Salvatore Romano

Fast fingerprints classification only using the directional image

The classification phase is an important step of an automatic fingerprint identification system, where the goal is to restrict only to a subset of the whole database the search time. The proposed system classifies fingerprint images in four classes using only directional image information. This approach, unlike the literature approaches, uses the acquired fingerprint image without enhancement phases application. The system extracts only directional image and uses three concurrent decisional modules to classify the fingerprint. The proposed system has a high classification speed and a very low computational cost. The experimental results show a classification rate of 87.27%.

Bio-ecological, phytosociological and conservation aspects of relictual and disjointed populations of Simethis mattiazzi (Vandelli) Sacc. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) in the Channel of Sicily

Abstract Two populations of Simethis mattiazzi (Xanthorrhoeaceae) were recently discovered in the Channel of Sicily – (1) Punta Bassana (Marettimo Island) and (2) Mount S. Giuliano (western Sicily) – at a considerable distance from the nearest stations hitherto known, located in southern Sardinia, the Pontine Islands Archipelago and Tunisia. The taxonomical and distributive aspects of this species are analysed to highlight the relictual and biogeographical significance of the disjointed and fragmentary nuclei distributed in several small islands of the Channel of Sicily, the Italian Peninsula and North Africa. Some morphological, biological, ecological and phytosociological aspects of the two new populations are analysed to assess risk factors. These relictual populations are included in a residual garrigue ascribed to the association Erico–Micromerietum fruticulosae, endemic to western Sicily and characterized by a significant frequency of endemic or rare species. The coenose is tied to the calcareous dolomite rocky ridges located near the coast and exposed to humid currents from the sea; this ecological combination gives to the habitat a character of oceanic environmental conditions, somewhat similar to the Atlantic stations where the main range of the species gravitates. The survey has shown the populations to be formed of a small number of individuals at both stations, which has further highlighted the biological precariousness of these populations, located at the extreme south-eastern limit of the range of the species. The threats of anthropogenic nature, such as reforestation with non-native conifers, but mostly by fires, the frequency of which tends to alter the integrity of the sites, increase this vulnerability. The IUCN “risk status” for the regional territory of Sicily of S. mattiazzi is to be ascribed to the “Critically endangered” category, in accordance with the B1ab (ii) and B2ab (ii) criteria of the IUCN. The same “risk status” is likely to be extended to the other isolated stations of the western Mediterranean.

Distribution, ecology, vegetation and conservation survey on the relictual population of Carex panormitana Guss. (Cyperaceae) in Sicily (Italy)

We report the results of research on the Carex panormitana Guss. (Cyperaceae) population in Sicily, carried out within its locus classicus at the Oreto River (Palermo). The survey led to a morphological, biological and autoecological characterization, to the definition of the current distribution in the site, to an estimate of the number of individuals and to an analysis of its conservation status. The risk status was also assessed and the species was ascribed to the category Critically Endangered (CR), in accordance with the CR B1ab (ii, iii, v) and EN C1 IUCN criteria. Moreover, the phytosociological survey carried out on the meso-hygrophilous vegetation in which the species is dominant allowed description of the association Caricetum pendulo-panormitanae ass. nova, in turn framed into the alliance Magnocaricion elatae (ord. Magnocaricetalia, cl. Phragmito-Magnocaricetea).

First record of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) from the Madonie Mts., a new species of the Sicilian flora

Abstract In this study, a first record of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) – a new species of the Sicilian flora – from the Madonie Mts. is reported. The autochthonous and relict new population of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) is found on Mount Carbonara (Madonie Mts., North-Central Sicily), which is several hundred kilometers away from the Central Apenninic and the South Mediterranean locations of its distribution range. R. uva-crispa shows a distribution similar to other taxa extending from the Euro-Asiatic area to the mountains of North Africa with disjunct populations on the main Sicilian reliefs (Madonie and Nebrodi Mts.), testifying ancient phytogeographical connections. This noteworthy record adds a new species – as well as a new genus and new family – to the vascular flora of Sicily. Based on the morphological characters, the population found is to be referred to Ribes uva-crispa L. subsp. austro-europaeum (Bornm.) Bech var. glanduligerum (Lindberg) Maire.

Distribution, ecology and conservation survey on the Celtis tournefortii subsp. aetnensis (Celtidaceae: Cannabaceae) populations in Sicily

Results of research on the Celtis tournefortii subsp. aetnensis (Celtidaceae: Cannabaceae) populations in Sicily, based on the monitoring of the various nuclei distributed in the territory, are presented. In particular, two new important unpublished stations located in the southern part of the Sicani Mountains, widespread over an area of approximately 75 hectares, are reported. It is highlighted that the species, besides the lava flows of the western slope of Mount Etna (Catania province), is tied to conoids present in five other disjointed sub-ranges, often with fragmentary and relictual stations: (1) Nebrodi Mountains inland (Cesarò territory, Messina province); (2) Madonie Mountains inland (Gangi territory, Palermo province); (3) northwestern sector, in the Palermo province (Rocca Busambra); (4) southwestern Sicani Mountains (Pizzo Telegrafo, in Contrada S. Biagio and in the Caltabellotta territory, Agrigento province); (5) southeastern Sicani Mountains (S. Stefano di Quisquina at Pizzo Castelluzzo, Agrigento province). In addition to a herbarium exsiccata census, the survey led to a biological and autoecological characterization, to the definition of the current distribution, to an estimate of the number of individuals and to an analysis of its conservation status. The risk status was also assessed and the species was ascribed to the category Endangered (EN), in accordance with the B1ab(iii) and B2ab(iii) IUCN criteria.

Phytosociological analysis of the Genista sp. pl. garrigues of the Cisto-Lavanduletea and Rosmarinetea officinalis classes in the South-Tyrrhenian area (Mediterranean Region)

The study reviews the Genista sp. pl. garrigues ascribable to the classes Cisto-Lavanduletea (acidophilous communities on volcanics and quartzarenites) and Rosmarinetea officinalis (basiphilous communities on calcareous and calcareous-dolomite substrates), in the southern territories of the Italo-Tyrrhenian Province. The floristic-synecological characterization of the identified coenoses led to the description and/or redefinition of various new syntaxa. They are distributed in the two new suballiances Calicotomo villosae–Genistenion tyrrhenae and Genisto aristatae–Calicotomenion infestae of the class Cisto-Lavanduletea (Lavanduletalia stoechadis and Calicotomo villosae–Genistion tyrrhenae), and in the alliance Cisto eriocephali–Ericion multiflorae of the class Rosmarinetea officinalis (Rosmarinetalia officinalis), with two new described associations.

The vascular flora of Nature Reserve "Pizzo Cane, Pizzo Trigna and Grotta Mazzamuto" (NW Sicily).

Summary A floristic investigation was carried out in “Pizzo Cane, Pizzo Trigna and Grotta Mazzamuto” Nature Reserve, one of the largest in Sicily. In spite of the considerable botanical interest of this area, few data were available from classic and recent literature. Based on field investigations, coupled with bibliographic and herbarium researches, we have listed 951 infrageneric taxa belonging to 103 families and 446 genera. A lot of these entities are reported in this area for the first time, for others ancient records are confirmed. Life form analysis shows the dominance of therophytes (44,79%) and hemicryptophytes (27,77%). From a chorological point of view, Mediterranean elements show a great incidence (72,12%). Endemism, at different levels, is represented by 59 taxa (6,20% of the local flora); some of these are exclusive of northwestern Sicily (Centaurea ucriae, Centaurea umbrosa and Oncostema cerulea), others are endemic to whole Sicily (Erysimum metlesicsii, Helichrysum pendulum, Eryngium bocconii, Leontodon siculus, Ophrys panormitana, Ophrys lunulata, etc.) or to central Mediterranean area, i.e. Sardinia, Italian Peninsula, Maltese Islands, Tunisia (Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. arbuscula, Orchis brancifortii, Arabis rosea, Brassica rupestris, Matthiola incana subsp. rupestris, Dianthus rupicola, Iberis semperflorens, Ophrys oxyrrhynchos, Stipa austroitalica subsp. appendiculata). Some other species are interesting from a phytogeographical and conservational point of view, e.g. Eryngium pusillum, Ilex aquifolium, Potamogeton pusillum, Rhaponticum coniferum, Sorbus torminalis, Trifolium physodes, Vicia sicula, etc. Furthermore, this area represents the unic sicilian site of Hornungiapauciflora. The high floristic biodiversity of the area is threatened by fire events, reafforestation with allochthonous species and other human activities suggesting the urgent need of a more effective policy of sustainable management.