Syngnathus abaster Risso 1827 —Blackstripe pipefish

Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Syngnathus abaster Risso by Mouneimné (1977: 62); subsequently recorded as Syngnathus abaster Risso 1826 by Mouneimné (2002: 112). Material in collection: AUBM (OS1782; OS3816; OS3836; OS3969) and USNM.

Distribution. Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay south to Portugal.

Conservation. IUCN: Global (LC: 20 May 2016); Med. (LC: 9 March 2016). Capture and threats: HAB, Unknown. Occurrence: Rare. Significant decline in the last two decades. Medium priority for conservation action .