A5059877202- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Marine and fisheries research
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Electrochemical Analysis and Applications
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
University of Florence
2016-2025
National Research Council
2019
CoNISMa
1999-2001
GTx (United States)
1999
The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, is one of the world's worst invasive species, with established populations in at least 40 countries on six continents.In this review, we synthesise vast literature species four areas, concentrating its introduction to natural systems.The first section reviews distribution, habitat preferences, and factors promoting invasion success.Second, review current knowledge ecological impacts invertebrates, vertebrates ecosystem functions.The third deals...
Abstract Time series analysis plays an important role in the detection of mechanisms that drive population fluctuations. However, long time are rare, with ungulate data sets usually not exceeding 50 years. In this article, we describe a long‐term set density indices five species obtained from bag records collected Castelporziano Preserve, Rome, Italy. Hunting statistics often used as proxies for density; however, case large mammals, there no comparative studies to assess validity such data....
Abstract Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) assemblages were sampled with pitfall traps in three different habitats associated a rehabilitated mine district and undisturbed forests Tuscany, Italy. The four (1) open fields (3–4 years old); (2) middle‐age mixed plantation (10 years); (3) an old‐age (20 (4) oak woodland (40 years) not directly affected by mining activities. aim of the study was to analyze ant recolonization patterns order provide insights on use Mediterranean fauna as indicators...
Nest-mate recognition plays a key role in the biology of ants. Although individuals coming from foreign nest are, most cases, promptly rejected, degree aggressiveness towards non nest-mates may be highly variable among species and relies on genetic, chemical environmental factors. We analyzed intraspecific relationships neighboring colonies dominant Mediterranean acrobat ant Crematogaster scutellaris integrating behavioral analyses. Colony structure, parental between nests, cuticular...
Invasive species are one of the main threats to biodiversity worldwide and processes enabling their establishment persistence remain poorly understood. In generalist consumers, plasticity in diet trophic niche may play a crucial role invasion success. There is growing evidence that invasive ants, particular, occupy lower levels introduced range compared native one, but evidences fragmented. We conducted stable isotope analysis at five locations distributed on two continents infer position...
The use of camera traps to estimate population size when animals are not individually recognizable is gaining traction in the ecological literature, because its applicability conservation and management. We estimated synthetic with four trap sampling-based statistical models that do rely on individual recognition. Using a realistic model animal movement generate data, we compared random encounter model, staying time association time-to-event-model investigated impact violation assumptions...
Abstract 1. The organisation of an ant assemblage inhabiting olive orchard in central Italy was analysed and patterns dominance among species were described order to assess (i) the relationship between thermal dependency degree behavioural dominance, (ii) discovery ability. 2. Activity most abundant on trees examined a sample 120 during spring summer. ability different discover new food sources assessed using tuna baiting subset 80 trees. 3. Different showed contrasting activity. Some (such...
Abstract The spreading of the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii throughout world is attributed to human introductions; however, rapid and widespread diffusion species following its establishment result dispersal capabilities. This study aimed provide further information for comprehension potential this by underlining some aspects behavioural flexibility. Radio-telemetry was used analyse locomotion, home-range faithfulness in an Italian irrigation ditch system. Space differently two...
Population fluctuations in ungulates are driven by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Available information, however, mainly refers to arctic, temperate African ungulate populations, while the dynamics of Mediterranean species, exposed a milder climate, is known much lesser extent. Here we studied population four wild species Castelporziano Preserve near Rome, Italy, as obtained from detailed bag counts hunting drives during period 1878–1986: Italian roe deer Capreolus capreolus italicus...
Abstract 1 Stable isotopes signatures (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) of the most important tree‐dwelling ants in an olive orchard were examined, together with common herbivores, predators sap‐sucking insects. The consists separate subunits (trees) surrounded by a matrix grasses or bare ground, role such system is not fully understood. 2 None selected ant species was exclusive to trees because they also observed foraging on vegetation (mainly thistle) under tree crowns. Hence, relative contributions...
Sexual selection is an intense evolutionary force, which operates through competition for the access to breeding resources. There are many cases where male copulatory success highly asymmetric, and few males able sire most females. Two main hypotheses were proposed explain this asymmetry: "female choice" "male dominance". The literature reports contrasting results. This variability may reflect actual differences among studied populations, but it also be generated by methodological...
Polistes paper wasps have striking and variable colour patterns. Although these patterns are known to function in communication, little is about how they affect fitness relation the abiotic environment. In present study, we used dried-preserved museum specimens, comprising male female from all over world, aiming test for a correlation between body luminance (assessed by digital photography) environmental temperature available online databases). We found that thorax abdomen darker (low...
Abstract The decline of semi‐natural open ecosystems after land abandonment is a conservation issue in many industrialized countries. Large herbivores, such as horses ( Equus ferus ), are excellent candidates for rewilding activities, they can contribute to reducing loss landscapes. However, their presence could affect the spatio‐temporal distribution sympatric species, especially if reintroduction unplanned and uncontrolled. La Calvana, central Italy, protected area with mammalian community...
Dragonflies are commonly used as indicators of environmental quality and different methods have been employed to monitor odonate assemblages, such surveys all adults, evaluations based on breeding sampling larvae collection exuviae.Results obtained with may not be interchangeable, the life stages (e.g.larvae, adults) differ in mobility (aquatic, aerial) they subjected ecological constraints.Therefore generalization about habitat only one survey method might questionable.Additionally,...
Mediterranean drylands are particularly vulnerable to predicted increases in aridity which expected have negative consequences for biodiversity. To understand the effects of climate change on ecosystems, a framework selection indicators based essential biodiversity variables (EBV) was proposed. In this framework, functional approach has been suggested because traits shown be sensitive small-scale environmental changes. Additionally, also associated with ecosystem-limiting processes. context,...
The decomposition of beta-diversity (β-diversity) into its replacement (βrepl) and richness (βrich) components in combination with a taxonomic functional approach, may help to identify processes driving community composition along environmental gradients. We aimed understand which abiotic spatial variables influence ant β-diversity drive patterns Mediterranean drylands by measuring the percentage variation explained local environmental, regional climatic variables. found that primarily drove...