A survey of Mallorca’s hyper saline beetles and a new international cooperation in the making

We continue our surveys of hyper saline habitats on the island of Mallorca. The island is blessed with a few endemic species of aquatic beetles, and yet, its hyper saline coastal Rockpool habitats remain mostly unexplored. Our work, in cooperation with local authorities and researchers, also covers inland water habitats with species related to the rock pool fauna. During our survey in May 2024, we initiated a longer-term aquatic insect research project. One major aim will be the exploration of Mallorca’s mountain system, a UNESCO world heritage site, that however remains biologically little charted with respect to aquatic invertebrates. A better understanding of that fauna is supposed to help us understand conservation needs in an era of significant desiccation.