Ecological characteristics of the invasive pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea – a case study from Rhodes

Abstract

In this study, the ecological and social impact of the invasive pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus on the coastal habitats of an area in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Rhodes Island) was investigated. Seasonal quantitative sampling in two common coastal habitats were used to investigate habitat use by different life-stages. Sandy areas were found to be highly important for the early life stages of L. sceleratus. In contrast, Posidonia oceanica habitats were mainly preferred by larger (>29 cm) reproductive adults, not exceeding 64 cm. Lagocephalus sceleratus was found to feed on invertebrates and fish, while size classification revealed a tendency for a diet shift with increased size. During the early life stages, L. sceleratus inhabits sandy bottoms where it feeds on various invertebrates. The predominant molluscan species found in the diet of larger (> 20 cm) L. sceleratus individuals were the economically important Sepia officinalis and Octopus vulgaris. The size at which 50% of individuals have reached maturity was estimated at 36 cm. With increased size, habitat shift to seagrass meadows most possibly occurs to meet both the increased demand in prey availability and requirement for appropriate spawning ground. The condition factor for L. sceleratus showed significantly higher values during summer than all other seasons and this was attributed to the spawning season and increased feeding. Social impacts were alarming due to increased public attention concerning its lethal effects (presence of tetrodotoxin), if consumed. Its high abundance in coastal fish communities of the studied area combined with ecological and social impacts, clearly classify L. sceleratus as a pest for fisheries and a potential threat for biodiversity.

First record of an invasive Lessepsian migrant, Lagocephalus sceleratus (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae), in the Sea of Marmara

“…Dorsal fi n rays 12, anal fi n rays 10 and pectoral fi n rays 18. All the other diagnostic features of the specimen were in accordance with Kara et al (2015), Kalogirou (2013), Milazzo et al (2012), andAkyol et al (2005). Remarks.…”

“…The silver-cheeked toadfi sh, Lagocephalus sceleratus, is one of the puffer fi shes of the Indo-Pacifi c origin which have invaded the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea (Nader et al 2012). After its fi rst occurrence in the Gökova Bay, Aegean Sea in February 2003(Akyol et al 2005, it was reported from the Levantine Sea, Adriatic Sea, Italian coasts of the Ionian Sea, and central Mediterranean, respectively (Kalogirou 2013, Kapiris et al 2014, Deidun et al 2015. This paper represents the fi rst record of L. sceleratus from the Sea of Marmara and expands the known distribution of this species.…”

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“…Regarding this information, the bigger fish found in summer and the increase in the percentage of small fish in autumn could be corresponding to the new recruitment of fish probably that were born in early summer. Kalogirou (2013) also mentioned the larger reproductive individuals in summer and increased fish abundance in autumn. The exponentially higher values of the mean abundance, biomass, and frequency of occurrence in winter comparing to other seasons could be related to the increasing catchability of fish in winter due to the decreasing sea temperature.…”

“…The highest abundance, represented by small individuals was sampled from 25 m depth and larger individuals were found at 150 m depth; however, the biomass and frequency of occurrence were highest at 50 m depth. Kalogirou (2013) also investigated the habitat use by different life-stages of L. sceleratus and reported the importance of the sandy areas for the early life stages and P. oceanica habitats for larger, reproductive adults. He interpreted this habitat shift was possibly related to the increased demand in prey availability and requirement for appropriate spawning ground with increased size.…”

“…It established abundant populations along the coasts of many countries of the eastern basin such as Turkey (Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara Sea coasts), Israel, Lebanon, Greece (Aegean and Ionian coasts) and Cyprus and expanded westwards along the coasts of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Italy, Croatia and Malta (Akyol, Ünal, Ceyhan, & Bilecenoğlu, 2005;Bilecenoğlu, Kaya, & Akalın, 2006;Golani & Levy, 2005;Corsini, Margies, Kondilatos, & Economidis, 2006;Katsanevakis, Tsiamis, Ioannou, Michailidis, & Zenetos, 2009;Halim & Rizkalla, 2011;Milazzo, Azzurro, & Badalamenti, 2012;Jribi & Bradai, 2012;Kalogirou, 2013;Azzurro, Castriota, Falautano, Giardina, & Andaloro, 2014;Sulić Šprem, Dobroslavić, Kožul, Kuzman, & Dulčić, 2014;Irmak & Altınağaç, 2015;Deidun et al, 2015;Kara, Lamine, & Francour, 2015 and references therein).…”