A5073510584- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Fern and Epiphyte Biology
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
Museo Civico di Zoologia
2022-2023
University of Turin
2010-2021
Accademia Albertina delle Belle Arti
2010-2018
Museo Egizio
2009-2017
Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt/M
2009
University of Zurich
2009
Panzootic chytrid fungus out of Asia Species in the fungal genus Batrachochytrium are responsible for severe declines populations amphibians globally. The sources these pathogens have been uncertain. O'Hanlon et al. used genomics on a panel more than 200 isolates to trace source frog pathogen B. dendrobatidis hyperdiverse hotspot Korean peninsula (see Perspective by Lips). Over past century, trade amphibian species has accelerated, and now all lineages occur traded amphibians; become...
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...
Parasitic chytrid fungi have emerged as a significant threat to amphibian species worldwide, necessitating the development of techniques isolate these pathogens into culture for research purposes. However, early methods isolating chytrids from their hosts relied on killing amphibians. We modified pre-existing protocol infected animals use toe clips and biopsies webbing rather than euthanizing hosts, distributed researchers part BiodivERsA project RACE; here called RML protocol. In tandem, we...
Infectious diseases can alter the demography of their host populations, reducing viability even in absence mass mortality. Amphibians are most threatened group vertebrates globally, and emerging infectious play a large role continued population declines. Viruses belonging to genus Ranavirus responsible for one deadliest widespread these diseases. To date, no work has used individual level data investigate how ranaviruses affect demographic structure. We skeletochronology morphology evaluate...
Age profile and body size were studied in three populations of the rare understudied tomato frog, Dyscophus antongilii, from NE Madagascar. For each individual, a phalanx was clipped bone used for skeletochronology. Sexual dimorphism is significantly different between all populations: females are larger heavier than males, with males also being distinguishable by more yellowish throat. structure analysis possible on two (Antara, Lampirano). The age within ranged 3 7 years (mean ± SD = 5.0...
Abstract Worldwide amphibian declines and species losses are global problems emerging infectious diseases have been identified as one of the major threats. The worst these is chytridiomycosis, an disease caused by chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Here we review what known distribution Bd chytridiomycosis in Italy. We critically summarize evidence support hypothesis that invasive pathogen Last provide recommendations for immediate research needs, both basic science applied...
Abstract Aim In a highly endemic, threatened amphibian assemblage, we measure and describe the geographic taxonomic distribution of chytrid fungus, B atrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( d ), with view to identifying those sites species most at risk infection its negative consequences. Additionally, aimed determine potential for direct transmission events between two known carriers infection. Location The island S ardinia. Methods We collected swab tissue samples amphibians from wide range...
Given their sensitivity to environmental alterations, odonates act as reliable bioindicators assess the effects of changes in freshwater ecosystems and associated terrestrial habitats. The region comprised between Lario Brianza (Provinces Como, Lecco Monza - Lombardy, N Italy) is one most urbanised Italian peninsula large parts its territory have been heavily altered, especially at low elevation. Despite this pervasive anthropogenisation, area still characterised by a considerable variety...
Abstract The false tomato frog, Dyscophus guineti, is an endemic species of eastern Madagascar, typically found in open and swampy areas mid-elevation forests. We measured 62 females 70 males from a population Marovato, next to Brickaville. Snout-vent length the individuals ranged 37.7–112.4 mm 37.7–90.7 males, while mass varied within range 25.0–80.2 g 25.8–145.6 females. Skeletochronological analysis was conducted on clipped phalanges 20 results these analyses indicated that age 3–7 years...
Data on the age at sexual maturity and longevity of some mantellid species genera Boophis, Gephyromantis, Mantidactylus that inhabit low altitude rainforest Masoala (northeastern Madagascar) are presented. Counts lines arrested growth (LAGs) were used to calculate in these species; data contribute assessment threat level studied anurans. Boophis includes mediumto large-sized frogs (SVL = 30–65 mm) attain 1–3 years live 3–9 (i.e., mid-longevity). Gephyromatis include small- largesized 22–107...
The body size and number of eggs in dissected females were analysed nine species the Malagasy frog genus Mantella basing upon preserved specimens. These distinguished terms habitat grouped as 'grassland species' (included M. betsileo, expectata, viridis), 'rainforest (M. baroni, crocea, cowani, laevigata, nigricans, pulchra). with lowest egg - was cowani a mean 37 ± 15, while highest egg-number viridis 115 21 eggs. In general, grassland are characterised by higher relatively small Moreover,...
Based on daily monitoring around an urban pond in the coastal town of Maroantsetra, from 2003-2011, we provide analysis yearly reproductive activity tomato frog ( Dyscophus antongilii ), a large-sized and prominent red-coloured microhylid north-eastern Madagascar. Frogs were observed all year round but despite limited climatic seasonality region it was possible to identify high period between January-May lower June-December. Freshly laid eggs found months except November, with highest...
Abstract The identification of historic and contemporary barriers to dispersal is central the conservation endangered amphibians, but may be hindered by their complex life history elusive nature. complementary information generated mitochondrial (mt DNA ) microsatellite markers generates a valuable tool in elucidating population structure impact habitat fragmentation. We applied this approach study an montane newt, Euproctus platycephalus . Endemic Mediterranean island Sardinia, it...
In human-modified landscapes, little is known about the influence of aquatic habitat types on demographic structure residing amphibian populations. present paper, we focus a European flagship urodele species (the great crested newt Triturus cristatus) at north-western range its distribution, applying method skeletochronology to compare ages individuals retrieved from agricultural ponds with sites favourably managed for T. cristatus presence. Median ranged between 4.5 and 10.0 years depending...
Abstract Parasites can directly affect host survival by causing cryptic costs that may occur in species when mortality does not take place or is less evident. Costs be present differently life history stages age cohorts cause age-dependent effects. Here we investigate the effects of chytridiomycete fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis , ( Bd ), causes one main infectious diseases implicated numerous mass mortalities and population declines class Amphibia, including rarest most threatened...
The American bullfrog, native to the eastern half of North America including southern Quebec, is considered one most invasive species in world. It has been introduced America, Asia and Europe, mainly for food purposes. A study on age body size this was carried out individuals obtained from four populations (one Western Canada three France), using skeletochronological method. Adults did not differ between sexes mean or age, with exception population France where males were younger than...
The presence of Salamandra lanzai was confirmed for the Upper Sangone Valley (Turin Province, NW Italy), within Parco Naturale Orsiera Rocciavre. species attribution further supported by morphological and genetic (16S) analysis represents north-eastern most limit species’ distribution. This salamander so far known only a few major alpine valleys Italy (Po, Pellice, Germanasca Valleys), France (Guil Valley). new finding is especially interesting since it separated from its closest locality...