In this review on the Rhizocephala (Crustacea: Cirripedia) from the Mediterranean and Black seas, I present all taxonomic and biogeographic information from new and existing collections and a literature review. At present, the Mediterranean and Black Sea faunas include 25 species, comprised of two suborders and four genera. While all 25 species are recorded in the Mediterranean Sea, only five species are present in the Black Sea. Four species are found to be endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Keys and diagnoses for all families and genera, and descriptions and distribution of all species are given, supplemented with information on larvae, reproduction, ecology, and hyperparasites, when known. One neotype is erected, and evidence is presented to show that six formerly designated neotypes are invalid. |
