Expanding distribution and occurrence of the species Erugosquilla massavensis (Kossmann, 1880) from the marine waters of Banias, Syria

Abstract

Stomatopod crustaceans play an important role in food webs of marine ecosystems, as they are part of fish and large benthic invertebrates’ diets, in addition to their economic and nutritional value for humans. Many species of these invasive crustaceans migrated from the Pacific and Indian Oceans to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal and subsequently spread to new habitats.

One individual of Erugosquilla massavensis 20.1 cm total length was collected from the coastal waters of Banias city (35°07'17.1"N 35°54'19.0"E), at a depth of 7 meters on May 31, 2024. The presence of this species in the Syrian marine waters has been reconfirmed and documented for the first time from the coastal waters of Banias, After it was previously registered in Latakia city beach, confirming the expansion of this migrant species from the Red Sea along the Syrian coast. This finding contributes to the national biodiversity project and supports efforts to map its distribution. It can also be used as an important food source due to its high nutritional value.