Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Decapoda, Percnidae): first substantiated record from the Adriatic Sea

New record of the non-indigenous crab Percnongibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) from Palagruža archipelago (Adriatic Sea)

“…Another possibility, which cannot be excluded, is its introduction to the islands by recreational or fishing vessels, which occasionally visit the area, especially during summer months. Our record, together with those reported by DULČIĆ & DRAGIČEVIĆ (2015) and UNGARO & PASTORELLI (2015), suggests that P. gibbesi is spreading in the Adriatic Sea. This could be also supported by the fact that specimens of P. gibbesi have been also found in the coastal areas of the islands Vis (central Adriatic) (A. ŽULJEVIĆ, pers.…”

“…Morphological features and colour of observed individuals were in agreement with descriptions of Percnon gibbesi by various authors (RELINI et al, 2000;FANELLI & AZZURRO 2004;THESSALOU-LEGAKI et al, 2006). Present finding indicates northward extension of distribution of P. gibbesi up to Palagruža Island, area further north than area of Molunat Bay (Fig 2. -location "b"), where it was previously recorded in 2014 (DULČIĆ & DRAGIČEVIĆ, 2015). Crabs were photographed near the shores of Mala and Vela Palagruža Island, which consisted of boulders, narrow cracks and scattered pebbles with algal cover.…”

“…The spreading pattern of the species in the Mediterranean was reviewed by KATSANEVAKIS et al (2011) who also documented its presence in the Adriatic Sea for the first time (Sazani Island, Albania). Subsequently, its presence in the Adriatic was documented for the Croatian and Italian coasts (DULČIĆ & DRAGIČEVIĆ, 2015;UNGARO & PASTORELLI, 2015).…”