Overview

• Steromphala federicii, a marine snail endemic to the Mediterranean, has been formally described in the Biodiversity Journal.
• This is the first new species of the Steromphala genus identified in the region since 1853, nearly two centuries ago.
• The discovery was made during the multi-year 'Misión Skerki' surveys, led by marine biologist Andrea Spinelli of Fundación Oceanogràfic.
• Over 100 specimens were collected from a shallow underwater cave at the Skerki Bank, with morphological analysis confirming the species' uniqueness.
• Plans are underway for a new expedition later this year to further explore and document the Skerki Bank's ecosystems.