Spider crabs of the genus Eurynome have complex taxonomic, phylogenetic, and biogeographic histories worldwide. Using newly generated molecular data, including the characterization of complete mitochondrial genomes, we addressed several unresolved questions surrounding the genus and its two Atlantic‐Mediterranean representatives, the type species Eurynome aspera and its sympatric Eurynome spinosa . DNA‐barcoding and reverse ta...

This collective article presents new information about 18 species occurring in 12 Mediterranean countries from the Alboran Sea to the Levantine Sea. Five lessepsian species namely Erugosquilla massavensis, Syrnola fasciata, Plocamopherus ocellatus, Maritigrella fuscopunctata and Siganus javus have spread within 2025 to neighbouring MSFD areas. Another five are here reported as first country records [Polyandrocarpa zorritensis...

New records of rarely reported species in the Mediterranean Sea (December 2025)

This collective study presents information on fifteen (15) species recorded across five countries (Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, and Türkiye) and four (4) ecoregions, ranging from the Alboran Sea to the Aegean Sea. The recorded species belong to three phyla: Mollusca (3 species), Arthropoda (3 species), and Chordata (9 species). Among mollusks, Martadoris mediterranea is reported for the first time in the Aegean Sea at two d...

This collective article presents new information about 15 introduced taxa belonging to five phyla: one Rhodophyta, one Chlorophyta, one Mollusca, one Annelida, two Arthropoda, and nine Chordata (one Ascidiacea and eight Osteichthyes). The records refer to eight Mediterranean countries and extend from the Alboran Sea to the Levantine Sea as follows: Spain: first record of the African hind Cephalopholis taeniops for the Alboran...

Ascidians are the largest and most diverse class of the subphylum Tunicata, and are important components of marine benthic communities. They are also renowned worldwide invaders, of growing concern due to ease of spread and impacts on native biota. We hereby combined bathymetric and habitat mapping, extensive transect and photo-quadrat sampling, and a morphological and molecular study on selected specimens to evaluate taxonomi...

Human-mediated dispersal of alien species in new biogeographic realms is one of the major drivers of biodiversity change in marine ecosystems. Among others, ascidians are invasive species spreading worldwide, thus causing ecological and economic harms in the recipient environments. An integrated taxonomic approach on selected samples allowed the identification of Botrylloides niger Herdman 1886 as a non-indigenous ascidian for...

Camouflage is the method by which animals conceal by blending in with the environment, and may be achieved by fixed or changing color, shape, texture, chemical secretions, and/or behavior [...]

Biological invasions constitute a major threat to native ecosystems and to global biodiversity [...]

The Indo-Pacific Sergeant Abudefduf vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) (Chordata: Pisces: Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Pomacentridae) is first recorded in the south-central Mediterranean Sea (Libya), based on the external morphology and the barcoding of a fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Present sightings from field surveys and social media include juveniles, sub-adults, and a single adult specimen, suggesti...