A5059386717- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Marine animal studies overview
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
University of Genoa
2015-2024
Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria
2014-2015
Trasporti e Territorio
2004-2007
Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer
1992
École Pratique des Hautes Études
1986-1990
Université de Montpellier
1986
Emerging infectious diseases are reducing biodiversity on a global scale. Recently, the emergence of chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans resulted in rapid declines populations European fire salamanders. Here, we screened more than 5000 amphibians from across four continents and combined experimental assessment pathogenicity with phylogenetic methods to estimate threat that this infection poses amphibian diversity. Results show B. is restricted to, but highly pathogenic for,...
Specialization is typically inferred at population and species level but in the last decade many authors highlighted this trait individual level, finding that generalist populations can be composed by both specialist individual. Despite hundreds of reported cases specialization there a complete lack information on inter-individual diet variation species. We studied Italian endemic Spectacled Salamander (Salamandrina perspicillata), temperate forest ecosystem, to disclose realised trophic...
Abstract Measuring population changes and trends is essential to identify threatened species, requested by several environmental regulations (e.g. European Habitat Directive). However, obtaining this information for small cryptic animals challenging, requires complex, broad‐scale monitoring schemes. How should we allocate the limited resources available monitoring, maximize probability of detecting declines? The analysis simulated data can help performance scenarios across species with...
Abstract The infectious chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ( Bsal ) has been responsible for severe population declines of salamander populations in Europe. Serious and loss urodelan diversity may occur if appropriate action is not taken to mitigate against the further spread impact . We provide an overview several potential mitigation methods, describe their possible advantages limitations. conclude that long-term, context-dependent, multi-faceted approaches are needed...
Mediterranean wetlands harbour a rich freshwater biodiversity but also rank among the most-climate and human-pressure sensitive habitats. Amphibians are taxonomic group strongly dependent on most threatened class of vertebrates due to habitat loss alteration. In region, amphibians breed in large variety artificial water sites (AWS). We used dataset amphibian breeding model functional connectivity, graph theory climate niche modelling. AWS radically different structure compared natural ones...
North America and the neotropics harbor nearly all species of plethodontid salamanders. In contrast, this family caudate amphibians is represented in Europe Asia by two genera, Speleomantes Karsenia, which are confined to small geographic ranges. Compared neotropical American plethodontids, mortality attributed chytridiomycosis caused Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has not been reported for European despite established presence Bd their distribution. We determined extent present...
Abstract Although human-related disturbance is usually detrimental for biodiversity, in some instances it can simulate natural processes and benefit certain species. Changes the regime, both human-driven, affect species that rely on it. The Apennine yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata pachypus , an amphibian endemic to peninsular Italy, has declined throughout its range last 3 decades. We sought identify drivers of decline region Liguria, at north-western limit distribution. In 2009 2010...
Abstract The emerging amphibian disease, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is driving population declines worldwide and even species extinctions in Australia, South Central America. In order to mitigate effects of Bd on populations, high-exposed areas should be identified at the local scale effective conservation measures planned national level. This assessment actually lacking Mediterranean basin, particular Italy, one most relevant diversity hotspots entire region. this study, we...
Context Concerns about conservation and ethics in amphibian research have been raised recently; therefore, non-lethal methods should always be preferred to investigate food habits wild populations. However, there are no studies that compared the data obtained by different dietary amphibians. Aims We from stomach flushing, a method validated against dissection, faecal analysis on same 31 individuals of European plethodontid Speleomantes strinatii, completely terrestrial salamander. Methods...
Abstract A Speleomantes ambrosii population living in an artificial tunnel NW Italy was studied for two consecutive years. Activity on the walls varied cyclically relation to seasonal temperatures and food abundance. The main item trogloxenic dipteran Limonia nubeculosa, which accounted more than 80% of total ingested prey by volume. Juvenile cave salamanders had a broader trophic nich adults. Oviposition juvenile recruitment appeared be seasonal. spatial distribution inside related...
The diet of the European pond terrapin Emys orbicularis is poorly known, especially in Mediterranean region.Bannikov (1951) showed that Russian Republic Daghestan this species mainly feeds on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.Lebboroni Chelazzi (1991) Tuscany (Italy), Kotenko (2000) Ukraine noticed predominance invertebrates but a high occurrence plant matter diet.The aim our study was to determine E. Camargue, habitat, investigate for eventual dietary shifts.Emys widespread Camargue...
Information on individual trophic specialization may be relevant to better understand the ecological adaptation of populations their environment and evolution realized niche. In this study, we analysed at level in a population plethodontid Northwest Italian Cave Salamander (Speleomantes strinatii (Aellen, 1958)), terrestrial generalist predator. Salamanders were sampled northwestern Italy forest floor autumn (n = 49) spring 47) along with available prey. autumn, when resources showed twofold...
To date the most commonly used non-lethal methods in amphibian dietary studies are stomach flushing and faecal analysis. In this study, we compared outcome of these two interpreting prey selectivity when available community environment is known. Stomach flushed contents faeces were obtained from same 27 individuals spectacled salamander ( Salamandrina perspicillata ) a site Central Italy. The interpretation population selection strategy varied relation to method used. content analysis...
Subterranean habitats are characterized by buffered climatic conditions in comparison to contiguous surface environments and, general, subterranean biological communities considered be relatively constant. However, although several studies have described the seasonal variation of communities, few analyzed their variability over successive years. The present research was conducted inside an artificial cave during seven summers, from 2013 2019. parietal faunal community sampled at regular...
It has been suggested that Plethodontid salamanders are excellent candidates for indicating ecosystem health. However, detailed, long-term data sets of their populations rare, limiting our understanding the demographic processes underlying population fluctuations. Here we present a analysis based on 1996-2008 set an underground Speleomantes strinatii (Aellen) in NW Italy. We utilised Bayesian state-space approach allowing us to parameterise stage-structured Lefkovitch model. used all...
Five new species of Nectophrynoides Noble 1926 are described from the forests Eastern Arc Mountains Tanzania. Two were already recognised as such, but not formally described. more undescribed in collection Natural History Museum, London. The fifth was collected during a field survey udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve early 2003. A description advertisement call and some ecological information provided for latter species. Little is known ecology behaviour any other An updated key to given. high...
Dietary studies suggest that amphibians are opportunistic predators. However, there is little information on the ability of individuals to change their feeding strategy in time because most do not evaluate prey availability and its effect individual behaviour. To better understand how variation may affect newts, we studied Alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris, during April June 2015, when monitored species dietary habits. In at low diversity, newts were generalists, i.e., diet overlapped...