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    Taxonomic reassessment of Blanus strauchi (Bedriaga, 1884) (Squamata: Amphisbaenia: Blanidae), with the description of a new species from south-east Anatolia (Turkey)

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    Sindaco, Roberto, Kornilios, Panagiotis, Sacchi, Roberto, Lymberakis, Petros (2014): Taxonomic reassessment of Blanus strauchi (Bedriaga, 1884) (Squamata: Amphisbaenia: Blanidae), with the description of a new species from south-east Anatolia (Turkey). Zootaxa 3795 (3): 311-326, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3795.3.

    Systematics of the Mesalina guttulata species complex (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Arabia with the description of two new species

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    Sindaco, Roberto, Simó-Riudalbas, Marc, Sacchi, Roberto, Carranza, Salvador (2018): Systematics of the Mesalina guttulata species complex (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Arabia with the description of two new species. Zootaxa 4429 (3): 513-547, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4429.3.

    Wing length allometry in Odonata - differences between families in relation to migratory behaviour

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    In insects, wing shape and body size are correlated with several aspects of behaviour, and the optimal morphology of wings is a trade-off between a number of functional demands in relation to behaviour (e.g. foraging, migration and sexual display). Dragonflies are spectacularly skilful flyers, and present a range of different wing shapes, but to date no detailed studies have been conducted in this group on wing length allometry in relation to body size. In this paper we use published data on body length and wing length in all European and North American dragonflies to investigate differences in wing length allometries among Odonata taxa (suborders and families), and to relate these to behavioural patterns. We found different wing allometries between Zygoptera and Anisoptera, which are probably related to the flight mode and wing form of the two suborders. Among the Anisoptera, the Libellulidae showed a distinct wing length allometry from all other anisopteran families and migrants differed from non-migrant species. The first dichotomy is likely to reflect the adaptation of wing morphology of Libellulidae to sit-and-wait behaviour and to brief foraging flights (most species of this family are perchers) with respect to all other families, members of which are typically flyers . The second dichotomy reflects the trend of migrating species to have relatively longer wings than non-migrating members of the same family. Finally, wing length allometry differed among all the zygopteran families analysed, and this pattern suggested that each family evolved a particular wing morphology in response to peculiarities in behaviour, habitat and flight mode

    Differential parasitaemia in the tawny owl (Strix aluco): effects of colour morph and habitat

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    The relationships between haematozoan parasites, cell-mediated immune response, territory features and colour morph were investigated in tawny owls Strix aluco, in the Park of Monza in Milan, northern Italy. Rufous and grey birds were found to differ significantly in their blood parasite loads, particularly during the breeding season, when rufous birds hosted more parasites than grey birds. The increase in parasitaemia of rufous owl was not, however, owing to the breeding status of sampled individuals. Although body condition was similar between the two colour morphs, immune response was higher in grey than in rufous owls for the same level of parasites. Moreover, parasites seemed to influence breeding of rufous birds negatively, because only individuals with no or few parasites reproduced. Both these results suggested a higher susceptibility to parasites of rufous owls. Nevertheless, a habitat effect existed because parasite loads increased significantly with woodland extent and tree-density within owl territories, and rufous birds defended more wooded territories than grey ones. Thus, the differential parasitaemia between colour morphs in tawny owls may be the result of both a differential exposure to flying vectors depending on habitat selection and a differential colour-based susceptibility of individuals
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