Undergoing invasion of the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina (Lowe, 1838) in the western Ionian Sea, Central Mediterranean

The present short note explores the westward expansion of the non-indigenous fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina (Lowe, 1838) within the Mediterranean Sea. Indeed, this species that is native to the Atlantic Ocean, has extended its distribution range into the Mediterranean Sea, reaching firstly the eastern part of the basin. In the last decades, the fangtooth moray has been reported in the central Mediterranean Sea, representing a further westward expansion within the Basin. This record of the fangtooth moray is the third report from Italian territorial waters and the second one for Sicilian waters. In this study, two new individuals of the species are reported along the Ionian coast of Sicily. The rapid expansion of this fish species within the Mediterranean might be the result of its long pelagic larval stage. The fangtooth moray is an active predator, which can heavily impact native communities, thus it is necessary to keep monitoring the occurrence and expansion of this species within the Mediterranean.