First record of Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758 from the central Atlantic coast of Morocco

NADIA BOUZZAMMIT; Hammou  El Habouz; Hassan El Ouizgani

doi:10.21077/ijf.2024.71.4.141895-19

Authors

NADIA BOUZZAMMIT IBN ZOHR UNIVERSITY
Hammou El Habouz Laboratory of Fishing Resources, Regional Center, National Fisheries Research Institute, P.O.B 80000, Anza, Agadir, Morocco
Hassan El Ouizgani Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, P. O. Box 8106, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University Dakhla Avenue, Agadir, Morocco

https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2024.71.4.141895-19

Keywords:

Scomber scombrus, otolith, Atlantic coast, Scomber colias, Agadir

Abstract

The present study reports a new record of Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758, in the central Atlantic coast of Morocco. While this species is widely distributed on both sides of the North Atlantic, its occurrence in Moroccan waters has not been
previously reported and only the species Scomber colias (Gmelin, 1789) has been reported from Atlantic coast of Morocco. In March 2018, 30 specimens of Scomber colias were sampled from the fishing port of Agadir Bay. Among them three individuals were identified
as Scomber scombrus. Their otoliths were analysed for morphology and shape using a binocular microscope. The occurrence of S. scombrus in the area may indicate extension of its distribution to the central Atlantic coast of Morocco, possibily linked to spawning
migration. This finding highlights the need for more focused research on this species in Moroccan waters.

Keywords: Agadir, Atlantic coast, Otolith, Scomber colias, Scomber scombrus

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

NADIA BOUZZAMMIT, IBN ZOHR UNIVERSITY

Phd student
Oceanography and fisheries laboratory
Biology departement

References

Brown-Peterson, N. J., Wyanski, D. M., Sabarido-Rey, F., Macewicz, B. J and Lowerre-Barbieri, S. K. 2011. A standardized terminology for describing reproductive development in fishes. Mar Coast Fish: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science., 3:52–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/19425120.2011

Bouzzammit, N. and El Ouizgani, H. 2019. Morphometric and meristic variation in the Atlantic chub mackerel Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789 from the Moroccan coast. Indian J. Fish., 66: 8-15. DOI: 10.21077/ijf.2019.66.2.78488-02

Correia, A. T., Moura, A., Triay-Portella, R., Santos, P. T., Pinto, E., Almeida, A. A., Sial, A. N. and Muniz, A. A. 2021. Population structure of the chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in the NE Atlantic inferred from otolith elemental and isotopic signatures. Fish. Res., 234,105785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105785.

ICES 2020. Workshop on Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) (WKCOLIAS). ICES Scientific Reports. 2:20. 283 pp. http://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.5970)

Infante, C., Blanco, E., Zuasti, E., Crespo, A. and Manchado, M. 2007. Phylogenetic differentiation between Atlantic Scomber colias and Pacific Scomber japonicus based on nuclear DNA sequences. Genetica, 130:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-006-0014-5

INRH 2017. Annual report on the state of Moroccan stocks and fisheries. Synthesis 2018, National Institute for Fisheries Research, Casablanca, Morocco, p 91. (in French)

Jansen, T., Campbell, A., Kelly, C., Hátún, H. and Payne, M. R. 2012. Migration and Fisheries of North East Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in Autumn and Winter. PLOS ONE, 7(12): e51541. doi : 10.1371/journal.pone.0051541

Martins, M. M. and Cardador, F. 1996. Abundance and distribution pattern of Spanish mackerel (S. japonicus) and mackerel (Scomber scombrus L.) in the Portuguese continental waters (ICES Div: IXa), ICES Document CM 1996/H: 24., p 21.

Martins, M., Skagen, D., Marques, V., Zwolinski, J. and Silva, A. 2013. Changes in the abundance of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in the pelagic ecosystems of Portugal. Sci. Mar., 77: 551-563.

Trucco, M. I., and Buratti, C. C. 2017. Taxonomic review of Argentine mackerel Scomber japonicus (Houttuyn, 1782) by phylogenetic analysis. Mol. Biol. Res. Commun, 6:141-152.

Villamor, B., Abaunza, P. and Fariña, A. C. 2004. Growth variability of mackerel (Scomber scombrus) off north and northwest Spain and a comparative review of the growth patterns in the northeast Atlantic. Fish. Res., 69: 107-121.