TY  - JOUR
AB  - The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, supporting a diverse array of benthic marine life. This study presents the findings of Project Snowball, a seven-year project (2018–2025) assessing marine biodiversity along the western coast of Libya. Utilizing snorkelling surveys, two natural bays were assessed: Regatta and Surman. A total of 22 benthic species were identified, representing a mix of native and non-indigenous taxa. The recorded species span six major taxonomic groups, including Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Bryozoa, Crustacea, and Tunicata. Notably, this research documents the first records of three non-indigenous species in Libyan waters: cnidarians Telmatactis cf. cricoides and Telmatactis panamensis, and a crustacean Gonioinfradens giardi. By documenting these distributions over a multi-year period, this research provides a vital taxonomic baseline for the Libyan coast, offering essential data for regional conservation strategies and the monitoring of invasive species in a rapidly changing marine environment.
A1  - Rizgalla, J.
JO  - J. Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment
IS  - 1
SP  - 1
EP  - 31
C1  - 32 (1): 1-31
TI  - Marine benthic species distributed along the western coast of Libya
UR  - https://marinespecies.org/afremas/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=563563
VL  - 32
PY  - 2026
Y2  - 2026-10-10
ER  -