Title of article :
First Record of Pope’s ponyfish Equulites popei (Whitley, 1932), (Osteichthyes: Leiognathidae) in the Syrian Marine Waters (Eastern Mediterranean)
Author/Authors :
Ibrahim ، Amir Marine Biology Department - High Institute of Marine Research - Tishreen University , Hussein ، Chirine Marine Biology Department - High Institute of Marine Research - Tishreen University , Alshawy ، Firas Marine Biology Department - High Institute of Marine Research - Tishreen University , Ahmad ، Alaa Alcheikh General Commission of Fisheries Resourcses: Coastal Area Branch
Abstract :
The eastern Mediterranean has received many alien fish species, mainly due to climate change and human activities. The Lessepsian species Equulites popei (Whitley, 1932) had been previously recorded in the northern and southern parts of the eastern Mediterranean. It was first classified as Equulites elongatus. Later on, and based on DNA analysis. E. elongatus has been split into three different species and E. popei is one of them, and the Mediterranean specimens belong to E popei. This paper confirms that E. popei is present in the Syrian marine waters for the first time. This record fills the gap in the species distribution between north and south of the eastern Mediterranean.
Keywords :
Alien Species , Mediterranean Sea , Levantine Basin , the Syrian coast
Journal title :
Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity
Journal title :
Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity
