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Distribution patterns of adults and juveniles of the golden goby Gobius auratus, were studied at the marine protected area of the Tremiti Archipelago (SE Italy, central Adriatic Sea). Surveys were carried out in three periods chosen at random between June 2002 and June 2003 at six sites randomly located on three (i.e. S. Domino, Caprara and Pianosa) of the four main islands that form part of the Tremiti Archipelago. The abundance of G. auratus was estimated by visual census on rocky cliffs at three depth levels: 5–7, 12–15 and 25–30 m. The results of this study show that 1) G. auratus is fairly evenly distributed in sublittoral rocky cliffs at the Tremiti Archipelago, 2) adults are mainly associated with deep levels (i.e. 25–30 m depth), and 3) juveniles are mostly distributed at shallower depth (i.e. ca. 12–15 m) than adults. These results highlight some ecological features of G. auratus (e. g. depth preference of adults and juveniles), that, as well as many other small cryptobenthic fish specie...

Distribution patterns of the sciaphilic cardinal fish, Apogon imberbis, were investigated by visual census in southern Apulia (SE Italy, Mediterranean Sea) in three shallow marine caves. Sampling was carried out in four periods, from July 2000 to June 2001 and A. imberbis was always found in large numbers inside all three caves. Density values ranged from a few to more than 1800 individuals 100 m‐2. Great numbers of juveniles, about 1 cm long, with a reddish‐transparent livery and grouped in large schools, were found in July 2000 in the three caves. Adult A. imberbis were fairly evenly distributed in time, among caves, as well as within each cave along the axis; recruitment appeared to be the most important process affecting temporal changes in total abundance of A. imberbis. The present study thus showed that marine caves represent important nurseries for recruiting of A. imberbis, as well as the preferred habitat for adults. The fact that A. imberbis may reach such high densities inside marine ...