| Solenette | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Carangiformes |
| Suborder: | Pleuronectoidei |
| Family: | Soleidae |
| Genus: | Buglossidium Chabanaud, 1930 |
| Species: | B. luteum' |
| Binomial name | |
| Buglossidium luteum' (A. Risso, 1810) | |
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| Range of the solenette | |
| Synonyms | |
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Thesolenette oryellow sole,Buglossidium luteum, is aspecies offlatfish in the familySoleidae, and theonly member of itsgenus. It is characterized by its small size, low-slung semi-circular mouth, and regularly placed darkfin rays. A common and widespread species, it is native to sandy bottoms in the northeasternAtlantic Ocean and theMediterranean Sea. It is of little commercial value.[2][3]
The solenette occurs in the northeasternAtlantic Ocean fromIceland andScotland southward, as well as in theNorth Sea,Kattegat and theBaltic Sea. It also occurs in theMediterranean Sea, including theAdriatic Sea, theSea of Marmara, and theBosphorus. It has been reported from a range of 5–450 m (16–1,476 ft), but is rare in very shallow waters.[4] The highest abundances occur at depths of 5–15 m (16–49 ft) in theEnglish Channel and at 20–35 m (66–115 ft) in theBay of Biscay. Their distribution is not restricted bysediment type as in some other flatfish species.[5] In theSolway Firth, there is a general movement offshore in the winter.[6]
This species has more specifichabitat requirements than other widespread Atlantic flatfish such as theEuropean plaice,common sole, andcommon dab. It is concentrated in waters moderately influenced byestuary outflows, at asalinity of 29–33 ppt, and is absent from the mouths of the largest estuaries where the salinity is lower. The solenette is often found on or half-buried in muddy or muddy-sandy substrates.[5]
The smallest of thesoles inEuropean waters, the solenette usually measures 10–13 cm (3.9–5.1 in) long and attains a maximum length of 15 cm (5.9 in).[2][5] It has an oval, compressed, slightly elongate body with botheyes on the right side of the head. Thesnout is rounded with theupper jaw slightly elongated to form a "beak". The diameter of the upper eye is less than the distance between it and the front of the head. Thedorsal fin begins on the anterior profile of the head, with 65–78fin rays. Theanal fin contains 49–63 fin rays, and thecaudal fin is connected to the dorsal and anal fins by a small membrane. Thepectoral fin on the eyed side is small, with 3–5 fin rays, and the one on the blind side is reduced to 1 long and 1–2 short fin rays.[4][7]
Thelateral linescales number 55–70, and are rectangular in shape with short, strongly curved intercanalicular striae. The coloration of the eyed side is variable, frequently yellowish or light brown with or without darker blotches or spots. The dorsal and anal fins are sandy with every 5th or 6th (occasionally 4th or 7th) fin ray dark for the majority of their lengths.[7] The solenette can change its color to better match its background.[3]
Adult solenette feed on a variety of smallbenthic organisms, mainlycrustaceans (copepods,amphipods, andcumaceans),bivalvemolluscs, andpolychaete worms.[4] The diet of the solenette varies by geographical region; solenette from the English Channel feed on a larger variety of prey than those from the Bay of Biscay, and take proportionally more polychaetes as opposed to crustaceans and molluscs for the Bay of Biscay.[5] Feeding activity peaks insummer and declines markedly inwinter.[6]
The solenettespawns in February in the Mediterranean, from March to June in the Bay of Biscay, and in July and August in the westernEnglish Channel, North Sea, and westernIreland.[4] Theeggs are small and distinguishable from those of other soles by having only a few largeoil globules. Thelarvae hatch at about 2 mm long, withmetamorphosis beginning at about 7 mm long and being complete at 8–9 mm. In appearance the larvae are similar to those of the common sole, but with fewer large stellatechromatophores. There is also a distinct patch ofpigment on the ventralabdominal wall, and the distinct shape of the head is also apparent in the early stages.[8]
In the North Sea, there are no specialnursery areas, with juveniles and adults occurring in the same areas.[9] The young take up a benthic lifestyle at 12 mm long.[7] Most growth occurs in the first year of life and continues at a relatively low and constant rate afterwards. Both sexes mature in their third year, with males growing faster than females and females attaining a larger ultimate size.[6] The maximum reported age is 13 years.[2]
The solenette is too small to be of commercial interest and is usually discarded byfishers. It is caught asbycatch intrawls, sometimes in large numbers, and historically has often been confused with the young of thecommon sole.[10][11][12] Between 1985 and 2006, the range of the solenette increased significantly in the North Sea, which is believed to be a consequence of rising sea bottom temperatures.[13]
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