45. Maera grossimana (Montagu, 1808)

Materials examined. 22 individuals; Stations Vas. 2(12), 5(1), 14(4), 20(1), 35(3), 39(1).

Distribution. Atlanto-Mediterranean (Bellan-Santini & Ruffo 2003). The species was reported from Cyprus by Kocatas et al. (2001). In Vasiliko Bay (current study), it is considered as a rare species (FI: 14.28 %).

Ecology. Maera grossimana was found in association with algae and seagrasses, on rocks and stones, in sponges

and in artificial substrata at 35 m depth (Kocatas et al. 2001). In Vasiliko Bay it was found at 20–48 m depth (32 + 9 m), mainly in muddy sand and also sand substrates, with organic matter ranging between 4.621 –8.416 % (6.933 + 1.456 %) and in association with C. prolifera, C. cylindracea, C. nodosa and P. oceanica . It was found in stations classified according to the Bentix Index as in: “good” (2 stations, 5 individuals) and “moderate” (4 stations, 17 individuals). It was also recorded at fish farm stations (14 individuals).