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A species of Aracbnoidea unknown in the Mediterranean Sea was collected during a survey on the benthos at Vulcano Island (Sicily), and was identified as A. (Arachnoidella) protecta, described by Harmer (1915) from the coastal waters of Celebes Island (Western Pacific Ocean).

A new species of Retevirgula, Retevirgula akdenizae sp. n., was collected during the “Akdeniz ‘92” campaign at Datcha (Turkey) from a Posidonia meadow. It is characterized by autozooids with 13–16 spines, avicularia with one or two proximal spines and lacking a complete cross‐bar, kenozooids with some spines, ovicells with a longitudinal distal slit. The genus Retevirgula, hitherto never collected from the Mediterranean Sea, is represented by 13 species and one variety, and shows a distribution from warm temperate to tropical areas. Phylogenetic relationship of R. akdenizae sp. n. with other Retevirgula species are at present obscure.

One‐hundred‐sixty specimens of Pycnogonida were collected from the Apulian coast near Brindisi. Some taxonomically interesting species are described in detail and the composition of the populations of Apulian Pycnogonida discussed in relation to the ecological characteristics of the sampled biocoenoses. None of the adventitious species of Pycnogonida recorded from other Mediterranean areas was included in these biocoenoses.

Biogeographia vol. XXV - 2004 (Printed December, 30 'q 2004) Marine Biogeography of the Mediterranean Sea: patterns and dynamics of biodiversity Importance of faunistic and taxonomical studies for a correct analysis of the zoogeography of Mediterranean Bryozoa CARLA CHIMENZ GUSSO*, PRISCILLA BOCCIA**. NICOLA GIOVANNINI*** *Z)z'prm‘z'7m‘r2to di Biologia Animzz/2 e a'e[[’Uom0, Universitiz di Roma qLa Szzpimzzz '1 Vizzle Universitfz 32, 00185, Roma (Italy) e—mzzi[: mrlzz. t/9z'mer1z@urzz'ramzz1. it **Vz'zz V Mrzzzo/rz 10, 00142, Roma (Italy) ***Vz'zz G. Montanelli 15, 00195, Roma (Italy) Key words: Bryozoa, Mediterranean Sea, taxonomy, biogeography, species “complexes” SUMMARY Faunistic and biogeographical studies on Mediterranean Bryozoans are somewhat complicated by both taxonornical uncertainties and uneven sampling distribution. Many taxa, which are considered cosmopolitan, are actually “complexes” of species with different ecology and distribution; some others are less known owing to their cryptic habitus, or their preference for rarely sampled habitats. Examples are given of “complexesq of species of the genera W/aterriporvz, “Cleidrrc/Jrz.rnm” and Marlopare//rt, species which have been probably uncorrectly identified (P/]€i'1(.\'£’[l/Z brezritub/1) and, finally, some rare and cryptic species (C/eidur/Jasnzidm gzzmzkknlemc and Arzzt/moi:z'ea preterm, respectively). INTRODUCTION The analysis of the specific composition and biogeographic distribution of Mediterranean bryozoan assemblages presents some problems, which are also common to other taxa. Among the main difficulties we consider: incorrect identification; small size or cryptic habitus of some species, which are, Consequently, little visible; sainpling restricted to only a few habitats, or unevenly distributed in the Mediterranean Sea; the existence of “species complexes”. In this article we illustrate and discuss some examples drawn from our own experience.

Biogeographia vol. XXIV ~ 2003 (Printed October, 31st 2003) Marine biogeography of the Mediterranean Sea: patterns and dynamics of biodiversity Mediterranean Pycnogonida: faunistic, taxonomical and zoogeographical considerations CARLA CHIMENZ GUSSO*, LORETTA LATTANZI** *Dz;z7zm‘z'mem‘0 di Biologizz /lrzimtzle e a’e[[’U0m0, Uniz/er5z'tz‘z di Roma “Lrz Szzpimzzz”, Vle Uiziversitiz 32, I—O0]85, Roma (Italy) **I. CR./l./W, Vitl di CLl.ftZ[0lfi 300, 1'-00155, Roma (Italy). Keywords: Pycnogonida, Mediterranean Sea, taxonomy, biogeography. SUMMARY An up-to—date list of the Pycnogonida of the Mediterranean Sea is given. The total number of taxa registered is 56, some of which require a revision. Four species are to be considered as allochthonous: Ammat/Jen /Jilgem/mfi, Anopladarty/us ca/zfizrvzirzir, A. dzgiranzr, Pz'g7'og7‘omiz7z.r timrzzmzr. As regards zoogeographic composition, the highest percentage (35%) is displayed by Mediterranean Atlantic elements, the lowest by Indo—Pacific species (found only in the Eastern Basin); cosmopolitan and endemic elements have the same percentage (24% each); the proportion of endemic species is comparable to that of sessile or relatively non mobile organisms, such as Hydroida, Bryozoa and Echinodermata. INTRODUCTION According to Chimenz Gusso (2000), the Pycnogonida fauna of the Mediterranean Sea (including the Black Sea) comprises 54 species, about 5% of the World total (1100 species according to Muller, 1993) and 37% of the European total (146, according to the European Register of Marine Species). For the Italian coasts (including Nizza and Istria) Chimenz Gusso (2000) cited 44 species, almost 79% of the Mediterranean Sea total. The object of the pre- sent article is to provide un update on available knowledge for the whole Mediterranean basin, as a starting—point for a zoogeographic characterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sites, for which data have been collected on Pycnogonida fauna, are shown in Tab. 1. The symbols of the areas studied and the respective authors are as follows

Erratum to: Biol Invasions DOI 10.1007/s10530-010-9803-y