Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

Editorial

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2 pages, 158 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Coastal Fish Research

by Francesco Tiralongo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(5), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9050546 - 18 May 2021

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Abstract

Coastal fish are key components of marine ecosystems, influencing, directly or indirectly, marine life worldwide [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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12 pages, 1838 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Invasive Species Control: Predation on the Alien Crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Malacostraca: Percnidae) by the Rock Goby, Gobius paganellus Linnaeus, 1758 (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae)

by Francesco Tiralongo, Giuseppina Messina and Bianca Maria Lombardo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(4), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9040393 - 7 Apr 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6079

Abstract

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the greatest causes of native species extinction. Indeed, they represent a global threat for biodiversity and can also affect the economy and human health. The colonization success of IAS is presumably not only due to their [...] Read more.

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the greatest causes of native species extinction. Indeed, they represent a global threat for biodiversity and can also affect the economy and human health. The colonization success of IAS is presumably not only due to their biological and ecological characteristics, but also to the lack of predators and/or parasites in the invaded new areas. In the present work, we demonstrate evidence of predation of the invasive alien crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) by the Rock Goby Gobius paganellus Linnaeus, 1758. The diet of G. paganellus was studied analyzing the stomach content of 162 specimens collected in the central Mediterranean Sea. The results obtained from the calculation of the diet indices, namely, frequency of occurrence (%F), percentage weight (%W), percentage abundance (%N), and the Index of Relative Importance (%IRI), showed that small benthic crustaceans were the main prey types. Additionally, these indices and the Levins’ index (Bi) clearly indicated that the invasive crab P. gibbesi was by far the most abundant prey type in the diet of G. paganellus. The relevance of this predator–prey interaction and the role of native species for the biological control of invasive ones are discussed. We also provide a general view on the diet of G. paganellus and other biological and ecological aspects of specimens studied from the central Mediterranean Sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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15 pages, 4948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aspects of Reproductive Biology of the European Hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea (GSA 17-Central Mediterranean Sea)

by Michela Candelma, Luca Marisaldi, Daniela Bertotto, Giuseppe Radaelli, Giorgia Gioacchini, Alberto Santojanni, Sabrina Colella and Oliana Carnevali

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(4), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9040389 - 7 Apr 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3483

Abstract

The study focused on the macroscopic, histological, and biometric analysis of European hake females in GSA 17 (Central-North Adriatic Sea). From 2013 to 2015, 976 females were collected and analyzed monthly. Though females in spawning conditions were found during the whole year, the [...] Read more.

The study focused on the macroscopic, histological, and biometric analysis of European hake females in GSA 17 (Central-North Adriatic Sea). From 2013 to 2015, 976 females were collected and analyzed monthly. Though females in spawning conditions were found during the whole year, the trend of GSI showed a peak of the reproductive season from April to July in 2014 and 2015. HSI and K_n reached the highest values in September, after the spawning peaks. In 2013, the trend of these indices did not highlight an evident peak, probably due to an adverse event that occurred in the previous winter in the Adriatic shelf. The length at first maturity (L₅₀) was estimated by macroscopic and histological approaches, resulting in 30.81 cm for the macroscopical length and 33.73 cm for the histological length; both values are higher than the current catching legal size. For the first time in this area, batch and relative fecundity were estimated. Relative fecundity was similar to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic stocks, whereas batch fecundity values were lower compared to other fishing grounds. Overall, the analysis of reproductive parameters plays a fundamental role in the sustainable management of this resource in an area as overfished as the Central-North Adriatic Sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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18 pages, 749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Drivers behind the Structure and Diversity of Fish Assemblages Associated with Rocky Shores in the Galapagos Archipelago

by Stijn Bruneel, Wout Van Echelpoel, Long Ho, Heleen Raat, Amber Schoeters, Niels De Troyer, Ratha Sor, José Ponton-Cevallos, Ruth Vandeputte, Christine Van der heyden, Nancy De Saeyer, Marie Anne Eurie Forio, Rafael Bermudez, Luis Dominguez-Granda, Stijn Luca, Tom Moens and Peter Goethals

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(4), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9040375 - 1 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4294

Abstract

Oceanic islands harbor unique yet fragile marine ecosystems that require evidence-based environmental management. Among these islands, the Galapagos archipelago is well known for its fish diversity, but the factors that structure communities within and between its islands remain poorly understood. In this study, [...] Read more.

Oceanic islands harbor unique yet fragile marine ecosystems that require evidence-based environmental management. Among these islands, the Galapagos archipelago is well known for its fish diversity, but the factors that structure communities within and between its islands remain poorly understood. In this study, water quality, physical habitats and geographical distance were assessed as potential predictors for the diversity and structure of fish assemblages. Differences in the structure of fish assemblages of the two studied islands (Santa Cruz and Floreana) were most likely driven by temperature and nutrient concentrations. In the relatively highly populated island Santa Cruz, the structure of fish assemblages was more affected by water conditions than physical habitats while the contrary was true for the more pristine area of Floreana. A wide variety of species with different geographical origins were distributed over the different islands, which indicates that most fish species are able to reach the islands of the archipelago. However, temperature gradients and elevated nutrient levels cause large differences in the structure of local fish assemblages. In addition, in Santa Cruz nutrient concentrations were negatively correlated with

α

diversity. Since pollution is a clear pressure on the fish assemblages of oceanic islands, environmental management of the coastal areas is of paramount importance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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16 pages, 1888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Challenge to Observe Antarctic Toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) under Fast Ice

by Davide Di Blasi, Simonepietro Canese, Erica Carlig, Steven J. Parker, Eva Pisano, Marino Vacchi and Laura Ghigliotti

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(3), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9030255 - 28 Feb 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2998

Abstract

In situ observation of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) is challenging as they typically live at depths greater than 500 m, in dark and ice-covered Antarctic waters. Searching for adequate methodologies to survey Antarctic toothfish in their habitat, we tested a miniaturized [...] Read more.

In situ observation of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) is challenging as they typically live at depths greater than 500 m, in dark and ice-covered Antarctic waters. Searching for adequate methodologies to survey Antarctic toothfish in their habitat, we tested a miniaturized Baited Remote Underwater Video camera (BRUV), deployed through holes drilled in the sea ice in the Ross Sea region, over three field seasons. In 2015 three BRUVs were deployed at McMurdo Sound, and paired with a vertical longline sampling. In 2017, three opportunistic deployments were performed at Terra Nova Bay. In 2018 seven deployments at Terra Nova Bay provided preliminary data on the habitat preferences of the species. The design and configuration of the mini-BRUV allowed to collect high-quality video imagery of 60 Antarctic toothfish in 13 deployments from the fast sea ice. The behaviour of fish at the bait, intra-species interactions, and potential biases in individual counting were investigated, setting baselines for future studies on the abundance and distribution of Antarctic toothfish in sea-ice covered areas. This work represents the first step towards the development of protocols for non-extractive monitoring of the Antarctic toothfish in the high-Antarctica coastal shelf areas, of great value in the Ross Sea region where the largest MPA of the world has recently been established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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18 pages, 3987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Population Genetic Diversity of Two Marine Gobies (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from the North-Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea

by Katarína Čekovská, Radek Šanda, Kristýna Eliášová, Marcelo Kovačić, Stamatis Zogaris, Anna Maria Pappalardo, Tereza Soukupová and Jasna Vukić

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(10), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8100792 - 13 Oct 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4088

Abstract

Gobies (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) are the most species-rich family of fishes in general, and the most abundant fish group in the European seas. Nonetheless, our knowledge on many aspects of their biology, including the population genetic diversity, is poor. Although barriers to gene flow [...] Read more.

Gobies (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) are the most species-rich family of fishes in general, and the most abundant fish group in the European seas. Nonetheless, our knowledge on many aspects of their biology, including the population genetic diversity, is poor. Although barriers to gene flow are less apparent in the marine environment, the ocean is not a continuous habitat, as has been shown by studies on population genetics of various marine biota. For the first time, European marine goby species which cannot be collected by common fishery techniques were studied. The population genetic structure of two epibenthic species, Gobius geniporus and Gobius cruentatus, from seven localities across their distribution ranges was assessed, using one mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and one nuclear gene (first intron of ribosomal protein gene S7). Our results showed that there is a great diversity of haplotypes of mitochondrial gene cytochrome b in both species at all localities. Global fixation indices (F_ST) indicated a great differentiation of populations in both studied gobies. Our results did not show a geographic subdivision to individual populations. Instead, the data correspond with the model of migration which allow divergence and recurrent migration from the ancestral population. The estimated migration routes coincide with the main currents in the studied area. This matches well the biology of the studied species, with adults exhibiting only short-distance movements and planktonic larval stages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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11 pages, 3257 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Bioaccumulation of Metals/Metalloids and Histological and Immunohistochemical Changes in the Tissue of the European Hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Gadiformes: Merlucciidae), for Environmental Pollution Assessment

by Antonio Salvaggio, Roberta Pecoraro, Chiara Copat, Margherita Ferrante, Alfina Grasso, Elena Maria Scalisi, Sara Ignoto, Vincenza Serena Bonaccorsi, Giuseppina Messina, Bianca Maria Lombardo, Francesco Tiralongo and Maria Violetta Brundo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(9), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8090712 - 15 Sep 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3879

Abstract

Pollution and other types of environmental stress do not spare marine environments, especially those affected by high industrial pressure. Fish, especially coastal species, are used for monitoring the marine environment because they are particularly efficient as bioindicators thanks to their ability to bioaccumulate [...] Read more.

Pollution and other types of environmental stress do not spare marine environments, especially those affected by high industrial pressure. Fish, especially coastal species, are used for monitoring the marine environment because they are particularly efficient as bioindicators thanks to their ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify along the trophic chain. The aim of this research is to evaluate the bioaccumulation and the indirect bioindication ability of the European Hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758), one of the most important commercial fish species of the Mediterranean Sea. Morphological and histological alterations of the main target organs, such as liver and gills, have been investigated and the results showed a steatosis in the hepatic tissue. The accumulation of heavy metals has been analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and for several metals it was showed a different concentration in the two sexes. Moreover, the expression of metallothioneins 1 and Heat Shock Protein 70 has been assessed by immunohistochemistry and did not show high level of expression. We underline the importance of contamination evaluation in commercial fish species and the utilization of the ichthyofauna as bioindicator of environmental quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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13 pages, 3280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Influence on the Spatiotemporal Variability of Spawning Grounds in the Western Guangdong Waters, South China Sea

by Yao Lu, Jing Yu, Zhaojin Lin and Pimao Chen

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(8), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8080607 - 15 Aug 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3048

Abstract

Spawning grounds occupy an important position in the supplementary population of fishery resources, especially in Western Guangdong waters (WGWs) in the northern South China Sea (SCS), where fishery resources are being depleted. This study investigated the environmental effects on the spatiotemporal variability of [...] Read more.

Spawning grounds occupy an important position in the supplementary population of fishery resources, especially in Western Guangdong waters (WGWs) in the northern South China Sea (SCS), where fishery resources are being depleted. This study investigated the environmental effects on the spatiotemporal variability of spawning grounds in WGWs, on the basis of generalized additive models (GAMs) and central spawning-ground gravity (CoSGG) by using satellite and in situ observations. Results showed that 57.2% of the total variation in fish-egg density in WGWs was explained. On the basis of stepwise GAMs, the most important factor was sea surface salinity (SSS), with a contribution of 32.1%, followed by sea surface temperature (SST), water depth, month, and chlorophyll a concentration (Chl-a), with contributions of 10.7%, 8.8%, 2.6%, and 2.6%, respectively. Offshore distance had slight influence on the model, explaining approximately 0.4% of the variation in fish-egg density. In summary, fish eggs in WGWs were mainly distributed in the area with SSS of 32.0–34.0 Practical Salinity Unit (PSU), SST of 24–27 °C, and depth of 0–18 m. CoSGG shifted eastwards by 0.38° N and northwards by 0.26° E from April to June. The distribution of spawning grounds in the WGW was affected by the Western Guangdong coastal current (WGCC), cyclonic circulation, the SCS warm current (SCSWC), and changes in the habitat environment (such as SST). Fish in WGWs tend to spawn in areas with a high seabed slope and steep terrain (near the Qiongzhou Strait). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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14 pages, 3057 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Relative Influence of Environmental Factors on Biodiversity and Behavioural Traits of a Rare Mesopelagic Fish, Trachipterus trachypterus (Gmelin, 1789), in a Continental Shelf Front of the Mediterranean Sea

by Armando Macali, Alexander Semenov, Francesco Paladini de Mendoza, Alessia Dinoi, Elisa Bergami and Francesco Tiralongo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(8), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8080581 - 2 Aug 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5110

Abstract

Coastal environments can be influenced by water body masses with particular physical, chemical, and biological properties that create favourable conditions for the development of unique planktonic communities. In this study, we investigated a continental shelf front at Ponza Island (Tyrrhenian Sea) and discussed [...] Read more.

Coastal environments can be influenced by water body masses with particular physical, chemical, and biological properties that create favourable conditions for the development of unique planktonic communities. In this study, we investigated a continental shelf front at Ponza Island (Tyrrhenian Sea) and discussed its diversity and complexity in relation to major environmental parameters. Moon phase and current direction were found to play a significant role in shaping species abundance and behaviour. During in situ observations, we also provided the first data on the behaviour of juveniles of a rare mesopelagic species, Trachipterus trachypterus, suggesting the occurrence of Batesian mimicry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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15 pages, 2958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fish Assemblage Structure Comparison between Freshwater and Estuarine Habitats in the Lower Nakdong River, South Korea

by Joo Myun Park, Ralf Riedel, Hyun Hee Ju and Hee Chan Choi

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(7), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8070496 - 5 Jul 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3912

Abstract

Variabilities of biological communities in lower reaches of urban river systems are highly influenced by artificial constructions, alterations of flow regimes and episodic weather events. Impacts of estuary weirs on fish assemblages are particularly distinct because the weirs are disturbed in linking between [...] Read more.

Variabilities of biological communities in lower reaches of urban river systems are highly influenced by artificial constructions, alterations of flow regimes and episodic weather events. Impacts of estuary weirs on fish assemblages are particularly distinct because the weirs are disturbed in linking between freshwater and estuarine fish communities, and migration successes for regional fish fauna. This study conducted fish sampling at the lower reaches of the Nakdong River to assess spatio-temporal variations in fish assemblages, and effects of estuary weir on structuring fish assemblage between freshwater and estuary habitats. In total, 20,386 specimens comprising 78 species and 41 families were collected. The numerical dominant fish species were Tachysurus nitidus (48.8% in total abundance), Hemibarbus labeo (10.7%) and Chanodichthys erythropterus (3.6%) in the freshwater region, and Engraulis japonicus (10.0%), Nuchequula nuchalis (7.7%) and Clupea pallasii (5.2%) in the estuarine site. The fish sampled were primarily small species or the juveniles of larger species at the estuary region, while all life stages of fishes were observed at the freshwater habitats. The diversity patterns of fish assemblages varied greatly according to study site and season, with higher trends at estuarine sites during the warm-rainy season. No significant difference in diversity between freshwater and estuarine sites during the cold-dry season were found. Multivariate analyses of fish assemblage showed spatial and seasonal differences of assemblage structures. Higher effects of between-site variability but not within seasonal variability at each site were observed. Variations in assemblage structures were due to different contributions of dominant species in each habitat. Common freshwater species characterized the fish assemblage in the freshwater region, while marine juveniles were significantly associated with the estuarine habitat. The results from the ecological guild analyses showed distinct ecological roles for freshwater and marine species, and overlapping roles for fish sampled at the fishways. The lower reaches of the Nakdong River are an important ecosystem for both freshwater and marine juveniles. Nakdong River estuarine residents and migrant fishes, however, have been negatively affected by the construction of the weir (gravity dam), due to the obstruction to migration from and to freshwater habitats. Conservation and management policies aimed at minimizing anthropogenic influences on estuary ecosystems should focus on evaluating ecological functions of estuary weirs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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11 pages, 2152 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Biological Aspects of Juveniles of the Common Stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca (Linnaeus, 1758) (Elasmobranchii, Dasyatidae), from the Central Mediterranean Sea

by Francesco Tiralongo, Giuseppina Messina and Bianca Maria Lombardo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(4), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8040269 - 10 Apr 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4872

Abstract

Data on the biology of Dasyatis pastinaca are absent from the Ionian Sea and only a few studies were conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. Some biological and ecological aspects of D. pastinaca were investigated between November 2019 and February 2020 in the central [...] Read more.

Data on the biology of Dasyatis pastinaca are absent from the Ionian Sea and only a few studies were conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. Some biological and ecological aspects of D. pastinaca were investigated between November 2019 and February 2020 in the central Mediterranean Sea. In particular, we investigated several morphologic, population and ecological aspects of the species. The analysis of the stomach contents showed that D. pastinaca is a generalist carnivorous, mainly feeding on small crustaceans and polychaetes. The Levin’s index value (Bi) was 0.85. The sex ratio showed no significant differences from 1:1 ratio. Females were larger than males, but no statistical differences were found in disc width-weight and total length-disc width relationships between sexes. Most of the specimens caught were juveniles and inhabit shallow sandy bottoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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11 pages, 5385 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Filling the Gap of Data-Limited Fish Species in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea: A Contribution by Citizen Science

by Roxani Naasan Aga Spyridopoulou, Joachim Langeneck, Dimitris Bouziotis, Ioannis Giovos, Periklis Kleitou and Stefanos Kalogirou

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(2), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8020107 - 10 Feb 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5048

Abstract

The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is rapidly changing due to anthropogenic activity and the recent increase of seawater temperature. Citizen science is escalating as an important contributor in the inventory of rare and data-limited species. In this study, we present several records [...] Read more.

The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is rapidly changing due to anthropogenic activity and the recent increase of seawater temperature. Citizen science is escalating as an important contributor in the inventory of rare and data-limited species. In this study, we present several records of five data-limited native fish species from the eastern Mediterranean Sea: Alectis alexandrina (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817), Ranzania laevis (Pennant, 1776), Dalatias licha (Bonnaterre, 1788), Lophotus lacepede (Giorna, 1809), and Sudis hyalina (Rafinesque, 1810). All of the records were collected by a participatory process involving fishers and validated by associated taxonomic experts of the citizen science programme “Is it Alien to you? Share it!!!”. This study fills an important gap for the distribution of the reported species and signifies the important role of citizen participation as a tool for extending marine biodiversity knowledge and fisheries management in an area with several gaps of knowledge on targeted and non-targeted species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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Review

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15 pages, 1496 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of Estimating Trophic Relationships by Quantitative Fatty Acid Signature Analysis

by Junbo Zhang, Chonglan Ren, Hu Zhang, Fang Yin, Shuo Zhang, Rong Wan and Daisuke Kitazawa

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(12), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8121030 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2711

Abstract

The dynamic predator–prey relations in the food web are vital for understanding the function and structure of ecosystems. Dietary estimation is a research hotspot of quantitative ecology, providing key insights into predator–prey relationships. One of the most promising approaches is quantitative fatty acid [...] Read more.

The dynamic predator–prey relations in the food web are vital for understanding the function and structure of ecosystems. Dietary estimation is a research hotspot of quantitative ecology, providing key insights into predator–prey relationships. One of the most promising approaches is quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA), which is the first generation of statistical tools to estimate the quantitative trophic predator–prey relationships by comparing the fatty acid (FA) signatures among predators and their prey. QFASA has been continuously widely applied, refined and extended since its introduction. This article reviewed the research progress of QFASA from development and application. QFASA reflects the long-term diet of predator, and provides the quantitative dietary composition of predator, but it is sensitive to the metabolism of predator. The calibration coefficients (CCs) and the FA subset are two crucial parameters to explain the metabolism of predators, but the incorrect construction or improper use of CCs and the FA subset may cause bias in dietary estimation. Further study and refinement of the QFASA approach is needed to identify recommendations for which CCs and subsets of FA work best for different taxa and systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Fish Research)

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