First record of the flat needlefish Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, 1846) from Syrian marine waters (eastern Mediterranean)

Abstract

Background: Climatic changes and human activities have worked to pave the way for alien species to invade new areas far from their native habitats. Belonidae species (Needlefishes), spread into wide water bodies, and some exist in the Mediterranean Sea. Method: On 18/2/2019, a field trip was performed in the marine waters facing Banyas city, Syria (N: 35°14′35.11", E: 35°55'12.56"); to collect fish samples using a gillnet, with assistance of fishing boat (9.5 m and 19HP). Fish individuals were identified, the morphometric measurements and meristic counts were recorded. Results: Two individuals of the Flat Needlefish Ablennes hians were caught from the marine water facing Banyas city-Syria. Conclusion: This study reveals that the Flat Needlefish A.hians exists in the marine waters of Syria (Eastern Mediterranean). It is recorded for the second time in the Mediterranean Sea, and Suez Canal is thought to be the main root of introduction.

Expansion of the flat needlefish Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, 1846) distribution in the eastern Mediterranean

“…It was first reported in the Mediterranean from Israel in 2019 (Golani, 2019). It was subsequently reported from the Syrian coast (Alshawy et al, 2019), in 2021 from Lebanon (Tsagarakis et al, 2021) and in 2021 erroneously reported from Malta (Deidun et al, 2021).…”

Intra-population variability of the saccular, utricular and lagenar otoliths of the garfish Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760) from South-Western Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea)

“…They are ichthyophage predators, hunting on small fishes using their beaks. In the Mediterranean Sea, they have been recognized six species of needlefishes belonging to four genera: Ablennes hians , Valenciennes, 1846, Belone belone, Linnaeus, 1761, Belone svetovidovi , Collette & Parin, 1970, Tylosurus acus acus , Lacépède, 1803, Tylosurus acus imperialis , Rafinesque, 1810, and the non-indigenous indo-pacific species Tylosurus choram , Rüppell, 1837 [ 4 – 6 ].…”