Doliolum Research Articles

A contribution to the knowledge of the thaliacean faunas of the eastern mediterranean and the red sea

ABSTRACT In the sector of the Mediterranean east of the 22nd meridian, five species of Salpidae (Thalia democratica, Salpa fusiformis, Ihlea punctata, Pegea confoederata and Cyclosalpa pinnata polae) and five species of Doliolidae (Doliolum denticulatum, Doliolum nationalis, Doliolina sp., Doliolina intermedium (?)' and Dolioletta sp.) were caught during a series of cruises. At the same time, four species of Salpidae (Thalia democratica, Salpa cylindrica, Brooksia rostrata and Ritteriella amboinensis) and two species of Doliolidae (Doliolina mulleri krohni and Doliolum denticulatum) were recorded in the Gulf of Elat (Gulf of 'Aqaba), Two further species, Salpa maxima and Dolioletta gegenbauri tritonis, previously recorded from this area, were not found again in these last catches. Pyrosomidae are missing in both areas. The two faunas are very different, having in common only a few widely distributed species.