Isidella elongata (Cnidaria: Alcyonacea): First report in the Ventotene Basin (Pontine Islands, western Mediterranean Sea)

A mono-specific population of Isidella elongata in the Ventotene Basin (Pontine Islands, western Mediterranean Sea) was recently revealed by ROV survey. This vulnerable marine community was found on top of a 3.6 km long morphological high, in water depths between 510 and 560 m. Side scan sonar data showed the presence of several trawl marks suggesting a high anthropogenic impact of the study area. Furthermore, multibeam and high-resolution seismic data revealed the presence of widespread pockmarks, indicating occurrence of fluids in the sub-seafloor. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.