From a zoogeographical point of view, the Italian territory is characterized by a composite stygofauna that includes both northern (Central-European) and southern elements, numerous species which show eastern (Balkanic) or western affinities, as well as a great amount of endemism, mostly among crustaceans.
According to the biogeographical analysis (Pesce, 1985), Italy could be divided in five main stygofaunistic provinces:
The Apennine province is subdivided in north (a), central (b) and southern (c) regions; the Sardinian province includes both Sardinia and the tuscan archipelago; the Apulian province can be subdivided in two stygofaunistic districts, viz. the Gargano (a) and the Murge-Salento (b) complex.
The greatest specie richness in stygobitic taxa occurs in the Alpine and Apulian provinces; on the other hand, a remarkable paucity of groundwater animals is peculiar to the Sicilian province and to the southern Apennine region.
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