Effects of temperature and salinity on the movement and bleaching of 𝘈𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢 Larsen, 1976

Amphistegina lobifera Larsen, 1976 is a Lessepsian immigrant foraminiferan which has invaded many areas of the Eastern and Central Mediterranean Sea. Movement and bleaching of individuals from the Central Mediterranean (Malta) were tested at different salinities and temperatures. The test individuals became stressed at temperatures lower than 14ºC and higher than 30ºC. The optimum salinity range was 36 - 37gL¯¹, but individuals survived at all salinities tested (25 - 48gL¯¹). Temperature, but not salinity, may limit expansion of the range in the northwestern Mediterranean.