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Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

Reproduction recorded first in Israel in 1952 and subsequently in
Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Libya, Crete, Egypt, Albania
In the Mediterranean, the spawning season extends
and Croatia. This species is now very common
over 12 months of the year with peaks from April to
throughout the eastern basin and it has also
December (April to September in the Levantine
appeared recently in Italian waters (Cape Peloro,
Sea).
Strait of Messina).
Similar species
The shape and the habits of the brushtooth lizardfish Ecological impacts
are very similar to those of the native Mediterranean The brushtooth lizardfish is a voracious predator. The
lizardfish, Synodus saurus. Saurida undosquamis, native and the non-indigenous lizardfish species
however, has a more slender body and a occupy different, depth-related habitats; however,
characteristic series of dark spots on the first dorsal interaction and competition between the two for the
ray and upper edge of the tail fin. Synodus saurus same prey fish may be possible. High densities of
lacks these dark spots on the tail fin, has pelvic fins the non-indigenous S. undosquamis could therefore
with inner rays that are much longer than the outer displace the native species (S. saurus). Adults could
ones, and has a single band of teeth on the furthermore compete with other native piscivorous
palatines rather than two. species by exploiting local resources faster.

Economic impacts
The brushtooth lizardfish is now an important
commercial fish in the eastern Mediterranean, where
it is caught by trawlers in large quantities. A sudden
increase in brushtooth lizardfish catch came at the
expense of certain economically important native
maxilla very
slender and teeth no species, such as the hake Merluccius merluccius and
visible with closed 8 pelvic-fin rays unequal the lizardfish Synodus saurus, along some
mouth in size
Mediterranean coasts.

The native species, Synodus saurus
Management options
These include a) early eradication of new
populations by MPA technicians through hand or
spear fishing, and b) maintenance of healthy and
abundant assemblages of top predators to
encourage natural control through predation.

References

Golani, D., 1993. The biology of the Red Sea migrant,
Saurida undosquamis in the Mediterranean and
comparison with the indigenous confamilial Synodus saurus
(Teleostei: Synodontidae). Hydrobiologia 271: 109-117.
Synodus saurus. Photo: E. Azzurro
http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Sauridaundosquamis.php

Brief history of its introduction and
pathways Drawings: Juan Varela

This is an Indo-West Pacific Ocean species,
including the Red Sea. In the Mediterranean, it was

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