Pearson correlation coefficient between bathymetry in both study areas and the considered environmental variables.

<p>Only significant values (p<0.001) are reported. ns: non significant.</p

QI plots related to depth for <i>Engraulis encrasicolus</i> (left) and <i>Sardina pilchardus</i> (right) in both study areas.

<p>Each plot shows the observed QI curve (solid line), its CI (dashed lines), and the frequency histogram of depth. The dotted line in each plot indicates the value QI = 1.</p

Distribution maps (2006 year) of Chl_sat, POC, CDOM, PAR, UML thickness and BL temperature highlighting the differences in distribution patterns between the two areas.

<p>Black areas correspond to the selected ranges in each area.</p

Anchovy distribution maps in the North Aegean Sea (upper part) and in the Strait of Sicily (lower part).

<p>Symbols size is proportional to the abundance of strictly positive values, while zero values are omitted.</p