Long-term studies have revealed population declines in fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. In birds, particularly these are a global phenomenon whose causes often unclear. Among snakes top predators therefore decline their numbers may serious consequences for the functioning of many ecosystems. Our results show that, 17 snake populations (eight species) from UK, France, Italy, Nigeria Australia, 11 declined sharply over same relatively short period time with five remaining...

While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, small, rural, mountainous town Cocullo, middle central Italy, annually collected and celebrated a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st May, Serpari (snake catchers) capture showcase dozens non-venomous to celebrate ritual San Domenico. In order detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological context, parasites microorganisms harvested for "festa dei serpari" were investigated. Snakes (n = 112) examined ectoparasites...

Reptiles in the wild or as pets may act spreaders of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. However, studies on mycobiota these animals are scanty. This study investigates occurrence yeasts from cloacal swabs snakes different origins antifungal profile isolated strains. A total 180 samples were collected Morocco (Group I: n = 68) Italy II: 112). Yeast species biochemically molecularly identified. 72 yeast strains belonging to 13 genera, 8 Group I five II The most frequently Trichosporon...

Reptiles harbour a wide range of pathogen species, some which can pose risks to human health. Among them, snakes serve as valuable sentinels for monitoring pathogens, particularly in cultural contexts where animal-human interactions offer unique opportunity delve into bacterial dynamics throughout the years. This is case annual serpent ritual "festa dei serpari" Cocullo, central Italy renowned San Domenico festival. study conducted retrospective analysis comprehensive database pathogens...

The Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata) is an aquatic colubrid that known for having a basically piscivorous diet and female-biased sexual size dimorphism (larger females). feeding habits of three populations N. tessellata from Mediterranean streams in central Italy were studied. differed terms their water regimes, one being seasonal two perennial. More than 2,000 snake individuals handled food items, 1,200 prey items collected. percent fed snakes was significantly influenced by the study area...

The occurrence of variation in body size and reproductive traits Vipera aspis was assessed by analysing 74 females different populations, collected throughout a large part the distribution range taxon, from central-western France to central Italy. Six populations were analysed, two plain habitats, Italy, characterized Continental climate, whereas other four derived coastal inland, hilly Italian respectively, showing Mediterranean climate. Females French area showed smallest mean size, pre-...

The comparative diet and body size of the Four-Lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata), one largest more vulnerable species snakes in Mediterranean central Italy, were studied five different habitats. Data given here collated both literature original data. Overall, females significantly larger than males but strength these differences varied considerably with sample size. small mammals (almost exclusively rodents) accounted for main part (66.7%), followed by birds their eggs (mainly...

The ecological relationships between two sympatric vipers (Vipera aspis and Vipera ursinii) were studied at a mountainous area in central Italy (Gran Sasso, Abruzzo), spring 2004 autumn 2006. species differed significantly their altitudinal distribution: V. ursinii being confined to the higher elevations (above 1650 m elevation), present from lowest highest altitudes (1200–1900 m). We recorded wide sector of approximately 250 elevation (between 1900 elevation) where overlapped. In these...

Herman's tortoise, Testudo h. hermanni, is an endangered subspecies in Italy, France, and Spain. We studied a tortoise population the Riserva Naturale Regionale Monterano Tolfa Mountains of central Italy. found that, unlike most other studies this related species, sex ratios were 1∶1, half was made up juveniles. Sexual maturity reached at 12 years males 12–13 females, females significantly larger. Tortoises greatly preferred open maquis habitat over types thermoregulated so that body...

In the Abruzzi village of Cocullo (Italy), each year, on May 1st, local snake hunters (known as Serpari) display colubrids, captured in wild, to commemorate ancient ritual San Domenico. The ascomycete Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (Oo) is causative agent ophidiomycosis, an emerging disease with sublethal effects. Skin lesions, such dysecdysis, edematous, crusty or necrotic scales, swellings, nodules, and ulcers, are most common clinical manifestation disease. pathogen its associated well...

Abstract A Mediterranean community of snakes, inhabiting a hilly area in central Italy (Monterano, Tolfa Mountains) was statistically modelled to investigate whether: (i) it shows non-random structure as predicted by competition theories, (ii) there are proximate elements the landscape that may predict presence/absence various snake species at study area, and (iii) snakes select 'resting sites' which relatively simple or complicated structure. To issue we used co-occurrence pattern analyses...

Les effets potentiels du sanglier (Sus scrofa) sur l’abondance locale des populations de serpents ont été étudiés deux secteurs montagneux d’une superficie 6 ha présentant un grande similitude en terme d’habitats (chênaies mixtes avec clairières), situés au sein "Duchessa Mountains Natural Park " (Apennins, Italie). La parcelle “A” était intensivement fréquentée par les sangliers pour leur alimentation alors que la “B” ne l’était pas. Bien parcelles suivies façon identiques (21 journées...

Le statut reproducteur, la taille des portées et les comportements liés à ces paramètres ont été étudiés par suivi sur le long terme de femelles deux espèces couleuvres sympatriques Elaphe quatuorlineata (n = 6) E. longissima 5). L’étude a conduite dans une zone collines méditerranéennes du centre l’Italie (Monts Tolfa, Latium). Elle révélé que sont semblables en termes fréquence reproduction (la plupart portent chaque année), absolue pontes (9,42 ± 1,86 œufs pour 10,32 1,25 quatuorlineata),...

Abstract The populations of Meadow Viper (Vipera ursinii) living in three protected areas central Italy (Duchessa Mountains Natural Park, Majella National and Gran Sasso Park) were studied from 1998 to 2003. In these the vipers not ho‐mogenously distributed over whole territory, but occurred just at a few places. Males significantly smaller than females each study area, year study. However, mean size both males did differ among across years. all areas, diet was based mainly on Orthoptera,...

Abstract Abstract. The horseshoe snake (Coluber hippocrepis) is one of the most threatened Italian snakes, especially in Sardinia where its present occurrence was unclear. This paper reviews current distribution C. hippocrepis Sardinia, and confirms that this species still found a limited number sites Cagliari province. Its actual presence Oristano province, on contrary, doubt. Statistical analyses several morphometric measurements taken from museum specimens suggest snakes central...

Density and other aspects of terrestrial activity were studied in a population Salamandrina perspicillata from central Italy (Vejo Natural Park, province Rome). Salamander density was by line-transect methodology with Distance modelling procedures. Linear distance each salamander water also measured, as well the correlations between density, salamanders water, some habitat variables. In total, sample 227 captures collected analysed. The increased signifi cantly time (number days after...

Abstract The ecology and population structure of hinge‐back tortoises (genus Kinixys) was studied in the Niger Delta region southern Nigeria (West Africa), where these species are actively hunted by local people for subsistence. work is based not only on capture, mark recapture study free‐ranging specimens, but also dissection specimens offered food, already dead, bush‐meat markets region. frequency observation two most common species, i.e. K. homeana erosa, significantly higher three areas...

Abstract A capture‐mark‐recapture procedure was used to study the demography of a population Algyroides fitzingeri inhabiting mountain grassy area central Sardinia. This artificially enclosed avoid emi/immigrations. The A. individuals from this were morphologically and ecologically different other conspecifics studied date: they had lighter dorsal colouration, exhibited totally terrestrial habits, prostrate funiperus bushes hide in. Adult sex‐ratio close 1:1, but females more numerous...