Abstract
This study reports the first record and some features of two individuals of the Lessepsian migrant species smallscale codlet, Bregmaceros nectabanus, found in the stomachs of two individuals of European hake, Merluccius merluccius, sampled in the northern Ionian Sea (eastern Mediterranean) during the MEDITS International Bottom Trawl Survey. The two European hake were collected on muddy bottoms in September 2021 at 63 m depth (39.34950 ºN; 16.52350 ºE) and at 240 m depth (39.07156 ºN; 17.12626 ºE). Their morphological traits together with otolith and scale characteristics allowed the identification of the two specimens found in the stomachs as B. nectabanus. The analysis of the stomach contents for the larger individual is also reported. This finding underlines the utility of stomach content analysis as an indirect method to study the biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems, including the spread of non-indigenous species as indicators of global warming.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
