The first record of Oculina patagonica (Cnidaria, Scleractinia) in the Adriatic Sea

Abstract

            Scleractinian coral Oculina patagonica De Angelis 1908, non-indigenous species for the Adriatic Sea, was for the first time recorded during biological baseline survey in the harbour of Split (eastern coast of the Central Adriatic Sea), in May 2011. Colony was found in fouling community at depth of 3 m on concrete vertical wall. The surface of single colony was approximately 200 cm². This record could be the base for future monitoring of possible spreading of this species, and to observe its behaviour in competition with the algal community and sedentary benthic invertebrates that were dominant on the surfaces of harbour walls.