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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Notes on the Biology and Ecology of Opeatogenys gracilis (Canestrini 1864) (Pisces: Gobiesocidae) from Coastal Environments in Sicily (Mediterranean)

D. ScilipotiAntonio MazzolaS. Vizzini

subject

Mediterranean climatebiologyBenthic zoneEcologyPosidonia oceanicaGobiesocidaeZoologyCoastal fishbiology.organism_classificationHarpacticoidaMeristicsPredation

description

A particularly large number of specimens of the Mediterranean coastal fish Opeatogenys gracilis (Canestrini 1864) (Pisces: Gobiesocidae) were collected from Posidonia oceanica mats of the “Stagnone di Marsala” sound (western Sicily) and in the Gulf of Carini (northern Sicily). A study was made of biometric and meristic characters and, for the first time for this species, diet composition. The biometric and meristic data did not distinguish between specimens from the two study sites. In accordance with its benthic habit, O. gracilis feeds on small phytal prey living on Posidonia oceanica leaves. The preferential food items throughout the year were Copepoda Harpacticoida.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2001-01-01
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2105-1_28