Abstract
The parrotfish Sparisoma cretense, a marine species native to the eastern and southern coastal areas of the Mediterranean, has extended its distribution northward. Here, we provide an update on its distribution based on currently published data and two new records from the coastline of Sardinia, Italy (central-western Mediterranean). The survey methods were scuba diving and spearfishing: one specimen of S. cretense was caught along the Argentiera coastline (northwest Mediterranean) and the others were photographed in the Gulf of Orosei, Osalla Bay (central-eastern Mediterranean). A literature update, together with new records, documents the distribution of this species in the northernmost areas of the Mediterranean. Probably a result of global warming, the ongoing northward expansion of S. cretense highlights the need for sampling campaigns to obtain timely updates on population and distribution of this thermophilic species.
Highlights
Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment [1,2].Temperature plays a fundamental role in marine ecosystem biodiversity [3] and deep-sea environments [4]
Parrotfishes consist of 10 genera and 88 species
Actutwo species are reported in the Mediterranean Sea: Sparisoma cretense
Summary
Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment [1,2]. Temperature plays a fundamental role in marine ecosystem biodiversity [3] and deep-sea environments [4]. AS are an ever-increasing problem in the Mediterranean [27,28,29] Their impact cannot be adequately described without considering climate change. Some thermophilic species, such as the parrotfish Sparisoma cretense Linnaeus, 1758 (Osteichthyes, Perciformes, Scaridae), apparently non-invasive, have expanded their distribution into higher latitudes, where they have formed established populations [30]. This phenomenon has been termed “meridionalization” [28]. That means enhancing prompt detection of new incursions and correct taxonomic identification of invaders, ensuring immediate reporting of relevant information to both the scientific community and competent authorities involved in risk assessment and management
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