36. Leptocheirus pectinatus (Norman, 1869)

Materials examined. 37 individuals; Stations Vas. 2(7), 5(2), 7(1), 11(1), 17(7), 23(1), 24(3), 26(2), 31(8), 32(1), 37(1), 40(3).

Distribution. Atlanto-Mediterranean (Christodoulou et al. 2013). The species was reported from Cyprus by Koca-tas et al. (2001). In Vasiliko Bay (current study), it is considered as a common species (FI: 28.57 %).

Ecology. Leptocheirus pectinatus was found on soft sediments (sand, mud, mud and sand mixture) at 35–70 m depth (Kocatas et al. 2001). In Vasiliko Bay it was found at 6–58 m depth (21 + 14 m), mainly in muddy sand and also sand substrates, with organic matter ranging between 2.2–8.416 % (5.019 + 1.984 %) and in association with C. prolifera, C. cylindracea, C. nodosa and Dictyota spp . It was found in stations classified according to the Bentix Index as in: “high” (4 stations, 8 individuals), “good” (5 stations, 13 individuals) and “moderate” (3 stations, 16 individuals). It was recorded at the fish farms (9 individuals) and the port (1 individual).