First record of the barnacle Conchoderma virgatum Spengler 1789 on Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760) caught from Tunisian Central Mediterranean

Menel KRAIEM; Afif OTHMEN; Ahmed AFLI

doi:10.71754/instm.bulletin.v50.1742

Authors

Menel KRAIEM University of Carthage. National Institute of Marine Science and Technology (INSTM) https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3301-0771
Afif OTHMEN University of Carthage. National Institute of Marine Science and Technology (INSTM)
Ahmed AFLI University of Carthage. National Institute of Marine Science and Technology (INSTM) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5790-8544

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71754/instm.bulletin.v50.1742

Keywords:

Epibiosis, Beloniforme, Conchoderma, Records, Gulf of Chebba, Central Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

A group of Conchoderma virgatum (Spengler, 1789) was observed attached to a mature specimen of Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760), captured in May 2023 in the central Tunisian Mediterranean (Gulf of Chebba). This constitutes the second documented case of direct barnacle attachment to this host species (garfish). These observations confirm that C. virgatum is capable of establishing itself on the surface of garfish, using them as mobile substrates for feeding and reproduction. The collected data indicate that barnacle colonization is particularly prevalent during specific seasonal periods, suggesting that host selection is influenced by a combination of environmental factors (e.g., water temperature, currents) and host-related traits, such as surface morphology, motility, and availability. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the ecological consequences of such associations, especially in terms of host physiology and the broader dynamics of marine ecosystems.