It is a coastal cenote located in the Apulia Region (SE Italy). Several submerged tunnels connect this unique aquatic environment to the nearby sea.
This unique biotope was well investigated by researchers and speleodivers (Denitto et al., 2006). 35 taxa were identified. Many of them belonged to planctonic fauna. The community lives in particular stable conditions through the whole year. Temperature varies between 18.8 and 21.6 °C; salinity does not exceed over 20.50 ppm; pH was comprised between 7.00 and 7.65.
Wetland plants: Ruppia maritima, Juncus acutus, Juncus maritimus, Schoenus nigricans, Arthrocnemum fruticosum, Tamarix africana.
Among the sessile invertebrates was reported the presence of the brackish water hydroid Cordylophora caspia. Among ichtiological fauna, was reported the occurrence of the mediterranean cyprinodontid Aphanius almiriensis, first record of this species for Italy (Valdesalici et al., 2019). The pond is characterised by inconstant hypothermal springs that periodically supply the aquatic ecosystem with underground brackish water.
Macro-invertebrates:
Vertebrates:
VertebratesAquatic plants:
It is a Protected Site (pSIC IT9150013).
