Northernmost record of Hacelia attenuata (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Atlantic

Abstract

Background: The seastar Hacelia attenuata is present in the Mediterranean but also in the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Cape Verde and Gulf of Guinea. Methods: While scuba diving in Berlengas Archipelago (Peniche, Portugal), the author observed two individuals of this species. Results: This expands its geographic distributions and represents the northernmost record of this species in the Atlantic. Conclusion: Geographic boundaries of species are changing on a daily basis and it is crucial to report these new occurrences and to keep monitoring species distribution and biodynamic, in order to predict future changes.