Lessepsian Fishes Spreading Along the Coasts of the Mediterranean and the Southern Aegean Sea of Turkey

Authors: HATİCE TORCU, SAVAŞ MATER

Abstract: The taxonomy and biological characters of 22 Lessepsian fishes living on the coasts of the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea were examined and 8 species were determined to have commercial importance. Of these, Upeneus moluccensis and Saurida undosquamis have become economic fishes of the Eastern Mediterranean trawl fisheries, having significant stocks. The species previously misidentified as Upeneus asymmetricus was determined to be Upeneus pori. It has been pointed out that new species can be added to the recorded ones by the consequent influx of Red Sea biota into the Levant.

Keywords: Lessepsian, Mediterranean, southern Aegean Sea, taxonomy

Full Text: PDF