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:: Current research projects
Agonistic behaviour of juvenile white seabream (Diplodus
sargus): effect on growth
The white seabream, D. sargus, is a commercially
exploited fish with a high market price in the Mediterranean
area, whose catches have declined in the last decade. This
species is also successfully bred and reared up to the age
of about 1 year, before its growth rate slows down making
the rearing process inappropriate for intensive aquaculture
as well as economically unprofitable.
Agonistic interactions between pairs of male juvenile Diplodus
sargus were described and analyzed but its biological
meaning is unknown. Studies with juveniles of other species
show a positive correlation between individual aggression
level and growth rate. This correlation is partly due to the
better competitive ability of the aggressive individuals,
making these individuals able to dominate and sometimes monopolize
high-quality territories.
The aim of this work is to determine whether there is a genetic
correlation between growth rate and aggression in juvenile
white seabram as well as identify the functional meaning of
agonistic behaviours in this specie.
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