Terrestrial mammals of the satellite islands of Sardinia (Italy)

Abstract

The mammalian fauna of the satellite islands and islets of Sardinia (Italy) is still imperfectly known. Only few data are available for some of them, while several others are still almost regarded as terra incognita. Complete information on the extant non-volant terrestrial mammals is available only for Asinara, Tavolara, and Molara, whereas historical and present data are available on the mammals of San Pietro. Further information on the non-flying taxa occasionally appears in specialised literature. At present, 15 species occur in the circum-Sardinian archipelagos. Only 6 of them, however, have been reported from the largest island, San Pietro, whereas the smaller Asinara hots at least 13 species, excluding local domestic breed such as the dwarf donkey. Data on the distribution of chiropters have been provided by a few studies carried out over time. Of the 21 species of bats found in Sardinia, at least 11 were recorded from the small islands.