engleski

Preliminary assessment of Diplodus vulgaris (Sparidae) nursery grounds along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea

A large assessment of Diplodus vulgaris (Sparidae) nurseries along the eastern coast of the middle Adriatic was conducted during 2017 by locating and quantifying nursery mi- crohabitats and estimating the settlement pattern. In total, 23 locations (3 replicas) of the 925 km-long shore were monitored and D. vulgaris were recorded on 22 areas (75.9%). Their main characteristics, shallow, soft, transitional habitats sheltered within coves, cov-ered partially with seagrass meadows, made them vulnerable to human-induced habitat modifications. D. vulgaris settled along study area at the end of November. Maximum density observed reached 52 ind./haul in June (river Cetina Estuary) and 47 ind./haul in June (Primošten). The settlement rates were spatially variable. At a regional scale, higher settlement rates were observed within centre zones of study area (Šibenik: Sovlja cove and Primošten) compared to those observed in the north (Zadar area, particularly Maslen-ica) and south (Mala Neretva). Suitable nurseries along this shore, particularly in Šibenik area seems sufficient for the replenishment of adult populations in the nearby open waters. These results show that it is necessary to protect these scarce, small and vulnerable local nursery habitats and manage other nearby nurseries to ensure the survival of juveniles and their recruitment into adult populations.

Diplodus vulgaris, sparidae, nursery grounds, eastern Adriatic Sea

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