engleski

The case of Bougainvillia triestina Hartlaub 1911 (Hydrozoa, Cnidaria), a 100-year-long struggle for recognition

Boungainvillia triestina was described by Hartlaub in 1911 from specimens collected in the Gulf of Trieste (North Adriatic, Italy). Two years later, after reexamination of the same specimens, Neppi and Stiasny (1913) concluded that these were in fact juvenile medusae of B. autumnalis (now synonymised with B. muscus). Based on unique morphological traits and genetic analyses (16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, COI), made on specimens of different stages recently collected in the shallow and enclosed coastal area of Ploče harbour and Mali Ston Bay (South Adriatic, Croatia), we can confirm, 100 years after its first description, B. triestina, as a valid, distinct species, clearly distinguishable from B. muscus (Allman 1863). Based on its occurrence in the Adriatic Sea, B. triestina seems to prefer productive coastal areas with a wide range of temperature and salinity. Therefore, we can expect that this species inhabits other coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea as well as of other seas and oceans. Given that fact, it is probable that in previous investigations some records of B. triestina were incorrectly attributed to B. muscus.

new species; Bougainvillia triestina; Hydromedusae; Adriatic Sea; Mediterranean Sea

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