Notes on the new findings and biology of the alien species Branchiomma bairdi (Mclntosh, 1885) (Annelida: Sabellidae) from Central Mediterranean

Abstract

We provide notes on reproductive biology and ecology of the alien species Branchiomma bairdi (Mclntosh, 1885) from the Central Mediterranean that can help to understand its introduction and expansion along this area (findings are indicated in Table 1). B. bairdi is original from the Caribbean Sea, and recently has been introduced in the S-E Gulf of California (Tovar-Hernández et al. 2011), and Turkey and Cyprus in the Mediterranean (Cinar, 2009). This first finding in the Mediterranean was relative to the eastern basin, but probably the species was already present also in the west Mediterranean and misidentified with B. boholense (Roman et al., 2009; A.Giangrande pers. obs.). The diagnostic features between these related species are the macrostylodes shape and the thoracic uncini teeth. The re-examination of specimens collected from Miseno habour (Gulf of Naples, Italy) revealed the presence of B. bairdi in the central Mediterranean since September 2004. Currently, the species has been spreading along different Mediterranean areas.