Fish community in a surf zone of the northern Sicilian coast (Mediterranean Sea): diversity and functional guild composition

Abstract

Fish assemblage in a surf zone of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea was investigated for the first time. Samples were collected during four surveys by a modified beach-seine, from June 2005 to May 2006. Overall, 42 species belonging to 19 families were recorded. Among them, Sardina pilchardus showed the highest abundance values, while Mugilids (Oedalechilus labeo and Liza aurata) were the most frequently caught species. The fish community was dominated by pelagic and gregarious species using this habitat as a foraging ground and recruitment area. Juveniles and early adults made up the largest proportion of the ichthyofauna. Fishes inhabiting the surf zone were mainly strictly benthic invertebrate feeders and invertivorous/piscivorous fish; strictly planktivorous were represented by few species but strongly dominant in terms of catch per unit effort; strictly piscivorous fish were poorly represented. Fish composition varied over the study period with the greatest abundance in May and December, and the highest richness and diversity in October.

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“…In the present work, 22 family including 45 species in Beach (Akel, 2005). The surf-zone fish assemblages are usually dominated by few species (McFarland, 1963;Modde & Ross, 1981& Esposito et al, 2015. In agreement with these findings, the study coastal area is dominated by nine species, which makes up 80.17% of the total abundance.…”

“…The results of Shannon's Index (H') and Simpson's dominance index (1 -D) leads us to consider Beach area community more diverse in summer than in others seasons. It was accompanied with fish migration to surf-zone in the search for better conditions especially associated to the cyclical pattern of temperatures that significantly affects the species abundance and distribution (Santos & Nash, 1995;Esposito et al, 2015). Moreover, it may be as a result of the relative shallowness Beach area led to rise of water temperature during daytime, as compared with that of the open sea, especially during the summer season (Al-Sayes, 1971).…”

“…The Beach area is important surf zone for fish management. Many fishes inhabit surf zone for spawning and nursery grounds (Lasiak, 1986;Senta & Kinoshita, 1985;Esposito, Castriota, Battaglia, Consoli, Romeo, Scotti, Andaloro, 2015). In addition to, it play role in protection fishes against predators and increased feeding opportunities (Layman, 2000;Selleslagh & Amara, 2007).…”