The Fucales (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae) of the Island of Pantelleria (Sicily Channel, Mediterranean Sea): a new contribution Author Marletta, Giuliana Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche 60131 Ancona, Italy g.marletta@univpm.it Author Lombardo, Andrea Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy text Italian Botanist 2023 2023-06-15 15 137 163 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/italianbotanist.15.103217 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/italianbotanist.15.103217 2531-4033-15-137 A0ED26AE219752299C11A734C6D0F79E Cystoseira foeniculacea f. latiramosa (Ercegovic) A. Gomez Garreta, M. C. Barcelo , M. A. Ribera & J. R. Lluch Fig. 7A, B Cystoseira discors subsp. latiramosa Ercegovic. Basionym. Cystoseira ercegovicii f. latiramosa (Ercegovic) Giaccone, Cystoseira schiffneri f. latiramosa (Ercegovic) Giaccone. Synonyms. Morphology of specimens from Pantelleria. This form is caespitose, attached to the substrate by an irregular discoid holdfast, from which cylindrical and knotty axes originate. The apices of axes are spinose. All branches are flattened, with a central midrib and toothed margins. Branching is sparse and distichous-alternate. During the monitoring activities, this species was found fertile. The receptacles are apical, lanceolate-fusiform, briefly pedicellate, isolated or branched. Habitat. C. foeniculacea f. latiramosa was observed during scuba dives at Punta Spadillo and Cala Tramontana, in deep waters (from 18 to ca. 30 m of depth). Distribution. This form has been reported from Spain, Corsica, Tunisia, Malta, Italy, Adriatic, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey ( Blanfune et al. 2022 ). Remarks. C. foeniculacea f. latiramosa is considered a rare seaweed in phase of regression ( Rodriguez-Prieto et al. 2013 ), due to its distribution in deep environments, which are nowadays particularly subjected to trawling, pollution, deposition of marine litter, over-sedimentation, and competition with invasive alien species. Therefore, the record of this species in the waters of the Island of Pantelleria is particularly interesting and should receive special attention. Figure 7. Cystoseira foeniculacea f. latiramosa A, B habit with knotty axes and flattened and distichous-alternate branching.