Keywords
mitochondrial COI
Oplegnathidae
shipping
How to Cite
Abstract
The occurrence of the barred knifejaw, Oplegnathus fasciatus, has been documented for the first time in Libyan waters, south Mediterranean Sea. This species is native to the Northwestern and central-eastern Pacific and its presence in the Mediterranean has been reported through previous scattered records. A single specimen was captured on 3 February 2023 of the coast of Benghazi at a depth of approximately 12 m using a trammel net. Both morphological and meristic examinations as well as a genetic validation via the
mitochondrial COI gene were used for species identification. This report discusses the potential pathways for the species’ arrival in the southern Mediterranean. A key forthcoming objective is to leverage citizen science, enhancing public awareness and improving the capacity for early detection of alien species.
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