European Ocean Biodiversity Information System

An initial group of eight Mediterranean indigenous species (Epinephelus marginatus, Thalassoma pavo, Sparisoma cretense, Coris julis, Sarpa salpa, Serranus scriba, Serranus cabrilla and Caranx crysos) with wide distribution, responsiveness to temperature conditions and easy identification were selected by a network of Mediterranean scientists joined under the CIESM programme ‘Tropical Signals’ (https://www.ciesm.org/marine/programs/tropicalization.htm; Azzurro et al. 2010). Soon after, and thanks to the discussion with other expert groups and projects, C. crysos was no longer considered, and Lessepsian fishes (Red Sea species entering the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal) were included, namely: Fistularia commersonii, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, Pterois miles, Stephanolopis diaspros, Parupeneus forskali, Pempheris rhomboidea and Torquigener flavimaculosus. Data were collected by a large team of researchers which joined in a common monitoring strategy supported by different international projects, which are acknowledged below. This database, when associated with climate data, offers new opportunities to investigate spatio-temporal effects of climate change in the Mediterranean Sea and test the effectiveness of each species as a possible climate change indicator. Contacts: ernesto.azzurro(at)cnr.it References: Azzurro E., Maynou F., Moschella P. (2010). A simplified visual census methodology to detect variability trends of coastal mediterranean fishes under climate change scenarios. Rapp. Comm. int. Mer Médit., 39. D’Amen, M. and Azzurro, E. (2020). Lessepsian fish invasion in Mediterranean marine protected areas: a risk assessment under climate change scenarios. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 77(1), pp.388-397. Garrabou, J., Bensoussan, N., Azzurro, E. (2019). Monitoring climate-related responses in Mediterranean marine protected areas and beyond: five standard protocols. Golani D., Azzurro E., Dulčić J., Massutí E., Orsi-Relini L. (2021). Atlas of Exotic Fishes in the Mediterranean Sea. 2nd edition [F. Briand, Ed.] 365 pages. CIESM Publishers, Paris, Monaco. ISBN number 978-92-990003-5-9. Considering the trend of increase of these species in the Mediterranean Sea (Golani et al. 2021) and their projected distribution according to climate change scenarios (D’Amen and Azzurro, 2020), more data on these tropical invaders are expected to come in the future implementation of the study. The Mediterranean ClimateFish initiative was initially Tropical Signals (funded by the Albert II of Monaco Foundation) and subsequently supported by the Interreg Med Programme (Projects: MPA Adapt, grant number 1MED15_3.2_M2_337 and MPA Engage, grant number MED18_3.2_M23_007), 85% co funded by the European Regional Development Fund.The Interreg Med project MPA Engage (grant number: 5216 | 5MED18_3.2_M23_007) partially supported this work. Important Note: This submission has been initially submitted to SEA scieNtific Open data Edition (SEANOE) publication service and received the recorded DOI. The metadata elements have been further processed (refined) in EMODnet Ingestion Service in order to conform with the Data Submission Service specifications. Processing methodology: first of all, training sessions/materials were delivered to both MPA staff and collaborating researchers; data were collected by trained people according to the for error and underwent the technical validation process; data were same protocol and checked by the same people before submission; formatted data were then examined gathered and formatted to meet Darwin Core archive standards where reports which did not meet inclusion criteria were removed; the data were manually examined again for quality assessment and to detect any remaining error.