Naslov
Geographical patterns in abundance and population structure of Nephrops norvegicus and Parapenaeus longirostris (crustacea: Decapoda) along the European Mediterranean coasts
(Global population characteristics of two decapod crustaceans of commercial interest (Nephrops norvegicus and Parapenaeus longirostris) along the European Mediterranean coasts)

Autori
Abello, Pere ; Abella, Alvaro ; Adamidou, Angeliki ; Jukić-Peladić Stjepan ; Maiorano, Porzia ; Spedicato, Maria Teresa

Izvornik
Scientia marina (0214-8358) 66 (2002), Suppl. 2; 125-141

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Nephrops norvegicus; Parapenaeus longirostris; distribution; population structure; Mediterranean Sea

Sažetak
The main characteristics concerning distribution, size structure and total mortality of the two of the most important decapod crustaceans of commercial interest in the Mediterranean Sea, Nephrops norvegicus and Parapenaeus longirostris are studied along the European Mediterranean coasts. The study is based on the data collected during a series of six trawl surveys performed in spring from 1994 to 1999 from the Gibraltar Straitss to the Aegean Sea. The population size structure identified in the different geographical sectors is analysed taking into account two bathymetric sectors: continental shelf and upper slope. Noticeable differences in N. norvegicus population demographic structure among geographical sectors, as well as in total mortality, appear to be highly related to different exploitation levels. Size structure in P. longirostris also shows a great heterogeneity throughout the different geographical sectors. However, in the case of this shrimp, fishing pressure is probably not the main causative factor of the observed differences, with the only exception of the Sicilian Channel sector where estimated high mortality rates look consistent with very low mean size observed for the same sector. Considering that both species are heavily exploited along the studied area due to the high commercial importance, the observed differences can be interpreted as different responses to exploitation related to the widely differing life history characteristics of the nentioned species. In fact, N. norvegicus is a long-lived, benthic, burrowing species with low growth and mortality rates, and P. longirostris an epibenthic short-lived species characterised by higher rates of growth and mortality.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA