The nudibranchs (Gastropoda Heterobranchia) of the central-eastern coast of Sicily I: Suborder Cladobranchia

Through this study, new information on the biology of the cladobranch species found from 2017 to the first months of 2021 along the central-eastern coast of Sicily, are provided. After a brief description of this group of nudibranchs, for each species data on morphology, abundance, location and depth, substrates and habitats, seasonality and remarks are here given. Moreover, two new findings of species (Berghia sp. and Trinchesia cf. diljuvia), for the examined area and the Mediterranean basin respectively, are here reported. Still, during this study, two unidentified specimens were encountered. Along the central-eastern coast of Sicily is present about the 30% of all Mediterranean cladobranch species. Consequently, considered the small extension of this area, the central-eastern coast of Sicily seems to possess a high level of biodiversity regarding this group of marine heterobranchs.