THE CONFIRMED OCCURRENCE OF SCHEDOPHILUS MEDUSOPHAGUS (COCCO, 1839) AND PETROMYZON MARINUS LINNAEUS, 1758 IN MALTESE WATERS, CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Abstract

Specimens of two uncommon fish species, Schedophilus medusophagus and Petromyzon marinus, were recently collected in nearshore waters off the island of Malta in the central Mediterranean. Several morphological and biological parameters for the specimens are described. The findings ascertain the occurrence of the two species in the area and corroborate furthermore the substantial contribution to wildlife sightings made through social media and by citizen scientists, thus further increasing knowledge on Mediterranean biodiversity.