Dentex dentex (Linnaeus 1758) —Common dentex

Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Dentex vulgaris, Cuv. by Gruvel (1931: 93); subsequently recorded as Dentex dentex (Linnaeus 1758) by George et al. (1964: 17); as Dentex dentex (Linnaeus) by Mouneimné (1977: 63); as Dentex dentex (Linnaeus 1758) by Mouneimné (2002: 166–167); recently recorded as Dentex dentex by Harmelin-Vivien et al. (2005: 629). Material in collection: ANSP, AUBM, BMNH and USNM.

Distribution. Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, eastern Atlantic: British Isles south to Mauritania, including Madeira.

Conservation. IUCN: Global (VU: A2bd, 17 August 2009); Med. (VU: A2bd, 11 December 2007). Capture and threats: FIT, HAB, unknown. Occurrence: Common. Significant decline in the last two decades. Medium priority for conservation action.