Invasion of Red Sea fishes of The Mediterranean (Lessepsian migration)

 

The Fish Collection of the Hebrew University has been the center and source of numerous studies of the invasion of the Mediterranean by Red Sea fish species via the Suez Canal, known as Lessepsian migration. This unique phenomenon has been studied from a plethora of aspects, e.g. monitoring, biological and ecological genetics, comparing  the source and the invading populations. These studies have yielded several models attempting to predict which characteristics or trait can be correlated to success in colonization. It has been found that life history strategy, genetic variability, feeding habits and wide geographic distribution do not necessarily correlate with success in colonization. However, similarity of the preferred habitat in the Red Sea to that of target invaded habitat may be an important factor in successful colonization and establishing a  sustainable population in the Mediterranean. 

This project has yielded hundreds of publications, including several books authored by the Fish Collection team with international authors from Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and elsewhere.

Golani, D., L. Orsi-Relini, E. Massuti and J.P. Quignard, 2002.  CIESM atlas of exotic species in the Mediterranean. Vol.1. Fishes. Briand, F. ed. CIESM Publications, Monaco, 256 pp.

Golani, D. and B. Appelbaum-Golani, 2010. Fish Invasions of the Mediterranean – Change and Renewal. Sofia: Pensoft. 332 pp.

Tenggardjaja, K., A. Jackson, F. Leon, E. Azzurro, D. Golani and G. Bernardi, 2014. Genetics of a Lessepsian sprinter the bluespoted cornetfish, Fistularia commersonii. Israel Journal of Ecology and Evolution.59: 181-185.

Tikochinski, Y., Barak, N., Beiralas, R., Nepevny, V., Raanan, A. and Golani D. 2019. Reduced genetic variation of the Red Sea fish, Randall's Treadfin Bream Nemipterus randalli, invasive of the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Biology Research 14(4): 716-723.

Golani D., Azzurro E., Dulčić J., Massutí E.  and Orsi-Relini L.  2021.  Atlas of Exotic Fishes in the Mediterranean Sea.  2nd edition [F. Briand, Ed.]  365 pages. CIESM Publishers, Paris, Monaco.