Sparus aurata otolith morphology: sensitive environmental indicators in Tunisian lagoons
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- Authors:
-
TAZARKI Malek,
ADJIBAYO HOUETO Madel Floriane,
MEJRI Marwa,
BOURIGUA Nawzet,
Chalh Abdellah,
QUIGNARD Jean-Pierre,
TRABELSI Monia
- Keywords:
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fluctuating asymmetry;
bizerte lagoon;
factorial analysis;
ghar el melh lagoon
- Abstract:
- This study examined the right and left otoliths of 120 individuals of Sparus aurata collected from the Bizerte and Ghar El Melh lagoons. The results revealed a significant variation in the population of this species according to the sampling site. Our findings demonstrate a positive correlation between fish length and weight, underscoring the importance of the body weight-length relationship in fisheries management. In this context, the relationship between fish weight and length serves as a crucial indicator for assessing fish population health. Additionally, fluctuating asymmetry was observed in width, area, and perimeter measurements of S. aurata sampled from the Bizerte lagoon (p < 0.05), while in the Ghar El Melh lagoon, this asymmetry was found in length, width, and area of otoliths (p < 0.05). Furthermore, otolith shape revealed significant differences within each population and between populations from the two sites (p < 0.001), reflecting the impact of local conditions on fish development. Our results highlight the importance of considering side and site factors when analyzing otoliths to better understand morphological variability within fish populations. They also confirm the potential of otoliths as sensitive indicators of local environmental conditions in various lagoon ecosystems.
- Résumé :
- Morphologie des otolithes de Sparus aurata : des indicateurs environnementaux sensibles dans les lagunes tunisiennes. Cette étude a examiné les otolithes droit et gauche de 120 individus du Sparus aurata prélevé dans les lagunes de Bizerte et de Ghar El Melh. Les résultats ont mis en évidence une variation significative de la population de cette espèce en fonction du site d'échantillonnage. Nos résultats révèlent une corrélation positive entre la longueur et le poids du poisson a été établie. Ceci confirme l'importance de la relation entre le poids corporel et la longueur dans le domaine de la gestion des pêcheries. Dans ce domaine, la relation entre le poids et la longueur des poissons constitue un indicateur essentiel pour évaluer la santé des populations de Cah. Biol. Mar. (2025) 66: 39-50DOI: 10.21411/CBM.A.D6D193EReçu le 16 mai 2024 ; accepté après révision le 23 novembre 2024. Received 16 May 2024; accepted in revised form 23 November 2024. 40 SPARUS AURATA OTOLITHS AS ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORSIntroductionThe gilt-head bream, commonly known as Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758, is a species highly valued for the flavor of its flesh. Its rapid development and notable abundance in Tunisia and the Mediterranean make it a significant economic asset (Lasserre, 1976). This marine fish, part of the Sparidae family, typically reaches an average size of 50 cm, with a maximum size of up to 70 cm, and has a lifespan of approximately 25 years (Cameron et al., 2005). During its larval and post-larval stages, S. aurata has a zooplanktivorous diet, transitioning to a carnivorous, predatory diet as it enters the juvenile and adult stages. Gilt-head breams become benthic predators, primarily feeding on organisms found on the seafloor (Alessio et al., 1976). This species is characterized by protandric hermaphroditism, meaning its juvenile gonads initially lack developed testicular and ovarian tissues. The fish begins life as a male (1 to 2 years) and then transitions to female from 2 to 3 years old (Filleul, 2001). Like other bon
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