Further additions to the alien mollusc fauna along the Cypriot coast: new opisthobranchia species

Abstract

          The finding of some alien opisthobranchia previously unknown from Cyprus confirms that Indo-Pacific alien species are spreading at an increasing rate in the Levantine Sea. This work reports on the occurrence of four new alien species recorded in the form of images that have been taken over a period spanning more than 8 years. These are Chelidonura fulvipunctata, Chromodoris annulata, Flabellina rubrolineata and Hypselodoris infucata. In addition, finding of Melibe viridis, which was considered hitherto as casual, confirm its establishment success around Cyprus. Chromodoris annulata, a recent invader in the Mediterranean and little known from the Levantine basin, is currently well established on the Cypriot coast.