1983

UNA, TS

Persian conch

All Strombus species are herbivorous, feeding on algae. They live in low-energy environments of shallow bays, on mixed (rock/sand/mud) bottoms.

No impacts on local biodiversity have been recorded.

No impacts on health and ecosystem services have been recorded.

No

No

1985

TC, TS

Slipper limpet

Being eurythermic and euryhaline, this species can be observed in all kinds of environments: rocky, gravel or sandy bottoms, as well as in muddy areas. (depth: 0-15m) This suspension-feeding species eats phytoplanckton during both the pelagic larval phase and as an adult.

1992

TS-Angl/fish

Sponge seaweed

The species is a model study system for many fields from algal physiology, endosymbiosis, and heavy metal accumulation to invasion ecology, algal genetics, and natural products. The alga also has economic value: it is cultivated for human consumption in Asia, used as invertebrate food by the mariculture industry, is a pest of natural and cultivated shellfish beds, is a source of bioactive compounds (antibiotic, anticarcinogenic, immuno-suppressive, anti-insect, and antihelminthic activity), and accumulates heavy metals, thus providing a model indicator of pollution.

2005

UNA

Reflexed jewel box

Chamids are stenohaline nearshore inhabitants of rocky shores and coral reefs with a poor ability to withstand low salinity as that of estuarine regions. The eggs are small, fertilization occurs externally, and the larvae probably undergo a prolonged planktonic development.

No impacts on biodiversity have been reported.

No impacts on health and ecosystem services have been recorded.

Yes

No

1963

UNA

Red Sea mantis shrimp

It prefers muddy, sandy, argillaceous funds and of gravel. It can be found up to 200m in depth, but most commonly between 20-40m. Reaches up to 20 cm.

No impact on biodiversity has been reported to date.

Despite the fact that in its native distribution it is a commercial species, it is still of minor importance in the Mediterranean, but with a potential importance for fishing.

Yes

No

1959

TS-hulls

Australian tubeworm

2003

UNA

Golani’s round sardinella

Small pelagic fish that forms large schools. It mainly preys on zooplanktonic crustaceans.

In general, it is not considered of threat to biodiversity. Yet, given the fact that interactions with other small/medium pelagic species are not very well known, there is a chance it will lead to biomass changes and/or distribution of native species (e.g. sardine, anchovy, round sardinella).

Interactions with other small/medium pelagic species are not weel known. Such interactions, apart from impacts on biodiversity, would impact fisheries. Yet, this species is a commercial one and with good potential in processing.

Yes

No

1894

UNA

Broadleaf seagrass

A tropical subtidal seagrass that is widely distributed along the coasts of the western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, and forms mono- or poly-specific meadows along the shore line. This species invaded the Mediterranean probably from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal, and it has been known to occur in the Mediterranean basin since 1895.

2005

UNA

Silver-cheeked toadfish

Inhabits offshore reefs, sandy bottoms and Posidonia oceanica meadows. Feeds on cephalopods, crustaceans and fish.

A voracious predator that prefers cephalopods (squids, cuttlefish and octopus). Fishers report significant reductions of commercial cephalopods in areas where silver-cheeked toadfish thrives.

Highly toxic and fatal to eat! Contains tetrodotoxin which is a source for food poisoning! The EU has forbidden its commercially exploitation. Predation on native species and gear damaging affects fisheries. Attacks to humans have been reported.

No (toxic, leathal to eat)

Yes (toxic, leathal to eat)

1908

TS-Angl/fis