Download 2 Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO). Centro

Disentangling the trophic role of Engraulis encrasicolus in the Gulf of Cadiz (North-eastern Atlantic,
Spain)
Maria Angeles Torres1,2, Fernando Ramos2, Ignacio Sobrino2
1
Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of the Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005139, Portugal. Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]
2
Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO). Centro Oceanográfico de Cádiz. Puerto Pesquero, Muelle
de Levante, s/n, PO Box 2609, E-11006 Cádiz, Spain
Addressing unresolved questions related to the trophic interactions of small pelagic fish is key to
understanding their ecological role moving towards an operational ecosystem-based management
of marine resources. In the Gulf of Cadiz (North-eastern Atlantic, Spain), anchovy Engraulis
encrasicolus is the target species of the purse-seine fishery, representing a significant biomass at
intermediate trophic level of the food-web. However, its trophic linkages with upper and lower
trophic levels remain undressed. Here, we introduced an anchovy-focused overview of trophic
interactions by using local stomach contents of 55 species (2008-2011). Our results revealed that
anchovy was of relevance to the consumption of several commercial stocks in the area. The most
important predator of anchovy was hake Merluccius merluccius, showing an ontogenetic variation in
diet with growth. Other commercial predators such as mid-size pelagic fish (Scomber colias and
Scomber scombrus), demersal fish (Scyliorhinus canicula, Chelidonichthys lucernus, Argyrosomus
regius and Spondyliosoma cantharus) and cephalopods (Sepia officinalis and Loligo vulgaris) were
also found as partial consumers of anchovy. In terms of linking anchovy with lower trophic levels,
copepods were the most frequent prey in its diet. However, other food categories were also
recorded, e.g. mysids, decapods and cladocerans. According to the findings, the trophic role of
anchovy is considered to be crucial to make the link between pelagic and demersal energy pathways
in the Gulf of Cadiz. Hence, this information should be considered in guiding future studies aimed to
implement an operational ecosystem-based approach in the area.