Assessment of Teleost Diversity in Faro Lake (Natural Oriented Reserve “Capo Peloro Lagoon”, Messina, Italy)

Coastal transitional environments, such as coastal lagoon, are highly biodiverse ecosystems. These environments are particularly sensitive to environmental changes, which significantly influence the dynamics of the communities inhabiting them. The present monitoring study, conducted in Faro Lake, utilized non-invasive techniques such as visual census and BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Video systems) with the aim of providing for the first time information on the distribution patterns and dynamics of the fish community in the area. During one year of monitoring, the visual census technique allowed to record 50,943 individuals belonging to 52 species, proving to be the most efficient method of data collection. BRUVs, on the other hand, recorded the presence of 18 species but did not allow for a reliable estimation of abundances. Distribution patterns and seasonal fluctuations in species richness and abundance were analyzed in relation to chemical and physical environmental parameters. The results revealed significant variations in fish community composition, determining which environmental factors have a greater influence on community assemblages. The classification of species into functional ecological categories (residents, seasonal migrants, occasional visitors) allowed to discover differences in habitat utilization by the different categories and to analyze variations in the abundance of the most representative species. Although several authors have contributed to the knowledge of the teleost fauna in Faro Lake over the years, the data available are dated and fragmentary. The data collected were compared with those from previous studies, with particular reference to the work of Potoschi et al. (2002), which recorded 38 species in common with the present study, using sampling methodologies rather than observation-based techniques. The results confirm that non-invasive methods are an effective strategy for monitoring transitional environments such as Lake Faro. The information gathered provides a basis for future studies aimed at better understanding the dynamics of fish communities and the factors that influence them, offering valuable data for possible management and conservation strategies focused on preserving these delicate ecosystems.