Expansion Confirmation of the Indo-Pacific Catfish, Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787), (Siluriformes: Plotosidae) into Syrian Marine Waters
[1]
Malek Ali, Marine Sciences Laboratory, Fundamental Department of Agriculture Faculty, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.
[2]
Adib Saad, Marine Sciences Laboratory, Fundamental Department of Agriculture Faculty, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.
[3]
Ahmad Soliman, Animal Production of Agriculture Faculty, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.
The first record of two specimens of the striped eel catfish Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787), off the Syrian coast are reported in this work. This confirms the extension ranges of this species in the eastern Mediterranean. The two specimens (174, 181 mm TL) were caught On 29 October 2014, by spear gun at a depth of 3 m. The capture site was located 50 m off coast of Tartous city (35° 52´ E, 34° 51´ N). Morphometric and meristic characters of the collected specimens were recorded. This collection presents the first record of Plotosidae in Syrian coast, and confirms the Lessepsian migration of this species from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. The occurrence of the species is commented and discussed, in the region where a sustainable population is probably established.
Plotosus lineatus, Lessepsian Migration, Eastern Mediterranean, Syrian Coast
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