Marine Fauna
Characteristic habitat types of the Italian Mediterranean coastal zone, are the Cystoseira biocenosis and the Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, Lithophyllum lichenoides communities form coralligenous reefs which are a spectacular sight the coralline alga is covered with large gorgonian fans, coral, and a diverse array of often colourful invertebrate organisms and hundreds of species of fish. These communities host sponges (Porifera), Sea anemone s, Jellyfishes (Cnidaria), Sea mats and hornwrack (Bryozoa) segmented worms (Annelida) Snails, Bivalves, Squids and Octopuses (Mollusca), Starfishes and Sea urchins (Echinodermata), Crabs, Lobsters and Shrimps (Arthropoda) and little known groups such as, Echiura, Priapulida, Sipuncula, Brachiopoda, Pogonophora, Phoronida and Hemichordata. Amongst the thousand or so species of invertebrates found in the Italian marine envrironment are Mantis Shrimps, Mediterranean Slipper Lobsters, Octopus, Cuttlefish, Scribbled nudibranch, Hypselodoris picta, Tasselled nudibranch, Precious coral, Zigzag Coral, Purple Sail, Mediterranean Jellyfish, Spiny Spider Crab, Circular Crab, Broad-clawed Porcelain Crab, Noble Pen Shell, Pilgrim’s Scallop, Ragged Sea Hare, Violet Sea Hare, Portuguese Man o' War, Black Sea-Urchin, Mediterranean Starfish, Sea mouse, and Parazoanthus axinellae.
Read more about this topic: Fauna Of Italy
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