Locality-specific variation in the feeding of Sparus aurata L.: evidence from two Mediterranean lagoon systems

A large number of juvenile, sub-adult and adult individuals of Sparus aurata were collected in two adjacent Mediterranean coastal lagoons. Lake Fogliano and Lake Caprolace, located on the central Tyrrhenian coast of Italy. A comprehensive analysis of the feeding habits of this species was carried out using both univariate and multivariate statistical methods. The results showed that qualitative and quantitative changes in the diet of this species take place within the first months of development. Considerable feeding differences between sub-adult and adult individuals of two bream populations were found in the different coastal lagoons: specimens from Fogliano showed a significantly less diverse trophic spectrum, whereas specimens from Caprolace tended to feed on a larger variety of prey. The ecological significance of these differences and their implications for ecosystem management and conservation are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.