Westward range expansion of the Lessepsian migrant Fistularia commersonii (Fistulariidae) in the Mediterranean Sea, with notes on its parasites

One adult female bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii was captured near the coast of
Arbatax (Sardinia, Italy) in late October 2005. Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the
gonad revealed a postspawning ovary. Several body parts of the damselfish Chromis chromis
were found in its stomach contents. Different developmental stages of 58 metazoan parasites
belonging to Arthropoda, Nematoda and Platyhelminthes were detected in its mouth and
digestive tract. The lepocreadiid Allolepidapedon fistulariae was reported for the first time from
the Mediterranean and, with the exception of this species, all the parasites found were reported
for the first time in this host. This new record of F. commersonii may confirm the rapid range
expansion of this Lessepsian migrant in the western Mediterranean Sea, as well as the presence
of its endoparasite A. fistulariae.