First record of Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Ocypodidae) from the Algerian coast, western Mediterranean Sea

12/16/2020 Arda Tonay

First record of Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Ocypodidae) from the Algerian coast, western Mediterranean Sea

Vincenzo Di Martino, Bessy Stancanelli

ORCID IDs: V.D.M. 0000-0002-5987-0954; B.S. 0000-0001-7126-0633

CNR/ISAFOM; via Empedocle n° 58; 95128 Catania, ITALY
Aqua Stories; via Vampolieri n° 25; 95022 Aci Catena, ITALY

Abstract

The tufted ghost crab, Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758), is the only Ocypodidae species present in the Mediterranean Sea and is widely distributed in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin. In recent decades, this species has extended its Mediterranean distribution area by colonizing Sicilian, Maltese, Libya and Tunisian coastlines in the central Mediterranean. The present study reports the first record of the species for the Algerian coast in the western Mediterranean.

Keywords: Ocypode cursor, Mediterranean Sea, Algeria, protected species

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References

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