First record of a bathyal leptostracan, Nebalia abyssicola Fage, 1929 (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Phyllocarida), in the aegean sea, eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

Data on deep sea leptostracans (Crustacea: Phyllocarida: Leptostraca) are still scarce in many parts of the world. In the last few years, several species of Nebalia Leach, 1814, have been reported from the eastern Mediterranean; however, there have been no reports from waters deeper than 100 m. Samples collected recently from Gökçeada, Turkey-at depths of 680-820 m in the Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean-included Nebalia abyssicola Fage, 1929. This is the first record for the study area and one of the few known records of this species. Specimens are described and figured to complement previous descriptions. A key for all known leptostracans from the eastern Mediterranean is also provided. © TÜBİTAK.