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Population structure of the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in the Atlantic Iberian coastal waters inferred from Body Morphometrics and Otolith Shape Analyses

2025-12-27Journal article Open access
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dc.contributor.authorKulzer, Rafael
dc.contributor.authorSilva, Rodolfo Miguel
dc.contributor.authorRocha, Ana Filipa
dc.contributor.authorCarrola, João Soares
dc.contributor.authorSeabra, Rosária Catarino
dc.contributor.authorRocha, Eduardo
dc.contributor.authorErzini, Karim
dc.contributor.authorCorreia, Alberto Teodorico
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-04T19:48:10Z
dc.date.available2026-01-04T19:48:10Z
dc.date.issued2025-12-27
dc.description.abstractThe European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is one of the most emblematic coastal fish species in the Northeast Atlantic, with high commercial value for fisheries and aquaculture, and importance for sport and recreational fishing. Despite its socio-economic importance, the Iberian divisions, Cantabrian Sea (8c) and the Atlantic Iberian waters (9a), defined by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), lack stock delimitation data. Moreover, this species is missing basic biological information, a seasonal reproductive fishing ban, and the annual landings in this region are more than double the levels recommended by ICES. To investigate the population structure of D. labrax in these areas, 140 adult individuals (36–51 cm of total length) were collected between January and March 2025 in three locations along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula: Avilés (n = 47), Peniche (n = 48), and Lagos (n = 45). Fish from each location were analyzed for body geometric morphometrics (truss network) and otolith shape contour (Elliptical Fourier Descriptors). Data were evaluated using univariate and multivariate tests to assess spatial differences and reclassification success among locations. Results revealed regional differences using body morphometry and otolith shape analyses. The overall reclassification success was 68% for truss networking, 51% for otolith shape, and 65% when both methods were combined. Despite the observed differences, the absence of clear, isolated populations supports the ICES definition of a single, though not homogeneous, European seabass stock in the Atlantic Iberian coastal waters. Nevertheless, individuals from Avilés exhibited distinctive morphometric patterns and otolith shapes, suggesting possible adaptations to local selective pressures in slightly different environments. Further studies integrating genetic tools, otolith chemistry, parasitic fauna and telemetry analyses, as well as other fish samples from adjacent areas such as the Bay of Biscay, are recommended to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the population structure and migration patterns of this key species in the Atlantic Iberian coastal waters.eng
dc.description.sponsorshipLA/P/0126/2020; UID/PRR/04326/2025; UID/PRR/04423/2025
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/fishes11010016
dc.identifier.issn2410-3888
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/28039
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.relationCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences
dc.relationCentre of Marine Sciences
dc.relationCentre for Marine and Environmental Research
dc.relationInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research
dc.relation.ispartofFishes
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectDemersal fish
dc.subjectStock delineation
dc.subjectNatural tags
dc.subjectTruss networking
dc.subjectElliptical Fourier descriptors
dc.titlePopulation structure of the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in the Atlantic Iberian coastal waters inferred from Body Morphometrics and Otolith Shape Analyseseng
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.awardTitleCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences
oaire.awardTitleCentre of Marine Sciences
oaire.awardTitleCentre for Marine and Environmental Research
oaire.awardTitleInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research
oaire.awardURIinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UID%2FAGR%2F04033%2F2019/PT
oaire.awardURIinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UID%2FMulti%2F04326%2F2013/PT
oaire.awardURIinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/LA%2FP%2F0101%2F2020/PT
oaire.awardURIinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UID%2FMulti%2F04423%2F2019/PT
oaire.citation.issue1
oaire.citation.startPage16
oaire.citation.titleFishes
oaire.citation.volume11
oaire.fundingStream6817 - DCRRNI ID
oaire.fundingStream6817 - DCRRNI ID
oaire.fundingStream6817 - DCRRNI ID
oaire.fundingStream6817 - DCRRNI ID
oaire.versionhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85
person.familyNameKulzer
person.familyNameErzini
person.givenNameRafael
person.givenNameKarim
person.identifier.ciencia-idD917-7133-341A
person.identifier.orcid0009-0008-6287-6637
person.identifier.orcid0000-0002-1411-0126
person.identifier.ridM-5216-2013
person.identifier.scopus-author-id7004015948
project.funder.identifierhttp://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.identifierhttp://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.identifierhttp://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.identifierhttp://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.nameFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
project.funder.nameFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
project.funder.nameFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
project.funder.nameFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
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