Confirmed occurrence of Indian Ocean twospot Cardinalfish Cheilodipterus novemstriatus (Osteichthyes: Apogonidae) in the Levantine Sea: first record from the Syrian coast

Abstract

       The authors present the first record of Indian Ocean twospot Cardinalfish Cheilodipterus novemstriatus from the Syrian coast (eastern Mediterranean). The species is described including morphometric measurements and meristic counts. This new finding confirms the establishment of a viable population of C. novemstriatus occurs at present in the Levant Basin.