Iran. J. Ichthyol. (June 2019), 6(2): 138-142 Received: April 22, 2019 © 2019 Iranian Society of Ichthyology Accepted: June 24, 2019 P-ISSN: 2383-1561; E-ISSN: 2383-0964 doi: 10.22034/iji.v6i2.406 http://www.ijichthyol.org
Short Communication
First record of the spotfin cardinal fish Jaydia queketti (Gilchrist, 1903) (Teleostei: Apogonidae) from the Syrian marine waters (Eastern Mediterranean)
Firas ALSHAWY*1, Amir IBRAHIM1, Chirine HUSSEIN1, Murhaf LAHLAH2
1Department of Marine Biology, High Institute of Marine Research, Tishreen University, Syria. 2Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Hama University, Hama, Syria. *Email: [email protected] Abstract: For decades, the Mediterranean Sea received many invasive marine biota, which found their corridors to the Mediterranean environment through various ways, benefiting from the climate changes. On March 2019, a field trip was performed in the marine waters facing Banyas city, Syria, a specimen of the spotfin cardinal fish Jaydia queketti (Gilchrist, 1903) was caught. This record fills the gap in the species distribution along the eastern Mediterranean; between northern (Iskenderun Bay) and southern (Ashdod) coasts, and it is considered as the first report of this fish in the Syrian marine waters.
Keywords: Invasive species, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Biodiversity.
Citation: Alshawy, F.; Ibrahim, A.; Hussein, C. & Lahlah, M. 2019. First record of the spotfin cardinal fish Jaydia queketti (Gilchrist, 1903) (Teleostei: Apogonidae) from the Syrian marine waters (Eastern Mediterranean). Iranian Journal of Ichthyology 6(2): 138-142
Introduction For decades, the Mediterranean Sea received many Materials and Methods invasive marine biota (Oral 2010; Queiroz & Pooley On March 2019, a field trip was performed in the 2018), which found their corridors to the marine waters facing Banyas city, Syria Mediterranean environment through various ways, (35°14'35.11"N, 35°55'12"E; Fig. 1). Fish samples benefiting from the climate changes (Ibrahim 2008, were collected using fixed gillnet (18mm mesh size, 2009; Alshawy et al. 2019a). The opening of Suez 3m height, 200m length: with duplicates), with Canal in 1869 was an important event in the history assistance of fishing boat (9.5m and 19HP). The fish of the Mediterranean Sea biodiversity (Boussellaa et specimen was identified according to Smith & al. 2018) which enabled more than 100 Lessepsian Heemstra (1986) and Gökoğlu et al. (2011). The fish species to migrate to from the Red Sea, the morphometric measurements (length to the nearest Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (Zenetos et al. mm, weight to the nearest g), and meristic counts 2012; Galil et al. 2015; Boussellaa et al. 2018). were recorded. It was then photographed, preserved The spotfin cardinal fish, Jaydia queketti in 7% formaldehyde, and placed at the Biological (Gilchrist, 1903) exists in the eastern Mediterranean Laboratory of the High Institute of Marine Research where it had been recorded for the first time from (Tishreen University-Lattakia, Syria) as a reference Iskenderun Bay (Eryilmaz & Dalyan 2006), and then sample (unnumbered yet). from Ashdod (Goren et al. 2009). The present study reports the first record of Jaydia queketti in the Results marine waters of Syria, which represents the third A specimen of the spotfin cardinal Jaydia queketti record in the eastern Mediterranean. (Fig. 2) was caught at 40-60m water depth. It had an
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Alshawy et al.- First record of spotfin cardinal fish
Fig.2. Jaydia queketti specimen caught on 21-3-2019 from the marine water of Syria.
lack of scientific research in the study area (Alshawy et al. 2017), and fishermen ignorance to this species due to its small size (Max length 12.3cm) (Froese & Pauly 2019) had led this species not to be recorded previously in the area. This record fills the gap in the species distribution along the eastern Mediterranean coasts between Iskenderun Bay (Eryilmaz & Dalyan 2006) and Ashdod (Goren et al. 2009). After this record, the total Apogonidae species in the Syrian marine waters becomes seven; the one reported by Fig.1. A map showing the collection site of Jaydia this study and these reported by Alshawy et al. queketti specimen from the Syrian marine waters. (2019b, a) [Apogon atradorsatus (Heller & ovate to elongate body with two separate dorsal fins, Snodgrass, 1903), Ostorhinchus fasciatus (White, the caudal fin was round, and the eye diameter was 1790)], in addition to those four others reported by longer than the snout length. The body colour was Ali (2018) including A. imberbis (Linnaeus, 1758), light golden yellow, with six clear yellowish brown Apogonichthyoides pharaonis (Bellotti, 1874), stripes. The first dorsal fin had a dark ocellus, and the Cheilodipterus novemstriatus (Rüppell, 1838), and margins of the second dorsal fin, anal fine and caudal J. smithi (Kotthaus, 1970). In regards of the fin were black. The meristic formula was: D, Mediterranean Sea as a whole, two other species are VII+I+8; A, II+8; P, 15; V, I+5; C, 16. These features present viz. A. taeniatus (Cuvier, 1828) and of J. queketti are in full agreement with Smith & A. nigripinnis (Cuvier, 1828) (Gon & Randall 2003; Heemstra (1986). The morphometric measurements Froese & Pauly 2019), making nine species of are shown in Table 1. Apogonidae in the Mediterranean Sea. As a conclusion, this study reveals that the spotfin Discussion cardinal J. queketti exists in the marine waters of The spotfin cardinal fish J. queketti is a Lessepsian Syria (Eastern Mediterranean). This record fills the fish migrant, interred the Mediterranean through the gap in the species distribution along the eastern Suez Canal (Goren et al. 2009), but had not been Mediterranean; between northern (Iskenderun Bay) recorded before in the marine waters of Syria (Ali and southern (Ashdod) coasts. After this record, the 2018). It has been recorded in this study after ten number of Apogonidae species becomes seven in the years from the last record (Goren et al. 2009). The marine waters of Syria and nine in the Mediterranean
139 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (June 2019), 6(2): 138-142
Table 1. Morphometric and biometric characteristics of Jaydia queketti caught from the marine water of Syria.
Morphometric measurement % of Standard Length Features (mm or g) Standard length 76 Total length 91 Body depth 28 36.8 Head length 27 35.5 Eye diameter 7 9.2 Snout length 4 5.3 1st dorsal fin length 15 19.7 2nd dorsal fin length 15 19.7 Pectoral fin length 17 22.4 Pelvic fin length 17 22.4 Caudal fin length 16 21.1 Caudal peduncle length 17 22.4 Pre-dorsal length 27 35.5 Pre-pectoral length 28 36.8 Pre-pelvic length 27 35.5 Pre-anal length 45 59.2 Total weight 15
Sea as a whole. The presence of such exotic species Ostorhinchus fasciatus (White, 1790) from the Syrian are the result of water quality changes (Hussein et al. marine waters (Eastern Mediterranean). SSRG
2011), due to the recent climate changes (RAC 2009; International Journal of Agriculture and
Hallom et al. 2014; Alshawy et al. 2019c). This calls Environmental Science 6(3): 14-16. for effective and strong collaboration at regional and Alshawy, F.; Ibrahim, A.; Hussein, C. & Lahlah, M. 2019c. First record of the oceanic puffer international levels to manage species migration into Lagocephalus lagocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the area (Vallerga et al. 2003; Drago et al. 2004) and the Syrian marine waters (eastern Mediterranean). to protect local fish stocks (Hussein et al. 2011b, a) Marine Biodiversity Records 12 (1): 11-14. Alshawy, F.A.; Lahlah, M.M. & Hussein, C.S. 2017. Acknowledgements First record of the Lessepsian migrant Smith's The authors thank Tishreen University and the High cardinalfish Jaydia smithi Kotthaus, 1970 (Pisces: Institute of Marine Research, Lattakia who provided Apogonidae) from Syrian marine waters. Basrah the financial and logistic supports to this work. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 30(2): 45-49. Boussellaa, W.; Neifar, L.; Goedknegt, M.A. & References Thieltges, D.W. 2018. Lessepsian migration and Ali, M.F. 2018. An updated checklist of the mMarine parasitism: richness, prevalence and intensity of fishes from Syria with emphasis on alien species. parasites in the invasive fish Sphyraena chrysotaenia Mediterranean Marine Science 19(2): 388-393. compared to its native congener Sphyraena sphyraena Alshawy, F.; Ibrahim, A.; Hussein, C. & Lahlah, M. in Tunisian coastal waters. PeerJ 6 (e5558.): 1-22 2019a. First Record of the Blacktip Cardinalfish Drago, A.; Aarup, T. & Abdelbaki, A. 2004. Apogon atradorsatus Heller & Snodgrass, 1903 from MEDGOOS-Building a strong regional partnership Syrian Marine Waters (Eastern Mediterranean). for operational oceanography in the Mediterranean. International Journal of Advanced Research in Rapports et Proces Verbaux des Réunions- Science, Engineering and Technology 6(3): 8299- Commission Internationale Pour l'exploration 8302. Scientifique de la mer Méditerranée 37: 158. Alshawy, F., Ibrahim, A., Hussein, C. & Lahlah, M. Eryilmaz, L. & Dalyan, C. 2006. First record of Apogon 2019b. First record of the Broadbanded cardinalfish queketti Gilchrist (Osteichthyes: Apogonidae) in the 140 Alshawy et al.- First record of spotfin cardinal fish
Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Fish Biology 69 (4): and impacts of climate change on marine and coastal 1251-1254. biodiversity in Syria. UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA. Froese, R. & Pauly, D. 2019. Fishbase. www. Ibrahim, A. 2008.Vulnerability assessment and possible fishbase.in. (accessed 19 May 2019). adaptation measures of the syrian coastal areas to Galil, B.; Boero, F. & Fraschetti, S. 2015. The climate changes. The National Communication enlargement of the Suez Canal and introduction of Report to UNFCCC, UNDP UNDP. non‐indigenous species to the Mediterranean Sea. Oral, M. 2010. Alien fish species in the Mediterranean– Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin 24 (2): 43-45. Black Sea Basin. Journal of Black Sea/Mediterranean Gökoğlu, M.; Ünlüsayın, M.; Balcı, B.A.; Özvarol, Y. & Environment 16(1): 87-132. Çolak, H. 2011.Two alien fish in the Gulf of Antalya: Queiroz, A.I. & Pooley, S. 2018. Histories of Bio- Apogon queketti Gilchrist, 1903 (Apogonidae) and invasions in the Mediterranean. Springer. Champsodon nudivittis (Ogilby, 1895 RAC, U.M. 2009. Sub-regional report on vulnerability (Champsodontidae) Zoology in the Middle East and impacts of climate change on marine and coastal 54(1): 138-140. biological diversity in the Mediterranean, Arab Gon, O. & Randall, J.E. 2003. A review of the Countries. By: Ben Haj, S., Cebrian, D., Limam, A., cardinalfishes (Perciformes: Apogonidae) of the Rea Grimes, S., Halim, Y, Bitar, G., Bazairi, H., Ibrahim, Sea. Smithiana 1: 1-48. A., Romdhane, MS, Ed. RAC/SPA, Tunis. Goren, M.; Yokes, M.; Galil, B. & Diamant, A. 2009. Smith, M.M. & Heemstra, P.C. 1986. Smiths’ Sea Fishes, Indo-Pacific cardinal fish in the Mediterranean Sea - Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin. new records of Apogon smithi from Turkey and A. Vallerga, S.; Drago, A. & Aarup, T. 2003. MAMA— queketti from Israel. Marine Biodiversity Records Towards a new paradigm for ocean monitoring in the 2(e95): 1-4. Mediterranean. Elsevier Oceanography Series 69: 46- Hallom, N.; Ibrahim, A. & Galiya, M. 2014. First record 56. of the hen-like blenny Aidablennius sphynx Zenetos, A.; Ballesteros, E. & Verlaque, M. 2012. Alien (Blenniidae) from Syrian marine waters (eastern species in the Mediterranean Sea by 2012. A Mediterranean). Marine Biodiversity Records 7(73): contribution to the application of European Union’s 2. Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Part Hussein, C.: Verdoit-Jarraya, M. & Pastor, J. 2011a. 2. Introduction trends and pathways. Mediterranean Assessing the impact of artisanal and recreational Marine Science 13(2): 328-352. fishing and protection on a white seabream (Diplodus sargus sargus) population in the north-western Mediterranean Sea using a simulation model. Part 1: Parameterization and simulations. Fisheries Research 108(1): 163-173. Hussein, C.; Verdoit-Jarraya, M. & Pastor, J. 2011b. Assessing the impact of artisanal and recreational fishing and protection on a white seabream (Diplodus sargus sargus) population in the north-western Mediterranean Sea, using a simulation model. Part 2: Sensitivity analysis and management measures Fisheries Research 108(1): 174-183. Hussein, M.; Courp, T.; Ibrahim, A. & Benkhelil, J. 2011. Seasonal variability of hydrographical properties of the Syrian marine water. Journal of Marine Systems 85(1): 30-44. Ibrahim, A. 2009. National overview on vulnerability
141 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (June 2019), 6(2): 138–142 Received: April 22, 2019 © 2019 Iranian Society of Ichthyology Accepted: June 24, 2019 P-ISSN: 2383-1561; E-ISSN: 2383-0964 doi: 10.22034/iji.v6i2.406 http://www.ijichthyol.org
یافته علمی کوتاه اولین گزارش ماهی کاردینال لکهباله (Jaydia queketti (Gilchrist, 1903 )ماهیان استخوانی عالی: آپوگونیده( از آبهای دریایی سوریه )شرق مدیترانه(
فیراس الشاوی*1، امیر ابراهیم1، چیرینه حسین1، مورهاف الهاله2 1گروه زیستشناسی دریا، موسسه عالی تحقیقات دریایی، دانشگاه تشرین، الذقیه، سوریه. 2گروه بهداشت عمومی و پیشگیری پزشکی، دانشکده دامپزشکی، دانشگاه حما، حما، سوریه.
چکیده: برای چندین دهه، دریای مدیترانه شمار زیادی از موجودات زنده مهاجم دریایی را دریافت نموده است، که مسیر خود را از راههای مختلفی به مدیترانه یافته و از تغییرات آب و هوایی بهرهمند شدهاند. در ماه مارس 2019، در طی یک سفر در آبهای دریایی مقابل شهر Banyas سوریه، نمونهای از ماهی کاردینال لکهباله (Jaydia queketti (Gilchrist, 1903 صید گردید. این ثبت، شکاف در توزیع گونهای در مدیترانه شرقی بین سواحل شمالی )خلیج اسکندرون( و سواحل جنوبی )اشدود(، را پر نموده و اولین گزارش حضور این گونه در آبهای دریایی سوریه در نظر گرفته میشود. کلماتکلیدی: گونههای مهاجم، دریای سرخ، دریای مدیترانه ، تنوع زیستی.
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