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Demersal fish assemblages and habitat characteristics on the continental shelf and upper slope of the north-western Mediterranean

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2001

Montserrat Demestre
Affiliation:
Institut de Ciéncies del Mar (CSIC), P. Joan de Borbó, s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
Pilar Sánchez
Affiliation:
Institut de Ciéncies del Mar (CSIC), P. Joan de Borbó, s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
Pere Abelló
Affiliation:
Institut de Ciéncies del Mar (CSIC), P. Joan de Borbó, s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
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Abstract

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Continental shelf and upper slope fish communities were studied along the Catalan coast based on 66 experimental bottom otter trawls. A total of 79 demersal fish species were studied by means of cluster analysis and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) ordination for community structure. Analysis revealed the existence of five major location clusters. Similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER) was determined by comparing the dissimilarity between two groups of samples using the discriminating species. Geomorphological characteristics, bottom substratum and depth showed direct influences on species assemblages. High correlation between the biotic data samples and depth was observed. The fish species assemblages identified five main demersal fish associations which corresponded with the five location clusters and with five benthic sediments (mud of the upper slope, sand and gravel, mud of the shelf, muddy-sand and sand with rocky outcrops).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2000 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom