Another alien swimmer in the waters of the Adriatic, the crucified crab has arrived

The CNR:"The current increase in temperatures is favoring the success of invasive tropical species"

ROME – A group of researchers from the Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology of the National Research Council of Ancona (Cnr-Irbim) announces the discovery of a specimen of crucified crab Charybdis feriata in the Adriatic Sea.The discovery, which occurred off the coast of Senigallia, is a significant event, as this species is native to the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Just over a month after the report of a second species of swimming crab in the Adriatic (Portunus restis), the presence of a third species of alien swimming crab.

THE FIRST REPORT IN 2004

Crucifix crab has been reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea in 2004 off the coast of Barcelona, and to date there are very few sightings of this species in the Mare Nostrum, including a recent discovery in the Gulf of Genoa in 2022 and in Livorno in 2015, always near large ports.The crucifix crab is a large predator, males of this species can weigh up to 1 kg and the species is widely traded in its areas of origin.According to researchers, the presence of this species in the Adriatic can be attributed to the same vector that introduced the better-known blue crab Callinectes sapidus:or naval transport.

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“This finding adds to a long list of new introductions into our seas – declares Ernesto Azzurro, researcher at the Cnr-Irbim of Ancona.At the moment, considering the ecological characteristics of the crucifix crab and its thermal tolerance, we do not believe that there is a risk of an invasion of this species in the Adriatic.We know, however, that the current increase in temperatures is favoring the success of invasive tropical species, and it is very important to monitor the presence and distribution of these aliens in close collaboration with fishermen."The crab Charybdis feriata was caught by an artisanal fisherman during routine operations.The specimen was transported to the Cnr-Irbim laboratory in Ancona, where it will be subjected to further studies.