Diplodus cervinus

The zebra sea bream (Diplodus cervinus) is a species of seabream belonging to the family Sparidae.

Diplodus cervinus
Diplodus vulgaris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Sparidae
Genus:
Diplodus
Species:
D. cervinus
Binomial name
Diplodus cervinus
(Lowe, 1838)

Description

The zebra seabream has a high compressed laterally body with a pointed snout and thick lips. It is a medium-sized fish which can reach a maximum length of 55 cm, with an average length of 35 cm.[1] Its background color is silvered with dark vertical bands, the first five ones run across the body from the caudal peduncle to the pectoral fins level, another characteristic dark band cross the space between the eyes while crossing them.

Distribution & habitat

Diplodus cervinus is found in eastern Atlantic Ocean from Gulf of Biscay to South Africa and also in Mediterranean Sea.[2] Youth, it prefers shallow and quiet living areas like rocks, piers and grass beds. Adult, it usually lives rocky slopes and wrecks.[3]

Biology

According to the fishing pressure which undergoes on the zebra seabream living area, it has a solitary or gregarious behaviour.[4] The zebra seabream is carnivorous and its diet consist mainly in benthic food like sea urchins, worms and bivalve molluscs.[5]

Overfishing

Diplodus cervinus has many threats to its population. One of the threats is being overfished. The abundance has been reduced by 85% of the unexploited equilibrium level. [6]

Subspecies list

According to World Register of Marine Species:

  • Subspecies Diplodus cervinus cervinus (Lowe, 1838)
  • Subspecies Diplodus cervinus hottentotus (Smith, 1844)
  • Subspecies Diplodus cervinus omanensis Bauchot & Bianchi, 1984

References
  1. Bauchot, M.-L., J.-C. Hureau and J.C. Miguel, 1981. Sparidae. In W. Fischer, G. Bianchi and W.B. Scott (eds.) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Eastern Central Atlantic. (Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part)). volume 4. [var. pag.] FAO, Rome.
  2. http://doris.ffessm.fr/fiche2.asp?fiche_numero=471
  3. Bauchot & Hureau, Fishes of the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean., Paris, UNESCO, 1986
  4. http://doris.ffessm.fr/fiche2.asp?fiche_numero=471
  5. http://doris.ffessm.fr/fiche2.asp?fiche_numero=471
  6. Pajuelo, J.G., Lorenzo, M.J. and Dominguez-Seoane, R. 2003b. Age estimation and growth of the zebra seabream Diplodus cervinus cervinus (Lowe 1838) on the Canary Islands shelf (Central East Atlantic). Fisheries Research 62(1): 97 - 103.
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