Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Unusual captures of teleost species from the northern Coast of Tunisia (central Mediterranean)

  • Published:
Journal of Ichthyology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A survey conducted off the northern Tunisian coast allow to collect specimens belonging to species rarely captured in the area, such as longjaw snake eel Ophisurus serpens (Linnaeus, 1758), bluntsnout snake eel Echelus myrus (Linnaeus, 1758), Mediterranean parrot fish Sparisoma cretense (Linnaeus, 1758) and sharksucker Echeneis naucrates (Linnaeus, 1758). All specimens are shortly described in the present paper, including morphometric measurements and meristic counts. Their distribution in the area and the Mediterranean Sea is commented and discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abecasis, D., Bentes, L., Ribeiro, J., et al., First record of the Mediterranean parrotfish Sparisoma cretense in Ria Formosa (south Portugal), Mar. Biodiv. Rec., 2008, vol. 1, no. e27, pp. 1–2. doi: 10.1017/S175326720600248x

    Google Scholar 

  • Akyol, O., Record of the live sharsucker, Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus, 1758 (Osteichthyes: Echeneidae), from the northern Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay, Turkey), J. Appl. Ichthyol., 2013, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 263–264. doi: 10.1111/jai.12016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akyol, O. and Balik, I., Occurrence of the live sharksucker, Echeneis naucrates (Echeneidae), in the Beymelek Lagoon, Turkey (eastern Mediterranean), Cybium, 2007, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 487–488.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hassan, L.A.J. and El-Silini, O.A., Check-list of bony fishes collected from the Mediterranean coast of Benghazi, Libya, Rev. Biol. Mar. Oceanogr., 1999, vol. 34, pp. 291–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauchot, M.L., Ophichthidae (including Echelidae), in Fishes of the North-Western Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Whitehead, P.J.P., et al., Eds., Paris: UNESCO, 1986, vol. 2, pp. 577–585.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Amor, M.M., Ben Souissi, J., Ben Salem, M., and Capapé, C., Confirmed occurrence of the longjaw snake eel, Ophisurus serpens (Osteichthyes: Ophichthidae) in Tunisian waters (central Mediterranean), Pan-Am. J. Aquat. Sci., 2009, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 251–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Amor, M.M.., Ben Salem, M., Ben Souissi, J., et al., The syngnathid species from Tunisian waters (central Mediterranean): a survey, Ann. Ser. Hist. Nat., 2008, vol. 18, no. 1, pp 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Amor, M.M. and Capapé, C., Occurrence of a filefish closely related to Stephanolepis diaspros (Osteichthyes: Monacanthidae) off northern Tunisian coast (south-western Mediterranean), Cah. Biol. Mar., 2008, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 323–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Othman, S., Observations hydrologiques, dragages et chalutage dans le sud-est tunisien, Bull. Inst. Natl. Sci. Tech. Océanogr. Pêche Salammb-, 1971, vol. 3, pp. 29–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Raïs Lasram, F. and Mouillot, D., Increasing southern invasion enhances congruence between endemic and exotic Mediterranean fish fauna, Biol. Inv., 2009., vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 697–711. doi: 10.1007/s10530-008-9284-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben Souissi, J., Méjri, H., Zaouali, J., et al., Teleost species recorded in Tunis Southern Lagoon after environmental restoration (Northern Tunisia, Central Mediterranean), Ann. Ser. Hist. Nat., 2005, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 157–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blache, J., Contribution à la connaissance des Poissons anguilliformes de la côte occidentale d’Afrique, Bull. Inst. Fondam. Afr. Noire, Ser. A, 1968, vol. 30, pp. 1501–1539.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blache, J., Cadenat, J., and Stauch, J., Clés de détermination des poissons de mer signalés dans l’Atlantique oriental tropical (entre le 20 ème parallèle N. et le 15 ème parallèle S.), Faune Trop. ORSTOM, 1970, vol. 18, pp. 1–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradai, M.N., Quignard, J.-P., Bouaïn, A., et al., Ichtyofaune autochtone et exotique des côtes tunisiennes: recensement et biogeography, Cybium, 2004, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 315–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capapé, C., Les Sélaciens des côtes méditerranéennes: aspects généraux de leur écologie et exemples de peuplements, Océanis, 1989, vol. 15, pp. 309–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dulčič, J., Matic-Skoko, S., and Kraljejic, M., New record of serpent eel Ophisurus serpens (Linnaeus, 1758) ( Ophichthidae) in the Adriatic waters with a review of recent Adriatic records, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 2005, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 181–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Francour, P., Boudouresque, C. F., Harmelin, J.G., et al., Are the Mediterranean waters becoming warmer? Mar. Poll. Bull., 1994, vol. 28, no. 9, pp. 523–526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Golani, D., Check-list of the Mediterranean Fishes of Israel, Zootaxa, 2005, vol. 947, pp. 1–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golani D, Öztürk, B, and Basusta, N., Fishes of the Eastern Mediterranean, Istanbul, Turkey: Turk. Mar. Res. Found., 2006, no. 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • González, J.A., Brito, A., and Lozano, J.J., Paràmetros biométricos de Sparisoma (Euscarus) cretense (L.) en Canarias (Osteichthyes, Scaridae), Vieraea, 1994, vol. 23, pp. 165–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guidetti, P. and Boero, F., Occurrence of the Mediterranean parrotfish Sparisoma cretense in southeastern Apulia (southeast Italy), J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K., 2001, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 717–718. doi: 10.1017/S0025315401004705

    Google Scholar 

  • Ktari, M.H., Animaux rares du golfe de Tunis (Tunisie), Bull. Off. Natn. Pêch. Tunisie, 1980, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 271–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ktari-Chakroun, F. and Azouz, A., Les fonds chalutables de la région sud-est de la Tunisie (golfe de Gabès), Bull. Inst. Natn. Sci. Tech. Océanogr. Pêche Salammb-, 1971, vol. 2, pp. 5–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lachner, E.A., Echenedidae, in Fishes of the North-Western Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Whitehead, P.J.P., et al., Eds., Paris: UNESCO, 1986, vol.n3, pp. 1329–1334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Danois, E., Recherches sur les fonds chalutables des côtes de Tunisie (croisière du chalutier Tanche en 1924), Ann. Stn. Océanogr. Salammb-, 1925, vol. 1, pp. 1–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipej, L., and Dulci-, J., Checklist of the Adriatic Sea fishes, Zootaxa, 2010, vol. 2859, pp. 1–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloris, D. and Rucabado, J., Guide FAO d’Identification des Espèces pour les Besoins de la Pêche, in Guide d’Identification des Ressources Marines Vivantes pour le Maroc, Rome: FAO, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louisy, P., Guide d’Identification des Poissons Marins Europe et Méditerranée, Paris: Ulmer Ed., 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubet, P. and Azouz, A., Étude des fonds chalutables du golfe de Tunis, Bull. Inst. Natl. Sci. Tech. Océanogr. Pêche Salammb., 1969, vol. 3, pp. 87–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maurin, C. and Bonnet, M., Poissons des côtes nord-ouest africaines (campagnes de la Thalassa), (1962 et 1968), Rev. Trav. Inst. Pêch. Marit., 1970, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 125–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maurin, C., and Quéro, J.-C., Poissons des côtes nordouest africaines (campagnes de la Thalassa 1962, 1968, 1974, 1972), Rev. Trav. Inst. Pêch. Marit., 1981, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 5–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Méjri, H., Ben Souissi, J., Zaouali, J., et al., On the recent occurrence of elasmobranch species in a perimediterranean lagoon: the Tunis Southern Lagoon (northern Tunisia), Ann. Ser. Hist. Nat., 2004, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 143–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Otero, J.G. and Galeote, M.D., Présence de Sparisoma cretense (Perciformes, Scaridae) à Cadix (sud-ouest de la péninsule ibérique), Cybium, 1996, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 405–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papaconstantinou, C., Check-List of the Marine Fishes of Greece, Athens: Natl. Centre Mar. Res., 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollard, D., Yokes, B., Francour, P., et al., Sparisoma cretense, in The UICN Red List of Threatened Species, Version 2014.2, 2012. http://www.uicnredlist.org. Accessed September 13, 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Postel, E., Les affinités tropicales de la faune ichtyologique du golfe de Gabès, Bull. Stn. Océanogr. Salammb-, 1956, vol. 53, pp. 64–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Priol, E.-P., Note sur Echeneis naucrates Linné, Rev. Trav. Inst. Pêch. Marit., 1937, vol. 10, no 3, pp. 371–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quéro, J.C., Porché, P., and Vayne, J.J., Guide des Poissons de l’Atlantique Europén. Les Guides du Naturaliste, Paris: Delachaux Niestlé, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quignard, J.-P. and Pras, A., Scaridae, in Fishes of the North-Western Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Whitehead, P.J.P., et al., Eds., Paris: UNESCO, 1986, vol. 3, pp. 943–944.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quignard, J.-P. and Tomasini, J.A., Mediterranean fish biodiversity, Biol. Mar. Medit., 2000, vol. 7, pp. 1–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quignard, J.-P. and Zaouali, J., Les lagunes périméditerranéennes. Bibliographie icthyologique annotée. Première partie: les étangs français de Canet à Thau, Bull. Off. Natn. Pêch. Tunisie, 1980, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 293–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rafrafi-Nouira, S., Boumaïza, M., Reynaud, C., and Capapé, C., Additional records of Lessepsian Teleost species off the Tunisian coast (central Mediterranean), Ann. Ser. Hist. Nat., 2012a, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 55–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rafrafi-Nouira, S., Boumaïza, M., Reynaud, C., and Capapé, C., Confirmed occurrence of cuckoo wrasse Labrus mixtus (Osteichthyes: Labridae) in Tunisian waters (central Mediterranean), Ann. Ser. Hist. Nat., 2012b, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saad, A., Check-list of bony fish collected from the coast of Syria, Turk. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci., 2005, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 99–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skaramuca, D., Skaramuca, B., and Dulcic, J., On the record of the live sharksucker, Echeneis naucrates (Osteichthyes: Echeneidae) from the south-eastern Adriatic (Croatian coast), Mar. Biodiv. Rec., 2008, vol. 1, no. e80, pp. 1–2. doi: 10.1017/S1753267209000694

    Google Scholar 

  • Tortonese, E., Fauna d’Italia. Osteichthyes (Pesci ossei): Parte Prima, Bologna: Calderini, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tortonese, E., Les poissons de la famille Echeneididae (rémoras) de la mer Ligure et de la mer Tyrrhénienne, Rev. Trav. Inst. Pêch. Marit., 1973, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 197–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulas, A. and Akyol, O., Occurrence of the serpent eel, Ophisurus serpens (Linnaeus, 1758) (Osteichthyes: Ophichthidae) close to the Bay of Izmir (Aegean Sea, Turkey), Tur. J. Zool., 2014, vol. 39, pp. 191–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinciguerra, D., Materiali per lo studio della fauna tunisina raccolti da G. è L. Doria. 1. Pesci, Ann. Mus. Civ. Sto. Nat. Genova, 1884, vol. 1, pp. 393–445.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zouari-Ktari, R., Bradai, M.N., and Bouain, A., The feeding habits of the Lessepsian fish Stephanolepis diaspros (Fraser-Brünner, 1940) in the Gulf of Gabès (eastern Mediterranean Sea), Cah. Biol. Mar., 2008, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 329–338.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Bio-Surveillance de l’Environnement, Unité d’Hydrobiologie Littorale et Limnique, Université de Carthage, Faculté des Sciences, Zarzouna, 7021, Bizerte, Tunisia

    S. Rafrafi-Nouira, M. Boumaïza & O. El Kamel-Moutalibi

  2. Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur la Didactique, l’Éducation et la Formation, E. A. 3749, Faculté d’Éducation, Université Montpellier, 2, place Marcel Godechot, B.P. 4152, 34092, Montpellier cedex 5, France

    C. Reynaud

  3. Laboratoire d’Ichtyologie, case 104, Université Montpellier II, Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, 34 095, Montpellier cedex 5, France

    C. Capapé

Authors
  1. S. Rafrafi-Nouira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Reynaud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Boumaïza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. O. El Kamel-Moutalibi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. Capapé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Capapé.

Additional information

The article is published in the original.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rafrafi-Nouira, S., Reynaud, C., Boumaïza, M. et al. Unusual captures of teleost species from the northern Coast of Tunisia (central Mediterranean). J. Ichthyol. 55, 337–345 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S003294521503011X

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S003294521503011X

Keywords

Search

Navigation