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On July 2018, one specimen of Ichthyococcus ovatus (Cocco, 1838) was caught in the Strait of Sicily during the International Bottom Trawl Survey in the Mediterranean (MEDITS). The adult I. ovatus measured 49 mm in total length and weighed 1.44 g. In this context, the presently reported study constitutes the first and deepest record of an adult of I. ovatus as well as the morphometric description of its sagittal otoliths. In addition, we provide an age estimation as well as an update of the geographical distribution of this bathypelagic species around the Mediterranean Sea. Based on the growth increments of sagittal otoliths, the estimated age was five years. Specifically, the otolith from the presently reported specimen of I. ovatus tended to be elliptic in shape related to aspect ratio and high rectangularity while circularity showed high complexity of otolith contour complexity. The absence of economic value of rarely reported species may underestimate their abundance. Therefore, more studies and research surveys would be necessary to fill the information gap on the biology of these deep-water species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Atlantic horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus, 1758), is among bento-pelagic species subject to discard within deep-water rose shrimp fisheries, and how such species would react to light wavelength is therefore important, to be consistent with the Common Fishery Policy (CFP). Despite the existing literature currently available, there is still paucity of relevant information about how artificial light wavelengths affects the behaviour of T. trachurus juveniles. In this context, the effects of different artificial light wavelengths on some behavioural features of juvenile T. trachurus were investigated. Materials and methods. Maintained in a fish tank, the juveniles of Atlantic horse mackerel, after acclimatization, were subject to six different light wavelengths, representing the following colours: white, violet, blue, green, yellow, and red. Subsequently, behavioural features, specifically phototaxis (degree of attraction or repulsion toward the light source) were tested. Results. By phototaxis per light wavelength, the studied juvenile individuals produced statistical differences in the presence frequency (P < 0.05) revealed by blue that noticeably attracted some, relative to the white light that repulsed others. Yet, violet and red lights produced much less but no significant attraction of these juveniles (P > 0.05). Conclusion. The presently reported study has provided additional information about ecological knowledge and understanding specific to juvenile T. trachurus individuals, which can further the development of (selective) light fishing techniques, aimed at reducing unwanted catches of commercial pelagic fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]