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The present study recorded ten polychaetes species along Alexandria coast
which are considered new to the Egyptian Mediterranean coast. Among
them, Caulleriella cristata, Armandia casuarina, Prionospio lighti, and
Spio blakei have never been found in the whole Mediterranean, while
Dorvillea similis, Ophryotrocha cf. adherens, Podarkeopsis capensis,...
Thirty nine immigrant fish species from the Red sea were observed in seven regions of Egyptian Mediterranean waters during 2013- 2021. These were divided according to their importance in the fish markets into economic species (18) and non-economic species (21). Port- Said region (North opening of Suez Canal) constituted high percentage of occurrenc...
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... More precisely, the gradual rise in global temperatures is facilitating the expansion of warm-water taxa in the Mediterranean, a phenomenon commonly referred to as 'tropicalization' (Bianchi and Morri 2003;Bianchi 2007;Por 2009;Bianchi et al. 2012Bianchi et al. , 2018Peleg et al. 2020). Gathering spatio-temporal data on these non-native species and monitoring their expanding geographic ranges represents an unavoidable and necessary step for managing and conserving marine ecosystems and their biodiversity (Katsanevakis et al. 2020). Records of alien species are frequently documented and published when they represent the 'first records' within a particular geographical area but only rarely, after this first step (sometimes also 'sensationalistic' from a media point of view) further monitoring efforts are performed. ...
On September 1st, 2023 three specimens of the blue button Porpita porpita (Lin-naeus, 1758) (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) were found stranded along the store of the Genoa metropolitan area (northwest Mediterranean Sea, Ligurian Sea) as a result of a citizen science contribution. This record represents the second observation of the species in this area after the first one, occurred in 2019. The general increase in observations of P. porpita in the Mediterranean basin, from 2010 on, may suggest a higher abundance of specimens in the sea, likely due to climate change, an intensified effort in reporting sightings of citizens scientist (whose data accounts for more than 85% of total available records), or a combination of both factors. The analysis of environmental data related to this latest stranding event suggests that this occurred under specific meteorological conditions. Since monitoring the spread of non-indigenous species is fundamental to study global warming effects on marine biodiversity, the understanding of the precise environmental settings under which they may occur might reduce observational biases and contribute to the acquisition of sound data less linked to fortuitous observations.
... In the next years, this fish continued to be reported as S. undosquamis from southeast Türkiye (Ben-Tuvia, 1978) and from Greece, where it was recorded in Rhodes Island (Papaconstantinou, 1990). Later, Katsanevakis et al. (2020) reported the spe-cies as S. lessepsianus from Kalymnos Island. ...
... The gap of information in the Greek seas from 1990 till 2020, may indicate that the species had not been successfully established in the area. However, in the recent years it has been reported in Kalymnos (Katsanevakis et al., 2020), in Crete (present study) and had also been caught in Pserimos Island (Dodecanese) during the MEDITS research surveys of 2022 and 2023 (unpublished data). These findings may indicate a new recent expansion of the species in the area. ...
... Among those is the palaemonid cleaner-shrimp Urocaridella pulchella Yokeş & Galil, 2006, a highly overlooked decapod which was first described from the southwestern coasts of Türkiye, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in 2006 (Yokeş & Galil, 2006) and then recorded in Saudi Arabia and Jordan (Red Sea) proving its Indo-Pacific origin (Ďuriš, 2017). In the Mediterranean Sea, the nocturnal U. pulchella has also been recorded in Israel (Katsanevakis et al., 2020), Greece (Digenis et al., 2021) and Cyprus in cryptic habitats (e.g., marine caves and crevices). ...
This Collective article presents 18 introduced taxa in the Mediterranean Sea, belonging to seven phyla and documented at 22 new locations and seven countries spanning from the Levantine to the western Mediterranean. These records include the first country records of the African mussel Perna perna (Syria), the sea slug species complex Elysia cf. marginata-grandifolia (Cyprus), the green algae Acetabularia caliculus and the parasitic amphipod Brachyscelus rapacoides (Türkiye), the lizardfish Synodus randalli (Greece), the red algae Chondria coerulescens (Croatia) and the gastropod Pyrgulina maiae (Tunisia). Moreover, the cardinalfish Cheilodipterus novemstriatus is recorded for the first time from the Aegean Sea (Greece), the shrimp Urocaridella pulchella from the Ionian Sea (Greece) and the colonial ascidian Aplidium accarense and the polychaete Laonome triangularis from the Adriatic Sea (Italy). Regarding the expansion of non-indigenous species, this article documents the southernmost occurrence of the cornet-fish Fistularia petimba in the Aegean Sea (Greece) and the westernmost occurrence of the lizardfish Saurida lessepsianus in the Mediterranean (Greece). Moreover, it includes information on the continued spread of the zooxanthellate coral Oculina patagoni-ca in Türkiye, as well as the further expansion of the crab Dyspanopeus sayi and the colonial ascidian Polyandrocarpa zorritensis in Italy. Finally, the first Mediterranean record of the sea slug Tubulophilinopsis reticulata (Tunisia), and the northernmost global record of the snapping/pistol shrimp Synalpheus africanus (Italy) are reported.
... It is believed that it migrated from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea via shipping through the Suez Canal before 2006, when the first record in the Mediterranean Sea occurred, as indicated by the size of their specimens (Yokes & Galil, 2006). Since then, this species has established several populations in the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin (Katsanevakis et al., 2020;Ragkousis et al., 2023) including the Ionian Sea (Dimitriadis et al., 2023). Currently, the species can be found in high abundance on the Turkish coast, the Dodecanese archipelago and Crete (Southern and Eastern Aegean Sea) (Vafidis et al., 2021;Zirler et al., 2023a). ...
... At the same time, two individuals of D. setosum were observed in Kalo Nero, both appearing healthy without any sign of illness. In Atzikiari and Dianiskari, previously established populations of D. setosum which had been reported over subsequent years prior to 2020 (Katsanevakis et al., 2020), were completely absent at both sites in the current surveys (conducted during 2023). Both sites are located on the northeastern coast of the island and no surviving individuals of D. setosum nor traces of a recent MME could be identified. ...
... The data collected during May and June of 2023 and January of 2024 suggest that the recent MME (Zirler et al., 2023b) affecting Diadema setosum in the eastern Aegean Sea is still ongoing, and progressing through successive years (i.e., 2022 to 2024). The northeastern part of the is- land of Crete was presumably already affected, since the previous existence of D. setosum (Katsanevakis et al., 2020) has not been evidenced in the site of Atzikiari during this study. The presence of a population in Dianiskari has been recorded twice (Katsanevakis et al., 2020;Ragkousis et al., 2023) while it was observed to be unaffected until December of 2022, thus leading to the suspicion that the MME affected this particular site probably during the first half of 2023. ...
Diadema setosum is an echinoid of Indo-Pacific origin that invaded the Mediterranean Sea in 2006. It is an ecosystem engineer with an important ecological function in its native range, but it can have a detrimental effect on Mediterranean reefs. Recently in 2022 a mass mortality event (MME) affecting this species was recorded in the east Aegean Sea in the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin. We are reporting herein a westward progression of the MME in 2023 affecting established populations in various locations around the island of Crete.
... Unlike high-profile invasive species that attract attention, such species may operate under the radar, influencing the community structure and ecosystem resilience. Recent studies have highlighted the prevalence of cryptic diversity, suggesting that many species remain undiscovered despite prominent efforts (Katsanevakis et al., 2020). The discovery of cryptic non-natives, such as the recent identification of H. ingressus in Antalya and İskenderun Bay, underscores the need for continued exploration and monitoring to unravel the existence of such species. ...
Hazeus ingressus Engin, Larson & Irmak, 2018, a new Indo-Pacific goby, was first discovered and described on Türkiye's Mediterranean coasts before being detected in its native location. It may have entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal , as a native population was later found in the northern Red Sea. This study provides further reports of H. ingressus from İskenderun and Antalya Bay, indicating that the species is also found in the eastern and central parts of the Levant Basin. Samples were obtained from Antalya Bay on July 26, September 27, and İskenderun Bay on August 26, 2021. These reports are based on larval specimens identified through DNA barcoding, highlighting the efficacy of ichthyoplankton samplings as a valuable tool for monitoring non-indigenous fish species in the Eastern Mediterranean-an area prone to biological invasions. Observing larval stages also suggests local spawning, indicating the presence of reproducing populations. Our study provides the first morphological description of H. ingressus larvae, which may serve as a valuable reference for future studies.
... The present data allow us to extend the distribution of this species to the area of Santa Caterina di Nardò, in far less impacted environments. The species was previously known for the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (Dağli & Çinar, 2009), reaching westwards to Malta (Katsanevakis et al., 2020). The present data together with those reported by Borghese et al. (2023) suggests that it is expanding towards the western Mediterranean Sea. ...
The Salento Peninsula represents the eastern-most edge of the Italian Peninsula, and one of the first areas to be invaded by thermophilic non-indigenous species. The diversity of non-indigenous polychaetes occurring along the Salento Peninsula is reviewed based on literature data and new samples. Overall, fifteen non-indigenous polychaetes were recorded; among them, Syllis similisunzima is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea; Lepidonotus tenuisetosus is recorded for the first time in Italian waters; Pseudonereis anomala, until now known only for Sicily, is reported for the first time from the Italian Peninsula; Dorvillea similis is a first record for the Ionian and Adriatic Sea. 16S rDNA and COI sequences were obtained for eleven species, allowing us in some cases to confirm their identity and/or geographical origin, while in the case of some species they represent the first molecular data ever obtained.
... Some major problems in inventory compilations concern the criteria applied to the definition of the status of each species (Marchini et al., 2015;Zenetos et al., 2022), following its detection and correct identification. Therefore, the number of species in the inventories (especially the number of records) can show a disproportion between large-sized, motile, conspicuous, relevant species and small-sized, less "notable" ones (e.g., sessile, not edible, not exploited and/or not particularly harmful to humans) among which are bryozoans (e.g., Katsanevakis et al., 2020;Ragkousis et al., 2023). In fact, most bryozoans often grow as small colonies in cryptic microhabitats and can be overlooked (e.g., Rosso et al., 2013), if targeted investigation is not carried out. ...
The introduction of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) in the Mediterranean Sea is one of the main threats to biodiversity and its increasing frequency could bring a significant ecological impact on native species. However, knowledge of marine bioinvasions, the spreading patterns of NIS and their possible pathways of dispersion is still limited, especially for particular taxonomic groups. In this paper, we report the first Mediterranean record of a colony of a non-indigenous bryozoan, Microporella hastingsae Harmelin, Ostrovsky, Cáceres-Chamizo and Sanner, 2011, found on plastic litter stranded south of Catania (Sicily, western Ionian Sea) during spring 2023. Based on this colony, a formal taxonomic description of M. hastingsae is provided for this species, which was recently erected for old, misidentified material collected in the early twentieth century in the Suez Canal and the north Red Sea. We suggest that the species could be considered a Lessepsian migrant assuming it entered the Mediterranean Sea at any time, through larval dispersal and/or the possible facilitation by human activities, presumably shipping. Further surveys in coastal localities of Sicily and the eastern Mediterranean are needed to confirm the establishment of M. hastingsae or if the present colony only represents an occasional record of the species in the basin.
... The Mediterranean Sea, which is recognized as a hotspot for biodiversity, was not spared from this intrusion of non-native species (Zenetos et al. 2012). The highest rate of non indigenous species in the Mediterranean was recorded in 2018 (Katsanevakis et al. 2020). Nevertheless, the dispersal capacity of alien species can be affected by the distance from the source area (Occhipinti-Ambrogi 2007). ...
Some ecological aspects of the alien crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) have been approached by visual surveys in the southwestern Mediterranean waters (East, Algeria). This sampling method, applied on a coastal line of 16.2 km and between 0 and − 3 m depth, allowed us to collect information on abundances and densities by size category, nature of the habitat and behavior of this species. Overall 22 diurnal dives (3 observations/dive) were carried out in 2 different adjacent costal sectors, the Bay of Annaba (Sector 1: Lever de l’Aurore-Amphore), located at the east, and Cap de Garde (Sector 2: Cap de Garde - Djenen El Bey beach), located at the west of the Bay. We recorded an average total of 5325 individuals (± 15.62) with numerical dominance in sector 2 (4472 ± 9 ind.). Medium-sized individuals dominated numerically in sector 1 (412 ± 10 ind.), while large individuals were better represented in sector 2 (1980 ± 12.77 ind.). Average densities in two sectors varied to according on measurement unit (surface, dive time). Whatever the sector, the rock cracks sheltered the greatest number of individuals. No individual was observed on homogeneous bottoms. Overall, crabs are indifferent in the presence of an observer.
... For example, 215 established/casual alien species were known along the coasts of Türkiye in 2005 (Çinar et al. 2005), but the number rose to 539 in 2020 (Çinar et al. 2021). Today, the existence of six sponge species (Haliclona (Halicholona) vansoesti, Geodia micropuntata, Amphimedon chloros, Niphates toxifera, Negombata corticata and Paraleucilla magna) appear to be alien species from the Mediterranean Sea (Longo et al. 2007;Zammit et al. 2009;Guardiola et al. 2011;Katsanevakis et al. 2020;Bertolino et al. 2022). Also, four of these species (G. ...
This study compiled data on the distribution of sponge species along the coasts of countries bordering the Levantine and Aegean Seas (eastern Mediterranean). The checklist comprises 313 species belonging to 67 families, 23 orders, and 4 classes. Out of these species, 37 species are endemic to the Eastern Mediterranean and 77 species are endemic to the Mediterranean. The orders, namely Tetractinellida (44 species), Haplosclerida (36 species), Suberitida (35 species), Poecilosclerida (34 species) and Dictyoceratida (31 species) have the highest number of species in the region. The Aegean coast of Greece has the highest number of sponge species (231 species), followed by the Aegean coast of Türkiye (129 species) and the Levantine coast of Israel (65 species). Due to the limited number of studies performed on sponges, the lowest number of species were found along the Libyan and Syrian coasts. Among the sponges reported, four species, namely Geodia micropuntata, Amphimedon chloros, Niphates toxifera and Paraleucilla magna appear to be alien species in the regions. A total of 14 sponge species listed as endangered or threatened species according to the Bern (1979) and Barcelona (2013) conventions have been recorded in the regions.
... Verified georeferenced occurrence records for marine native or introduced species accompanied by relevant meta-data (e.g., depth, habitat, and functional traits) are fundamental for researchers and decision-makers in order to identify knowledge gaps, map and model distributions of species, predict distribution shifts range under future scenarios, evaluate the invasive potential of non-native species and, ultimately, to design maritime planning, management, restoration and conservation initiatives and adopt appropriate measures for species and hosting habitats (Douvere & Ehler, 2011;Schaefer & Barale, 2011;Gerovasileiou et al., 2019;Katsanevakis et al., 2020;Tamburello et al., 2022). ...
... The absence of an international, Mediterranean or national collections biorepository is hindered by the paucity of fundings (thus personnel) that hamper the digitization, sharing and thus streamlining the consultation of collections. The publication in peer-reviewed journals (e.g., as short notes) becomes more and more difficult with the exception for large collaborative initiatives on native or allochthonous biodiversity (e.g., Servello et al., 2019;Katsanevakis et al., 2020, Ragkousis et al., 2023. ...
This Collective Article presents new information about the occurrence of 23 marine taxa that belong to five Phyla: two Chlorophyta,
one Annelida, six Mollusca, three Arthropoda, eleven Chordata (one Ascidiacea, one Elasmobranchii and nine Teleostei)
and extending from the Western Mediterranean to the Levantine Sea. All these records were reported from nine countries from the
western to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, with a broad biogeographical coverage as follows: Spain: first records of the sacoglossans
Cyerce graeca and Placida tardyi for the Alboran Sea and first records of the nudibranch Marionia gemmii for the Mediterranean
waters of Spain; first records of nudibranch Algarvia alba in the Mediterranean Sea. Italy: First report of the long-legged
crab Paragalene longicrura, a further new Mediterranean record of the rare offshore rockfish Pontinus kuhlii, first documented
record of the spiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela in Sardinia (Tyrrhenian Sea), new record of the red‐spotted wrasse Lappanella
fasciata from the Messina Strait, first documented record of the rarely observed brown moray Gymnothorax unicolor in the Ionian
coast, first record of the colonial ascidian Botrylloides israeliensis, first record of the Morocco dentex Dentex maroccanus, first
record of mottled shore crab Pachygrapsus maurus and of an adult specimen of barracudina Lestidiops sphyrenoides in the Adriatic
Sea, and further new Mediterranean records of Ross worm Sabellaria spinulosa along the same coast. Tunisia: second record
of smalleye squaretail Tetragonurus cuvieri from the African Mediterranean coast. Slovenia: first records of the sea slug Trapania
graeffei and Melanochlamys wildpretii, with the last one also representing the northernmost finding of this species. Croatia:
northernmost record of the endangered twaite shad Alosa fallax in the Adriatic coast. Albania: first records of the Mediterranean
spearfish Tetrapturus belone. Türkiye: first record from the Aegean coasts for Türkiye of the green macroalgae Cladophora battersii
and Valonia aegagropila. Israel: first record of the skeleton shrimp Caprella acanthifera in the Southeastern Mediterranean
Sea. Syria: first record of the Smooth grenadier Nezumia aequalis from Syrian marine waters.
... In order to assess the worst-case scenario of introduction, cryptogenic species were considered in the same way as NIS in the analyses, following the approach adopted in previous studies (e.g., Katsanevakis et al., 2020;Tempesti et al., 2022a). Data treatments by univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out using R statistical computing environment (R Core Team, 2016) and the software Primer-E v. 7 (Clarke, 1993;Clarke and Gorley, 2015). ...
The early stages of fouling development on artificial substrates were examined for spatial-temporal variation in the commercial and touristic harbours (use destinations) of the port of Livorno (Tuscany, Italy). The experiment was carried out by submerging two types of experimental ropes with different surface textures, considering three times of submersion. Particular attention was paid to the colonization dynamics of non-indigenous species (NIS). The type of rope did not significantly affect fouling development. However, when the NIS assemblage and the whole community were taken into account, the colonization of ropes varied depending on the use destination. The touristic harbour exhibited a degree of fouling colonization higher than the commercial one. NIS were observed in both harbours since the beginning of colonization, eventually achieving higher population densities in the touristic harbour. The use of experimental ropes represents a promising quick cost-effective tool for monitoring of NIS presence in port environments.
