A SMALL INVADER CONQUERS SICILY: AMPHISTEGINA LOBIFERA (FORAMINIFERA: AMPHISTEGINIDAE)
- Autori: Guastella, R.; Mancin, N.; Caruso, A.; Balistreri, P.; Mannino, A.M.; Marchini, A.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2018
- Tipologia: Contributo in atti di convegno pubblicato in rivista
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/350673
Abstract
The highly invasive Amphistegina lobifera (Larsen, 1976), a benthic foraminiferal species native to the Red Sea, has colonized the Eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and altered the native community structure. More recently, it has been reported from Malta and the Pelagian Islands within the Sicily channel. Here, we report new records from the southern coasts of Sicily, where we found it abundant both in the soft-bottom sediment and as epiphyt on algae. The occurrence of A. lobifera in Pantelleria and Favignana islands represents the Mediterranean westernmost record of this non-indigenous species.