Alien sponge in Lake Garda: new invasive species on the way?

A discovery of an alien sponge in Lake Garda has raised concerns among experts, as it is believed to be the first sighting of its kind in the area. During a cleaning operation of the lakebed in Desenzano, divers from the WWF uncovered a specimen that could represent the 46th non-native species present in the Benaco. Paolo Zanollo, a diver and representative of WWF Bergamo-Brescia, reported the anomaly: the sponge, unusually abundant in an area known for its biodiversity, has a peculiar shape reminiscent of a “chicken’s foot.” The deputy mayor of Peschiera, Filippo Gavazzoni, has been informed of the incident and has contacted Francesca Ciutti from the Edmund Mach Foundation for further analysis. Although an initial assessment does not confirm the originality of the sponge compared to already cataloged species, samples collected by the divers will be necessary for a more thorough investigation. The increasing presence of invasive species in Lake Garda calls for attention and appropriate regulatory measures to protect the local ecosystem and its native species. Italian Version