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Temporal patterns of settlement, recruitment and post-settlement losses in a rocky reef fish assemblage in the South-Western Mediterranean Sea

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Abstract

Post-settlement events can significantly alter the density distribution of settlers and subsequently the adult population structure. The temporal and inter-annual variability of settlement and the effects of mortality on recruitment were investigated across 2 years in the vicinities of Cabo de Palos–Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve by visual census and light trap sampling. Settlement was seasonal with greater species richness and abundance in summer. Although temporal synchronization was observed between larval supply and settlement, densities of settlers could not be predicted from post-larval abundances. Timing of settlement was consistent between years but with high inter-annual variation in abundance. High mortality (~80 %) and general decoupling between post-larval and settlement stages suggest that early mortality is driving such patterns. Nevertheless, indications of habitat-mediated mortality were found for benthic species such as Symphodus and Diplodus, highlighting the importance of habitat in shaping population demography.

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Acknowledgements

Authors want to express their gratitute to Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas marine reserve staff, Sergio Eguia (vigilant at Isla Grosa), David Meroño, Javier Gallego and Andrés Cánovas (Planeta Azul Diving Center) for their support in the field work. Also we want to thank two anonymous referees for their useful comments, which significantly helped us improve the presentation of this manuscript. This research was supported by the “Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarollo” research grants AECID-PCI-A/024758/09 y AECID-PCI-A/030397/10.

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  1. Department of Ecology and Hydrology, University of Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain

    F. C. Félix-Hackradt, C. W. Hackradt, J. Treviño-Otón, A. Pérez-Ruzafa & J. A. García-Charton

  2. Capes Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, P.O. Box 365, Brasilia, DF, 70359-970, Brazil

    F. C. Félix-Hackradt

  3. CNPq Scholarship, Ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil, Brasilia, DF, 71605-001, Brazil

    C. W. Hackradt

  4. Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Murcia, Spain

    A. Pérez-Ruzafa

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Correspondence to C. W. Hackradt.

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Communicated by D. Goulet.

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227_2013_2228_MOESM1_ESM.eps

Temporal variability of species size class. a) Atherina spp., b) Apogon imberbis, c) Boops boops, d) Chromis chromis, e) Coris julis, f) Dentex dentex (EPS 2838 kb)

227_2013_2228_MOESM2_ESM.eps

Temporal variability of species size class. g) Diplodus annularis, h) Diplodus cervinus, i) Diplodus puntazzo, j) Diplodus sargus, k) Diplodus vulgaris, l) Gymnammodytes semisquamatus (EPS 2828 kb)

227_2013_2228_MOESM3_ESM.eps

Temporal variability of species size class. m) Labrus merula, n) Lithognathus mormyrus, o) Oblada melanura, p) Sarpa salpa, q) Serranus scriba, r) Serranus mediterraneus (EPS 2865 kb)

227_2013_2228_MOESM4_ESM.eps

Temporal variability of species size class. s) Symphodus ocellatus, t) Symphodus roissali, u) Symphodus rostratus, v) Symphodus tinca, x) Thalassoma pavo, z) Trachinotus ovatus (EPS 2844 kb)

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Félix-Hackradt, F.C., Hackradt, C.W., Treviño-Otón, J. et al. Temporal patterns of settlement, recruitment and post-settlement losses in a rocky reef fish assemblage in the South-Western Mediterranean Sea. Mar Biol 160, 2337–2352 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2228-2

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