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Identifier

000419706

Title

Πεδία ανάθρεψης του Λεσσεψιανού μετανάστη Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) στον όρμο της Ελούντας

Alternative Title

Nursery grounds of the Lessepsian fish migrant Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) in Elounda bay

Author

Λυμπερίδης, Αλέξανδρος Δ.

Thesis advisor

Ντούνας, Κωνσταντίνος

Reviewer

Παυλίδης, Μιχαήλ
Κεντούρη, Μαρουδιώ

Abstract

The fish species Siganus luridus is considered to be a "Lessepsian migrant", i.e. the allochthonous species that have invaded the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, and is among the few herbivorous species living in the Greek seas. The continuous and rapid expansion of this species towards the western and northern coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and its current impact on marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystem services (mainly due to its over-grazing behavior and competition with indigenous herbivores), has classified this species in the "blacklist" of Invasive Alien Species (IAS). The present study is focusing for the first time on the nursery areas of Siganus luridus in the Mediterranean Sea. An intensive underwater visual observation and population monitoring took place from June 2017 to January 2018. Results indicated the strong impact of surface water temperature on the time of first settlement, the duration of residing and finally the departure of the species’ juveniles from the rocky habitats of Elounda bay. Temperature is one of the most important environmental variable that influences the size of juveniles populations during the early stages of species life cycle. Juveniles’ selective preference for settlement on complex hard substrate microhabitats in the upper sublittoral zone is demonstrated for the first time. More specifically, throughout the settlement phase, large populations of species’ juveniles were observed in the rocky bottom parts characterised by high structural complexity and steep slope. The behavior patterns of the juveniles populations appear to be strongly associated with this habitat type. It is suggested that substrate structural complexity attracts dense juveniles populations, as it provides shelter from extreme hydrodynamic conditions while avoiding predators. This particular microhabitat choice also allows juveniles to exhibit different behavioral patterns in order to better control energy cost of their daily activities.

Language

Greek

Subject

Behavior

Juveniles

Microhabitats

Rabbitfish

Settlement

Εγκατάσταση

Ιχθύδια

Μικροενδιαιτήματα

Πεδία ανάθρεψης νεαρών ατόμων