Energy density and lipid content of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Catalan Sea, Northwestern Mediterranean Sea

40th CIESM Congress: The largest Forum on Mediterranean and Black Sea Research, 28 October - 1 November 2013, Marseille, France.-- 1 page, 1 figure, 1 tableIn order to develop a bioenergetic model and obtain the adequate data on energy allocation to growth and reproduction, samples of two small pelagic fishes (anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus and sardine, Sardina pilchardus) were collected off the Catalan Sea to study their annual cycle in the context of Dynamic Energy Budget theory. Seasonal lipid content (% of wet weight, W ) was determined in both species as well as the energy density (E , kJ g W ) of individuals from summer and winter by direct calorimetry. Sardine has higher lipid content than anchovy and both species present their maximum in spring. The E values obtained are 4,48 - 4,61 kJ·g W for anchovy and 4,74 - 4,97 kJ·g W for sardine. The present study provides for the first time energetic data from direct analysis in this regionPeer Reviewe