TY - JOUR T1 - Large spatial scale variation of demersal fish assemblage structure on the continental shelf of the NW Mediterranean Sea A1 - Gaertner,J A1 - Bertrand,Jacques A1 - de Sola,L A1 - Durbec,J A1 - Ferrandis,E A1 - Souplet,Arnauld AD - Ctr Oceanol Marseille, LMGEM, UMR 6117, CNRS, F-13007 Marseille, France. AD - IFREMER, Lab Ecol Halieut, F-44311 Nantes, France. AD - Ctr Oceanog Malaga, IEO, Fuengirola 29640, Malaga, Spain. AD - Univ Alicante, E-03080 Alicante, Spain. AD - IFREMER, Lab Ressources Halieut, F-34203 Sete, France. UR - https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3623/ DO - 10.3354/meps297245 KW - Mediterranean Sea KW - Management units KW - Species diversity KW - Assemblage structure KW - Demersal fishes N2 - The spatial structure of demersal fish assemblages on the continental shelf of the NW Mediterranean Sea was examined on a large scale between the Straits of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Lions. In contrast to its predominant role in the spatial distribution of species composition, described worldwide, it seems depth has only a limited effect on the distribution patterns of the total abundance and diversity of demersal fishes. In addition, evidence is provided for the division of the whole study area into 3 geographical fish assemblages. The influence of Atlantic inputs and the semi-permanent Almena-Oran hydrographic front play a key role in defining the Alboran Sea as a specific fish fauna area. Moreover, the clear differentiation between 2 distinct assemblages in the Gulf of Lions and the Catalan Sea could be partly linked to the North Balearic front. These results contribute to the current debate on the definition of spatial units for the purpose of demersal fisheries management. They also stress the complexity of developing an ecosystem approach which deals simultaneously with species composition and biodiversity aspects of ecosystems management. Y1 - 2005/08 PB - Inter-Research JF - Marine Ecology Progress Series SN - 0171-8630 VL - 297 SP - 245 EP - 257 ID - 3623 ER -