At the edge of Mars: terrestrial non-volant vertebrates in the riparian habitats of the Martian-analogue Lake Bagno dell’Acqua (Pantelleria, Italy)

Lake Bagno dell’Acqua (Pantelleria Island, Italy) is a volcanic, alkaline endorheic lake with extreme physicochemical conditions and localized natural CO2 emissions. Despite its ecological relevance, terrestrial vertebrates in this area are poorly known. We provide the first systematic assessment of small non-volant terrestrial vertebrates (Squamata, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Soricomorpha) in riparian habitats. Surveys (2021–2022) combined live trapping, visual transects, opportunistic observations, and inspections of a natural mofette. Twelve species were recorded: one snake, five lizards, one soricomorph, four rodents, and one lagomorph, with the confirmed presence of Rattus norvegicus. These findings represent nearly the entire known terrestrial vertebrate fauna of Pantelleria, including both native and alien species. Relative abundance shows dominance of the lizards Chalcides ocellatus and Podarcis siculus, while native mammals occur at low densities. CO2-emitting mofettes act as localized mortality factors, and invasive species are numerically significant and potentially harmful. These results provide a baseline for long-term monitoring and conservation management.