Pub Date : 2016-02-16DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2016.1149235
M. Iannella, L. Liberatore, M. Biondi
Abstract The earthquake that occurred in L’Aquila (Abruzzi Region, Italy) on 6 April 2009 caused the destruction of many buildings and the deaths of 309 people. In summer 2009, new settlements were built in rural areas near L’Aquila to host part of the population whose houses were uninhabitable or had been totally destroyed. Our study is focused on the impact of these “new towns”, analyzing the variation of the micromammal community, from 2002 to 2013, through a barn owl pellet analysis. The study area is a 3-km buffer plot sited in the northwest of L’Aquila and affected by the so-called Progetto CASE (“Complessi Antisismici Sostenibili ed Ecocompatibili”) and Progetto MAP (“Moduli Abitativi Provvisori”). This analysis shows how the micromammal community has changed, qualitatively and quantitatively, because of the improvised and inadequately planned earthquake urbanization. For example, more sensitive species, such as wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and Savi’s pine vole (Microtus savii), both abundant before the earthquake, were replaced by the more anthropophilous house mouse (Mus domesticus) after the construction of the new settlements.
{"title":"The effects of a sudden urbanization on micromammal communities: a case study of post-earthquake L’Aquila (Abruzzi Region, Italy)","authors":"M. Iannella, L. Liberatore, M. Biondi","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1149235","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1149235","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The earthquake that occurred in L’Aquila (Abruzzi Region, Italy) on 6 April 2009 caused the destruction of many buildings and the deaths of 309 people. In summer 2009, new settlements were built in rural areas near L’Aquila to host part of the population whose houses were uninhabitable or had been totally destroyed. Our study is focused on the impact of these “new towns”, analyzing the variation of the micromammal community, from 2002 to 2013, through a barn owl pellet analysis. The study area is a 3-km buffer plot sited in the northwest of L’Aquila and affected by the so-called Progetto CASE (“Complessi Antisismici Sostenibili ed Ecocompatibili”) and Progetto MAP (“Moduli Abitativi Provvisori”). This analysis shows how the micromammal community has changed, qualitatively and quantitatively, because of the improvised and inadequately planned earthquake urbanization. For example, more sensitive species, such as wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and Savi’s pine vole (Microtus savii), both abundant before the earthquake, were replaced by the more anthropophilous house mouse (Mus domesticus) after the construction of the new settlements.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"6 1","pages":"255 - 262"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74465526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2015.1073377
L. Donnarumma, R. Bruno, A. Terlizzi, G. Russo
Abstract Population structures of the gastropods Gibbula umbilicaris and Gibbula ardens (Trochidae), the two most common species of the genus Gibbula living in shallow beds of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica, were investigated in the seagrass bed off Lacco Ameno of Ischia (Gulf of Naples), at six stations along a depth gradient (1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 25 m). Sampling was performed on a monthly basis for 1 year. A total of 853 individuals were counted and measured. The two gastropod populations analysed show a rather similar distributional trend in all seasons and depths. Recruitment occurred at the shallowest stations (1–3 m depth), where the populations were characterised by higher values of abundance and biomass, confirming that G. umbilicaris and G. ardens are typical species of the shallow community of P. oceanica seagrass beds. Juveniles were exclusively found in 1 month of the whole year: G. umbilicaris in April, G. ardens in July. The survivorship curves of both Gibbula species, derived from the size-frequency distribution of shells, showed a very low mortality rate in the first months after settlement. Demographic analysis of G. umbilicaris suggests a rather slow growth rate and a polymorphic maturation strategy with a lifespan of 1 year for most individuals, but lifespan may also reach about 2 years in a few specimens. Gibbula ardens has a lifespan of about 1 year and a fast growth rate, especially during the first couple of months after settlement. Therefore, on the basis of lifespan and recruitment time, both species seem to be semelparous.
{"title":"Population ecology of Gibbula umbilicaris and Gibbula ardens (Gastropoda: Trochidae) in a Posidonia oceanica seagrass bed","authors":"L. Donnarumma, R. Bruno, A. Terlizzi, G. Russo","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2015.1073377","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1073377","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Population structures of the gastropods Gibbula umbilicaris and Gibbula ardens (Trochidae), the two most common species of the genus Gibbula living in shallow beds of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica, were investigated in the seagrass bed off Lacco Ameno of Ischia (Gulf of Naples), at six stations along a depth gradient (1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 25 m). Sampling was performed on a monthly basis for 1 year. A total of 853 individuals were counted and measured. The two gastropod populations analysed show a rather similar distributional trend in all seasons and depths. Recruitment occurred at the shallowest stations (1–3 m depth), where the populations were characterised by higher values of abundance and biomass, confirming that G. umbilicaris and G. ardens are typical species of the shallow community of P. oceanica seagrass beds. Juveniles were exclusively found in 1 month of the whole year: G. umbilicaris in April, G. ardens in July. The survivorship curves of both Gibbula species, derived from the size-frequency distribution of shells, showed a very low mortality rate in the first months after settlement. Demographic analysis of G. umbilicaris suggests a rather slow growth rate and a polymorphic maturation strategy with a lifespan of 1 year for most individuals, but lifespan may also reach about 2 years in a few specimens. Gibbula ardens has a lifespan of about 1 year and a fast growth rate, especially during the first couple of months after settlement. Therefore, on the basis of lifespan and recruitment time, both species seem to be semelparous.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"44 1","pages":"103 - 112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82434562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2016.1139195
M. Berec, V. Klapka, R. Zemek
Abstract An increasing amount of attention has been devoted to studying the impact of non-native plant and animal species on native species. In this paper, we examined the antipredator response of naïve European brown frog (Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758) tadpoles to water-borne chemical cues from invasive red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans Wied, 1838) in the presence and the absence of conspecific tadpoles. The level of swimming activity was expressed as the length of the tadpoles’ trajectory. The tadpoles showed a decrease in swimming activity when predator stimuli were present, which was highly significant when the tadpoles were measured individually and did not have contact (visual and chemical) with other tadpoles. In the absence of chemical cues of slider turtles, the presence of other tadpoles had no effect on the level of swimming activity. Moreover, for the first time in tadpoles, we found that the decrease in swimming activity was also accompanied by changes in swimming trajectory, with tadpoles exposed to predator cues swimming in more zigzagged trajectories. Our experiment shows that invasive slider turtles, as a novel predator, have a measurable influence on the swimming behaviour of European brown frog tadpoles. Consequences of the reduced swimming activity of tadpoles, like its impact on growth, are discussed.
摘要非本地动植物物种对本地物种的影响越来越受到人们的关注。本文研究了naïve欧洲棕蛙(Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758)蝌蚪对入侵红耳滑龟(Trachemys scripta elegans Wied, 1838)在存在和不存在同种蝌蚪情况下的水生化学信号的反捕食反应。游泳活动水平用蝌蚪运动轨迹的长度表示。当捕食者刺激存在时，蝌蚪的游泳活动会减少，当蝌蚪单独被测量并且没有与其他蝌蚪接触(视觉和化学)时，这一点非常显著。在没有滑龟化学线索的情况下，其他蝌蚪的存在对游泳活动水平没有影响。此外，我们首次在蝌蚪中发现，游泳活动的减少也伴随着游泳轨迹的变化，暴露于捕食者线索的蝌蚪以更曲折的轨迹游泳。我们的实验表明，入侵滑龟作为一种新的捕食者，对欧洲棕色青蛙蝌蚪的游泳行为有可测量的影响。讨论了蝌蚪游泳活动减少的后果，如其对生长的影响。
{"title":"Effect of an alien turtle predator on movement activity of European brown frog tadpoles","authors":"M. Berec, V. Klapka, R. Zemek","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1139195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1139195","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract An increasing amount of attention has been devoted to studying the impact of non-native plant and animal species on native species. In this paper, we examined the antipredator response of naïve European brown frog (Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758) tadpoles to water-borne chemical cues from invasive red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans Wied, 1838) in the presence and the absence of conspecific tadpoles. The level of swimming activity was expressed as the length of the tadpoles’ trajectory. The tadpoles showed a decrease in swimming activity when predator stimuli were present, which was highly significant when the tadpoles were measured individually and did not have contact (visual and chemical) with other tadpoles. In the absence of chemical cues of slider turtles, the presence of other tadpoles had no effect on the level of swimming activity. Moreover, for the first time in tadpoles, we found that the decrease in swimming activity was also accompanied by changes in swimming trajectory, with tadpoles exposed to predator cues swimming in more zigzagged trajectories. Our experiment shows that invasive slider turtles, as a novel predator, have a measurable influence on the swimming behaviour of European brown frog tadpoles. Consequences of the reduced swimming activity of tadpoles, like its impact on growth, are discussed.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"6 1","pages":"68 - 76"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90351756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2016.1138558
V. Gonçalves, F. Gherardi, R. Rebelo
Abstract The functional response of a predator is a key factor regulating the population dynamics of predator-prey systems. This aspect of predatory behaviour must be assessed together with the effects of satiation by overabundant prey when evaluating the potential of biocontrol. The goals of this study were: (1) to identify the consumption rates of juvenile stages of the invasive zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, by the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii; (2) to determine the predator functional response; (3) to evaluate the effects of predator satiation on the intensity of predation; and (4) to model the potential impacts of predation by this crayfish on zebra mussel populations. When presented with a range of mussel abundances, P. clarkii showed a functional response of type II, where the mortality of prey increases with decreasing prey abundance. P. clarkii also exhibited a satiation effect, diminishing its consumption rate from 33 mussels/day to 6 mussels/day over a 6-day period. By combining the effects of the functional response and of predator satiation we produced a model that predicts the complete consumption of local populations of up to 150/160 juveniles by one single crayfish over the period of 1 month. This impact may be important in low-density populations or in populations at equilibrium of D. polymorpha, and will be greater the higher the synchronization between the prey reproductive cycle and the activity period of the predator.
{"title":"Modelling the predation effects of invasive crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852), on invasive zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771), under laboratory conditions","authors":"V. Gonçalves, F. Gherardi, R. Rebelo","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1138558","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1138558","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The functional response of a predator is a key factor regulating the population dynamics of predator-prey systems. This aspect of predatory behaviour must be assessed together with the effects of satiation by overabundant prey when evaluating the potential of biocontrol. The goals of this study were: (1) to identify the consumption rates of juvenile stages of the invasive zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, by the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii; (2) to determine the predator functional response; (3) to evaluate the effects of predator satiation on the intensity of predation; and (4) to model the potential impacts of predation by this crayfish on zebra mussel populations. When presented with a range of mussel abundances, P. clarkii showed a functional response of type II, where the mortality of prey increases with decreasing prey abundance. P. clarkii also exhibited a satiation effect, diminishing its consumption rate from 33 mussels/day to 6 mussels/day over a 6-day period. By combining the effects of the functional response and of predator satiation we produced a model that predicts the complete consumption of local populations of up to 150/160 juveniles by one single crayfish over the period of 1 month. This impact may be important in low-density populations or in populations at equilibrium of D. polymorpha, and will be greater the higher the synchronization between the prey reproductive cycle and the activity period of the predator.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"37 1","pages":"59 - 67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85293217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2015.1113311
I. Bočina, Š. Ružić, I. Restović, A. Paladin
Abstract The digestive tract of five adult specimens of the European hake, Merluccius merluccius L., from Eastern Adriatic, were analysed histologically in 2011, using haematoxylin–eosin and Alcian blue/PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff) methods. The paraffin sections of oesophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gall bladder and pancreas have been stained with a hematoxylin–eosin technique in order to elucidate the main histological features of the digestive tract. The wall of oesophagus and stomach is formed by four distinctive layers, while those of the intestines and gall bladder consist of three layers: the mucosa, the muscular and the outer layer. The mucosa is the innermost layer, which usually consisted of three different layers: epithelium, lamina propria and muscularis mucosae. The submucosa is a layer of connective tissue and it was not seen in the intestines and gall blader. In the oesophagus, stomach and intestines, as well as in the gall bladder, the muscular layer consists of two layers of muscle fibres: circular and longitudinal. The outermost layer of the upper parts of the visceral organs is adventitia consisting of connective tissue. In the caudal parts of digestive tract, this layer is replaced by serosa. The liver consists of hepatocytes containing a mass of lipid droplets. The pancreatic tissues contain serous acini. The present study suggests that histological features of the digestive tract of the hake Merluccius merluccius L. are mostly similar to those of other carnivorous fish, and according to its feeding habits.
{"title":"Histological features of the digestive tract of the adult European hake Merluccius merluccius (Pisces: Merlucciidae)","authors":"I. Bočina, Š. Ružić, I. Restović, A. Paladin","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2015.1113311","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1113311","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The digestive tract of five adult specimens of the European hake, Merluccius merluccius L., from Eastern Adriatic, were analysed histologically in 2011, using haematoxylin–eosin and Alcian blue/PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff) methods. The paraffin sections of oesophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gall bladder and pancreas have been stained with a hematoxylin–eosin technique in order to elucidate the main histological features of the digestive tract. The wall of oesophagus and stomach is formed by four distinctive layers, while those of the intestines and gall bladder consist of three layers: the mucosa, the muscular and the outer layer. The mucosa is the innermost layer, which usually consisted of three different layers: epithelium, lamina propria and muscularis mucosae. The submucosa is a layer of connective tissue and it was not seen in the intestines and gall blader. In the oesophagus, stomach and intestines, as well as in the gall bladder, the muscular layer consists of two layers of muscle fibres: circular and longitudinal. The outermost layer of the upper parts of the visceral organs is adventitia consisting of connective tissue. In the caudal parts of digestive tract, this layer is replaced by serosa. The liver consists of hepatocytes containing a mass of lipid droplets. The pancreatic tissues contain serous acini. The present study suggests that histological features of the digestive tract of the hake Merluccius merluccius L. are mostly similar to those of other carnivorous fish, and according to its feeding habits.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"2 1","pages":"26 - 33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91043743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2015.1081707
L. L. Yang, F. Huettmann, J. Brown, S. Liu, W. Wang, J. Yang, D. Hu
Abstract Studies suggest there is a connection between adrenal cortisol production and social rank in many non-human primates. Behavioral observations have confirmed that Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) have obvious social ranks. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations as an indicator of social stress and dominance rank in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys. Fecal samples were collected about every 5 days for 1 year from 10 Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (> 7 years old; n = 5 males, 5 females), and analysed for FGM with a corticosterone radioimmunoassay using machine learning and open access data. Results showed that: (1) yearly mean FGM levels were negatively correlated with individual animal behavioral social rank in both males and females; (2) we divided the whole year into warm and cold seasons (seasonally) and breeding and nonbreeding seasons physiologically. Except for cold seasons, FGM levels have a negative correlation with behavioral social ranks in males and females; (3) female rank does not clearly relate to FGM levels; (4) social ranks of snub-nosed monkeys are more collaborative traits than aggressive ones. Our findings have important implications for understanding the different physiological consequences of dominant and subordinate social status on Sichuan snub-nosed monkey societies, and it quantifies how physiological stress differs during seasons and phases, and by individuals.
{"title":"Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite relates to social rank in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys","authors":"L. L. Yang, F. Huettmann, J. Brown, S. Liu, W. Wang, J. Yang, D. Hu","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2015.1081707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1081707","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Studies suggest there is a connection between adrenal cortisol production and social rank in many non-human primates. Behavioral observations have confirmed that Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) have obvious social ranks. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations as an indicator of social stress and dominance rank in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys. Fecal samples were collected about every 5 days for 1 year from 10 Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (> 7 years old; n = 5 males, 5 females), and analysed for FGM with a corticosterone radioimmunoassay using machine learning and open access data. Results showed that: (1) yearly mean FGM levels were negatively correlated with individual animal behavioral social rank in both males and females; (2) we divided the whole year into warm and cold seasons (seasonally) and breeding and nonbreeding seasons physiologically. Except for cold seasons, FGM levels have a negative correlation with behavioral social ranks in males and females; (3) female rank does not clearly relate to FGM levels; (4) social ranks of snub-nosed monkeys are more collaborative traits than aggressive ones. Our findings have important implications for understanding the different physiological consequences of dominant and subordinate social status on Sichuan snub-nosed monkey societies, and it quantifies how physiological stress differs during seasons and phases, and by individuals.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"39 1","pages":"15 - 25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88674006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2015.1114686
L. Galli, D. Bartel, M. Capurro, G. Pass, A. Sara, J. Shrubovych, N. Szucsich
Abstract Acerentomon italicum is the most abundant species of Protura in Italy. In this paper, A. italicum is redescribed according to the most recent revision of diagnostic characters (morphometry, porotaxy), examining the type material and 59 specimens from 11 different localities in our collection. For some characters, scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures are presented. An updated detailed catalogue extracted from the authors’ database is provided: A. italicum is reported from 91 Italian localities (mainly from Northern Italian regions) in a total of 520 ♂♂, 669 ♀♀, 28 pre-imagines, 69 maturi junior, 25 larvae II, four larvae I and eight undetermined. Few specimens were collected in Switzerland (two, about 5 km away from the Italian border), Austria (three), Slovenia (one) and Corsica (eight). The entire data set is analysed for information on phenology (juveniles detectable every month in Liguria and Tuscany, but only during spring–summer in the remaining regions of Northern Italy) and sex ratio (M:F = 0.78) of this species. A. italicum was collected in localities from 0 to 2000 m above sea level in the soil and litter of pure and mixed forest. The geological substratum, when recorded, was limestone, quartz/mica schists and conglomerates. The DNA barcode is newly provided for 21 representatives from three Italian populations of A. italicum.
{"title":"Redescription and review of the most abundant conehead in Italy: Acerentomon italicum Nosek, 1969 (Protura: Acerentomidae)","authors":"L. Galli, D. Bartel, M. Capurro, G. Pass, A. Sara, J. Shrubovych, N. Szucsich","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2015.1114686","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1114686","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Acerentomon italicum is the most abundant species of Protura in Italy. In this paper, A. italicum is redescribed according to the most recent revision of diagnostic characters (morphometry, porotaxy), examining the type material and 59 specimens from 11 different localities in our collection. For some characters, scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures are presented. An updated detailed catalogue extracted from the authors’ database is provided: A. italicum is reported from 91 Italian localities (mainly from Northern Italian regions) in a total of 520 ♂♂, 669 ♀♀, 28 pre-imagines, 69 maturi junior, 25 larvae II, four larvae I and eight undetermined. Few specimens were collected in Switzerland (two, about 5 km away from the Italian border), Austria (three), Slovenia (one) and Corsica (eight). The entire data set is analysed for information on phenology (juveniles detectable every month in Liguria and Tuscany, but only during spring–summer in the remaining regions of Northern Italy) and sex ratio (M:F = 0.78) of this species. A. italicum was collected in localities from 0 to 2000 m above sea level in the soil and litter of pure and mixed forest. The geological substratum, when recorded, was limestone, quartz/mica schists and conglomerates. The DNA barcode is newly provided for 21 representatives from three Italian populations of A. italicum.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"37 1","pages":"43 - 58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86566993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2015.1114157
P. Battaglia, C. Pedà, S. Musolino, V. Esposito, F. Andaloro, T. Romeo
Abstract The present paper investigates the diet and the food composition of Trachinotus ovatus in the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina). Moreover, the first documented data on plastic ingestion by T. ovatus are also reported. Samples ranging between 16.5 and 28.0 cm fork length were collected between May and November 2012 in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea) by trolling lines. T. ovatus fed mainly on pelagic crustaceans and fishes, although the contribution of mollusks was also important. The absence of dominant prey indicated a generalist feeding behavior. The plastic debris was found in the stomach content of T. ovatus with a high percentage of occurrence (%O = 24.3%). Considering the commercial interest that T. ovatus has in some small-scale fishery markets, the potential impact of plastics on the trophic web and human consumption should be investigated.
{"title":"Diet and first documented data on plastic ingestion of Trachinotus ovatus L. 1758 (Pisces: Carangidae) from the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea)","authors":"P. Battaglia, C. Pedà, S. Musolino, V. Esposito, F. Andaloro, T. Romeo","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2015.1114157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1114157","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The present paper investigates the diet and the food composition of Trachinotus ovatus in the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina). Moreover, the first documented data on plastic ingestion by T. ovatus are also reported. Samples ranging between 16.5 and 28.0 cm fork length were collected between May and November 2012 in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea) by trolling lines. T. ovatus fed mainly on pelagic crustaceans and fishes, although the contribution of mollusks was also important. The absence of dominant prey indicated a generalist feeding behavior. The plastic debris was found in the stomach content of T. ovatus with a high percentage of occurrence (%O = 24.3%). Considering the commercial interest that T. ovatus has in some small-scale fishery markets, the potential impact of plastics on the trophic web and human consumption should be investigated.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"24 1","pages":"121 - 129"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79549113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2015.1103320
Paulo Barros, H. Vale-Gonçalves, J. Paupério, João Alexandre Cabral, G. Rosa
Abstract The European snow vole (Chionomys nivalis) is a microtine rodent with a highly fragmented distribution range, mostly associated with the main mountain systems from southern Europe to Turkmenistan. In this paper we confirm the occurrence of the snow vole in Portugal, based on morphological characteristics, biometrics and genetic analysis of two individuals captured in the Montesinho Mountain range (northeastern Portugal). Both mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers were used to confirm the species identity. The analysis of cytochrome b supports previous conclusions on the phylogeographic structure of the species, revealing the existence of several distinct lineages. Moreover, it shows that the Portuguese specimens are closely related to the other Iberian populations. This finding is of great interest as it adds new information regarding the spatial distribution of the snow vole, by redefining the southwestern limits of the species’ range, and it highlights the need for accurate assessment of regional small mammal population trends and conservation status.
{"title":"Confirmation of European snow vole Chionomys nivalis (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae) occurrence in Portugal","authors":"Paulo Barros, H. Vale-Gonçalves, J. Paupério, João Alexandre Cabral, G. Rosa","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2015.1103320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1103320","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The European snow vole (Chionomys nivalis) is a microtine rodent with a highly fragmented distribution range, mostly associated with the main mountain systems from southern Europe to Turkmenistan. In this paper we confirm the occurrence of the snow vole in Portugal, based on morphological characteristics, biometrics and genetic analysis of two individuals captured in the Montesinho Mountain range (northeastern Portugal). Both mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers were used to confirm the species identity. The analysis of cytochrome b supports previous conclusions on the phylogeographic structure of the species, revealing the existence of several distinct lineages. Moreover, it shows that the Portuguese specimens are closely related to the other Iberian populations. This finding is of great interest as it adds new information regarding the spatial distribution of the snow vole, by redefining the southwestern limits of the species’ range, and it highlights the need for accurate assessment of regional small mammal population trends and conservation status.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"18 1","pages":"139 - 145"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81799185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-01-02DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2015.1103319
A. Sahoo, S. Sahu, J. Dandapat, L. Samanta
Abstract The non-mulberry silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury, 1773, is important for the silk industry. Its larvae are phytophagous and pass through five stages (1st–5th instar) during larval development. Cellular events during their development contribute to increased levels of pro-oxidants. Antioxidant defences are, therefore, of critical importance in minimising oxidative damage. Thus, in the present study, stage-specific oxidative challenges and relative levels of antioxidant defences have been assessed during the larval development of A. mylitta. The overall results indicate a progressive decrease in oxidative threat during larval ontogeny. Comparatively high activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) observed in the 1st instar larvae indicates an adaptive antioxidant response, which could attenuate the elevated oxidative challenges. CAT activity remained unaltered in the midgut during transformation of the larvae from 4th–5th instar, and it was below detection level in serum. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity did not exhibit a specific trend; however, it showed tissue specificity in advanced larvae. Glutathione (GSH) content was progressively enhanced during development and exhibited a compensatory function with ascorbic acid (ASA), thus substantiating the role of a GSH–ASA redox couple. Findings of the study imply that early larvae (1st–3rd instar) encounter considerable degrees of pro-oxidative assault and get protection from enzymatic antioxidants. In contrast, advanced larvae receive combined protection from enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Therefore, it is assumed that oxidative stress during larval development of A. mylitta is stage-specific and, accordingly, the antioxidant defences are strategic in providing protection to the developing larvae.
{"title":"Pro-oxidative challenges and antioxidant protection during larval development of non-mulberry silkworm, Antheraea mylitta (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)","authors":"A. Sahoo, S. Sahu, J. Dandapat, L. Samanta","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2015.1103319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1103319","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The non-mulberry silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury, 1773, is important for the silk industry. Its larvae are phytophagous and pass through five stages (1st–5th instar) during larval development. Cellular events during their development contribute to increased levels of pro-oxidants. Antioxidant defences are, therefore, of critical importance in minimising oxidative damage. Thus, in the present study, stage-specific oxidative challenges and relative levels of antioxidant defences have been assessed during the larval development of A. mylitta. The overall results indicate a progressive decrease in oxidative threat during larval ontogeny. Comparatively high activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) observed in the 1st instar larvae indicates an adaptive antioxidant response, which could attenuate the elevated oxidative challenges. CAT activity remained unaltered in the midgut during transformation of the larvae from 4th–5th instar, and it was below detection level in serum. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity did not exhibit a specific trend; however, it showed tissue specificity in advanced larvae. Glutathione (GSH) content was progressively enhanced during development and exhibited a compensatory function with ascorbic acid (ASA), thus substantiating the role of a GSH–ASA redox couple. Findings of the study imply that early larvae (1st–3rd instar) encounter considerable degrees of pro-oxidative assault and get protection from enzymatic antioxidants. In contrast, advanced larvae receive combined protection from enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Therefore, it is assumed that oxidative stress during larval development of A. mylitta is stage-specific and, accordingly, the antioxidant defences are strategic in providing protection to the developing larvae.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"162 1","pages":"14 - 3"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74810858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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