Title of article :
Colonization and nursery habitat use patterns of larval and juvenile flatfish species in a small temperate estuary
Author/Authors :
Primo، نويسنده , , Ana Lيgia and Azeiteiro، نويسنده , , Ulisses M. and Marques، نويسنده , , Sَnia C. and Martinho، نويسنده , , Filipe and Baptista، نويسنده , , Joana and Pardal، نويسنده , , Miguel A.، نويسنده ,
Issue Information :
روزنامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2013
Abstract :
Migrations between coastal and estuarine nursery areas are essential for successful completion of the life cycle of several marine fish. The present study evaluates the use of a small temperate estuary, the Mondego, Portugal, as a nursery habitat for several flatfishes during their early life stages. Data from seasonal and diel larval sampling at the mouth of the estuary and both larvae and juvenile monthly spatial distribution in the estuary (2005–2009) were gathered in order to investigate the life cycle of Platichthys flesus, Solea solea and Solea senegalensis. Larvae entrance in the estuary occurred mainly during summer and autumn with no evidence for diel or tidal vertical stratification. S. senegalensis larvae were present in all seasons at downstream areas presenting low successful settlement and juvenilesʹ densities inside the estuary. Conversely, P. flesus and S. solea were mainly present as juveniles with upstream areas being preferred by flounder. Both species larvae seemed to settle in nearby coastal areas. The importance of the Mondego estuary for flatfishes differed according to the species, playing an important role mainly during the first year for all species. The present study highlights the importance of integrating larval and juvenile stages of fish to assess the very important role of estuaries as nursery areas.
Keywords :
Platichthys flesus , Mondego estuary , Estuarine nursery , Solea senegalensis , Early life-cycle , Solea solea
Journal title :
Journal of Sea Research
Journal title :
Journal of Sea Research