Search Results (3)

In the Mediterranean, the bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838, presents a minor socioeconomic impact and the assessment of any environmental impact requires more relevant data. The congeneric red cornetfish Fistularia petimba Lacepède, 1803, has expanded its distribution range within the basin but only small numbers have been reported to date. A total of 207 individuals of F. commersonii were collected between April 2021 and March 2022 from the Levantine coast of Rhodes and 92 more from various locations. Additionally, 13 individuals of Fistularia petimba were caught in March 2024 from the Aegean coasts of the island. We aim to assess the current progression of the population of the two cornetfish, the possible further exploitation of F. commersonii to boost the local fishing economy, their possible dietary overlaps and to add valuable biological and ecological data. In F. commersonii, male to female ratio (1:1.33) significantly departed from 1:1, with length–weight relationships exhibiting positive allometric growth. Six age groups were identified. The highest reproductive intensity was observed during summer. The onset of sexual maturity was estimated at 65.52 cm in total length (1.8 years). Longevity was estimated at 11.1 years with females growing larger than males. The exploitation rate (E = 0.47) indicated that the population is underexploited. The optimum and target fishing mortality were higher in comparison with the present fishing mortality (F = 0.48), indicating a potential for commercial exploitation of the species. For F. petimba, the sex ratio was 1:2.25. The species preys on crustaceans, followed by fish and molluscs. The finding of Vanderhorstia mertensi (Klausewitz, 1974) in the stomach content of both cornetfishes constitutes the second published record for Hellenic waters and the first for the Dodecanese Islands. Full article

The rapid spread of non-native species (NNS) poses a significant threat to biodiversity globally, with the Mediterranean region being particularly susceptible due to increased human activities and its status as a marine biodiversity hotspot. In this study, we focus on the introduction and distribution of Fistularia petimba, a member of the Fistulariidae family, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and a record from the coasts of Amorgos Island, Greece. Through a baseline fishery study conducted over 12 months, utilizing experimental sampling with gillnets, trammel nets, and longlines, one individual of F. petimba was captured off the coast of Katapola Bay. Morphological examination confirmed its identity, with measurements on meristic characteristics obtained and the stomach content analysed. This finding represents a significant addition to the documented distribution of F. petimba in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in the Aegean Sea, underscoring the importance of ongoing research in uncovering new occurrences and expanding our understanding of marine biodiversity and ecosystem changes. Further investigation into the ecological preferences and population dynamics of F. petimba in the Aegean Sea is crucial for informed conservation and management efforts if this species is considered to be established. Full article

Biological invasions have posed a major threat to global and regional biodiversity. The Mediterranean Sea, one of the major biodiversity hotspots in the world, has long suffered multiple and frequent invasion events. This paper represents the screening results of the potential invasiveness of 23 introduced marine fish species, which are classified as neonative and alien. To predict the invasiveness potential of species under current and predicted climate conditions, the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) is applied. Thresholds have been constituted to classify low, medium and high-risk species by receiver operative characteristic curve analysis (ROC). The calibrated basic and climate-change threshold assessment scores used to classify species from low, to medium to high risk were computed between 27.5 and 33.0 respectively. Based on these thresholds, under current climatic conditions, 15 species were high risk, while the remaining species were medium risk, and the Chaetodipterus faber and the Holocentrus adscensionis switched from the medium-risk to the high-risk group under future climatic conditions. The highest score belonged to Fistularia petimba, followed by Siganus fuscescens, Abudefduf spp., Acanthurus monroviae and Lutjanus argentimaculatus. This study focused on the species that have not been assessed for their invasiveness potential, and the results can provide important insights into their sustainable management in the future. Full article