Larval Morphological Development and Seasonal Variation of the Mediterranean Sand Eel, Gymnammodytes cicerelus (Rafinesque, 1810) in the Shallow Waters of Gökçeada Island, North Aegean Sea

Abstract

Mediterranean sand eel, Gymnammodytes cicerelus (Rafinesque, 1810) is a demersal subtropical fish species belonging to the family Ammodytidae. In this study, the morphological development and temporal variations of Mediterranean sand eel larvae were studied. Ichthyoplankton samples were collected between September 2015 and April 2016 in the shallow waters of the Gökçeada Island, northern Aegean Sea. Samples were collected with horizontal tows, using a WP-2 plankton net (57 cm frame diameter equipped with a 500 µm mesh, 3 m total length). Early life stages were photographed and morphological features of individuals between 2.73–7.91 mm in standard length were described comprehensively. It was determined that spawning occurred between November and February and peaked in December. Larval abundance ranged between 6.36 and 69.96 individuals/1000 m3. In this study, the abundance and distribution of the species in the Mediterranean was revealed for the first time.

Keywords

• identification
• spawning season
• melanophore
• abundance