Chilomycterus reticulatus (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Diodontidae) in the southern Sicilian waters, central Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

A recently discovered fish specimen representing the family Diodontidae has been documented in the waters off Mazara del Vallo in southwest Sicily, Italy. A detailed description of the morphological and meristic characteristics of the specimen is reported. Molecular identification was performed through sequence analysis of the Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI). The specimen was identified as Chilomycterus reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) both morphologically and genetically. The finding marks the third confirmed record of Chilomycterus reticulatus in the Mediterranean Sea and Italian waters. The significance of the presence of this uncommon fish in the basin is briefly discussed, shedding light on its occurrence and potential implications.