Review on the influence of environmental variables in European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) ecology in the Mediterranean Sea

Trabajo final presentado por Elena Fernández Corredor, para el grado de Biología de la Universitat de Barcelona (UB), realizado bajo la dirección de la Dra. María Teresa Sauras de la Universitat de Barcelona (UB) y de la Dra. Marta Coll del Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC).-- 39 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, 1 annexAnchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) aretwoof the most important small pelagic fish species in terms of biomass and commercial interest in the Mediterranean Sea. Their populations are clearly influenced by environmental variations, making them good bio-indicators of climate-driven changes. Here, we reviewed the different environmental variables affecting anchovy and sardine biology by using a systematic review approach including a matrix of methodologies, variables and relationships found. The studies were heterogeneously distributed, being more abundant foranchovy adults in the Western Mediterranean. Among all the environmental variables found significant, temperature, depth, salinity and chlorophyll-a concentration were the most studied for both species.Emphasis was placed on the effect of these four variables, with various relationshipsfound for the different life stagesand areas. This review provides a general insight of how the environment influences growing, spawning, abundance and distribution of anchovyand sardine, andidentifiesgaps of knowledge forfuture researc