COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF THE JUVENILE OF COASTAL PELAGIC FISH SPECIES IN THE CANARY-ISLANDS WATERS

The coastal pelagic fish community structure during the juvenile stage s was analysed with the objective of understanding the segregation of fish species for better exploitation of habitat resources (food and vi tal space). Fish segregate in spatial and temporal dimensions, food be ing the principal factor that regulates the community structure. Fish species were classified under three trophic categories: the first one, composed by the most frequently caught species, included strict zoopl anktivorous species, at least during their coastal stage (Atherina pre sbyter, Sardina pilchardus and Boops boops); the second one was compos ed by species (Scomber japonicus, Sardinella aurita and Oblada melanur a) less frequent in catches and whith mixed diets of fish and zooplank ton. Specimens of A. presbyter and juveniles of S. pilchardus were fou nd in the stomach contents of fish of the second category. The third o ne was composed of another species (Trachynotus ovatus) which was rela tively highly abundant in catches and shaved a more specific diet base d on insects and in which zooplankton played a less important role. Th ere was a simultaneous development in space and time of juveniles of A therina presbyter, Sardina pilchardus and Boops boops. Juveniles of Sc omber japonicus were only detected seasonally coinciding with the pres ence of early juveniles of the later species.