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edge of the meropodite of the fifth pereiopod allows dis-
criminating between these two latter species (Crocetta et
al., 2011).
On July 12 2016, six P. maurus specimens (includ-
th
ing an ovigerous female, Fig. 8) were collected by scrap-
ing a surface of less than 0.5 m among algae (Cystoseira
2
sp. and Caulerpa sp.), in the intertidal rocky zone of Avo-
la, southeastern Sicily (Fig. 9) (36.92177° N, 15.16823°
E). The area is characterized by the presence of few small
tidal pools exposed to wave action. The associated inver-
tebrate community was dominated by amphipods of the
genus Hyale and polychaetes of the family Nereididae.
All specimens were deposited in the collection of Ente
Fauna Marina Mediterranea (cod.#1207163 and cod.
#1207164).
This is the first record of P. maurus from the south-
eastern coast of Sicily and adds new data about its habitat
in the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, with the excep-
tion of the doubtful record by Magrì (1911) (see Crocetta
et al., 2011), we can consider our record as the first well-
documented finding of the species along the Ionian coast
of Sicily. Pipitone & Arculeo (2003) and Froglia (2010)
Fig.8: A. male specimen of P. maurus sampled in Avola (pre- did not include the presence of the species in eastern Sici-
served in alcohol), B. post-orbital spines C) lack of apical ly, while it was previously recorded from the northwestern
spines in the posterior border of themeropodite of the fifth pe- coast of the island (Misuri, 1914). We agree with Crocetta
reiopod. et al. (2011) that both P. maurus and P. transversus are
versus is an anfiatlantic species of tropical and subtropi- very likely more widespread and common than reported,
cal waters, also present in the Mediterranean Sea with and that small specimens may be misidentified without
scattered records. P. maurus is essentially confined to accurate observations due to similar morphological traits
the northeast Atlantic (Macaronesian islands) and to the and colour pattern with P. marmoratus. Systematic explo-
Mediterranean Sea with scattered records in its eastern rations will probably add several other new records from
and central parts. These species can be distinguished eas- other areas of the Mediterranean Sea. However, concern-
ily by their morphological characteristics. The number of ing the presence of P. maurus along the coast of Avola,
post-orbital spines allows immediate identification of P. we had never found the species during previous surveys
marmoratus: 3 in this species versus 2 in P. maurus and P. in neighboring areas before summer 2016, and therefore
transversus. Finally, the presence (P. transversus) or the we are prone to consider this as a recent finding based on
absence (P. maurus) of 2-3 apical spines on the posterior natural range expansion.

Fig.9: Records of P. maurus in Sicily, Malta and Lampedusa. Square: past records. Circle: new record. Years refer to year of
publication.

Medit. Mar. Sci., 18/1, 2017, 179-201 187