Results and discussion
The Tunisian Pterois miles measured 225mm total length and weighed 125g. It was
identified by the following combination of characters: body slightly compressed; head
angular with spiny protrusions, tentacles and cirri around eyes and mouth; large mouth
with villiform teeth; dorsal fin feathery with spines longer than body, and membranes
incised almost to the base; anal and caudal fins rounded; pectoral fins wing-like with
separate broad, smooth rays; small cycloid scales. Color of head and body with red and
black stripes alternating vertically; dorsal spines, pectoral and ventral fins alternately
banded with black, red and pink; dorsal soft rays, anal and caudal with series of dark
spots. Golani et al. (2021) assigned P. miles to Lessepsian migration. Therefore, the most
suitable hypothesis is that this species had entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea,
through the Suez Canal. Multiple evidence (e.g. Albins & Nixon, 2008) showed that the
occurrence of lionfish displayed negative effects on reefs by a decreased recruitment of
species in these areas, mainly those having an economical interest. Lionfish impacts on
tourist recreational activities have been observed and some locations have posted warning
signs advising potential envenomation by lionfish (Morris et al., 2009). Further research
is needed to verify if this invasive species has established a permanent population along
the northern Tunisian coasts. They should be regularly monitored in order to avoid
negative impacts on the local environment and economy.
Bibliography
ALBINS M.A., HIXON M.A. (2008)- Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish Pterois volitans reduce
recruitment of Atlantic coral-reel fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 367: 233-238.
AZZURO E., STANCANELLI B., DI MARTINO V., BARICHE, M. (2017) - Range expansion
of the common lionfish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) in the Mediterranean Sea: an unwanted
new guest for Italian waters. BioInvasions Records, 6(2), 95-98
GOLANI D., SONIN O (1992) - New records of the Red Sea fishes, Pterois miles (Scorpaenidae)
and Pteragogus pelycus (Labridae) from the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Japanese
Journal of Ichthyology, 39(2): 167–169.
BARICHE M., TORRES M., AZZURRO E. (2013) - The presence of the invasive Lionfish
Pterois miles in the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Marine Science, 14(2): 292-294.
GOLANI D., AZZURRO E., DULČIĆ J., MASSUTI E., ORSI-RELINI L., BRIAND F. (2021) -
Atlas of exotic fishes in the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Science Commission - CIESM,
365 p.
KLETOU D, HALL-SPENCER JM, KLEITOU P (2016) - A lionfish (Pterois miles) invasion has
begun in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Biodiversity Records 9: 46
MORRIS J.A., AKINS J.L., BARSE A., CERINO D., FRESHWATER D.W., GREEN S.J.,
MUÑOZ R.C., PARIS C., WHITFIELD P.E. (2009) - Biology and Ecology of the invasive
Lionfishes, Pterois miles and Pterois volitans. Proceedings of the 61st Gulf and Caribbean
Fisheries Institute, November 10-14, 2018, Gosier, Guadeloupe, French West Indies: 409-414.
OUNIFI BEN AMOR, K., GHANEM R. (2016) - New record of the lionfish Pterois miles in
Tunisian waters. In New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (July 2016). Mediterranean
Marine Science, 14 (2): 278-281
SCHOFIELD P.J- Geographic extent and chronology of the invasion of non-native lionfish
(Pterois volitans [Linnaeus 1758] and P. miles [Bennett 1828]) in the Western North Atlantic
and Caribbean Sea. Aquatic Invasions, 2009, vol. 4, no 3, p. 473-479.
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
82
The Tunisian Pterois miles measured 225mm total length and weighed 125g. It was
identified by the following combination of characters: body slightly compressed; head
angular with spiny protrusions, tentacles and cirri around eyes and mouth; large mouth
with villiform teeth; dorsal fin feathery with spines longer than body, and membranes
incised almost to the base; anal and caudal fins rounded; pectoral fins wing-like with
separate broad, smooth rays; small cycloid scales. Color of head and body with red and
black stripes alternating vertically; dorsal spines, pectoral and ventral fins alternately
banded with black, red and pink; dorsal soft rays, anal and caudal with series of dark
spots. Golani et al. (2021) assigned P. miles to Lessepsian migration. Therefore, the most
suitable hypothesis is that this species had entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea,
through the Suez Canal. Multiple evidence (e.g. Albins & Nixon, 2008) showed that the
occurrence of lionfish displayed negative effects on reefs by a decreased recruitment of
species in these areas, mainly those having an economical interest. Lionfish impacts on
tourist recreational activities have been observed and some locations have posted warning
signs advising potential envenomation by lionfish (Morris et al., 2009). Further research
is needed to verify if this invasive species has established a permanent population along
the northern Tunisian coasts. They should be regularly monitored in order to avoid
negative impacts on the local environment and economy.
Bibliography
ALBINS M.A., HIXON M.A. (2008)- Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish Pterois volitans reduce
recruitment of Atlantic coral-reel fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 367: 233-238.
AZZURO E., STANCANELLI B., DI MARTINO V., BARICHE, M. (2017) - Range expansion
of the common lionfish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) in the Mediterranean Sea: an unwanted
new guest for Italian waters. BioInvasions Records, 6(2), 95-98
GOLANI D., SONIN O (1992) - New records of the Red Sea fishes, Pterois miles (Scorpaenidae)
and Pteragogus pelycus (Labridae) from the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Japanese
Journal of Ichthyology, 39(2): 167–169.
BARICHE M., TORRES M., AZZURRO E. (2013) - The presence of the invasive Lionfish
Pterois miles in the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Marine Science, 14(2): 292-294.
GOLANI D., AZZURRO E., DULČIĆ J., MASSUTI E., ORSI-RELINI L., BRIAND F. (2021) -
Atlas of exotic fishes in the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Science Commission - CIESM,
365 p.
KLETOU D, HALL-SPENCER JM, KLEITOU P (2016) - A lionfish (Pterois miles) invasion has
begun in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Biodiversity Records 9: 46
MORRIS J.A., AKINS J.L., BARSE A., CERINO D., FRESHWATER D.W., GREEN S.J.,
MUÑOZ R.C., PARIS C., WHITFIELD P.E. (2009) - Biology and Ecology of the invasive
Lionfishes, Pterois miles and Pterois volitans. Proceedings of the 61st Gulf and Caribbean
Fisheries Institute, November 10-14, 2018, Gosier, Guadeloupe, French West Indies: 409-414.
OUNIFI BEN AMOR, K., GHANEM R. (2016) - New record of the lionfish Pterois miles in
Tunisian waters. In New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (July 2016). Mediterranean
Marine Science, 14 (2): 278-281
SCHOFIELD P.J- Geographic extent and chronology of the invasion of non-native lionfish
(Pterois volitans [Linnaeus 1758] and P. miles [Bennett 1828]) in the Western North Atlantic
and Caribbean Sea. Aquatic Invasions, 2009, vol. 4, no 3, p. 473-479.
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
82