The new Italian Fauna Checklist updates the Checklist first published in the mid-1990s by Minelli et al. (1993-1995) in paper format, including 57.468 species (including “Protozoa”), 37.303 of which were insects. The new Checklist, which will exclude protozoans, is published exclusively online through the LifeWatch Italy Web Portal and will be continuously updated. The taxonomic classification, scientific name, author and year of description are provided for each species/subspecies, as well as the geographical distribution, the status of exclusivity (endemics) and allochthony, any taxonomic and distributive notes, pertinent literature and synonyms are also given.

The dataset contains an updated checklist of the terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species of Metazoa present in Italy; the first version of the dataset includes > 27000 species and subspecies. For each species, an updated taxonomic classification and the currently accepted Linnean binomen and authorship is given, accompanied by distributional data (occurrence in 3 terrestrial and 9 marine macroregions, and optionally occurrence in the administrative Italian regions and neighbouring areas abroad). Endemics and alien species are indicated. The dataset is completed by taxonomic and distributional notes including pertinent literature and synonymies.