The first confirmed record of Indo-Pacific Tarpon Megalops cyprinoides (Megalopidae) from the Red Sea

Abstract

The occurrence of Megalops cyprinoides (Megalopidae) in the Red Sea has been confirmed through the collection of two specimens by recreational fishers at freshwater inputs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Meristic and morphometric characters are provided, complemented by molecular COI sequences, which confirm their identification as M. cyprinoides. These molecular findings also indicate a widespread monophyletic lineage. The limited availability of freshwater inputs to the Red Sea likely restricts suitable habitats for M. cyprinoides, contributing to its low population size in the region and its previous absence from regional ichthyological records.

Keywords:

• Saudi Arabia
• species distribution
• range extension
• biogeography
• recreational fisheries

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Abdulaziz Eisa Yasein and Mohammed Khalid Mohammed for capturing and donating the specimens examined in this study. This publication was made possible by their generosity. We further express our gratitude to Ute Langner for producing the map in this publication.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was fully supported by KAUST (baseline research funds to MLB).