STRANDING OF NYCTIPHANES COUCHII (BELL, 1853) (CRUSTACEA, EUPHAUSIACEA) IN THE NORTH-WESTERN SICILIAN COAST (CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN)

One massive stranding of Euphausiid Nyctiphanes couchii was recorded along the north-western Sicilian coast of "S. Vito Lo Capo" between March 17th 2013 night and March 18th morning. Random samples were collected in order to obtain the size structure of the specimens. Considering the knowledge on the species biology and meteo-marine conditions, it has been suggested that the unusual phenomenon is due to intense upwellings in the area.