Depth dependent distribution of the fish population within the Mljet National Park and Telašćica Nature Park

Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je sakupiti podatke o ihtiofauni Nacionalnog parka Mljet i Parka prirode Telašćica u svrhu praćenja stanja narednih godina. Podaci su prikupljeni metodom vizualnog cenzusa na linijskim transektima unutar tri dubinska razreda uz uporabu autonomne ronilačke opreme. Sve vrste determinirane su in situ. Najčešće vrste, uzimajući u obzir sve dubinske razrede unutar Nacionalnog parka Mljet su Chromis chromis, Coris julis, Boops boops, Diplodus vulgaris, Oblada melanura, Thalassoma pavo, Serranus scriba, Apogon imberbis, Serranus cabrilla i Spicara smaris dok su unutar Parka prirode Telašćica Chromis chromis, Coris julis, Oblada melanura, Diplodus vulgaris, Spicara maena, Sarpa salpa, Serranus cabrilla, Boops boops, Diplodus puntazzo i Diplodus annularis. Najveći broj vrsta, zabilježen je na postajama Rt Križ (NP Mljet) i Strmci (PP Telašćica). S obzirom na ihtiofaunu najviše indekse sličnosti unutar NP Mljet imale su postaje Uvala Stražica i Rt Križ, unutar PP Telašćica postaje Strmci i Veli Garmenjak, dok su usporedbom oba zaštićena područja najsličnije postaje Borovac (NP Mljet) i Veli Garmenjak (PP Telašćica).The aim of this study was to collect data on the ichtyofauna of the Mljet National Park and Telašćica Nature Park in order to monitor the situation in the coming years. The data were collected by the method of visual census along linear transects in the three depth classes, using the SCUBA gear. All species are determined in situ. The most common species, taking into account all the depth classes within the Mljet National park are Chromis chromis, Coris julis, Boops boops, Diplodus vulgaris, Oblada melanura, Thalassoma pavo, Serranus scriba, Apogon imberbis, Serranus cabrilla and Spicara smaris, while within Telašćica Nature Park Chromis chromis, Coris julis, Oblada melanura, Diplodus vulgaris, Spicara maena, Sarpa salpa, Serranus cabrilla, Boops boops, Diplodus puntazzo and Diplodus annularis. The greatest number of species was recorded at stations Rt Križ (Mljet National Park) and Strmci (Nature Park Telašćica). Regarding the ichtyofauna, the highest similarity index within the Mljet National Park was between stations Uvala Stražica and Rt Križ, within the Telašćica Nature Park between stations Strmci and Veli Garmenjak, while comparing those two protected areas between stations Borovac (Mljet National Park) and Veli Garmenjak (Telašćica Nature Park)