Marine endemic species in Tunisia: Biogeography and ecological state in front of anthropogenic activities and climate change, 2. Fauna

Abstract

Historically, most Mediterranean biocenosis has been reconstituted from immigrants from the Atlantic that penetrate through the Strait of Gibraltar after its almost total desiccation during the Messinian crises approximately 5-6 million years ago, and their descendants have become Mediterranean endemic species over time. Currently, Mediterranean Sea is considered as a true hotspot of biodiversity and endemic species compared to other seas and oceans, and Tunisian coasts present a mosaic of bottom types from muddy-sandy to rocky bottoms. This offers diverse habitats and micro-habitats for flora and fauna, mainly for endemic species. Several factors affect biodiversity and endemic species in Tunisian waters, and most often act concurrently, such as climate change, water acidification, urban and industrial discharges, excessive fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and biological invasions. To date, there is neither a complete inventory of endemic marine species nor a study on their status, geographic distribution, and nuisance factors, with the exception of some work on certain groups such as fish. In this work, we have established a non-exhaustive list including more than sixty marine endemic species of fauna which have been observed in Tunisia, with information on their ecological state, their geographical distribution, and the main nuisances which threaten them.