Zinzulusa Cave located 2 km north of Castro Marina Lecce, Italy exhibits an exceptionally rich biodiversity with sixty species and subspecies described to date.

It is believed that this listing will increase with further exploration.

The first pool inside Zinzulusa Cave La Conca, is characterized by brackish waters and contains both marine and fresh water species.

The second pool Il Cocito, is characterized as oligohaline and shelters a stygobitic fauna including a new stygobitic sponge that has been collected in the deep Cocito.

Pollution from urban discharge waters threatens the cave as do tourists who litter and destroy natural formations near the entrance of the cave.

The Commune of Castro Marina is currently developing a protection program for the cave in response to the negative impact of tourism.

The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of L'Aquila (Italy), Gruppo Speleologico Salentino "P. de Loretiis" Lecce (Italy), the Castro Commune, and the Alderman Ninì Ciccarese have all taken an interest in protecting Zinzulusa Cave

Thanks to: Dr. David C. Culver

If you are interested in assisting with this project, or would like additional information on any of the above sites, please contact:

Dr. David C. Culver - Department of Biology American University 4400 Massachusetts Avenue Washington, D.C. 20016 or karst@american.edu

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