SEM/EDX analysis of stomach contents of a sea slug snacking on a polluted seafloor reveal microplastics as a component of its diet.

Understanding the impacts of microplastics on living organisms in aquatic habitats is one of the hottest research topics worldwide. Despite increased attention, investigating microplastics in underwater environments remains a problematic task, due to the ubiquitous occurrence of microplastic, its multiple modes of interactions with the biota, and to the diversity of the synthetic organic polymers composing microplastics in the field. Several studies on microplastics focused on marine invertebrates, but to date, the benthic sea slugs (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) were not yet investigated.

, a Replacement Name for Furfaro & Mariottini, 2021 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Myrrhinidae), Preoccupied by Risso, 1826 (Crustacea, Copepoda).

The genus Furfaro & Mariottini, 2021, was recently introduced for an independent lineage of aeolid nudibranchs, and Portmann & Sandmeier, 1960, established as its type species. Anyway, the presence of a senior homonym, Risso, 1826, was evidently missed. In fact, in 1826, Risso established this genus for a group of Copepoda (Arthropoda, Crustacea) and according to the Principle of Priority (ICZN) only the senior homonym may be used as a valid name.

Looking at the Nudibranch Family Myrrhinidae (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) from a Mitochondrial '2D Folding Structure' Point of View.

Integrative taxonomy is an evolving field of multidisciplinary studies often utilised to elucidate phylogenetic reconstructions that were poorly understood in the past. The systematics of many taxa have been resolved by combining data from different research approaches, i.e.

A new Dondice Marcus Er. 1958 (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Mediterranean Sea reveals interesting insights into the phylogenetic history of a group of Facelinidae taxa.

The diversity of Mediterranean nudibranchs has yet to be thoroughly studied: new species are constantly described, and molecular approaches have revealed some cryptic species. A new facelinid species has been discovered based on specimens collected from the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Sea). Integrative results of molecular analyses and of anatomical investigations support the description of Dondice trainitoi sp.

Multilevel fine-scale diversity challenges the 'cryptic species' concept.

'Cryptic' species are an emerging biological problem that is broadly discussed in the present study. Recently, a cryptic species definition was suggested for those species which manifest low morphological, but considerable genetic, disparity. As a case study we present unique material from a charismatic group of nudibranch molluscs of the genus Trinchesia from European waters to reveal three new species and demonstrate that they show a dual nature: on one hand, they can be considered a 'cryptic' species complex due to their overall similarity, but on the other hand, stable morphological differences as well as molecular differences are demonstrated for every species in that complex.

Portmann & Sandmeier, 1960 is a valid species: molecular and morphological comparison with (M. Sars, 1870) (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia).

The nudibranch Diaphorodoris luteocincta (M. Sars, 1870) shows two colour morphotypes defined as D. luteocincta var.

Alien molluscan species established along the Italian shores: an update, with discussions on some Mediterranean "alien species" categories.

The state of knowledge of the alien marine Mollusca in Italy is reviewed and updated. Littorina saxatilis (Olivi, 1792), Polycera hedgpethi Er. Marcus, 1964 and Haminoea japonica Pilsbry, 1895are here considered as established on the basis of published and unpublished data, and recent records of the latter considerably expand its known Mediterranean range to the Tyrrhenian Sea.