First occurrence of Actaeodes tomentosus (H. Milne Edwards, 1834) (Brachyura: Xanthidae: Actaeinae) in the Mediterranean Sea

• DOI: 10.12681/mms.1113
• Publication Date: 2016-06-30T13:11:39Z
• Authors: M. CORSINI-FOKA; G. KONDYLATOS
• Keywords: Actaeodes tomentosus; 0106 biological sciences; Rhodes Island; vectors of introduction; 13. Climate action; Mediterranean Sea; bioinvasions; Xanthidae; 14. Life underwater; Greece.; 01 natural sciences

The presence of the crab Actaeodes tomentosus, native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea, is documented for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, on the basis of two specimens collected from Rhodes Island (Aegean Sea), a marine area particularly vulnerable to warm-water alien invasions. Along with the recent report of Xanthias lamarckii in similar conditions and region, the finding of another non-indigenous xanthid opens many questions regarding their occurrence in the area. Apart from the Lessepsian migration, other possible vectors of introduction are therefore examined.