Spatio-temporal Variation of Shallow Microhabitats and Associated Juvenile Fish Assemblages in a Mediterranean Lagoon

Coastal lagoons are known to host numerous resident and migrant fish species. Spatio-temporal variation in abiotic biotic conditions these ecosystems results, however, a mosaic of microhabitats that could differently affect juvenile growth survival. To deepen our understanding habitat requirements their spatio-temporal use lagoons, microhabitat characteristics assemblages were monitored jointly small temperate lagoon (the Prévost lagoon), from March October 2019. A total 2206 fishes belonging 22 species collected. Resident species, especially Atherina boyeri, dominated the assemblage (74%), while, among Sparus aurata (8%) Liza (5%) most represented. Changes overall abundance mainly temporal, following seasonal shifts water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll concentration (44.9% co-inertia). However, results revealed distinct types exist distribution them is non-random. Indeed, richness differed sampling sites relation distance inlet complexity three-dimensional structure (36.5% Juveniles preferentially selected with medium high structural complexity, which essentially created by macroalgae. preferences both ontogenetic stage dependent, more contrasting young juveniles. These underline need for conservation measures consider each as dynamic radically different importance juveniles various colonize them.