Substantiated occurrence of Gaidropsarus mediterraneus (Phycidae) from the Tunisian Coast (Mediterranean Sea)

The present paper report on the capture of a shore rockling Gaidropsarus mediterraneus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the NE Tunisian coast, in shallow coastal waters. It was a small specimen which of 210 mm standard length and 81.5 g. The specimens is described in this paper including morphometric measurements and meristic counts. The local distribution of the species is discussed and commented, it is considered as a by-catch species by fishermen, probably due to its low economical interest

Captures of the rare smoothback angel shark Squatina oculata (Squatinidae) from the Tunisian coast (central Mediterranean Sea)

The authors report the captures of 3 specimens of common angel shark Squatina oculata Bonaparte, 1840 from the northern coast of Tunisia in the central Mediterranean Sea. They were 3 adult males which measured 905, 1350 and 1400 mm, respectively, and their eviscerated weight was 4.3, 8.5 and 10.8 kg respectively. Combined with other captures made in the Tunisian waters and throughout the central Mediterranean Sea. The establishment of a viable population of the species in the capture area remains a suitable hypothesis which cannot be totally ruled out. However, further reords are needed. Together with other squatinid species present in the same region, a management plan should be integrated in Tunisian fisheries. This management should be conducted with the contribution of local fishermen to preserve the species of a possible and definitive exctinction

Captures of the rare smoothback angel shark Squatina oculata (Squatinidae) from the Tunisian coast (central Mediterranean Sea)

The authors report the captures of 3 specimens of common angel shark Squatina oculata Bonaparte, 1840 from the northern coast of Tunisia in the central Mediterranean Sea. They were 3 adult males which measured 905, 1350 and 1400 mm, respectively, and their eviscerated weight was 4.3, 8.5 and 10.8 kg respectively. Combined with other captures made in the Tunisian waters and throughout the central Mediterranean Sea. The establishment of a viable population of the species in the capture area remains a suitable hypothesis which cannot be totally ruled out. However, further reords are needed. Together with other squatinid species present in the same region, a management plan should be integrated in Tunisian fisheries. This management should be conducted with the contribution of local fishermen to preserve the species of a possible and definitive exctinction

Prvi nalaz bodečnjaka malog, Scorpaena maderensis (Osteichthyes: Scorpaenidae), s tuniske obale (središnje Sredozemlje)

The authors present the first records of Madeira rockfish Scorpaena maderensis Valenciennes,1833 from the Tunisian coast (central Mediterranean). The specimens are described including morphometric measurements and meristic counts. The origin of the species in its new living area is discussed and commented. However, these new findings confirm the establishment of a viable population of S. maderensis in central Mediterranean.Autori iznose prve zapise vrste bodečnjaka malog Scorpaena maderensis Valenciennes, 1833. s tuniske obale (središnji dio Sredozemlja). Opisani su uzorci, uključujući morfometrijska i meristička mjerenja. Razmatra se i raspravlja podrijetlo vrste u novom životnom okolišu. Ipak, ovi novi nalazi potvrđuju uspostavljanje održive populacije S. maderensis u središnjem dijelu Sredozemnog mora

First substantiated record of oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus (Osteichthyes: Gempylidae) from the coast of Senegal (eastern tropical Atlantic)

Three specimens of oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus Cocco, 1829 were recorded for the first time from the coast of Senegal. The specimens were probably immature; a single specimen was measured and weighed, reaching 745 mm of total length and 2350 g of total body weight, the other specimens were smaller. In this note, the authors present a short description of one specimen and its main morphometric measurements and meristic characters. The distribution of R. pretiosus in its new area of capture is commented and discussed

First substantial records of Physiculus dalwigki (Moridae) from the coast of Senegal (Eastern Tropical Atlantic)

The capture of two specimens of Physiculus dalwigki (Kaup, 1758) from the coast of Senegal is reported in this note. They were two adult specimens which measured 244 mm and 302 mm for total length, respectively, and weighed 81.8 g and 174.0 g, respectively. They were caught by trammel nets in the marine area of Dakar. They were described while mrophometric measurements and meristic counts were provided. These two findings constitute the first substantial records of P. dalwigki in the Senegalese waters, but also the southern extension range of the species from the western coast of Africa

Morphological abnormalities in the Striped panray, Zanobatus schoenleinii (Zanobatidae) from the coast of Senegal (Eastern Tropical Atlantic)

The capture of four abnormal specimens of the Striped panray, Zanobatus schoenleiniii was reported from shallow coastal waters surrounding the touristic area of Dakar, Republic of Senegal, and among them, some specimens displaying morphological deformities. A specimen exhibited a pectoral non-adherent to the head, a second was tailless, and two specimens displayed scoliosis at level of trunchal vertebrae and tail. The abnormalities are described and their causes and consequences herein considered.

Oxynotus centrina (Oxynotidae) from the Tunisian coast (Mediterranean Sea)

The authors report in the present paper the capture of two specimens of a rare shark, angular rough shark Oxynotus centrina (Linnaeus, 1758), from the northern coast of Tunisia. A first specimen was a juvenile female caught off Ras Jebel, the second specimen was a juvenile male caught off Kelibia. These captures occurred after two decades in the area where it appears that the species is not totally exctincted. The Mediterranean distribution of O. centrina appears to be different according to the region, absent from the coast of France, specimens were still sporadically caught in the Adriatic Sea, and mainly in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Basin

First substantiated record of Cotton Mouth jack Uraspis secunda (Carangidae) from the coast of Senegal (E-Atlantic)

A specimen of Cottonmouth jack Uraspis secunda (Poey, 1860) was recorded for the first time from the coast of Senegal. The specimen was immature measuring 118 mm for total length and 19.2 g for total body weight. In this note, the authors present a short description of one specimen and its main morphometric measurements and meristic characters. The distribution of U. secunda in its new area of capture is commented and discussed, together with its close relative species U. helvola (Forster, 1801)