SPATIO-TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF ABUNDANCE, BIOMASS AND LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIPS OF DASYATIS SPECIES (PISCES: DASYATIDAE) IN THE GULF OF ANTALYA, TURKEY (LEVANTINE SEA)

Spatio-temporal patterns of abundance, biomass and length-weight relationships of Dasyatis species (Pisces: Dasyatidae) in the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey (Levantine Sea)

Elif Özgür Özbek, Mine Çardak, Turhan Kebapçioğlu

Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), P.O. Box: 10, Beykoz, Istanbul, TURKEY
Faculty of Fisheries, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17100, Çanakkale, TURKEY
Faculty of Fisheries, Akdeniz University, 07058, Antalya, TURKEY

Abstract

The present paper reports the abundance and biomass of Dasyatis centroura (Mitchill, 1815), D. marmorata (Steindachner, 1892), D. pastinaca (Linnaeus, 1758), and D. tortonesei Capapé, 1975 at various depth levels and seasons in the Gulf of Antalya, and total length-weight (TL-W), disc length–weight (DL-W) and disc width weight (DW-W) relationship of 391 individuals of D. pastinaca, 21 individuals of D. marmorata, and five individuals of D. centroura, caught in trawling surveys. A total of 116 hauls were carried out, between August 2009 and April 2010 seasonally in the Gulf of Antalya, at six stations and six depth levels (25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200 m) using a commercial bottom trawl. Dasyatis species were sampled from 65 hauls and the frequency of occurrence was 56.03% for D. pastinaca, 11.21% for D. marmorata, 2.59% for D. centroura and 0.86% for D. tortonesei. The overall mean abundance and biomass was 55.32 ind./kmand 107.53 kg/kmfor D. pastinaca; 2.54 ind./kmand 2.56 kg/kmfor D. marmorata, 0.50 ind./kmand 25.97 kg/kmfor D. centroura and 0.25 ind./kmand 1.34 kg/kmfor D. tortonesei. The general TL-W, DL-W and DW-W were described by the equations: W = 0.023*TL2.76 ; W = 0.0999*DL2.74 and W = 0.037*DW2.97 for D. pastinaca; W = 0.002*TL3.23; W = 0.034*DL3.02 and W = 0.0045*DW3.59 for D. marmorata; and W = 0.00001*TL4.04; W = 1.481*DL2.16 and W= 0.141*DW2.59 for D.centroura.

Keywords: Stingray, Dasyatis, seasonal trawl survey, Antalya, Mediterranean Sea

References

Abdul Malak, D., Livingstone, S.R., Pollard, D., Polidoro, B.A., Cuttelod, A., Bariche, M., Bilecenoglu, M., Carpenter, K.E., Collette, B.B., Francour, P., Goren, M., Kara, M.H., Massutí, E., Papaconstantinou, C., Tunesi, L. (2011) Overview of the Conservation Status of the Marine Fishes of the Mediterranean Sea. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Malaga, Spain, 68 pp.

Anonymous (2012) Turkish Fisheries Regulation (TFR) No 3/1. Instructions for the Regulation of Commercial Marine and Inland Fishery in 2012–2016 Fishing Period: Notification No. 2012/65. Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ankara, 112 pp. (in Turkish).

Başusta, A., Başusta, N., Sulikowski, J.A., Driggers, W.B., Demirhan, S.A., Cicek, E. (2012) Length–weight relationships for nine species of batoids from Iskenderun Bay, Turkey. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 28(5): 850-851.

Başusta, N., Başusta, A., Ozer, E.I., Calta, M., Girgin, H. (2013) The most reliable vertebrae for age determination in Dasyatis pastinaca. Rapp. Comm. int. Mer Médit. 40: 488.

Başusta, N., Erdem, Ü. (2000) A study on the pelagic and demersal fishes of Iskenderun Bay. Turk J. Zool. 24: 1-19.

Başusta, N., Kumlu, M., Gökçe, M.A., Göçer, M. (2002) Seasonal change and productivity index of species by trawled in Yumurtalık Bay. E.U. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 19 (1-2): 29-34 (in Turkish).

Başusta, N., Sulikowski, J.A. (2012) The oldest estimated age for roughtail stingray Dasyatis centroura (Mitchill, 1815) from the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 28: 641-642.

Bat, L., Erdem, Y., Ustaoğlu, S., Yardım, Ö., Satılmış, H.H. (2005) A study on the fishes of the central Black Sea coast of Turkey. J. Black Sea/ Mediterranean Environment 11: 281–96.

Bernardes, R.A., Figueiredo, J.L., Rodrigues, A.R., Fischer, L.G., Vooren, C.M., Haimovici, M., Rossi- Wongtschowski, C.L.D.B. (2005) Fish of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Southeast-South of Brazil. Lifting with Traps, Pargueiras and Bottom Trawl. EDUSP, São Paulo, 295 pp.

Bigelow, H.B., Schroeder, W.C. (1953) Fishes of the Western North Atlantic, Part 2; Sawfishes, Guitarfishes, Skates and Rays, and Chimaeroids. Mem. Sears Found. Mar. Res.588 pp.

Bilecenoğlu, M. (2014) Substantiated record of Dasyatis marmorata (Steindachner, 1892) from the northeastern Levant. In: Collective Article A, Medit. Mar. Sci. 15(1): 205-206.

Bottari, T., Busalacchi, B., Profeta, A., Mancuso, M., Giordano, D. (2014) Elasmobranch distribution and assemblages in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean). J. Aquac. Res. Development 5(2): 216.

Bradai, M.N., Saidi, B., Enajjar, S. (2012) Elasmobranchs of the Mediterranean and Black Sea: Status, Ecology and Biology. Bibliographic analysis. Studies and Reviews, General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, No. 91, FAO, Rome, 103 pp.

Capapé, C. (1990) Observations sur la biologie de la reproduction de Dasyatis marmorata (Steindachner, 1892) (Pisces, Dasyatidae) de la Mer des Bibans (Tunisie Me´ridionale). Rapp. Comm. int. Mer Médit. 32: 263.

Capapé, C., Guelorget, O., Quignard, J.P., El Abed, A., Ben Souissi, J., Zaouali, J. (2004) The elasmobranch species from the Bahiret El Biban (southern Tunisia, central Mediterranean): a survey. Annales, series Historia Naturalis 14(1): 19-28.

Capapé, C., Zaouali, J. (1992) Le régime alimentaire de la pastenague marbrée, Dasyatis marmorata (Pisces, Dasyatidae), des eaux Tunisiennes. Vie etmilieu 42 (3-4): 269-276.

Capapé, C., Zaouali, J. (1995) Reproductive biology of the marbled stingray, Dasyatis marmorata (Steindachner, 1982) (Pisces: Dasyatidae) in Tunisian waters (Central Mediterranean). Journal of Aquariculture and Aquatic Sciences 7: 108–119.

Compagno, L.J.V. (1999) Checklist of living elasmobranchs. In : Sharks, Skates, and Rays: the Biology of Elasmobranch Fishes (ed. W.C. Hamlett), John Hopkins University Press, Maryland, USA, pp. 471-498.

Cowley, P.D., Compagno, L.J.V. (1993) A taxonomic re-evaluation of the blue stingray from southern Africa (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae). South African Journal of Marine Science 13: 135-149.

Damalas, D., Vassilopoulou, V. (2009) Chondrichthyan by-catches and discards in the bottom trawl fishery of the central Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). In: Proceedings of 9th Panhellenic Conference of Oceanography and Fisheries Vol 9, pp. 935-940.

Damalas, D., Vassilopoulou, V. (2011) Chondrichthyan by-catch and discards in the demersal trawl fishery of the central Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). Fisheries Research 108(1): 142-152.

Deval, M.C., Güven, O., Saygu, İ., Kebapçıoğlu, T. (2014) Length‐weight relationships of 10 fish species found off Antalya Bay, eastern Mediterranean. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 30(3): 567-568.

Dulcic, J., Jardas, I., Onofri, V., Bolotin, J. (2003) The roughtail stingray Dasyatis centroura (Pisces: Dasyatidae) and spiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela (Pisces: Gymnuridae) from the southern Adriatic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK 83(04): 871-872.

El Kamel, O., Mnasri, N., Ben Souissi, J., Boumaïza, M., Ben Amor, M.M., Capapé, C. (2009) Inventory of elasmobranch species caught in the Lagoon of Bizerte (North-eastern Tunisia, central Mediterranean). Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences 4(4): 383-412.

Ergüden, D., Turan, C., Gurlek, M., Uyan, A., Reyhaniye, A.N. (2014) First record of marbled stingray, Dasyatis marmorata (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae), on the coast of Turkey, north-eastern Mediterranean. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 44(2) : 159-161.

Golani, D., Capapé, C. (2004) First records of the blue stingray, Dasyatis chrysonota (Smith, 1828) (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae), off the coast of Israel (eastern Mediterranean). Acta Adriatica 45(1): 107-113.

Gurbet, R., Akyol, O., Yalçın, E., Özaydın, O. (2013) Discards in bottom trawl fishery in the Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay, Turkey). Journal of Applied Ichthyology 29(6): 1269-1274.

Gücü, A.C., Bingel, F. (1994) Trawlable species assemblages on the continental shelf on the North Eastern Levant Seas (Mediterranean) with an emphasis on Lessepsian migration. Acta Adriat. 35: 83-100.

İşmen, A. (2003) Age, growth, reproduction and food of common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca L., 1758) in İskenderun Bay, the eastern Mediterranean. Fisheries Research 60(1): 169-176.

JICA (1993) Report of Demersal Fisheries Resource Survey in the Republic of Turkey. JICA, AFF, JR (63), Ankara, pp. 579.

Kabasakal, H. (2002) Elasmobranch species of the seas of Turkey. Annales, series Historia Naturalis 12(1): 15-22.

Kallianiotis, A., Sophronidis, K., Vidoris, P., Tselepides, A. (2000) Demersal fish and megafaunal assemblages on the Cretan continental shelf and slope (NE Mediterranean): seasonal variation in species density, biomass and diversity. Progress in Oceanography 46(2): 429-455.

Karakulak, F.S., Erk, H., Bilgin, B. (2006) Length–weight relationships for 47 coastal fish species from the northern Aegean Sea, Turkey. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 22(4): 274-278.

Massutí, E., Moranta, J. (2003) Demersal assemblages and depth distribution of elasmobranchs from the continental shelf and slope off the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean). ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil 60(4): 753-766.

Maurin C., Bonnet, M. (1970) Poissons des côtesnord-ouest africaines (campagnes de la Thalassa), (1962 et 1968). Revue des Travaux de l’Institut scientifique et technique des Pêches maritimes 34: 125–170.

McEachran, J.D., Capapé, C. (1984) Dasyatidae. In: Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (eds., P.J.P. Whitehead, M.L. Bauchot, J.C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese). UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 1, pp.197-202.

Michael, S.W. (1993) Reef Sharks and Rays of the World. A Guide to Their Identification, Behavior, and Ecology. Sea Challengers, Monterey, California.107 pp.

Morey, G., Moranta, J., Massuti, E., Grau, A., Linde, M., Riera, F., Morales- in, B. (2003) Weight–length relationships of littoral to lower slope fishes from the western Mediterranean. Fisheries Research 62 (1): 89-96.

Mulas, A., Bellodi, A., Cau, A.L., Gastoni, A., Locci, I., Folles, M.C. (2011) Trophic interactions among chondrichthyans in the Central-Western Mediterranean Sea. Biol. Mar. Mediterr. 18(1): 81-84.

Muus, B.J., Nielsen, J.G. (1999) Sea Fish. Scandinavian Fishing Year Book, Hedehusene, Denmark. 340 pp.

Ordines, F., Massutí, E., Moranta, J., Quetglas, A., Guijarro, B., Fliti, K. (2011) Balearic Islands vs Algeria: two nearby western Mediterranean elasmobranch assemblages with different oceanographic scenarios and fishing histories. Scientia Marina 75(4): 707-717.

Özgür Özbek, E., Kebapçıoğlu, T., Çardak, M. (2013) Spatio-temporal patternsof abundance, biomass and length-weight relationship of white grouper, Epinephelus aeneus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) (Pisces: Serranidae) in the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey (Levantine Sea). J. Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment 19(1): 23-45.

Pallaoro, A., Jardas, I., Santic, M. (2005) Weight-length relationships for 11 chondrichthyan species in the eastern Adriatic Sea. Cybium 29(1): 93-96.

Pauly, D. (1984) Fish Population Dynamics in Tropical Waters: a Manual for Use with Programmable Calculators. ICLARM Studies and Reviews 8. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, Manila, Philippines, 325 pp.

Prodanov, K., Mikhaylov, K., Daskalov, G., Maxim, K., Ozdamar, E., Shlyakhov, V., Chashchin, A., Arkhipov, A. (1997) Environmental Management of Fish Resources in the Black Sea and their Rational Exploitation. Studies and Reviews. GFCM, vol. 68. FAO, Rome, 178 pp.

Relini, G., Mannini, A., De Ranieri, S., Bitetto, I., Follesa, M.C., Gancitano, V., Manfredi, C., Casciaro, L., Sion, L. (2010) Chondrichthyes caught during the Medits surveys in Italian waters. Biol. Mar. Mediterr. 17(1): 186-204.

Saadaoui, A. (2010) Recherche sur la systématique des Dasyatidés: Statut de Dasyatis tortonesei (Capapé, 1977) en Tunisie. Master. Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Tunisie, 80 pp.

Saadaoui, A., Saidi, B., Bradai, M.N. (2013) Diet of common stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gulf Of Gabès (South-Central Mediterranean). Rapp. Comm. int. Mer Médit. 40: 503.

Salihoğlu, İ., Mutlu, E. (2000) National marine research and monitoring programme, Mediterranean, Marmara Sea, Turkish Straits System, Black Sea and atmosphere sub-projects. 1995-1999 Period Synthesis Report. 189

Santic, M., Paladin, A., Agovic, A. (2011) Diet of common stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) in the eastern Adriatic Sea. Cahiers de biologie marine 52(3): 349-356.

Serena, F. (2005) Field Identification Guide to the Sharks and Rays of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. Rome, FAO, 97pp.

Spare, P., Veneme, S.C. (1992) Introduction to Tropical Fish Stock Assessment (Part 1). FAO Fish. Tech. Pap., Rome.

StatSoft Inc. (2004) Statistica (data analysis software system), Version 7. Available at www.statsoft.com (accessed 29 Dec. 2011). Stevens, J.D., Bonfil, R., Dulvy, N.K., Walker, P.A. (2000) The effects of fishing on sharks, rays, and chimaeras (chondrichthyans), and the implications for marine ecosystems. ICEAS Journal of Marine Science 57: 476-494.

Weatherley, A.H., Gill, H.S. (1987) The Biology of Fish Growth. Academic Press, London, 443 pp.

Yeldan, H., Avsar, D. (2006) Sediment structure and occurrence of skates and rays inhabiting in Babadillimani bight located in northeastern Mediterranean. In : The Proceedings of the International Workshop on Mediterranean Cartilaginous Fish with Emphasis on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, 14– 16 Oct, 06, Atakoy Marina, İstanbul, Turkey. TUDAV, Istanbul, pp. 35–41.

Yeldan, H., Avsar, D. (2007) Length–weight relationship for five elasmobranch species from the Cilician Basin shelf waters (Northeastern Mediterranean). Journal of Applied Ichthyology 23(6): 713-714.

Yeldan, H., Avsar, D., Manaşırlı, M. (2009) Age, growth and feeding of the common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca, L., 1758) in the Cilician coastal basin, northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 25(s1): 98-102.

Yeldan, H., Avşar, D., Mavruk, S., Manaşırlı, M. (2013) Temporal changes in some Rajiformes species of cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) from the west coast of İskenderun Bay (northeastern Mediterranean). Turkish Journal of Zoology 37(6): 693-698.

Yemişken, E., Dalyan, C., Eryılmaz, L. (2014) Catch and discardfish species of trawl fisheries in the Iskenderun Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean) with emphasis on lessepsian and chondricthyan species. Mediterranean Marine Science 15(2): 380-389.

Yığın, C.C., İşmen, A. (2012) Age, growth and reproduction of the common stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca from the North Aegean Sea. Marine Biology Research 8(7): 644-653.

Zaitsev, Y.P., Alexandrov, B.G. (1998) Black Sea Biological Diversity, Ukraine. Black Sea Environmental Series, 7. United Nations Publications, New York, 351 pp.