23. Metaphoxus simplex (Spence Bate, 1857)

Materials examined. 1 individual; Station Vas. 36(1).

Distribution. Atlanto-Mediterranean (Bellan-Santini & Ruffo 2003). The species is reported in Cyprus (Vasiliko bay) for the first time. In Vasiliko Bay, it is considered as a rare species (FI: 2.38 %).

Ecology. In Vasiliko Bay it was found at 40 m depth in sandy substrate with 9.414 % organic matter, in association with the flora species C. prolifera . The station was in “moderate” ecological status according to the Bentix Index.