Characterization of the fish assemblage in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon: Lesina Lagoon (central Adriatic Sea)

Taxonomic and functional properties and spatial-temporal variations of the small-sized fish assemblage were investigated in the micro-tidal Lesina Lagoon. Sampling was carried out monthly for a year in 9 stations, by means of a 2-mm mesh beach seine. According to the findings, the fish assemblage of Lesina Lagoon showed a low species richness. Marine migrants were the most represented in terms of number of species, with Mugilidae as dominant family. Nevertheless, residents were numerically prevalent, with the two species Atherinaboyeri and Aphaniusfasciatus showing the highest abundances. No marine stragglers were found. In addition, the temporal and spatial analysis of the fish assemblage showed weak temporal and spatial patterns of variation. In Lesina Lagoon, the taxonomic and functional structures of the fish assemblage seem to be strongly affected by the high degree of confinement of the lagoon from the open sea, which makes the fish assemblage very susceptible to changes in hydrological and local climatic conditions. The information achieved from this study may be useful for a better management of the natural aquatic resources in Lesina Lagoon and in Mediterranean lagoons.