Page 113 - Invasive_Species_2013

Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

Similar species vanicolensis inhabits caves during the day. There is
The body shape and the habitat of this species differ no documented evidence of competition with the
native species Apogon imberbis. However, the daily
significantly from all other Mediterranean species
migration out of the cave to forage at night and back
and a misidentification is unlikely.
in the morning could increase the transfer of organic
matter into the cave and thereby have an impact on
Brief history of its introduction and the cave-associated invertebrate fauna.
pathways
The Vanikoro sweeper is an Indo-West Pacific
Economic impacts
species that is also present in the Red Sea. It
No impact is likely. Due to its relatively small size and
invaded the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez
its nocturnal habits, it has little importance in local
Canal. It was first recorded in Lebanon in 1979, and
fisheries.
subsequently along many other coasts in the
eastern and central Mediterranean Sea (Israel, Management options
Lebanon, Greece, Rhodes, Turkey, Egypt, Libya and
These include a) early eradication of new
the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia).
populations by MPA technicians through hand
This species experienced a rapid population fishing, and b) maintenance of healthy and abundant
expansion almost immediately after entering the assemblages of top predators to encourage natural
Mediterranean, and it is now very common in the control through predation.
Levant.
References

Ecological impacts Golani. D and Diamant, A., 1991. Biology of the sweeper,
Pempheris vanicolensis Cuvier & Valenciennes, a
The lack of nocturnal competitors may have
Lessepsian migrant in the eastern Mediterranean, with a
facilitated the population growth and spread of this comparison with the original Red Sea population. Journal
non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean. Like of Fish Biology 38, 8 19-827.
other Pempheridae sweepers, Pempheris http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Pempherisvanicolensis.php

Pempheris vanicolensis. Photo: A. Can - www.alpcan.com Pempheris vanicolensis. Photo: A. Can - www.alpcan.com

Drawings: Juan Varela

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