Seasonality of the Alien Lamprohaminoea ovalis (Pease, 1868) (Gastropoda: Cephalaspidea) along the Central-eastern Coasts of Sicily, Central Mediterranean Sea

Lamprohaminoea ovalis is an alien species from the Indo-West Pacific, which has colonised almost all the Mediterranean Sea in the last twenty years. Although this species has been widely reported from the invaded area, its biology and ecology are still poorly known. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seasonality of this species in an invaded area, the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Italy). An underwater visual census with scuba diving has been carried out at three stations (Santa Tecla, Santa Maria La Scala and Catania) in 2017-2020 to collect data on seasonality of L. ovalis. Populations appear at the end of summer (August), reach their peak in autumn, decrease at the beginning of winter and disappear at the beginning of spring. This seasonal trend could depend on the fact that this species may have a warm water affinity and, thus, it may fail to survive in cold periods. In addition, breeding activities have been documented each year.