Current status of the Anostraca of Italy

Fairy shrimp distribution in Italy is updated on the basis of recent records . Their status is evaluated according to IUCN Red List criteria in order to document the current situation and to rectify previous incorrect assessments. Most of the 16 species have at least one population in a protected area, so that they apparently face little risk. Only Branchipus pasai and B. blanchardi are potentially threatened by future habitat alteration. It is stressed that data on fairy shrimp distribution are far from complete and limited to certain regions of the country. Their range reflects the specialist distribution and ‘migratory activity’ rather than that of the animals themselves.