NEPTUNEA CONTRARIA (LINNAEUS, 1771) AND BUCCINUM UNDATUM LINNAEUS, 1758 (GASTROPODA, BUCCINIDAE) THANATOCOENOSIS IN THE STRAIT OF SICILY

The analysis of 973 benthic samples from the trawlable bottoms of the Strait of Sicily allowed to identify a thanatocoenosis characterized by the fossil gastropods Neptunea contraria and Buccinum undatum in a restricted area of the incoherent bottoms of the canyon on the western shoulder of the Adventure Bank. This finding extends southernmost the known distribution area of these fossil species. Benthic community living on thanatocoenosis showed a higher biodiversity than those found in areas without dead shells.