The occurrence of two xanthochromic fish, Epiniphelus marginatus (Serranidae) and Diplodus vulgaris (Sparidae) (Osteichthyes) in the eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

Xanthism in fishes has a genetic basis that causes abnormal skin colouration of yellow to orange-gold. Xanthochromic specimens are rare in nature. We report two cases of adult xanthochromic specimens from the Mediterranean Sea: Epinephelus marginatus from Israel and Diplodus vulgaris from Greece and discuss the reason for the paucity of reports of xanthochromic fish from the Mediterranean.

Keywords:

• xanthochromia
• fish
• Greece
• Israel
• COI barcoding

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mr G. Sassover for providing the specimen of Epinephelus marginatus. We would also like to thank the fisherman Mr. L. Kavouras for collecting the specimen of Diplodus vulgaris and to Mr B. Spirou, Major of Lipsi Island Authority, for providing the specimen.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.