A5058355824- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Plant and animal studies
- Mollusks and Parasites Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Helminth infection and control
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Bryophyte Studies and Records
- Plant and fungal interactions
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
University of Calabria
2012-2024
Sapienza University of Rome
1986-2023
Weatherford College
2023
Research Institute on Sustainable Economic Growth
2023
Natural History Museum Aarhus
2014-2018
Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer
1996-2005
Institute of Ecosystem Study
2005
Abstract Citizen science initiatives have been increasingly used by researchers as a source of occurrence data to model the distribution alien species. Since citizen presence‐only suffer from some fundamental issues, efforts made combine these with those provided scientifically structured surveys. Surprisingly, only few studies proposing integration evaluated contribution this process effective sampling species' environmental niches and, consequently, its effect on predictions new time...
Abstract Aim The establishment and spread of invasive alien species may be influenced by several mutually interacting factors, whose understanding is paramount to develop effective biosecurity policies. However, studies focused on modelling spatially explicit patterns future invasion risk have so far response climate change impacts, while land‐use has been neglected. We investigated how the interplay between could affect potential distribution dispersal corridors four squirrels introduced...
Combining genetic, morphological and geographical data, we re-evaluate Sciurus meridionalis , Lucifero 1907 as a tree squirrel species. The species, previously considered subspecies of the Eurasian red squirrel, vulgaris is endemic to South Italy with disjunct distribution respect S. . new species has typical, monomorphic coat colour characterized by white ventral fur very dark-brown blackish on back, sides tail. Specimens have larger hind foot length weigh about 35% more than live-caught...
The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a well-known forest animal distributed all over Europe. Still, we are far from having firm knowledge of the species' phylogeography. This study investigates genetic differentiation S. vulgaris across Eurasian range, using sequence data mitochondrial DNA gene (D-loop, 252 base pairs, cytochrome b, 359 pairs), and eight variable autosomal microsatellite loci genotyped for 236 individuals. results reveal presence two main phylogroups. first clade comprises...
The current distribution of genetic diversity is the result a vast array microevolutionary processes, including short-term demographic and ecological mechanisms long-term allopatric isolation in response to Quaternary climatic fluctuations. We investigated past processes that drove population differentiation spatial Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus by means sequences mitochondrial cytb (n = 277 from 115 localities) nuclear mc1r β-fibint7genes 262 n 91, respectively) all its range....
Hotspots of intraspecific diversity have been observed in most species, often within areas putative Pleistocene refugia. They thus mostly viewed as the outcome prolonged stability large populations However, recent evidence has suggested that several other microevolutionary processes could also be involved their formation. Here, we investigate contribution these to current range-wide patterns genetic Italian endemic mole Talpa romana, using both nuclear (30 allozyme loci) and mitochondrial...
At the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), southern European peninsulas were important refugia for temperate species. Current genetic subdivision of species within these may reflect past population at LGM, as in 'refugia refugia', and/or other time periods. In present study, we assess whether pygmy shrew populations from different regions Italy are genetically and morphologically distinct. One maternally two paternally inherited molecular markers (cytochrome b Y-chromosome introns, respectively)...
Endemic species and their genetic diversity are critical components of global biodiversity, yet they usually face a higher risk decline extinction than with broader distributions. Loss within geographically restricted fragmented ranges plays significant role in driving endemic to extinction, threatening ability adapt environmental challenges. Hence, considering its spatial distribution populations is mandatory planning conservation actions for narrow species. Here, we investigated the...
Our understanding of the effect Pleistocene climatic changes on biodiversity European mammals mostly comes from phylogeographical studies non-subterranean mammals, whereas influence glaciation cycles subterranean has received little attention. The lack data raises question how and to what extent current amount distribution genetic variation in is result range contractions/expansions. common mole (Talpa europaea) a strictly mammal, widespread across Europe, represents one best candidates for...
Integrative taxonomy, a multi-disciplinary approach adding modern techniques to traditional morphology-based methods (e.g. molecular and morphological criteria), can play an important role in bioinvasion research identify introduced taxa, discover pathways of introduction inform authorities control prevent future introductions. The present study is the first on populations Callosciurus, Asiatic tree squirrels, known as potentially invasive species Europe (Italy, Belgium France). We combined...
Abstract The I talian P eninsula was one of the main refugia in southern E urope during climatic oscillations leistocene, and considered a ‘hotspot’ biodiversity. A number phylogeographic analyses identified highly divergent lineages taly that apparently did not contribute to post‐glacial re‐colonization urope, supporting existence within southern‐most part taly. For bank vole M yodes glareolus , genetic highlighted low variability for this species on Italian peninsula, suggesting cryptic...
Abstract Food preferences and the effects of prey chemical repellents in dietary behaviour Podarcis sicula were tested using four species Carabid beetles as models. The goal study was to assess (i) ability P. recognize insect preys provided with aposematic colorations under laboratory conditions, (ii) importance signals used by model antipredatory strategy. Preys this Brachinus sclopeta Anchomenus dorsalis (aposematic species) Amara anthobia A. aenea (non-aposematic species). Aposematic are...
A comparison of terrestrial small mammal coenoses belonging to nine different biotopes in the tips Iberian and Italian peninsulas was carried out using pitfall trapping method. The influence both habitat type peninsular effect on composition analysed. In Southern Italy, 203 specimens seven species were trapped: Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1822), Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811), C. leucodon (Hermann, 1780), Microtus savii (de Sélys‐Longchamps, 1838), Apodemus sylvaticus (L., 1758), A....
In the present paper occurrence of cannibalism, unusual predation on small reptiles (Hemidactylus turcicus (Reptilia, Gekkonidae)), and foraging mammal carrion (Suncus etruscus (Mammalia, Soricidae)) by P. siculus is reported.
The Italian endemic voles belonging to the Microtus savii group (de Sélys‐Longchamps, 1838) include five controversial taxa, namely M. , s. niethammericus Contoli ; tolfetanus nebrodensis ( Minà‐Palumbo, 1868) and brachycercus (Lehamann, 1961). A previous mt DNA phylogenetic analysis revealed three main lineages that do not correspond recognized taxa. Here, we perform a comprehensive univariate multivariate of craniodental measurements in 151 specimens from 54 geographic samples phylogroups....
It is now well established that Southern European peninsulas have been major glacial refugia for temperate species during Pleistocene climatic oscillations. However, substantial environmental changes occurred also within these throughout the Pleistocene, raising questions about role and interplay of various microevolutionary processes in shaping patterns intraspecific diversity areas. Here, we investigate genetic variation bank vole Myodes glareolus Italian peninsula. By using a panel 13...
We studied the intraspecific genetic variation of 17 Neomys anomalus (Cabrera, 1907) (eight localities) and 24 fodiens (Pennant, 1771) (nine in Europe. As molecular marker, we used sequences mtDNA gene for cytochrome b (1140 bp from specimens; 272 15 specimens). The phylogenetic analysis N. shows slight divergence among haplotypes, with only one supported clade including two geographically distant haplotypes Calabria (southern Italy) Pyrenees (France); these diverge others by 2.9% 2.1%,...
This is the first mitochondrial phylogeography of common dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius (Linnaeus, 1758), a hibernating rodent strictly protected in Europe (Habitat Directive, annex IV; Bern Convention, III). The 84 individuals M. avellanarius, sampled throughout distributional range species, have been sequenced at DNA gene (cytochrome b, 704 base pairs). results revealed two highly divergent lineages, with an ancient separation around 7.7 Mya and genetic divergence 7.7%. Lineage 1...
We characterized eighteen water voles, Arvicola amphibius (s.l.), from five populations along the Italian peninsula by means of mtDNA cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences. The samples included aquatic voles and one fossorial population northern Italy. standard karyotype four central was also analysed identical to found in other outside Phylogenetic analyses, including vole Cytb haplotypes entire range, indicated existence a well supported highly divergent lineage (4.3%), sister all haplotypes. are...