I am a PhD student from Libya and my research, supervised by Dr Chiara Benvenuto and Prof Stefano Mariani, is focused on the invasive species biology of two rabbitfish species (Siganus luridus and S. rivulatus) that have invaded the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea.

The aim of the study can be split into the following specific objectives:

1) shape variation; 2) trophic level and niche overlap; 3) analysis of genetic diversity of S. luridus and S. rivulatus, in relation to their novel and native habitats.

The study is expected to advance the knowledge on the process of Lessepsian fish migrations and to contribute to the global understanding of successful coastal fish invasions.