The presence of calcareous substrates allows a wide distribution of the mussel date Lithophaga lithophaga, often illegally fished and commercially exploited, leading to extensive barrens. It shows that the wider biocenosis in the Adriatic Sea are the biocenosis characteristics of the circalittoral. Coastal and offshore muddy bottoms host sponges, soft corals, sea pens and ascidians, in addition to a rich infauna.