Acta Parasitologica, Vol. 51, No. 3, 2006, 223-230 Jean-Paul Trilles(1) and Michel Bariche(2)* - First record of the Indo-Pacific Cymothoa indica (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae), a Lessepsian species in the Mediterranean Sea
(1)Equipe Adaptation Ecophysiologique et Ontogenese, UMR 5171 (UM2-IFREMER-CNRS) "Genome, Populations, Interactions,
Adaptation", Universite Montpellier 2, CC. 092, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France; (2)Department of Biology, Faculty
of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236 Beirut, Lebanon
*Corresponding author: michel.bariche@aub.edu.lb
ABSTRACT
Cymothoa indica, a typical Indo-Pacific genus and species, is reported for the first time in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Specimens were found parasitizing mainly barracudas (Sphyraenidae) from Lebanon. Female and male specimens are described
on collected materials. To date, the genus Cymothoa has not been reported in the Mediterranean Sea although it is widely represented
in other areas of the world. It is suggested that C. indica should be added to the list of exotic species introduced from
the Red Sea and known as Lessepsian migrants.
KEY WORDS: Cymothoa indica, Crustacea, Cymothoidae, Lessepsian species, Sphyraenidae, Lebanon