Ecology Summary - Rhombosepion elegans

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Ecology of Rhombosepion elegans

Main Ref.	Jereb, P. and C.F.E. Roper (eds.), 2005
Remarks	Demersal (Ref. 1970). Sublittoral; most abundant at about 150 m depth, with sporadic records below 450 m (Ref. 1695). Found in the continental shelf and upper slope (Ref. 1970). Found in brackish waters of the Sea of Marmara, indicating its high degree of tolerance. Spends winter in deep waters between 200 to 400 m and migrates into shallow waters to spawn in spring and summer; optimally at water temperatures between 13° to 18°C (Ref. 1695). In the Gulf of Guinea, off west Africa, spawns in shallow inshore waters throughout the year (Refs. 417, 1695). Juveniles are found in an estuary (Ref. 122954). In the Mediterranean Sea, perennial presence of mature males and females suggest a continuous spawning period. Eggs (5 mm diameter) are laid in clusters of 12 to 25, on muddy substrates, attached to alcyonarians (sea fans), shells, etc. Hatched juveniles immediately assume a benthic lifestyle. Maturity at 1 year of age. Lifespan is at 12 to 18 months. Taken mainly as bycatch in the Mediterranean and west African trawl fisheries; a valuable local resource in the Mediterranean. Intensely fished in the Sicilian Channel. Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 1695).

Main Ref.

Jereb, P. and C.F.E. Roper (eds.), 2005

Remarks

Demersal (Ref. 1970). Sublittoral; most abundant at about 150 m depth, with sporadic records below 450 m (Ref. 1695). Found in the continental shelf and upper slope (Ref. 1970). Found in brackish waters of the Sea of Marmara, indicating its high degree of tolerance. Spends winter in deep waters between 200 to 400 m and migrates into shallow waters to spawn in spring and summer; optimally at water temperatures between 13° to 18°C (Ref. 1695). In the Gulf of Guinea, off west Africa, spawns in shallow inshore waters throughout the year (Refs. 417, 1695). Juveniles are found in an estuary (Ref. 122954). In the Mediterranean Sea, perennial presence of mature males and females suggest a continuous spawning period. Eggs (5 mm diameter) are laid in clusters of 12 to 25, on muddy substrates, attached to alcyonarians (sea fans), shells, etc. Hatched juveniles immediately assume a benthic lifestyle. Maturity at 1 year of age. Lifespan is at 12 to 18 months. Taken mainly as bycatch in the Mediterranean and west African trawl fisheries; a valuable local resource in the Mediterranean. Intensely fished in the Sicilian Channel. Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 1695).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

	Marine - Neritic	Marine - Oceanic	Brackishwater	Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies	supra-littoral zone littoral zone sublittoral zone	epipelagic mesopelagic epipelagic abyssopelagic hadopelagic	estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas mangroves marshes/swamps	rivers/streams lakes/ponds caves exclusively in caves

Highighted items on the list are where Rhombosepion elegans may be found.

Habitat

Substrate	Benthic: mobile; demersal; Soft Bottom: mud;
Substrate Ref.	Jereb, P. and C.F.E. Roper (eds.), 2005
Special habitats	Beds: sea grass;
Special habitats Ref.	Forsey, G.F., 2019

Associations

Ref.	Schneider, W., 1990
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type	mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref.	Jereb, P. and C.F.E. Roper (eds.), 2005
Feeding habit	hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref.	Jereb, P. and C.F.E. Roper (eds.), 2005

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	original sample		unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition
From individual food items	3.84	0.46			Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.

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Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Habitat

Associations

feeding

Trophic Level(s)