Crossing frontiers Tubulophilinopsis lineolata reaches the Mediterranean: A new record from the Libyan Coast

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea is significantly impacted by non-indigenous species (NIS) that have arrived through various routes, most notably shipping traffic. As a result, commercial harbours have become critical hotspots for these introductions. The Libyan coastline, particularly in the vicinity of major ports, is highly vulnerable to the arrival of NIS. During a targeted assessment of heterobranch biodiversity conducted from 2023 to 2025, the cephalaspidean Tubulophilinopsis lineolata was documented for the first time in both Libya and the Mediterranean Sea. This discovery highlights the urgent need for increased monitoring and for the creation of systematic biodiversity inventories covering Libya’s understudied coastal regions.