardus of the same size range in the Mediterranean Sea. While S. pilchardus from the Mediterranean Sea mostly depend on prey larger than 750–1500 and 3000–4000 μm, corresponding mostly to cladocerans, decapods and copepods, those from the Atlantic depend on smaller prey (50–500 and 1000–1500 μm) that include phytoplankton and copepods, particularly dur...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
In the Atlantic Ocean, small pelagic fish occasionally execute long distance migrations before they become adults. However, in the Mediterranean Sea, the populations of the most common small pelagic fish, anchovy and sardine, seem to be... more
In the Atlantic Ocean, small pelagic fish occasionally execute long distance migrations before they become adults. However, in the Mediterranean Sea, the populations of the most common small pelagic fish, anchovy and sardine, seem to be generally more confined to relatively small areas. Particularly in the NW Mediterranean, local environmental conditions, such as mesoscale events, wind forcing or river run-offs, can contribute to shaping the dispersal patterns of fishes, especially in their early life stages. Intrinsic factors such as dietary preferences,
swimming abilities or feeding behavior can also play an essential role in the distribution of the populations in the region. Some studies have been done in the NW Mediterranean in order to elucidate which factors are playing the main roles in the dispersal and in the ecology of anchovy
and sardine larvae and juveniles. Nevertheless, a holistic evaluation of all the potential attributes conditioning the distribution of early life history anchovy and sardine is lacking. It is therefore necessary to clearly highlight the most determinant biological and environmental features for the dispersion of the early life stages of anchovy and sardine in the NW Mediterranean. This review of the state-of-the-art in the distribution and the trophic ecology of the larvae and juveniles
of these populations, pointing out the main methods utilized, will also help to identify some of the major gaps of knowledge and discrepancies that might conduce to future research.
swimming abilities or feeding behavior can also play an essential role in the distribution of the populations in the region. Some studies have been done in the NW Mediterranean in order to elucidate which factors are playing the main roles in the dispersal and in the ecology of anchovy
and sardine larvae and juveniles. Nevertheless, a holistic evaluation of all the potential attributes conditioning the distribution of early life history anchovy and sardine is lacking. It is therefore necessary to clearly highlight the most determinant biological and environmental features for the dispersion of the early life stages of anchovy and sardine in the NW Mediterranean. This review of the state-of-the-art in the distribution and the trophic ecology of the larvae and juveniles
of these populations, pointing out the main methods utilized, will also help to identify some of the major gaps of knowledge and discrepancies that might conduce to future research.
Research Interests:
Because of its abundance and its essential role as a mid-trophic level species in estuaries, the estuarine round-herring, Gilchristella aestuaria, is an excellent candidate to assess the ecological status of estuaries. One of the most... more
Because of its abundance and its essential role as a mid-trophic level species in estuaries, the estuarine round-herring, Gilchristella aestuaria, is an excellent candidate to assess the ecological status of estuaries. One of the most widely used approaches to quantitatively evaluate how fish are influenced by their environment is the assessment of the nutritional condition of their larvae through the estimation of the RNA/DNA ratio. This technique is extensively utilized because of its high sensitivity to variations under critical environmental factors, and can be interpreted as a proxy for growth rate and mortality and, ultimately, recruitment success. By assessing and comparing the nutritional condition of G. aestuaria fish larvae from different estuaries in South Africa, this study intends to comprehend which environmental factors, such as food quality, prey availability and temperature, are the major conditioners of the mortality and recruitment of estuarine fish larvae. Prelim...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Fish Ecology and SARDINE
We investigated ontogenetic and seasonal changes in the feeding ecology of 2 small pelagic fish species, the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and the European pilchard Sardina pilchardus in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). By... more
We investigated ontogenetic and seasonal changes in the feeding ecology of 2 small pelagic fish species, the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and the European pilchard Sardina pilchardus in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). By analysing the stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N, we determined the seasonal variation in the food sources and in the trophic level of these species, and we examined dietary shifts during development. The results of these investigations provided estimates of the diets of both species. We compared the values observed during different seasons (summer, autumn and winter) and at different developmental stages (late-larvae, juveniles and adults) for both species, together with the values of potential groups of prey (microplankton, cladocerans, copepods and appendicularians). Late-larvae preferred to feed on microplankton, although differences in the diet appeared after metamorphosis. Cladocerans were usually the preferred prey when available (summer), and appendicularians were the preferred prey in autumn. During the winter, the diets seemed to be more heterogeneous. Different feeding behaviours between the late-larvae of the 2 species were the most likely reason for the slightly different trophic levels found in the present study. This research demonstrates that studies with stable isotopes can furnish an alternative and/or complementary method for determining the diet of small pelagic fishes over extended periods and provides comprehensive knowledge of the functioning of the pelagic ecosystem.
Research Interests:
The fishery of the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the Mediterranean needs several ecological approaches to be properly managed. As such, several surveys were carried out to study the ecology of larvae and juveniles of this... more
The fishery of the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the Mediterranean needs several ecological approaches to be properly managed. As such, several surveys were carried out to study the ecology of larvae and juveniles of this species, which reproduces during the warmest period of the year (May through September) in the Gulf of Lions. In particular, we studied the late larvae (15 mm total length until metamorphosis), especially as other authors have focused on larvae below that size. Unexpectedly, we also collected anchovy late larvae during the December 2007 survey, whose range in size corresponded to a later spawning period than previously reported. Differences in the nutritional condition of these larvae were assessed by comparing indices of lipid composition and estimating growth rates from otolith measurements to provide information on the probability of survival between the two groups. The analysis of fatty acids, used as tracers of trophic relationships, indicates that these larvae fed mainly on zooplankton. Nutritional conditions of summer and late autumn larvae were very similar. In contrast, growth rates were higher for August larvae, probably due to the different temperatures in the two seasons. Our results are especially relevant in an ecological context where the increasing mean water temperatures in the Western Mediterranean could favor the extension of the anchovy spawning period up to late-Autumn months.
Research Interests:
Seleccionar todos Título: Muchos barcos para pocos peces. La insostenible política pesquera europea, en el punto de mira. Autores: Morote, Elvira; Costalago, David Revista: Ecologista, El, 2010; (64) Página(s): 46-47 ISSN: 15752712. ...
Research Interests:
Uno de los recursos pesqueros más explotados en el mar Mediterráneo es la anchoa europea, Engraulis encrasicolus Linnaeus 1875, que se distribuye por todo el litoral mediterráneo, hasta el mar Negro, y por la costa atlántica, desde... more
Uno de los recursos pesqueros más explotados en el mar Mediterráneo es la anchoa europea, Engraulis encrasicolus Linnaeus 1875, que se distribuye por todo el litoral mediterráneo, hasta el mar Negro, y por la costa atlántica, desde Sudáfrica hasta el mar del Norte.
Durante miles de años ha sido una de las especies más apreciadas por todos los pobladores del Mediterráneo occidental. Pero durante los últimos tiempos, la enorme capacidad de extracción de las modernas técnicas de pesca ha llevado a la población hasta el límite, poniendo en peligro su subsistencia
Durante miles de años ha sido una de las especies más apreciadas por todos los pobladores del Mediterráneo occidental. Pero durante los últimos tiempos, la enorme capacidad de extracción de las modernas técnicas de pesca ha llevado a la población hasta el límite, poniendo en peligro su subsistencia
Research Interests:
"Information on dietary habits of mesograzers in Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows is scarce and restricted to a few species. Here we provide data on the most likely food sources for eight gastropod species inferred from stable isotope... more
"Information on dietary habits of mesograzers in Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows is scarce and restricted to a few species. Here we provide data on the most likely food sources for eight gastropod species inferred from
stable isotope data. We observed very similar isotopic signals for all species regardless of trophic guild category, indicating similar consumption behaviour with a main diet contribution from epiphytes. We also review the state of knowledge on gastropod-epiphyte-seagrass interactions, with particular emphasis on the scarcity of studies derived from Mediterranean systems. Laboratory experiments showed that under moderately nutrientenriched
conditions, two species of gastropods (Bittium reticulatum and Jujubinus striatus) were controlling epiphyte biomass at high grazer densities, with no consequences for seagrass performance. Finally, the results of a long-term in situ fertilisation experiment showed that the d15N signal for seagrass, epiphytes and gastropods reflects experimentally induced eutrophication, thus cascading up nutrient effects throughout the food web."
stable isotope data. We observed very similar isotopic signals for all species regardless of trophic guild category, indicating similar consumption behaviour with a main diet contribution from epiphytes. We also review the state of knowledge on gastropod-epiphyte-seagrass interactions, with particular emphasis on the scarcity of studies derived from Mediterranean systems. Laboratory experiments showed that under moderately nutrientenriched
conditions, two species of gastropods (Bittium reticulatum and Jujubinus striatus) were controlling epiphyte biomass at high grazer densities, with no consequences for seagrass performance. Finally, the results of a long-term in situ fertilisation experiment showed that the d15N signal for seagrass, epiphytes and gastropods reflects experimentally induced eutrophication, thus cascading up nutrient effects throughout the food web."
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Las poblaciones de peces pelágicos como las de anchoa y sardina son las más explotadas en el Mediterráneo. Además, al ser especies de vida corta, especialmente afectadas por las fluctuaciones ambientales, es imprescindible profundizar... more
Las poblaciones de peces pelágicos como las de anchoa y sardina son las más
explotadas en el Mediterráneo. Además, al ser especies de vida corta, especialmente
afectadas por las fluctuaciones ambientales, es imprescindible profundizar en los aspectos
de su biología para establecer una gestión adecuada del recurso. Este trabajo se encuadra
en un proyecto sobre la ecología trófica de estas especies en el Golf de León, y presenta los
resultados obtenidos sobre la alimentación de los juveniles de anchoa y sardina.
Se obtuvieron muestras de peces y de plancton durante campañas científicas a bordo
del N/O L´Europe, llevadas a cabo en julio de 2007 (PELMED07), diciembre de 2007
(JUVALION07) y enero de 2009 (JUVALION09) en el Golfo de León. Los juveniles se
capturaron mediante una red de arrastre pelágico, a distintas horas del día, y se congelaron
inmediatamente para el análisis en laboratorio de sus contenidos estomacales. Las
muestras de plancton se recolectaron con una red WP2 de 200μm para mesozooplancton y
otra de 53μm para microplancton, y se conservaron en formol para, posteriormente, realizar
el análisis taxonómico de la comunidad planctónica.
El análisis de los contenidos estomacales reveló que la alimentación de los juveniles
de ambas especies se basaba en copépodos, en todas las épocas estudiadas, a los que
acompañaban importantes cantidades de cladóceros durante el verano. Durante las
campañas de otoño-invierno, los copépodos mas abundantes en los estómagos de las
anchoas fueron Paracalanidae, Clausocalanidae y Microsetella rosea. En verano, las presas
más abundantes fueron, en las anchoas Paracalanidae, seguidos de cladóceros,
Centropages spp. y Oncaea spp., y en las sardinas fueron cladóceros, especiamente Penilia
spp. y, en menor medida, Podon spp., y entre los copépodos destacaron Coricaiedae y
Microsetella rosea. El índice de selectividad trófica de Ivlev indicaba que, además de los
cladóceros en verano, las presas preferidas de los juveniles de ambas especies eran, sobre
todo, Coricaeidae y harpacticoides como M. rosea, en todas las campañas, excepto las
anchoas capturadas en verano, que apenas seleccionaban M. rosea.
explotadas en el Mediterráneo. Además, al ser especies de vida corta, especialmente
afectadas por las fluctuaciones ambientales, es imprescindible profundizar en los aspectos
de su biología para establecer una gestión adecuada del recurso. Este trabajo se encuadra
en un proyecto sobre la ecología trófica de estas especies en el Golf de León, y presenta los
resultados obtenidos sobre la alimentación de los juveniles de anchoa y sardina.
Se obtuvieron muestras de peces y de plancton durante campañas científicas a bordo
del N/O L´Europe, llevadas a cabo en julio de 2007 (PELMED07), diciembre de 2007
(JUVALION07) y enero de 2009 (JUVALION09) en el Golfo de León. Los juveniles se
capturaron mediante una red de arrastre pelágico, a distintas horas del día, y se congelaron
inmediatamente para el análisis en laboratorio de sus contenidos estomacales. Las
muestras de plancton se recolectaron con una red WP2 de 200μm para mesozooplancton y
otra de 53μm para microplancton, y se conservaron en formol para, posteriormente, realizar
el análisis taxonómico de la comunidad planctónica.
El análisis de los contenidos estomacales reveló que la alimentación de los juveniles
de ambas especies se basaba en copépodos, en todas las épocas estudiadas, a los que
acompañaban importantes cantidades de cladóceros durante el verano. Durante las
campañas de otoño-invierno, los copépodos mas abundantes en los estómagos de las
anchoas fueron Paracalanidae, Clausocalanidae y Microsetella rosea. En verano, las presas
más abundantes fueron, en las anchoas Paracalanidae, seguidos de cladóceros,
Centropages spp. y Oncaea spp., y en las sardinas fueron cladóceros, especiamente Penilia
spp. y, en menor medida, Podon spp., y entre los copépodos destacaron Coricaiedae y
Microsetella rosea. El índice de selectividad trófica de Ivlev indicaba que, además de los
cladóceros en verano, las presas preferidas de los juveniles de ambas especies eran, sobre
todo, Coricaeidae y harpacticoides como M. rosea, en todas las campañas, excepto las
anchoas capturadas en verano, que apenas seleccionaban M. rosea.
Research Interests:
This work was carried out in the framework of SARDONE project to assess and compare the ecology of juveniles of Engraulis encrasicolus (L.) in two important fishing areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Although in the Adriatic Sea the mean... more
This work was carried out in the framework of SARDONE project to assess and compare the ecology of juveniles of Engraulis encrasicolus (L.) in two important fishing areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Although in the Adriatic Sea the mean zooplankton biomass was much higher than in the Gulf of Lions during autumn 2007, the diet of the anchovy juveniles was based mainly on small copepods in both areas. Anchovy prey selectivity seems to point out the preference for few genera: Temora, Oncaea, Euterpina in the Adriatic and Temora, Microsetella and Corycaeus in the Gulf of Lions.