Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41725007›Full record

ArticleMovement ecology2026

Movement patterns and connectivity of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in the NW Mediterranean Sea.

Davide Thambithurai, Tarek Hattab, David M P Jacoby, Philippe Lenfant, Bernat Hereu, Fabien Forget, Olivier Breton, Patrick Bonhomme, Eric Charbonnel, Remi Villeneuve and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Movement ecology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Davide ThambithuraiUMR MARBEC, IFREMER, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Sète, 34200, France. davide.thambithurai@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0338-3778
Tarek HattabUMR MARBEC, IFREMER, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Sète, 34200, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1420-5758
David M P JacobyLancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2729-3811
Philippe LenfantUniversité de Perpignan Via Domitia, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens - UMR 5110, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, Perpignan cedex, 66100, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6664-8342
Bernat HereuDepartament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08028, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6247-7638
Fabien ForgetUMR MARBEC, IFREMER, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Sète, 34200, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4845-4277
Olivier BretonParc National des Calanques, Marseille, 13008, France.
Patrick BonhommeParc National des Calanques, Marseille, 13008, France.
Eric CharbonnelParc Marin de la Côte Bleue, Carry-le-Rouet, 13620, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1440-5626
Remi VilleneuveUMR MARBEC, IFREMER, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Sète, 34200, France.
Alexandre MignucciTerres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, Saint Pierre, La Réunion, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3239-0707
Olivier DerridjUMR MARBEC, IFREMER, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Sète, 34200, France.
Sylvain BlouetVille d'Agde, Aire Marine Protégée de la Côte agathoise, Agde, 34300, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4855-2085
Jérôme BourjeaUMR MARBEC, IFREMER, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Sète, 34200, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7149-3648

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAnimal movement underpins critical ecological processes and shapes ecosystem resilience. In marine systems, understanding the spatial ecology and connectivity of exploited species is essential for informing conservation and sustainable fisheries management. Despite their ecological and economic importance, the spatio-temporal movement of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in the Mediterranean Sea remains poorly understood.

methodsWe leveraged the largest acoustic telemetry dataset ever collected in the Mediterranean as part of the project CONNECT-MED and RESMED, tracking 222 tagged seabream over three years (2019–2022). Using an array of more than 180 strategically positioned acoustic receivers across the Gulf of Lion in both lagoons and the sea, we analysed over 700,000 detections spanning a longitudinal gradient of 200 km. Using individual-based spatial network analysis, we quantified movement dynamics, space use, and connectivity.

resultsSeabream showed strong seasonal migrations, with wide (> 180 km for some individuals) spatial dispersal during spawning (October–March) and localized movements whilst foraging (April–September). Eastward and southward migration linked lagoon nurseries/foraging areas to offshore spawning areas. The Marseille area (Calanques National Park and Côte Bleue Marine Park) was identified as a major spawning region used by fish across the Gulf of Lion. Movement varied with fish size, with larger fish having more complex and dynamic networks. Autumn saw synchronous lagoon emigration and aggregation at spawning sites, with multi-year site fidelity.

conclusionsOur findings demonstrate size-dependent movement strategies in gilthead seabream and reveal structured connectivity linking lagoon foraging areas to offshore spawning grounds. The concentration of spawning activity near Marseille identifies a key regional hotspot of ecological and management importance. Incorporating these connectivity patterns, ontogenetic shifts, and spatial behaviours into fisheries management will be essential for sustaining seabream populations across the northwestern Mediterranean.

Indexed as

Acoustic telemetryFisheries managementMarine protected areasMediterranean SeaMovement ecologySparus aurataSpatial networks

Identifiers

PMID41725007
PMCPMC12927243

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.