1,721,096 research outputs found
Nesting of the Spotless Starling, Sturnus unicolor, on the island of Favignana (Aegadian Islands, Sicily)
Full text linkThe presence of the Spotless Starling in Sicily was reported for the first time at the beginning of the XIX century, although the first nests for the province of Trapani are reported almost at the end of the XX century. As a breeder, the Spotless Starling remained absent from all the circumsicilian islands until the first report for the island of Pantelleria, in 2012. In 2020, the nest of Spotless Starling was observed on the island of Favignana, within a hole on an antenna. The couple fed the chicks with Ligia italica crustacean isopod of the family Ligiidae. The nesting on the island of Favignana confirms the continuous expan-sion of the species in Sicily
Status del progetto di reintroduzione del Grifone nei parchi delle Madonie e dei Nebrodi (Sicilia)
No full textReintroduzione in Sicilia (Parco Nebrodi e Parco Madonie
The value of by-catch data: how species-specific surveys can serve non-target species
No full textCamera trapping has a wide range of research application, but, while research designs are often focused on the study of a single focal species, cameras can also record other non-target species. Occupancy modeling using by-catch data can be a valuable resource to gain information on these species maximizing the scientific effort and efficiency of wildlife surveys. In this study, we used by-catch data from a European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) survey in Southern Italy to assess the habitat covariates determinant for the occupancy of the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata). We recorded 33 detections at 17 out of 51 cameras (naive occupancy = 0.33). The best models fitted the data well, and porcupine occupancy estimate was 0.58 (SE +/- 0.09) with a detection probability of 0.11 (SE +/- 0.03). Average model showed that woodlands and number of shrub patches increased porcupine occupancy, while the reverse was true for altitude. Our results have improved the insights on the habitat use and ecological needs of this understudied species, and it is the first study that develops occupancy models for the porcupine using the presence/absence data obtained from a camera trap survey. Our study is an example of how camera trap surveys are often an under-exploited source of valuable information on a wider spectrum of sympatric species beyond the focal species for which camera traps were deployed. Minimum requirements for a camera trap survey to provide robust occupancy estimates for non-target species are discussed
A case of cannibalism in the false smooth snake Macroprotodon cucullatus on the island of Lampedusa
Full text linkA case of cannibalism in the false smooth snake Macroprotodon cucullatus on the island of Lampedus
Record of a 10-year old European Wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) from Mt. Etna, Sicily, Italy
Full text linkWe recaptured the Wildcat after nine years, hence we think that 10 years is the minimum reasonable age estimation for this individual. This age estimate still lies at the lower range when compared to ages of captive Wildcats ranging from 12–16 year
Mitochondrial heteroplasmy in an avian hybrid form (Passer italiae: Aves, Passeriformes)
Full text linkMitochondrial heteroplasmy is the result from biparental transmission of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to the offspring. In such rare cases, maternal and paternal mtDNA is present in the same individual. Though recent studies suggested that mtDNA heteroplasmy might be more common than previously anticipated, that phenomenon is still poorly documented and was mostly detected in case studies on hybrid populations. The Italian sparrow, Passer italiae is a homoploid hybrid form that occurs all across the Italian Peninsula mostly under strict absence of either of its parent species, the house sparrow (P. domesticus) and the Spanish sparrow (P. hispaniolensis). In this study, we document a new case of mitochondrial heteroplasmy from two island populations of P. italiae (Ustica and Lipari). Our analysis was based on the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) that allows for a clear distinction between mitochondrial lineages of the two parental species. We amplified and sequenced the mitochondrial ND2 gene with specifically designed primer combinations for each of the two parental species. In two of our study populations, a single individual carried two different ND2 haplotypes from each of the two parental lineages. These findings contribute to current knowledge on the still poorly documented phenomenon of paternal leakage in vertebrates
Heat Nests: The Impact of Climate Change on Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) Nesting Distribution in Sicily (Italy)
Full text linkThis study aims to update and establish a comprehensive list of nesting sites in Sicily and its minor islands, investigate the distribution and environmental suitability of the loggerhead sea turtles' nesting in Sicily using spatial distribution models (SDMs), and perform a gap analysis considering the protected area network in Sicily. Location: Sicily (Italy). Time period: 1979–2022. Data on Loggerhead seaturtle's nests were collected through several sources, including literature, monitoring records from WWF's Progetto Tartarughe, reports from the local fauna haunting, online articles, referrals on websites and social networks often related to monitoring activities. GIS was used to realize distribution maps. Bioclimatic indicators were downloaded through Copernicus Climate Change Service. Predictors were eventually projected on the WorldClim's dataset. Suitability distribution models (SDMs) were realized using the maximum entropy model (MaxEnt software). Caretta caretta's nests distribution map and environmental suitability map were overlaid with the Natura 2000 sites map in Sicily. The results confirm that the main nesting areas are mostly concentrated along the southern and eastern coasts of Sicily, with increasing numbers observed over recent years. Additionally, global warming has made some beaches even more suitable along the north coast of the main island. The variable affecting this species the most is the Mean Temperature of the Coldest Quarter (Bio11). Overlaying nesting distribution and environmental suitability maps with Natura 2000 sites revealed significant portions of nests occurring outside protected areas, highlighting the need for expanded conservation efforts.The demographic increase of nesting events in Sicily is induced by a northward shift of the species distribution led by rising temperatures and probably due to climate change
Rearing method of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for reintroduction in Sicily (Italy)
No full textIn the past, wild rabbits remained only in Spain and in the south of France. Currently, in Italy, this lagomorph is not uniformly distributed: its greatest presence is recorded in Sicily and Sardinia, where the habitat is very similar to the ancestral one. The specie is very important as game and food for many threatened animals of the Mediterranean area: so, there is an important decline in numerousness. The aim of this paper is to test what is the best age of reintroduction in nature using a “soft release” method, in acclimatization pens nearby the breeding farm, limiting mortality due to stress, transport and social factors. The trial was conducted in the mountain area of Palermo district, characterised by a Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers and mild winter. First, counts of animals were made using the method of nocturnal light census and pellet counts, in order to establish where to capture and where to reintroduce the animals. Capture methods used are traps or ferrets. The captured animals were subdivided according to sex, measured, and their health status is accurately checked. If wild rabbits exhibit the typical biometrical data, they are used as breeders in specialised farms (Regional Law n.33/97): they were ear-marked, vaccinated and treated for parasites. Thus, it starts a breeding period similar to the common rabbit. So, the new-born were transferred in an acclimatization area built on dry ground with a slight slope, where no herbicides have been used to avoid poisoning and rich in natural shrub vegetation and trees. A fence of a narrow mesh, 40cm underground, 2m high and supported by cement poles, prevents the intrusion of predators and the escape of rabbits. Inside the area there is a canopy that protects hay and a feeder with medicated pellets to aid the immune system because stress related to environmental change is high. If the rabbits have retained good wildness, they will soon begin to dig their own burrows. It was noted that 180 days-old animals were more disoriented and less inclined to leave the cage in comparison with 60 days animals that showed greater adaptability and ability to survive after release. Generally, most death occoured during the first week after releasing, without any differences among sex; higher mortality is revealed for older animal that settle more slowly, being not able to eat and to build lairs for defending from predators. From the second week, mortality is similar for all the classes of age
Anthropogenic threats drive spatio-temporal responses of wildcat on Mt. Etna
No full textHuman expansion can cause disturbance and intrusion of invasive species, which are detrimental to small carnivores. We investigated how European wildcats responded to disturbance from mushroom collectors, cattle and feral pigs in Sicily, Italy. We used detections from 76 cameras over 2 surveys (2015–2016 and 2018; camera days = 1985) to run occupancy and co-occurrence models and estimate overlap in activity patterns between species pairs. During 2015–2016, wildcats were detected at the same location with cattle, mushroom hunters and feral pigs at 14.4%, 26.3% and 17.1% of cameras. During 2018, wildcats were detected at the same location with cattle, mushroom hunters and feral pigs at 7.8%, 19.7% and 6.5% of cameras. Dominant species (A; cattle, mushroom hunters and feral pigs) did not affect occupancy of the subordinate species (B; wildcats) during 2015–2016. In 2018, the effect of species A on wildcat occupancy was evident for cattle-wildcat and mushroom hunters-wildcat pairs and wildcat occupancy was higher at sites where species A was not present. Probabilities of detecting wildcats at sites where species A was not present or not detected were higher than probabilities of detecting wildcats at sites where species A was detected. Overlap in activity levels was low between mushroom hunters and wildcats and higher between cattle and wildcats, but varied between surveys for feral pig-wildcat pair. Although results differed between survey periods, we suggest that wildcats generally avoided cattle, feral pigs and mushroom hunters, at both temporal and spatial scales. Anthropogenic disturbance, livestock and invasive species are emerging threats to wildcats and future conservation actions should consider our results
Sicilian Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca withakeri): is the current protected area network enough?
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