Looking Back, Looking Ahead: The CIESM Atlas, Crustaceans

The 'CIESM Atlas of exotic species in the Mediterranean' galvanized attention and garnered recognition for the unique situation concerning bioinvasions in the Mediterranean Sea, and promoted documentation of the full extent of the diversity of 'exotic' species. The volume comprising decapod and stomatopod crustaceans was published in 2002, and has been accompanied by a popular digital edition, updated in 2008, listing 70 species, with an average of 7400 visits annually. Additional species have been recorded in recent years, few more were recorded prior of the temporal limits adopted in the Atlas. The full list of decapods (89) and stomatopods (2) recorded as 'exotic' in the Mediterranean Sea since the 1870 is presented. Recommendations as to terminology, taxonomic expansion and usage of innovative information and communication technologies are offered. The 'Atlas', intended to allow non-specialists to recognize the 'exotic' species recorded in the Mediterranean Sea, is the only open source for data focusing exclusively on the bioinvasion of the Mediterranean - a valued and irreplaceable resource.