Sargus

Abstract: The length composition, abundance patterns and feeding habits of juvenile Diplodus sargus capensis, Lithognathus mormyrus, Pomadasys olivaceum, Rhabdosargus globiceps, Sarpa salpa and Trachurus trachurus are given. Zooplankton, in the form of copepods, chaetognaths, crustacean larvae and mysids, constituted a major component of the diet of these fish. The swimming prawn, Macropetasma africanus, was also a major prey item consumed by D. sargus, P. olivaceum and R. globiceps. The use of King's Beach as a nursery area is discussed in relation to food availability and shelter from predators.

Abstract: Juvenile settlement of 3 sparid fish species, Diplodus puntazzo, Djplodus sargus and D~ploclus vulgan's, was studied over 3 yr at 20 stations located at 5 sites in the NW Mediterranean Sea: 1 site in Spaln (Girona), 2 In France (Ranyuls and ~Marseille) and 2 in Italy (Portofino and Elba). When all sites and years were combined, 71':'0 of the settlers recorded belonged to D, vulgaris, 25 X to D. sargus and 4 % to D. puntazzo. Settlement was seasonal, with D. sargus settling in May-June. D. puntazzo in October-November, and D. vulgaris in 2 pulses, the first in November-December and the second in January-February. Settlement intensity varied spatially, temporally, and among species. At a small spatlal scale (with~n site), settlement intensity varied between stations and particularly between years. At a large spatial scale (among sites), settlement intensity varied among sites, with Marseille and Girona generally experiencing higher settlement than other sites. No difference in settlement intensity was observed between protected and unprotected areas The settlement of D. sargus was higher in 1994 than in 1993 and 1995 at all sites, suggesting the influence of meso-scale hydroclimatic conditions on the settlement success of t h ~ s pecies. The settlement of D. vulgaris was higher in 1993 in the western part of the NW Mediterranean, and in 1994 in the eastern part. No consistent spatial trend over t ~ m e was seen for D. puntazzo. Thus, settlement intensity of Diplodus species to nearshore habitats in the NW Mediterranean exhibited high year-to-year variations at both local and regional scales.

Abstract: Leitao, F., Santos, M. N., and Monteiro, C. C. 2007. Contribution of artificial reefs to the diet of the white sea bream (Diplodus sargus). - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 473-478.An evaluation of the trophic relationship between Diplodus sargus and artificial reefs (ARs) in the Algarve (southern Portugal) is based on a comparison of stomach contents and the macrobenthic communities present at the AR and in surrounding sandy bottom areas. Only adult white sea bream were observed in the vicinity of the ARs. The percentage of items found in the stomach that were characteristic of AR hard substratum was high (67%). Although the diet contained a wide variety of items, namely reef algae, invertebrates (crustaceans, gastropods, and bivalves), and fish, Balanus amphitrite and Gibbula spp. contributed most to the diet. The diet of D. sargus was strongly associated with prey availability on the AR, so highlighting the importance of these artificial habitats to the species. It seems that these artificial feeding areas, owing to their extent and benthic production, are enhancing the local D. sargus stock and hence the fishery.