ANNALES • Ser. hist. nat. 11- 2001 • Suplement - Abstracts
Interdisciplinary Workshop "Pattern and Process in Balkan Biodiversity", Koper, September 25-28 2001
FACTORS AFFECTING THE DIVERSITY OF THE ADRIATIC ICHTHYOFAUNA
Lovrenc LIPEJ 
Marine Biological Station - National Institute of Biology &
ZRS Koper, Koper, Slovenia
Jakov DULCIC  
Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries, Split, Croatia
The Adriatic comprises an independent biogeographical and ecological subunit of the Mediterranean owing to 
peculiarities evident from the composition properties of its life communities (biocenosis). During the past ten years 
several papers have been published on the occurrence of new fish species in Adriatic waters, bringing the number of 
fish species in the Adriatic Sea to 417 in 119 families (i.e. 72% of the species and subspecies known in the Mediter­
ranean). The new records are mostly of thermophilic species. The movement of these species is also cited as evi­
dence for the warming of Mediterranean waters. The greatest part of the south Adriatic basin has not been suffi­
ciently explored as regards its ichthyofauna, particularly not at depths of >500 m.
Most species and subspecies of Adriatic fish, apart from some endemic species (6) and subspecies, belong to the 
Mediterranean and Mediterranean-Atlantic biogeographic region. During the last decades the number of thermo­
philic species in the Adriatic increased, mainly due to the effects of oceanographic changes. Some Lessepsian mi­
grants were also reported in the Adriatic in recent years. On the other hand some native and even endemic species 
became endangered due to certain anthropogenic factors, notably uncontrolled fishing, eutrophication and different 
kinds of pollution.
Key words: fish, Adriatic, diversity, origins, conservation