Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fish assemblage diversity and dynamics in the Venice lagoon

  • Review
  • Published:
RENDICONTI LINCEI Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fish fauna is an important component of transitional waters biodiversity. Different ways of using these systems and their resources can be identified, and fish fauna of transitional waters can be categorized accordingly into several functional groups (or guilds). These functional groups are presented and described in this paper, with regard to fish adaptations to Northern Adriatic transitional water environments, and the Venice lagoon in particular. The temporal and spatial dynamics of fish fauna in such a variable and heterogeneous system is also reviewed, by taking into consideration both the taxonomical and functional (guilds) characteristics of the lagoon assemblage. The use of guilds, in fact, highlights the functional structure of complex ecosystems, such as estuaries and coastal lagoons, by accounting for availability of ecological niches within the overall physical–chemical functioning of transitional water systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beck MW, Heck JK, Able K, Childers D, Eggleston D, Gillanders BM, Halpern B, Hays C, Hoshino K, Minello T, Orth R, Sheridan P, Weinstein M (2001) The identification, conservation, and management of estuarine and marine nurseries for fish and invertebrates. Bioscience 51:633–641

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchereau JL, Quignard JP, Tomasini JA, Joyeux JC, Capape C (1989) La population de Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas 1770) de la lagune de Mauguio, France. Paramétres démographiques et croissance individuelle. Cahiers de Biologie Marine 30:487–514

    Google Scholar 

  • Breder CM, Rosen DE (1966) Modes of reproduction in fishes. Natural History Press, Garden City, p 941

    Google Scholar 

  • Carcupino M, Baldacci A, Mazzini M, Franzoi P (2002) Functional significance of the male brood pouch in the reproductive strategies of pipefishes and seahorses: morphological and ultrastructural comparative study on three anatomically different pouches. J Fish Biol 61:1465–1480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cingolani N, Giannetti G, Arneri E (1996) Anchovy fisheries in the Adriatic Sea. Sci Mar 60:269–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Dando PR (1984) Reproduction in estuarine fish. In: Potts GW, Wootton RJ (eds) Fish Reproduction: strategies and tactics. Academic Press, London, pp 155–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Deelder CL (1984) Synopsis of biological data on the eel, Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus 1758). FAO Fishery Synopses 80 (Rev.1), 73 pp

  • Elliott M, Dewailly F (1995) The structure and components of European estuarine fish assemblages. Netherlands J Aquat Ecol 29:397–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott M, Hemingway KL (2002) Fishes in estuaries. Blackwell Science, UK, p 636

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott M, Whitfield AK, Potter IC, Blaber SJM, Cyrus DP, Nordlie FG, Harrison TD (2007) The guild approach to categorizing estuarine fish assemblages: a global review. Fish Fish 8:241–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari I, Chieregato AR (1981) Feeding habits of juvenile stages of Sparus auratus L., Dicentrarchus labrax L. and Mugilidae in a brackish embayment of the Po River Delta. Aquaculture 25:243–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari I, Gandolfi G, Stefanini A (1978) Lo zooplancton della Sacca del Canarin (Delta del Po): composizione e ruolo nell’alimentazione dei pesci planctofagi. Atti della Società Italiana di Scienze Naturali, Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Milano 119:221–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Franco A, Malavasi S, Pranovi F, Franzoi P, Torricelli P (2002) Preliminary data on gonadal development and fecundity in the grass goby, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus (Pallas 1811) from the Venice lagoon (northern Italy). Acta Adriat 43:43–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Franco A, Fiorin R, Malavasi S, Franzoi P, Torricelli P (2003) Spatial and temporal variation in reproductive and somatic investment of Zosterisessor ophiocephalus (Pisces, Gobiidae) in the Venice lagoon. Biol Mar Mediterr 10:152–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Franco A, Franzoi P, Malavasi S, Riccato F, Torricelli P, Mainardi D (2006a) Use of shallow water habitats by fish assemblages in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 66:67–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franco A, Franzoi P, Malavasi S, Riccato F, Torricelli P (2006b) Fish assemblages in different shallow water habitats of the Venice lagoon. Hydrobiologia 555:159–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franco A, Malavasi S, Zucchetta M, Franzoi P, Torricelli P (2006c) Environmental influences on the fish assemblage of the Venice lagoon, Italy. Chem Ecol 22:105–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franco A, Fiorin R, Riccato F, Franzoi P, Torricelli P (2006d) Variazione della comunità ittica lungo un gradiente ambientale sui bassi fondali della laguna di Venezia. In: Comoglio C, Comino E, Bona F (eds) Ecologia. Proceedings of the XV national congress of the Italian society of ecology, 12–14 September 2005, Torino (published online) http://www.xvcongresso.societaitalianaecologia.org/articles/Franco-41.pdf

  • Franco A, Elliott M, Franzoi P, Torricelli P (2008a) Life strategies of fishes in European estuaries: the functional guild approach. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 354:219–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franco A, Franzoi P, Torricelli P (2008b) Structure and functioning of Mediterranean lagoon fish assemblages: a key for the identification of water body types. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 79:549–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franzoi P, Trisolini R (1991) Rimonta del novellame. Laguna 2:24–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzoi P, Carrieri A, Rossi R (1985) Prime osservazioni sulla biologia e la gestione della popolazione di passere (Platichthys flesus luscus PALLAS 1811) nell’area meridionale del Delta del Po. Oebalia XI-2 NS:573–582

  • Franzoi P, Trisolini R, Carrieri A, Rossi R (1989) Caratteristiche ecologiche del popolamento ittico ripario della sacca di Scardovari (Delta de Po). Nova Thalassia 10:399–405

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzoi P, Maccagnani R, Rossi R, Ceccherelli VU (1993) Life cycles and feeding habits of Syngnathus taenionotus and S. abaster (Pisces, Syngnathidae) in a brackish bay of the Po River Delta (Adriatic Sea). Mar Ecol Prog Ser 97:71–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franzoi P, Penzo P, Pellizzato M (2002) Vallicoltura e pesca del pesce novello. In: Pellizzato M (ed) Pesci, molluschi e crostacei della laguna di Venezia, risorse ittiche e ambiente lagunare tra storia e innovazione. Provincia di Venezia, Cicero, pp 99–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzoi P, Maio G, Pellizzato M, Zucchetta M, Franco A, Georgalas V, Fiorin R, Riccato F, Busatto T, Rossi R, Torricelli P (2005) Messa a punto di metodologie innovative applicabili alla valutazione del novellame da allevamento. Nuovi metodi ecologici per la valutazione del reclutamento e della distribuzione del novellame di orata, spigola e mugilidi ai fini della gestione sostenibile di ecosistemi lagunari. Ministero per le politiche agricole e forestali—Direzione Generale della Pesca e dell’Acquacoltura—VI Piano Triennale della pesca e dell’acquicoltura in acque marine e salmastre, 129 pp

  • Gandolfi G, Torricelli P (1985) Comportamento e strategie riproduttive in pesci delle acque interne (Pisces, Gobiidae). SITE Atti 5:697–701

    Google Scholar 

  • Gandolfi G, Ioannilli E, Vitali R (1985) Caratteristiche biologiche delle comunità ittiche, studi sulle migrazioni ed aspetti quantitativi delle attività alieutiche nel Delta del Po. Nova Thalassia 7:281–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Gandolfi G, Zerunian S, Torricelli P, Marconato A (1991) Gobiidae. In: Gandolfi G, Zerunian S, Torricelli P, Marconato A (eds) I pesci delle acque interne italiane. Parte 3—riconoscimento, biologia, distribuzione e status delle specie. Ministero dell’ambiente—Servizio Conservazione Natura, Unione Zoologica Italiana, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, pp 487–553

  • Guerzoni S, Tagliapietra D (2006) Atlante della laguna—Venezia tra terra e mare. Marsilio Editori, Venezia, p 242

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard RK, Koehn JD (1985) Population dynamics and feeding ecology of pipefish (Syngnathidae) associated with eelgrass beds of Western Port, Victoria. Aust J Mar Freshw Res 36:361–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kikuchi T, Peres JM (1977) Consumer ecology of seagrass beds. In: McRoy CP, Helfferich C (eds) Seagrass ecosystems: a scientific perspective. Dekker, New York, pp 147–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Kneib RT (2003) Bioenergetic and landscape considerations for scaling expectations of nekton production from intertidal marshes. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 264:279–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leonori I, Azzali M, De Felice A, Parmiggiani F, Marini M, Grilli F, Gramolini R (2007) Small pelagic fish biomass in relation to environmental parameters in the Adriatic Sea. In: Ecologia, Limnologia e Oceanografia: quale futuro per l'ambiente? Proceedings of the XVII national congress of the Italian society of ecology, Ancona, 17–20 September 2007 (Published online). http://www.ecologia.it/congressi/XVII/?content=atti&language=en

  • Livingston RJ (1987) Field sampling in estuaries: the relationship of scale to variability. Estuaries 10:194–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maccagnani R, Carrieri A, Franzoi P, Rossi R (1985) Osservazioni sulla struttura di popolazione ed il ruolo trofico di tre specie di gobidi (Knipowitschia panizzae, Pomatoschistus marmoratus, Pomatoschistus canestrinii) in un ambiente del Delta del Po. Nova Thalassia 7:373–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Mainardi D, Fiorin R, Franco A, Franzoi P, Giovanardi O, Granzotto A, Libertini A, Malavasi S, Pranovi F, Riccato F, Torricelli P (2002) Fish diversity in the Venice lagoon: preliminary report. In: Campostrini P (ed) Scientific research and safeguarding of Venice, Corila Research: Program 2001 results. La Garangola, Padova, pp 583–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Mainardi D, Fiorin R, Franco A, Franzoi P, Granzotto A, Malavasi S, Pranovi F, Riccato F, Zucchetta M, Torricelli P (2004) Seasonal distribution of fish fauna in the Venice Lagoon shallow waters: preliminary results. In: Campostrini P (ed) Scientific research and safeguarding of Venice, Corila Research: Program 2002 results. Multigraf, Venezia, pp 437–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Mainardi D, Fiorin R, Franco A, Franzoi P, Malavasi S, Pranovi F, Riccato F, Zucchetta M, Torricelli P (2005) Composition and distribution of fish assemblages in the shallow waters of the Venice lagoon. In: Campostrini P (ed) Scientific research and safeguarding of Venice, Corila Research: Program 2003 results. Multigraf, Venezia, pp 405–419

    Google Scholar 

  • Malavasi S, Coppola J, Pranovi F, Granzotto A, Franco A, Torricelli P (2002) Habitat riproduttivo di Zosterisessor ophiocephalus Pall. (Pisces, Gobiidae) in laguna di Venezia e osservazioni sulle caratteristiche dei riproduttori. Lavori della Società Veneta di Scienze Naturali 27:47–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Malavasi S, Fiorin R, Franco A, Franzoi P, Granzotto A, Riccato F, Mainardi D (2004) Fish assemblages of Venice lagoon shallow waters: an analysis based on species, families and functional guilds. J Mar Syst 51:19–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malavasi S, Franco A, Fiorin R, Franzoi P, Torricelli P, Mainardi D (2005) The shallow water gobiid assemblage of the Venice lagoon: abundance, seasonal variation, and habitat partitioning. J Fish Biol 67(Supplement B):146–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzoldi C, Rasotto MB (2001) Extended breeding season in the marbled goby, Pomatoschistus marmoratus (Teleostei: Gobiidae), in the Venetian lagoon. Environ Biol Fish 61:175–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McHugh JL (1967) Estuarine nekton. In: Lauff GH (ed) Estuaries. American Association for the Advancement of Science Special Publication, Washington, DC, pp 581–619

  • McLusky DS, Elliott M (2004) The estuarine ecosystem: ecology, threats and management, 3rd edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • McRoy CP, Helfferich C (1980) Applied aspects of seagrasses. In: Phillips RC, McRoy CP (eds) Handbook of seagrass biology: an ecosystem perspective. Garland STM Press, New York, pp 297–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Piccinetti C, Giovanardi O (1984) Donnees biologique sur Solea vulgaris Quensel en Adriatique. FAO Rapport sur les peches 290:117–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Quignard JP (1984) The biological and environmental characteristics of lagoons as the biological basis of fisheries management (in french). GFCM—Studies and Reviews, FAO 61:3–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Riccato F, Fiorin R, Franco A, Franzoi P, Libertini A, Pranovi F, Torricelli P (2003) Population structure and reproduction of three pipefish species (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) in a sea grass meadow of the Venice lagoon. Biol Mar Mediterr 10:138–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossi R (1986) Occurrence, abundance and growth of fish fry in Scardovari Bay, a nursery ground of the Po River Delta (Italy). Arch Oceanol Limnol 20:259–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Rountree RA, Able KW (2007) Spatial and temporal habitat use patterns for salt marsh nekton: implications for ecological functions. Aquat Ecol 41:25–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whitfield AK (1990) Life-history styles of fishes in South African estuaries. Environ Biol Fish 28:295–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zerunian S (2003) Piano d’azione generale per la conservazione dei pesci d’acqua dolce italiani. Quaderni per la Conservazione della Natura 17, Min. Ambiente—Ist. Naz. Fauna Selvatica

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento Scienze Ambientali, Università di Venezia, Castello 2737/B, 30122, Venice, Italy

    Piero Franzoi, Anita Franco & Patrizia Torricelli

Authors
  1. Piero Franzoi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anita Franco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Patrizia Torricelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Piero Franzoi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Franzoi, P., Franco, A. & Torricelli, P. Fish assemblage diversity and dynamics in the Venice lagoon. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 21, 269–281 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-010-0079-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-010-0079-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation