Population and habitat status of two endemic sand gobies in lagoon marshes - Implications for conservation

Franco, A; Franzoi, P; Malavasi, S; Zucchetta, M; Torricelli, P

Abstract

Ensuring biodiversity, through the conservation of natural habitats, such as wetlands, and of their wild flora and fauna, is the main objective of the Habitat and Species Directive 92/43/EC. Within this framework, two species of Community interest, Pomatoschistus canestrinii and Knipowitschia panizzae (Gobiidae, Osteichthyes), endemisms of the Northern Adriatic lagoons, were considered. The population structure, reproductive effort, somatic growth and production of such species were investigated in marsh habitats of the Venice lagoon, as indicators of the status of the populations and their habitats. The lagoon marsh habitats hosted abundant and well structured populations, functioning also as breeding areas for these species. A certain spatial variability was also observed, possibly related to the shelter conditions of different marsh sub-habitats (e.g. marsh creeks vs. adjacent mudflats). These results were discussed in the light of the available ecological knowledge on the two species, with a particular attention to the conservation priority focused on the protection of biodiversity and of key habitats.

Citation

Franco, A., Franzoi, P., Malavasi, S., Zucchetta, M., & Torricelli, P. (2011). Population and habitat status of two endemic sand gobies in lagoon marshes - Implications for conservation. Estuarine, coastal and shelf science, 114, 31-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2011.08.021

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 24, 2011
• Online Publication Date: Aug 24, 2011
• Publication Date: Aug 24, 2011
• Deposit Date: Mar 27, 2019
• Journal: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
• Print ISSN: 0272-7714
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 114
• Pages: 31-40
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2011.08.021
• Keywords: Marsh habitat; Fish species; Gobies; Population status; European habitat directive; Venice lagoon; Italy
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/409369
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771411003672?via%3Dihub