An annotated Checklist of the fauna of Maraone islet (Aegadian Archipelago, North-Western Sicily)

Maraone islet is located 6,700 m from the north-western coast of Sicily (Italy) and 5,000 m from the island of Levanzo and has a surface area of 31,000 m² and a maximum height of 5 m above sea level. In recent years, we have conducted naturalistic research on this islet and in the following paper we provide an initial checklist of the fauna that we have recorded there. The largest group of animal species was Insecta (49.6%), representing almost half of the total number of animal species present on Maraone islet. No previous faunistic research has been conducted on Maraone islet and almost all of the species recorded are new to the island. Among the most interesting findings was the discovery, for example, of the Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia Gekkonidae) for the first time on the islet and the descrip- tion of Alphasida (Glabrasida) grossa livrerii n. ssp. (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae). Several taxa are still the subject of more in-depth studies, as most of the sampling was extremely con- servative in respect of the small size of the island, the small fauna populations living there, and the delicate ecological balance present. Finally, some ecological observations are provided on the fauna surveyed, their trophic niches and the ecological role of Malva arborea, the most common plant on Maraone islet and of vital importance to most species in this faunal com- munity