not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Structure of nearshore fish assemblages in Algiers coastal waters, Algeria (South Mediterranean Sea)

All around the world, nearshore marine ecosystems are of primary importance. They fulfil many different vital functions for fish, providing food and shelter from predators and a juvenile fish assemblage ground for numerous species. We investigated the relationship between environmental variables and the fish community (species diversity indices and fish assemblage patterns). Monthly beach seine hauls were performed between 0 and 1.5 m depth at 4 sites: Azure beach, Palme Beach and Sidi Fredj (Beach East and West). Fish diversity, spatiotemporal variations in fish assemblages, and relationships between environmental variables and ecological factors were analysed. A total of 5735 individuals, representing 31 species from 17 families, were collected during the 13 months of sampling. Species richness and abundance were highest during late spring and summer, and lowest in winter and autumn. scale. Water temperature was the most important environmental factor influencing species richness and abundance. The combination of the fish assemblages and environmental variables determined in this study contributes to a better understanding of the ecological networks of the beaches of the Algerian coast, thus providing useful data for their conservation and management.