A new record of the rare <i>Hypleurochilus bananensis</i> (Poll 1959) (Actinopterygii: Blenniidae) with a review of its distribution and ecology in Italian seas

Abstract

This study documents the presence of Hypleurochilus bananensis in a new area within the Tyrrhenian Sea, located about 30 km south of the closest occurrence locality known to date. Providing novel insights into its habitat, the observations here reported, at “Caterina Beach” (Sant’Agnello) on 29th and 30th December 2023, revealed the presence of four individuals close to a port beach area, in an artificial habitat represented by rusted iron pipes. These findings contribute valuable data to the limited knowledge on this rare species, providing new distributional and habitat notes.

Keywords

• Blenny
• cryptobenthic fish
• Mediterranean Sea
• rare fish species
• Tyrrhenian Sea