Further expansion of the Crucifix Crab, Charybdis (Charybdis) feriata, (Brachyura: Portunidae) into the western Mediterranean

This note records the fourth specimen of the Crucifix Crab, Charybdis (Charybdis) feriata (Linné, 1758) to be registered in the western Mediterranean, this being the first specimen detected along the Valencian coast, specifically in front of Grau de Castelló de la Plana. The importance of this finding lies in the fact that this individual expands the known distribution range of the species in the Mediterranean, thus showing a slow geographic extension of the recorded specimens in a NE-SW direction following the main oceanographic current present in the area, the Mediterranean Northern Current. We also discuss the possible coexistence with other large crabs present in the area, such as the American Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, and the Blue Swimming Crab, Portunus segnis given their habitat, temperature, and salinity preferences