Sources de variation intra-populationelle de la morphologie des otolithes: asymétrie directionnelle et régime alimentaire

Otoliths are calcified structures located in Osteichthyes’ inner ear that are involved in audition and balance. Their morphology is used as an indicator of various ecological processes or properties. This application requires identifying the endogenous and exogenous factors that act simultaneously as sources of shape variation. This thesis aims at detecting and quantifying the relative contributions of directional asymmetry and diet to otolith shape variation at the intra-population level. Directional asymmetry between left and right otoliths was found in flat-fishes, the blind-side otolith being always longer and larger, whereas it was negligible in round-fishes. However, asymmetry amplitude never exceeded 18 %, which suggests evolutionary canalization of otolith shape symmetry. A correlation between global diet and otolith was detected in 4 species studied in situ. Diet composition contributed more than food amount to morphological variation and affected otolith shape both globally and locally. An experimental study on sea bass (Dicentrarchus larbrax) showed that diet composition in terms of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids at larval stage affects otolith morphogenesis during juvenile stage without impacting on individuals’ somatic growth. This result suggests a direct effect of diet on otolith shape and not an indirect one through the somatic-otolith growth relationship. This effect disappeared at later stages, morphogenetic trajectories converging back to a similar shape, which suggests ontogenetic canalization of otolith shape.

Les petites pêches côtières et estuariennes Françaises du sud du golfe de Gascogne. Typologie des flottilles et approche socio-économique et commerciale

The European contract PECOSUDE (Small inshore fisheries of the south of Europe) accepted in 2000 for 2 years concerns French, Spanish and Portuguese partners. The aim is to assess the inshore and estuarine fisheries from Loire estuary to Portugal. Three levels of study are considered : fisheries (data 1999), socioeconomy and marketing (data 1999 or 2000). Exploitation in the 12 miles area for France and on continental shelf for northern Spain and Portugal (within 1000 m depth), as well as the fishing period lower than 96 hours was determined as the definition of this fishery for the study. Socioeconomic analyses are made only on boats smaller than 15 m. The fisheries part analyses the activity of the fishing vessels taking into account gears used, landed species, areas and fishing seasons. Within the 39 harbours of the south Bay of Biscay 1 799 coastal or estuarine vessels with 3 580 fishermen are located. Statics gears are predominant, and more than half of the vessels are polyvalent (using several gears). In 1999, landings were 20 6441 weight for 84 M¿ value. The fishing activity of these boats was also analysed by typology of the fleet, based on fishing gears and/or species landed. These characterisations allowed the application of stratified sampling for the implementation of socioeconomic investigations. The analysis of the information received from the fishermen allow to describe the production factors, to estimate their costs, as well as the turnover, the richness creation and the efficiency of the production means. The capital value of the south Bay of Biscay " ship " is established about 94 k¿, the average turnover amount to 83 k¿ and the average rate of added value to 70%. Products commercialisation vary from component to component, the importance of the sells in auction places depends on the landed species. Some valuable species are directly sold to particular