Lessepsian migration, need of a separate term?

February 25, 2005
From: Jim Lyle

Dr. Rudman,

Following the recent message [#13226] on Glossodoris sedna:

Hyselodoris infucata is an Indian Ocean branch that is now found in the Mediterranean having made its way through the Suez Canal. The term "Leseppsian migrant" is given to such species, named for Ferdinand de Lesepps, the builder of the Canal.

Glossodoris sedna, a Pacific Ocean species, is now found in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida and in the Caribbean and was likely introduced via the Panama Canal. Is it correct to refer to G. sedna as a Leseppsian migrant, or is there another term for those species migrating via the Panama Canal?

An argument could be made to call both species Lessepsian migrants as Lesepps was involved in both canals, planning the Panama Canal for the French after finishing the Suez. But the French abandoned their efforts in Panama and it was the U.S. Corps of Engineers that finished the project. Further, the term Lessepsian migrant does not differentiate between the two.

If no separate term exists for migrants via the Panama Canal, several choices exist; they could be named after Lucien Wyse or Godin de Lepinay, Frenchmen who first proposed a lock/dam canal; or named after John Wallace, John Stevens or George Goethels, American engineers who supervised the construction of the canal.

My vote would be for "Stevensian migrant" after John Stevens who is given the most credit for the successful completion.

Best,
Jim Lyle

jlyle@scubadiving.com

Lyle, J.L., 2005 (Feb 25) Lessepsian migration, need of a separate term?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13233

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