Hyporhamphus picarti (Valenciennes 1847) —African halfbeak

Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Hyporhamphus picarti (Valenciennes 1846) by George et al. (1964: 14); subsequently recorded as Hyporhamphus picarti (Valenciennes) by Mouneimné (1977: 62); as Hyporhamphus picarti (Valenciennes 1846) by Mouneimné (2002: 105). Material in collection: AUBM and USNM.

Distribution. Mediterranean Sea, eastern Atlantic: Morocco to Angola.

Conservation. IUCN: Global (LC: 10 July 2012); Med. (LC: 14 November 2007). Capture and threats: FIT, FIB, NIS, unknown. Occurrence: Rare. Low priority for conservation action .

Beryciformes