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One Siganus or two? On the occurrence of Siganus luridus and Siganus rivulatus in the Maltese Islands

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2012

Patrick J. Schembri ,
Alan Deidun  and
Mark Anthony Falzon
Patrick J. Schembri*
Affiliation:
University of Malta, Department of Biology
Alan Deidun
Affiliation:
University of Malta, IOI-MOC
Mark Anthony Falzon
Affiliation:
9, Erin Serracino Inglott Street, Cospicua, Malta
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: P.J. Schembri, Department of Biology, University of Malta, Msida MSD2080, Malta email: patrick.j.schembri@um.edu.mt
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Abstract

Although both Siganus luridus and Siganus rivulatus have been reported from the Maltese Islands in the literature, and on internet sites and databases, there do not seem to be any specific records of S. rivulatus from these islands. In order to address the question whether both or only one of these alien siganids occur in the Maltese Islands, all records of siganids collected or photographed in Maltese waters were evaluated. Thirteen records comprising at least 33 specimens supported by photographs or specimens and 25 records of 48 individual rabbitfish identified in the field were all S. luridus. This suggests that S. rivulatus does not occur in Maltese waters.

Keywords

rabbitfishmarbled spinefootdusky spinefootnon-indigenous speciesdistributioncental Mediterranean
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 5 , August 2012 , e71
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2012

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