The Northernmost Record of Champsodon nudivittis (Ogilby, 1895) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Champsodon nudivittis (Ogilby, 1895), also known as nakedband gaper, is distributed in the Aegean and Levantine parts of the Mediterranean Sea. It has been reported in the Mediterranean Seaas a Red Sea immigrant. The first record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea was reported in2009 from the Levantine coasts. In this study, two individuals of nakedband gaper were capturedabout two months apart north of Gokceada Island, in the North Aegean Sea. The specimens wereobtained using a trawl at depths of 100-120 m. Their total lengths were measured as 117 and 122mm. This report extends the distribution of C. nudivittis to the North Aegean Sea, marking itsnorthernmost record in the Mediterranean Sea to date. Moreover, the species is the second RedSea origin fish recorded in the area between Gokceada Island, Samothraki Island and Saros Bay. C.nudivittis is known as a predator, hence, its population density should be monitored and its impacton the ecosystem should be assessed in the North Aegean Sea.