I Gastrotrichi del Golfo di Squillace e del Golfo di Sant’Eufemia (Calabria, Italia)

Abstract

The administrative Italian region Calabria is home to 17 reported species of marine gastrotrichs. In September 2021, we conducted new investigations focusing on the gulfs of Squillace (Ionian Sea) and Sant'Eufemia (Tyrrhenian Sea). Nine locations were investigated, taking 1-2 liters of sediment from each. Taxonomic analysis was conducted on-site using differential interference contrast microscopy. Altogether, 41 species were found, averaging 11,5 ± 4,7 species per location. Bellini Beach (Doganieri, CZ) was the richest, with 18 species, followed by Le Castella (KT), with 17 species. Overall, the fauna documented in 2021 was made up mostly of species already known for Italy; however, 59% of the species are new to Calabria, including four belonging to the genus Halichaetonotus, not yet reported for the region. The 2021 findings encourage further research in other underexplored coastal areas of Calabria and other southern regions.