Finding of the macrophagous deep-sea ascidian Dicopia antirrhinum Monniot, 1972 (Chordata: Tunicata) in the Tyrrhenian Sea and updating of its distribution

Abstract This study reports the in situ observations of a deep-sea ascidian, Dicopia antirrhinum (family Octacnemidae), on the deep seabed off the Aeolian Islands (Tyrrhenian Sea), between 569 and 813 m depth. These observations represent the first record of the species in Italian waters and the second observation in vivo to date. Peculiar macroscopic features … Read more

Mesophotic rocks dominated by Diazona violacea: a Mediterranean codified habitat.

Abstract The football ascidian Diazona violacea was observed in three different sites in the Aeolian Archipelago (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea), from 53 to 116 m depth. A large population of this ascidian was found on rocky habitat, enhancing its three-dimensionality and constituting a peculiar facies. Colonies of D. violacea showed a mean density of 0.87 ± … Read more