First record of a swarm of Thalia democratica (Chordata: Tunicata) in the Egyptian Mediterranean coast

Abstract

The current study is the first to document a vast swarm of the pelagic tunicate Thalia democratica inshore of the Egyptian Mediterranean waters. On the May 05, 2021, a swarm of the Salpida T. democratica was discovered inshore of the coast of Stanley. The swarm coincided with a red tide bloom in the research area. The documented species is given a brief redescription with illustrative photographs, taxonomic annotations, habitat notes, and distribution.