First sighting of the Red Sea originated stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) from Turkey

Abstract A single specimen of stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa Bloch and Schneider, 1801) was recently captured off Yumurtalık (Iskenderun Bay), representing its first occurrence on the coast of Turkey and second record in the entire Mediterranean Sea. This species is famous with its highly toxic stings and possess a potential risk for human health, if it finds the opportunity to establish a successfully breeding population in the region.

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Key words: Synanceia verrucosa, Synanceiidae, alien species, Mediterranean Sea Turkey,

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