First record of yellowspotted puffer Torquigener flavimaculosus Hardy & Randall, 1983 (Osteichthys: Tetraodontidae) from Mediterranean Sea coasts of Syria

Abstract

The first record of the yellowspotted puffer, Torquigener flavimaculosus Hardy & Randall, 1983 in the Syrian marine waters is reported based on four 52-160 mm total length specimens collected from the Syrian coasts of Mediterranean Sea, between Ras Al-Bassit and Tartoos, 47’ N 39’’ 35º 17’ E 53’’35º and 20’ N 56’’ 35º 25’ E 44’’ 34º Morphometric and meristic data are provided and compared with those of 7 specimens caught off the north and south coasts of the eastern Mediterranean Sea and from Middle region of this sea