Marine biodiversity survey at Theotokos (Greece) | July 21, 2026

© Chris Taklis - Percnon gibbesi

On July 21, 2026, our team conducted a marine survey bioblitz at Theotokos in South-east Pelion, Greece. The survey explored shallow rocky shores and nearshore habitats, recording fish, sponges, anemones, molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, algae, and coastal birds.

A total of 32 taxa were recorded during the survey, including 26 identified to the species level, 2 to the genus level, and 1 to the suborder level.

Fish

• Epinephelus marginatus (Dusky Grouper)
• Boops boops (Bogue)
• Coris julis (Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse)
• Symphodus rostratus (Pointed-snout Wrasse)
• Atherina sp.
• Blennioidei (Blennies)
• Diplodus vulgaris (Common Two-banded Seabream)
• Apogon imberbis (Mediterranean Cardinalfish)
• Symphodus tinca (East Atlantic Peacock Wrasse)
• Serranus scriba (Painted Comber)
• Serranus cabrilla (Comber)
• Oblada melanurus (Saddled Seabream)
• Chromis chromis (Mediterranean Damselfish)
• Thalassoma pavo (Ornate Wrasse)
• Diplodus sargus (White Seabream)
• Sarpa salpa (Salema Porgy)
• Mullus surmuletus (Striped Red Mullet)

Sponges

• Tethya aurantium (Golf Ball Sponge)
• Chondrilla nucula (Potato Sponge)
• Sarcotragus spinosulus (Black Leather Sponge)
• Chondrosia reniformis (Kidney Sponge)

Anemones

• Aiptasia mutabilis (Trumpet Anemone)

Molluscs

• Stramonita sp.
• Tarantinaea lignarius

Echinoderms

• Holothuria sanctori (Variable Sea Cucumber)
• Arbacia lixula (Black Sea Urchin)

Crustaceans

• Percnon gibbesi (Nimble Spray Crab)
  
  

Algae and marine plants

• Codium fragile (Dead Man’s Fingers)
• Dictyota dichotoma (Forked Ribbons)
• Padina pavonica (Peacock’s Tail)

Coastal birds

• Gulosus aristotelis (European Shag)