Assessing the fish fauna diversity and abundance at Aegean and Ionian seas, with emphasis on certain NIS fish species via Scientific diving and Visual Census.

ABSTRACT: The Mediterranean Sea and its exceptional biodiversity suffer from non-indigenous (NIS) and invasive species. These result from Lessepsian migration and human activities. Species with the highest negative impact include Pterois miles, Lagocephalus sceleratus and Fistularia commersonii. The current study assessed the distribution and abundance of these three species in the Aegean and Ionian Seas in the context of the regional diversity of ichthyofauna. Using Scientific Diving and Visual Census, we focused on NIS fish fauna, and surveyed most of the areas where the occurrence or establishment of NIS had been documented. Emphasis was given to regions with limited available data. This study assessed the homogeneity of diversity and abundance of the fish species at the diving sites; assessed th

SUBMITTER: Kampouris TE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10686517 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature