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Fish biodiversity in a Caulerpa taxifolia meadow in the Ligurian Sea

1998; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 65; Issue: sup1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/11250009809386867

1748-5851

Giulio Rélini, M. Relini, G. Torchia,

Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies

Abstract The fish population of a flat marine area (near Imperia in the Ligurian Sea), depths between 4 and 8 m, colonized by the allochthonous alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Valhl) C. Agardh, was studied during a series of observations from October 1994 to October 1996. Visual censuses and catches using 200 m trammel nets were carried out. Fifty different fish species were observed, Sparidae and Labridae, with 12 and 10 species respectively, were the two most represented families. Maximum Shannon‐Weaver index obtained by censuses was 3.29 and by net catch 3.40. Abundances of Symphodus tinea and Scorpaena porcus seemed to be a characteristic of this community. A comparison with fishing data obtained in a control area without C. taxifolia, but colonized by the phanerogam Cymodocea nodosa, gave an idea of the changes produced in the fish population as a consequence of the spread of the allochthonous alga. A comparison with Mediterranean rocky environments indicated the existence of some shared qualitative characteristics as well as lower fish densities on the Caulerpa at the Imperia site.