Page 107 - Invasive_Species_2013

Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

Similar species Crete, Egypt and possibly in Libya and Tunisia. More
The genus Lagocephalus includes four species recently it was also recorded into the North Adriatic
inhabiting the Mediterranean. Only L. lagocephalus waters.
(Linnaeus, 1758) is native, while the other three Lagocephalus suezensis was first recorded in
species, L. spadiceus, L. suezensis and L. Lebanon in 1977 (as L. sceleratus), and later found
sceleratus, migrated from the Red Sea to the in Israel, Syria, Turkey, Greece and Libya.
Levantine basin by way of the Suez Canal.
Lagocephalus spadiceus was first recorded in the
Lagocephalus spadiceus can be distinguished from
Dodecanese Islands, Greece, in 1930, and it has
all the others by the presence of spinules on the subsequently been recorded in Turkey, Israel and
belly and back (from the eye to half-way to the
Tunisia.
dorsal fin, with another patch ventrally from the
throat to half-way along the belly), the lack of black
dots on its back, yellow dorsal and pectoral fins, and Ecological impacts
a dusky tail fin with white tips. L. sceleratus is one of the most important species in
terms of biomass in both Posidonia oceanica
Lagocephalus sceleratus has a distinct wide silver meadows and sandy areas in Rhodes (Greece).
stripe on the sides, a dark grey dorsal surface with
many regularly distributed small black spots, a Lagocephalus species are regarded as some of the
silvery white ventral surface, and pronounced, worst invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea,
strong teeth. and they have a significant impact on the fisheries
sector. However, the role of these invasive species
Lagocephalus suezensis is blackish brown to olive
within the coastal ecosystem and their effect on local
grey in colour with irregular brown to grey dots in
populations are still unknown.
various sizes. It has a bright silver stripe along the
side and a white belly.
Economic impacts
The native species, Lagocephalus lagocephalus,
has dorsal and anal fins with white bands. The body These species are very dangerous to eat as their
flesh is poisonous. The dramatic spread of these
is smooth (without dots) except for well-developed
spinules on the belly from chin to anus. In adults the highly poisonous fishes along the Mediterranean
coast reinforces the need for a public information
lower tail fin lobe is longer than the upper one. The
campaign to raise awareness of the dangers to
back is dark blue and the belly is white.
human health. Despite landings are prohibited in
countries like Turkey, it is illegally landed and
Dorsal and anal fins dark
with white bands on tip consumed the Mediterranean coasts.
Lagocephalus sceleratus attacks fishes caught in
14-15 rays
nets and on lines and can cause serious damage to
both fishing gear and catch.

Management options
These include a) early eradication of new
Lower tails fin lobe is longer
than the upper one populations by MPA technicians through spear
Minute spines in belly
fishing, and b) maintenance of healthy and abundant
assemblages of top predators to encourage natural
Lagocephalus lagocephalus
control through predation.
Brief history of its introduction and References
pathways Nader M., Indary S., Boustany L., 2012. FAO EastMed The
Lagocephalus sceleratus is a tropical Indo-West Puffer Fish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) in the
Pacific species, and has recently entered the Eastern Mediterranean. GCP/INT/041/EC – GRE –
Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Soon after it ITA/TD-10. Athens 2012: 39 pp. Drawings: Juan Varela
was first detected in 2003 in Turkey, the species http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Lagocephalussceleratus.php
underwent a population explosion in many areas http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Lagocephalusspadiceus.php
around the Levant Basin, including Israel, Turkey, http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Lagocephalussuezensis.php

104 Monitoring Marine Invasive Species in Mediterranean MPAs: A strategy and practical guide for managers