The minor fauna of the lake
For invertebrates, we often speak of "minor fauna", compared to the much better known and visible vertebrates. However, invertebrates represent over 90% of biodiversity. Pantelleria, as a biogeographical bridge between Sicily and North Africa, is home to many invertebrates, excellent witnesses to the island's faunal imprint.
About twenty species or subspecies are endemic (i.e. exclusive), many of which are probably recent due to the volcanic devastations suffered by the island in the late Pleistocene. However, it is likely that other species are yet to be discovered, especially in poorly studied groups such as microcoleoptera, soil mites, microhymenopteran parasitoids, Diptera and nocturnal microlepidoptera. The areas around Bagno dell'Acqua also host a good percentage of these species.
