Management recommendations for the conservation of threatened Aphanius fasciatus Nardo populations from two wetlands in the Maltese islands

Abstract

The Aphanius fasciatus populations at the two Maltese wetlands of Simar and Ghadira were monitoired during the May-October 2008 period for signs of pathogenesis and in terms of sex ratio and individual morphology. The putative impact of a number of abiotic factors on populaiton structure was also assessed. The study concludes that the percentage of juveniles within the two killifish populations is highest during the July-August period, and that reproductive activity resumes in October at the end of the dry season which coincides with a stalling of reproductive activity and with a high juvenile mortality. Recommendations for the amplification of killifish-specific monitoring protocols are also made.