21. Westwoodilla rectirostris (Della Valle, 1893)

Materials examined. 15 individuals; Stations Vas. 4(7), 5(1), 14(1), 30(2), 31(1), 36(1), 39(1), 41(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: 19.04 %).

Ecology. Westwoodilla rectirostris was found in soft-bottom sediments (mud, mud-sand mixture) at 62–300 m depth (Kocatas et al. 2001). In Vasiliko Bay it was found at 22–55 m depth (37 + 11 m), mainly in muddy sand and also sand substrates, with organic matter ranging between 2.2–11.119 % (7.48 + 2.056 %), in association with C. prolifera, C. cylindracea and H. stipulacea . It was found in stations classified according to the Bentix Index as in: “good” (3 stations, 9 individuals) and “moderate” (5 stations, 6 individuals). It was recorded at the fish farm station (2 individuals).