Giovanni Amori

Morphometric variation in the skulls of the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata from mainland Italy, Sicily, and northern Africa

Seventeen linear measurements (13 from the skull and 4 from the mandible) were taken on 46 skulls of adult H. cristata, 24 of which originated from the Italian peninsula, 11 from North Africa, and 11 from Sicily. Based on the results from a PCA analysis, Italian H. cristata appeared on average to be grouped quite apart from conspecifics from Sicily and Africa, which were in contrast rather mixed.

Mitochondrial phylogeography of the black rat supports a single invasion of the western Mediterranean basin

AbstractnThe black rat Rattus rattus is recognized as one of the world’s most harmful invasive species. It has spread across the globe by passive human transport and the dynamics of colonization have been investigated in several areas of the world. However, data for the Mediterranean basin are still lacking. We investigated the black rat colonization of the western Mediterranean basin by means of mitochondrial genes. Mitochondrial control region and cytochrome b gene were sequenced in order to quantify genetic diversity of western Mediterranean black rats. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome b was used to assign specimens to a specific lineage of the R. rattus species complex. The mitochondrial control region was used to reconstruct phylogeographic pattern by statistical parsimony network and to asses historical demography of western Mediterranean black rats. The results show an unexpectedly low diversity considering that the Mediterranean basin has been a trade route since very ancient times. The results mtDNA analysis are compatible with a single event of invasions of western Mediterranean by R. rattus.

Detectability of the European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in a Mediterranean area

Detectability of the European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) has rarely been investigated in Mediterranean forests. In this study we used occupancy models to investigate detectability in relation to habitat types by squirrels, in a mosaic of different forests types, in a hilly area of Central Italy. The distribution of the target species was investigated by using hair tubes. Overall, there was a prevalence of hair tubes used by squirrels in mixed conifers and deciduous forests and in young deciduous forests than in coniferous forests. Our preliminary study shows that habitat type may influence the probability of red squirrel detection rather than the species presence; therefore, future studies should take this differential detectability into account either by applying occupancy models or by adjusting sampling effort accordingly.

Evolutionary history and species delimitations: a case study of the hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius

Robust identification of species and significant evolutionary units (ESUs) is essential to implement appropriate conservation strategies for endangered species. However, definitions of species or ESUs are numerous and sometimes controversial, which might lead to biased conclusions, with serious consequences for the management of endangered species. The hazel dormouse, an arboreal rodent of conservation concern throughout Europe is an ideal model species to investigate the relevance of species identification for conservation purposes. This species is a member of the Gliridae family, which is protected in Europe and seriously threatened in the northern part of its range. We assessed the extent of genetic subdivision in the hazel dormouse by sequencing one mitochondrial gene (cytb) and two nuclear genes (BFIBR, APOB) and genotyping 10 autosomal microsatellites. These data were analysed using a combination of phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation methods. Multilocus analyses revealed the presence of two genetically distinct lineages (approximately 11xa0% cytb genetic divergence, no nuclear alleles shared) for the hazel dormouse in Europe, which presumably diverged during the Late Miocene. The phylogenetic patterns suggests that Muscardinus avellanarius populations could be split into two cryptic species respectively distributed in western and central-eastern Europe and Anatolia. However, the comparison of several species definitions and methods estimated the number of species between 1 and 10. Our results revealed the difficulty in choosing and applying an appropriate criterion and markers to identify species and highlight the fact that consensus guidelines are essential for species delimitation in the future. In addition, this study contributes to a better knowledge about the evolutionary history of the species.

A short review of the roles of climate and man in mammal extinctions during the Anthropocene

The evolutionary history of plant and animal species has been deeply influenced by both climate changes and human actions. Human actions have been particularly heavy during the Anthropocene, when over 250 mammal species became extinct, mostly on islands. Here, we shortly review the existing literature, and test whether the various mammalian orders are all equally prone to extinction risks. We concluded that species belonging to the orders Rodentia, Primates, and Artiodactyla were more prone to become extinct, whereas those belonging to the orders Chiroptera and Carnivora were less. Surprisingly, apparently IUCN red list placed higher conservation concerns for the species belonging to the mammalian orders which are globally least prone to become extinct during the Holocene.

Problem Solving and Decision-Making in Project Management of Problematic Wildlife: A Review of Some Approaches and Conceptual Tools

When managing problem wildlife, we need to make decisions aimed to solve crises among factors of pressure (e.g. exotic species or communities), impacted targets (populations, communities, ecosystems, processes) and political and social pressures. These crises happen in multi-complex organizational, socio-ecological systems, often characterized from high uncertainty. Now, a large number of interdisciplinary conceptual tools, criteria and approaches, belonging to the problem-solving and decision-making arenas, is now available for practitioners and managers that work on conservation projects. In this review, we selected some of the more recent tools and approaches including them in a single project framework (the IUCN cycle used for nature reserve planning), spanning all from the analysis of the context (both in project teams and in real world), to the planning stage until the monitoring phase. We encourage practitioners to use these innovative tools and approaches in their projects that are focused on problematic wildlife.

Distribution and status of the African forest buffalo Syncerus caffer nanus in south-eastern Nigeria

Although not categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List, the African forest buffalo Syncerus caffer nanus is declining across its range. In Nigeria its distribution, abundance and status are virtually unknown. We conducted interviews with experienced hunters, and field surveys (linear and recce transects), to study the buffalos distribution and ecology in the montane forests of Cross River State. General linear modelling indicated that the number of individuals varied significantly across survey areas and habitat types but not with the survey period, and there was no study area × study period interaction. Buffalo were found most commonly in mature and secondary forests. Given the species’ scattered distribution, fragmentation of its habitat, and the relatively low numbers observed, Nigerian populations require a separate, regional categorization on the IUCN Red List.

The snow vole Chionomys nivalis (Martins, 1842) (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae) on the Sibillini Mountains (Central Italy)

The distribution of the snow vole Chionomys nivalis along the Apennines needs updates and detailed studies. In particular, the presence on some mountains should be confirmed with more recent objective findings. In the present work, a revision is made of the snow vole’s presences on the Sibillini Mountains, considering bibliographic records and a museum specimen. Then details are given about the capture of an individual in 2014. This specimen allows to confirm in an objective way the presence of the species on the Sibillini Mountains in recent times and the genetic analysis allowed the comparison with other European specimens.