Factors affecting habitat occupancy of fish assemblage in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)

Abstract

AbstractSpecies composition, richness and abundance of the fish assemblage were studied over six different inshore macrohabitats in the southern part of the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea) using the visual counts technique. Fifteen environmental variables were taken into consideration in order to determine microhabitat preferences of fish species, using canonical correspondence analysis and electivity indices. The results suggest that the structure of the fish assemblage in shallow habitats is affected by a large number of interplaying factors. Depth, type of bottom and vegetation cover – incorporating both abiotic and biotic variables – are some of the factors responsible for coastal fish distribution. Microhabitat preferences for 29 fish species are presented in the depth range from 0.5 to 3 m.