Climate-driven changes in life-history traits of the bastard grunt Pomadasys incisus (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in the north-western Mediterranean

This study evaluates the influence of sea water temperature on the life-history traits of the thermophilic bastard grunt Pomadasys incisus along the Catalan coast. We compared two key traits of this species, condition and reproduction, from populations in two separate areas with different thermal re...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Villegas Hernández, Harold O., Lloret Romañach, Josep, Muñoz Frigola, Marta
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10256/16146
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10256/16146
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Canvi climàtic
Climatic changes
Mar Mediterrànea
Mediterranean Sea
Peixos termòfiils
Thermophilic fishes
Descripción
Sumario:This study evaluates the influence of sea water temperature on the life-history traits of the thermophilic bastard grunt Pomadasys incisus along the Catalan coast. We compared two key traits of this species, condition and reproduction, from populations in two separate areas with different thermal regimes: the Gulf of Roses (cold area) and the Ebre Delta (warm area). Specimens were collected monthly from each area between 2010 and 2012. The results were also compared with those given in the literature from sites where the species is more common, i.e. the southern Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. Our findings indicate that, compared to the populations in warmer environments, the population inhabiting the colder waters appears to be in significantly poorer condition and there is some deviance in their life-history traits: egg size and quality being traded-off for higher egg numbers; lower lengths at maturity and alterations to spawning phenology. A certain degree of plasticity in life-history traits may favour the process of expansion and establishment of this thermophilic species into newly available but colder habitats of the north-western Mediterranean under a scenario of climate change