Further records of Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) in central part of Adriatic coast in Albania

Abstract

The distribution of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus is reported from marine, transitional and freshwater environments along the coasts of Adriatic Sea (Albania, Eastern Mediterranean Sea). Numerous specimens of the invasive blue crab were caught in the period from 2011 to 2019 in the area of Karavasta Lagoon. Our study was curried out during the September 2019. In addition to the morphometric parameters, some physic-chemical parameters were measured as well. These note documents further records of the species in one of the most important site for biodiversity in Mediterranean Sea that is currently seriously threaten by the presence of invasive alien species.