MEDITERRANEAN ENDEMIC FRESH-WATER FISHES OF ITALY

In Italy, as in several other circum-Mediterranean countries, there is a unique assemblage of endemic freshwater fishes. Speciation processes, especially of endemic primary or near-primary freshwater fish, most probably occurred during the Lago Mare era of the Mediterranean (about 5 million years BP). However, the present-day distribution patterns are surely the result of events that occurred more recently, from the Pleistocene until historical times. However, natural events are now being superseded by anthropogenic interference with fish faunas. Among the various negative human factors the most harmful is the introduction of non-native species, which in Italy are responsible for the present catastrophic situation. Of the 71 species currently with natural self-sustaining populations in Italian waters, only 45 are natives. Of the latter, only 16 (or fewer) have not been subjected to deliberate human transfers. In Italy there about 28 endemic Mediterranean taxa, but most have either been deliberately or accidentally introduced to areas outside their natural range. The result of this persistent practice on a little known and unique fish fauna is zoogeographic pollution, massive cases of hybridization and loss of genetic identity by local native populations. The problem of freshwater fish conservation is not a matter of public concern in Italy. Sport fishing has a political and economic value and introductions are legally carried out and 'welcomed' by most fishermen; most biologists and conservationists ave either unaware or unconcerned.