Plastic Responses of Gilthead Seabream Sparus aurata to Wild and Aquaculture Pressured Environments

Fish farms, as artificial marine structures with a constant food supply, have high capacity to attract surrounding wild fish. Different phenotypes of abundant gilthead seabream been recorded in natural and aquaculture pressured environments the eastern Adriatic Sea, where influence tuna farming on plastic traits associated habitat use foraging behaviour remains largely unknown. Several traits, such body otolith shape, external colouration, diet preference, proximate tissue content, were analysed examine selection farm-associated phenotype comparison farmed phenotypes. Foraging behavioural shifts prey selectivity, from hard-shelled bivalves towards soft textured baitfish feed, local hydrodynamic conditions initiated responses seabream. Consequently, morphological connected feeding swimming performance paler vs. vivid colouration patterns differed between fish, highlighting existence resource polymorphism While shape proved be reliable phenotypic tracer distinguishing reduced sensitivity was found individuals residing vicinity farms ones. To fully understand impact fish its response distinctive morph outcome, underlying molecular mechanisms involved regulation alternative needs investigated.