Diplodus levantinus Fricke, Golani & Appelbaum-Golani, 2016

Family:  Sparidae (Porgies)
Max. size:  23.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Mediterranean: Israel.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-13; Vertebrae: 23-23. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI-XII,10-16; A III,11-13; pectoral fin rays 15-17; gill rakers on first gill arch 6-9 + 8-12; upper and lower jaws with a single row of 4 incisors on each side, followed by molariform teeth, total of 16-19 in the upper jaw and 12-14 in the lower jaw, with the molariforms of the upper jaw separated from the incisors by a wide gap; in adults, sides of the body with 8 vertical bars of equal width, also present even in large adults, followed by a broad bar on caudal peduncle, which usually nearly reaches the ventral margin of the caudal peduncle (Ref. 110175).
Biology:  Found from shallow water to 50 m depth, usually on sand bottom near rocks; while juveniles are found above sandy substrate near rocks at depths of 0.2-2 m (Ref. 110175).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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