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Alpine landscape and canopy cover from 1973 to 2011: are roe and red deer population dynamics linked?
No full textIs horn length crucial for Alpine chamois?
No full textAnimal weapons are one of the most studied morphological traits, particularly in Artiodactyla. Since in polygynous species males with larger weapons tend to be more successful in gaining access to females, researchers have traditionally focused on horn size. However, in species with limited horn size, weapon size has been assumed to have a reduced or null effect on life history traits. We examined the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the length of the second and third segments of Alpine chamois horns (Rupicapra rupicapra) in a population living in a poor environment. Our aim was to test how environmental conditions affected weapon growth and whether compensatory growth occurred. We showed that horn length was isometric to body size, although male horns grew more quickly. Ecological factors such as snow and forage availability affected weapon length, though mildly. No sign of compensatory growth was detected. We inferred that chamois mainly use horns as armament in intrasexual interactions. However, horn length was not a key element since horn growth remained isometric, at least under suboptimal ecological conditions. In species without extreme weapons, the handicap caused by longer horns is likely not compensated by an increase in individual fitness
Modelli di idoneita' ambientale per i Chirotteri: il caso del Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta
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Ecologia ed habitat del camoscio alpino
No full textEffetti della qualità del pascolo, della rigidità invernale e delle densità locali sulle popolazioni di camoscio alpino del Trentino Occidentale
Laterality in roe deer embryos implantation
Full text linkFemale reproductive success is one of the most important life-history traits to be monitored when determining population dynamics in free-ranging ungulates. Several studies have described how phenotypic characteristics of the mother, climatic conditions, population status, and habitat can impact on potential reproductive output in wild ungulates. However, little is known regarding the internal, physiological factors, that may account for differences in implantation rates. The present study investigated the differences in implantation rates and site on the basis of site and number of ovulations through the examination of about 3000 intact uteri collected from pregnant roe deer does (Capreolus capreolus). Although ovulation occurs with the same frequency in the left and right ovary, we revealed a higher frequency of embryos implantation in the left uterine horn in odd litter size, demonstrating that embryos can migrate between the uterine horns. In our study, a greater proportion of reproductive wastage was associated to females with three and four corpora lutea and interestingly, in relation to the site of ovulation, the percentage of corpora lutea that did not correspond to a fetus was higher in the right ovary than in the left one (73.2% vs. 26.8%). Our research described for the first time the absence of laterality in ovulation and the presence of laterality in implantation in roe deer, thus laying the foundations for in-depth studies about the functionality of this uterine side and for comparisons with populations located in other geographical areas to understand whether it is a widespread phenomenon or a local adaptation
Plecotus alpinus: primi dati sull'utilizzo dell'habitat. In: Prigioni et al., (eds).(Abstract)
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