Westernmost occurrence of the dusky spinefoot Siganus luridus (Osteichthyes, Siganidae) along North African coasts

Abstract

A specimen of dusky spinefoot Siganus luridus (Rüppel, 1829) was recorded in the peri-Mediterranean Lagoon of Bizerte located in northern Tunisia. This record constitutes the northernmost extension range of the species in the Tunisian waters, and the second record of a teleost Lessepsian species, known to date in a restricted brackish area. The specimen is described including morphometric measurements and meristic counts. Additionally, the distribution of S. Luridus, herbivorous species, in the Lagoon of Bizerte, the Tunisian waters in the area and in the Mediterranean Sea is commented and discussed.

Keywords

• brackish lagoon
• expansion
• migration
• lessepsian species
• tunis