Volume 25, Issue 75, January - June, 2024

Distribution and habitats of the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus): In the Syrian Coast (Eastern Mediterranean)

Amir Ibrahim^1♦, Chirine Hussein¹, Firas Alshawy¹, Alaa Alcheikh Ahmad²

¹Department of Marine Biology, High Institute of Marine Research, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria
²General Commission of Fisheries Resources, Coastal Area Branch, Tartous, Syria

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Marine Biology, High Institute of Marine Research, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria

ABSTRACT

Mediterranean Monk Seal, Monachus monachus, was monitored along the northern coast of Syria during the period 2001-2023, and the potential caves were identified. Thirty-four sightings were obtained in 9 different areas of the coast; three of which were photographed. In addition, sixteen caves potentially suitable as habitats were documented; they were concentrated in the area extending from Ras Al Bassit to Oum Al Tiur (9 caves) and that extending from Burj Islam to Slaib Al Turkman (7 caves). These visual sightings, in addition to existence of potential habitats, confirm that Mediterranean Monk Seal is present on the Syrian coast, either as a visitor, as a migrant transient, or as a settler. More research is need to prove the residence and breeding status on the Syrian coast.

Keywords: Monk Seal; Syrian coast; Mediterranean

Species, 2024, 25(75), e2s1624

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v25i75.e2s1624

Published: 27 January 2024