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Abecasis D, Martínez-Ramírez L, Gandra M, Winkler AC. Tracking movements of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) during the spawning season: Preliminary indications of off estuary spawning. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39030783 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the spawning behavior of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is crucial for fisheries management and conservation. Meagre forms large spawning aggregations in estuaries, yet details of its spawning grounds remain elusive. We tagged 41 individuals and monitored their movements throughout several spawning seasons. Detections inside estuaries were limited. Fish detected inside the Tejo estuary during the spawning season performed regular movements toward coastal areas, suggesting potential spawning outside estuaries. Our findings underscore the significance of understanding meagre's migratory patterns for effective fisheries management and conservation strategies, supporting the establishment of spatial and seasonal closures during the spawning season.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Abecasis
- Centre of Marine Science (CCMAR), University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | | | - Miguel Gandra
- Centre of Marine Science (CCMAR), University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Alexander C Winkler
- Centre of Marine Science (CCMAR), University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
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Gandra M, Winkler AC, Afonso P, Abecasis D. Long-distance migrations and seasonal movements of meagre (Argyrosomus regius), a large coastal predator, along the Iberian Peninsula coast. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2024; 12:35. [PMID: 38725044 PMCID: PMC11080147 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-024-00469-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The meagre, Argyrosomus regius, is a large coastal predatory fish inhabiting waters from the north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, where it is targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries. Previous genetic studies have found an unexpectedly high population differentiation not only between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, but also along the Atlantic coast. However, the reasons underpinning this genetic barrier remained unclear. Likewise, even though the species is amongst the world's largest marine teleosts, knowledge about its movement ecology and migratory behaviour remains notably scarce, and primarily reliant on fisheries-dependent data. METHODS In this study, we used a combination of acoustic telemetry and pop-up satellite archival tags to investigate the movements of 22 adult meagre (70-143 cm total length) along the Southwestern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. RESULTS Our results strongly suggest that the previously reported genetic differentiation is not maintained by limited adult dispersal/movement, as hypothesized. On the contrary, we documented some of the longest individual annual migrations ever recorded for a coastal teleost, up to > 2000 km, with frequent back-and-forth movements between the West and Southern Iberian coasts. Moreover, their detected regional movement patterns support the existence of a marked seasonal behavioural shift, with individuals being less active and moving to deeper waters during winter, and are consistent with spawning philopatry associated to their summer reproductive movements. Finally, we identified putative aggregation areas that may harbour important feeding/overwintering grounds. CONCLUSIONS These findings shed new light on the movement and behaviour patterns of meagre that may be of particular importance for the conservation and spatial management of this species throughout its range, and open the door to further research on functional connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Gandra
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
| | - Alexander C Winkler
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Pedro Afonso
- Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
- Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - David Abecasis
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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Abecasis D, Ogden R, Winkler AC, Gandra M, Khallahi B, Diallo M, Cabrera-Castro R, Weiller Y, Erzini K, Afonso P, Assis J. Multidisciplinary estimates of connectivity and population structure suggest the use of multiple units for the conservation and management of meagre, Argyrosomus regius. Sci Rep 2024; 14:873. [PMID: 38195638 PMCID: PMC10776566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50869-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Information on population structure and connectivity of targeted species is key for proper implementation of spatial conservation measures. We used a combination of genomics, biophysical modelling, and biotelemetry to infer the population structure and connectivity of Atlantic meagre, an important fisheries resource throughout its distribution. Genetic samples from previously identified Atlantic spawning locations (Gironde, Tejo, Guadalquivir, Banc d'Arguin) and two additional regions (Algarve and Senegal) were analysed using genome-wide SNP-genotyping and mitochondrial DNA analyses. Biophysical models were conducted to investigate larval dispersal and connectivity from the known Atlantic spawning locations. Additionally, thirteen fish were double-tagged with biotelemetry transmitters off the Algarve (Portugal) to assess movement patterns and connectivity of adult individuals. This multidisciplinary approach provided a robust overview of meagre population structure and connectivity in the Atlantic. Nuclear SNP-genotyping showed a clear differentiation between the European and African populations, with significant isolation of the few known Atlantic spawning sites. The limited level of connectivity between these subpopulations is potentially driven by adults, capable of wide-ranging movements and connecting sites 500 km apart, as evidenced by tagging studies, whilst larval dispersal inferred by modelling is much more limited (average of 52 km; 95% of connectivity events up to 174 km). Our results show sufficient evidence of population structure, particularly between Africa and Europe but also within Europe, for the meagre to be managed as separate stocks. Additionally, considering the low degree of larvae connectivity, the implementation of marine protected areas in key spawning sites could be crucial towards species sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Abecasis
- CCMAR, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal.
| | - R Ogden
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - A C Winkler
- CCMAR, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - M Gandra
- CCMAR, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - B Khallahi
- Institut Mauritanien de Recherches Océanographiques et des Pêches (IMROP), BP 22, Nouadhibou, Cansado, Mauritania
| | - M Diallo
- Conservation and Research of West African Aquatic Mammals (COREWAM), Dakar, Senegal
| | - R Cabrera-Castro
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz. Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), Avda. República Saharaui, s/n, Puerto Real, 11510, Cádiz, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), Avda. República Saharaui, S/N, Puerto Real, 11510, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Y Weiller
- Parc naturel marin de l'estuaire de La Gironde et de la mer des Pertuis, OFB, 17320, Marennes, France
| | - K Erzini
- CCMAR, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - P Afonso
- Ocean Sciences Institute (Okeanos), University of the Azores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
- Institute of Marine Research (IMAR), 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - J Assis
- CCMAR, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Bioscience and Aquaculture, Nord Universitet, Bodø, Norway
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