First assessment of the epifauna associated with macroalgae of the vermetid reef along the coasts of Favignana Island (South Tyrrhenian Sea)

With this study we provide a first baseline assessment of the epifauna associated with the macroalgae of the vermetid reefs present along the coasts of the Island of Favignana (Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area, Italy). A total of 14 taxa were identified. Epifaunal assemblages differed according to structure and composition of algal communities. The amphipod group presented the highest number of individuals. The tubicolous species Ampithoe ramondi Audouin, 1826 (Ampithoidae) was the most abundant species.