A New Population of the Small European Locust Lobster ( <scp> <i>Scyllarus arctus</i> </scp> ) on Artificial Reefs (Central Adriatic Sea)

ABSTRACT Lobsters, including the Small European locust lobster Scyllarus arctus , are distributed throughout the Mediterranean Sea, inhabiting rocky bottoms, muddy substrates and seagrass meadows. Despite increasing scientific interest, S. arctus remains understudied, and available information on its distribution is largely limited to grey literature and observations made by recreational divers. During the EU Interreg AdriREEF project (2020–2021), ROV surveys conducted artificial reefs in the central Adriatic Sea revealed a previously undocumented population of this species. These findings highlight the ecological importance of artificial reefs, which support high biodiversity and may function as ecological stepping stones for species with specific habitat requirements.