Distribution of Lessepsian Migrant and Non-Native Freshwater Fish Species in Mediterranean Brackish Waters of Turkey

Abstract

The introduction of invasive fish species is considered to be one of the major causes of species endangerment in aquatic ecosystems. More than 30 non-native freshwater fish species which are introduced for the different purpose were reported in Turkey. In addition to the freshwater non-native fish species, the brackish water systems are also affected by the fish species that enter the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. This study aimed to identify non-native fish species introduced in the Mediterranean brackish water systems of Turkey. Thirteen non-native species from eleven families were identified from 15 localities along the entire Mediterranean Coast of Turkey between 2014-2017. These species are Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782), Pseudorasbora parva (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846), Coptodon zillii (Gervais, 1848), Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), Chelon carinatus (Valenciennes 1836), Equulites klunzingeri (Steindachner, 1898), Upeneus moluccensis (Bleeker, 1855), Upeneus pori Ben-Tuvia & Golani, 1989, Siganus rivulatus Forsskål & Niebuhr, 1775, Sillago suezensis Golani, Fricke & Tikochinski, 2013 and Sphyraena chrysotaenia Klunzinger, 1884. The most widely distributed non-native fishes were Gambusia holbrooki, Chelon carinatus, and Carassius gibelio. Of the 15 localities surveyed Lessepsian fish species were sampled from 9 localities.