A5032978221- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Animal Diversity and Health Studies
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Historical Studies on Spain
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
German Oceanographic Museum
2015-2023
Natural History Museum
2012-2023
Museo Galileo
2010-2022
University of Siena
2004-2015
Ospedale degli Infermi
2012
Citizen science has expanded rapidly over the past decades. Yet, defining citizen and its boundaries remained a challenge, this is reflected in literature—for example proliferation of typologies definitions. There need for identifying areas agreement disagreement within practitioners community on what should be considered as activity. This paper describes development results survey that examined issue, through use vignettes—short case descriptions describe an activity, while asking...
Citizen science is growing as a field of research with contributions from diverse disciplines, promoting innovation in science, society, and policy. Inter- transdisciplinary discussions critical analyses are needed to use the current momentum evaluate, demonstrate, build on advances that have been made past few years. This paper synthesizes results at first international citizen conference European Science Association (ECSA) 2016 Berlin, Germany, distills major points discourse into key...
Crossbreeding with free-ranging domestic cats is supposed to threaten the genetic integrity of wildcat populations in Europe, although diagnostic markers identify “pure” or “admixed” wildcats have never been clearly defined. Here we use mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences and allelic variation at 12 microsatellite loci genotype 128 wild sampled Italy which were preclassified into three separate groups: European (Felis silvestris silvestris), Sardinian libyca), catus), according their coat color...
Abstract Wind turbines and power lines can cause bird mortality due to collision or electrocution. The biodiversity impacts of energy infrastructure (EI) be minimised through effective landscape‐scale planning mitigation. identification high‐vulnerability areas is urgently needed assess potential cumulative EI while supporting the transition zero carbon energy. We collected GPS location data from 1,454 birds 27 species susceptible within Europe North Africa identified where tracked are most...
Abstract Severe climatic changes during the Pleistocene shaped distributions of temperate‐adapted species. These species survived glaciations in classical southern refuges with more temperate climates, as well western and eastern peripheral Alpine areas. We hypothesized that European wildcat ( Felis silvestris ) populations currently distributed Italy differentiated in, expanded from two distinct glacial refuges, located Apennines at periphery Alps. This hypothesis was tested by genotyping...
Abstract Disturbance of wildlife by ecotourism has become a major concern in the last decades. In Mediterranean, sea‐based tourism and related recreational activities are increasing rapidly, especially within marine protected areas (MPAs) hosting emblematic biodiversity. We investigated impact Scandola MPA (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Corsica island), on population conservation flagship, Osprey Pandion haliaetus . Over 37‐year study period, tourists flow increased sharply. breeding...
Most large raptors on migration avoid crossing the sea because of lack atmospheric convection over temperate seas. The osprey Pandion haliaetus is an exception among raptors, since it can fly several hundred kilometres open water. We equipped five juvenile ospreys with GPS-Accelerometer–Magnetometer loggers. All birds were able to find and use thermal uplift while Mediterranean Sea, average 7.5 times per 100 km, could reach altitudes 900 m above surface. Their climb rate was 1.6 slower than...
Abstract Information on population parameters is rarely collected from carcasses. This method can be particularly useful – with limitations when protected species are involved (e.g. the grey wolf Canis lupus in Italy). Local data structure, reproduction, survivorship and causes of mortality necessary to build reliable conservation models assess state a predict its evolution. On other hand, ‘best guesses’ or ecologically different areas have often been used viability analysis...
Flying over the open sea is energetically costly for terrestrial birds. Despite this, over-water journeys of many birds, sometimes hundreds kilometres long, are uncovered by bio-logging technology. To understand how these birds afford their flights sea, we investigated role atmospheric conditions, specifically wind and uplift, in subsidizing flight at a global scale. We first established that ΔT, temperature difference between surface air, meaningful proxy uplift water. Using this proxy,...
Abstract Predation avoidance is one of the main factors determining nocturnal activity mammals, which has been shaped by evolution in relation to local environmental variables. The 16 female and 11 male radio‐tagged adult crested porcupines Hystrix cristata was studied four study sites S outhern T uscany ( C entral I taly), with different features. patterns porcupines, monitored for 16–23 h per week individual, were correlated lunar phases, open/closed habitat types, throughout year. median...
In the last few decades, crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata L., 1758) showed a marked range expansion in Italy. Published and unpublished material was collected to reconstruct this phenomenon. Data were gathered by means of: (i) specific papers on distribution more generic books articles, (ii) expert collaboration various Italian regions (iii) information from national Vertebrates mailing list. Until 1970s, H. only present Central Southern Italy, mostly western part. Since 1978, has been...
The development of migratory behaviour is a continuous process which not only determined by genes, but also moulded individual differences based on life‐history variations occurring at each ontogenetic stage. Assessing consistency and plasticity in traits between long distance (LDM) short (SDM) populations within the same species that may express dissimilarities leeway annual schedules essential to understand evolution ontogeny strategies. We studied migration strategies autumn regarding...
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is one of only six bird species with an almost world-wide distribution. We aimed at clarifying its phylogeographic structure and elucidating taxonomic status (as it currently separated into four subspecies). tested biogeographical scenarios to explain how the species' distribution differentiation took place in past such a specialized raptor was able colonize most globe.Using two mitochondrial genes (cyt b ND2), appeared structured genetic groups representing...
Wetlands are among the world’s valuable ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, but they also most threatened habitats, heavily impacted by human pressures and threats. The Mediterranean basin features numerous small lakes, ponds, pools, whose number quality decreasing at an alarming rate, is often little or not all known. As a better knowledge of biotic components these minor water bodies necessary, with this aim phytosociological survey campaign was carried out in southern Tuscany...
The domestic cat (Felis catus) descends from the African wildcat subspecies Felis lybica lybica. Its global distribution alongside humans testifies to its successful adaptation anthropogenic environments. Uncertainty remains regarding whether cats originated in Levant, Egypt or elsewhere natural range, and on timing circumstances of their dispersal into Europe. By analysing 87 ancient modern genomes, we demonstrate that did not spread Europe with Neolithic farmers, as previously thought....
<ns3:p>Background Citizen science is increasingly recognized as a valuable scientific approach across disciplines, contexts, and research areas. However, its rapid expansion diverse methodologies make it challenging to establish single definition or universal criteria for what constitutes citizen science. This paper introduces the <ns3:italic>ECSA Characteristics of Science</ns3:italic>, offering nuanced exploration field support stakeholders, including policymakers funders, in understanding...
A broad range of migration strategies exist in avian species, and different can occur populations the same species. For breeding Osprey Pandion haliaetus Mediterranean, sporadic observations ringed birds collected past suggested variations migratory wintering behaviour. We used GPS tracking data from 41 individuals Corsica, Balearic Islands continental Italy to perform first detailed analysis these populations. Ospreys showed heterogeneous behaviour, with 73% migrating remaining 27% staying...