Phylogenetic relationships of the Italian populations of Horseshoe Whip Snake Hemorrhois hippocrepis (Serpentes, Colubridae)

Hemorrhois hippocrepis is a colubrid snake with a West Mediterranean distribution. It is widespread in the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa. The only Italian populations are found on the islands of Sardinia and Pantelleria. The phylogenetic relationships of these insular populations have been analysed for the first time on the basis of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene. The sequences were compared with those available from the geographic range of this species. The analyses showed that the Italian samples are part of a lineage that groups Tunisian and East Algerian samples, with which they share the same haplotype. These results strongly support the hypothesis of a recent origin …

Dinamica spaziale e fedeltà territoriale al sito post-riproduttivo del Rospo smeraldino (Bufo viridis).

Phylogenetic affinities of the Italian population of Eastern Montpellier snake, Malpolon insignitus (Serpentes: Lamprophiidae)

The only Italian population of the Eastern Montpellier snake is found on Lampedusa, a small island in the Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea. This population is currently attributed to Malpolon insignitus based only on morphology. Here, we present the first genetic data on this population, based on mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S ribosomal RNA data. Our results confirm that the population on Lampedusa belongs to M. insignitus, falling within a clade that also includes Tunisian populations, and presents private haplotypes for both markers. Their slight differentiation from the Tunisian populations suggests an origin linked to natural expansion from Africa, during the latest glaciation ev…

Long-term changes in the breeding period diet of Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) in Sicily, Italy

Context: Dietary analyses are essential to achieve a better understanding of animal ecology. In the case of endangered species, assessing dietary requirements is crucial to improve their management and conservation. The Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) has experienced a severe decline throughout its breeding range in Europe and, in Italy, fewer than 50 pairs remain, and only in Sicily. This species is subject to major threats, including changes in landscape composition and, consequently, prey availability, which is further aggravated by the occurrence of viral diseases in the case of rabbits. Aims: To provide current data on the diet of the Bonelli's eagle in Sicily during the breeding per…

Volcano- and neoectonic-related slope failures in the north-western Sicily Channel (central Mediterranean Sea): Implications for understanding and assessing geohazard risk

The southern Sicily coasts represent an important contribution to Italian tourism and marine geological processes in the Sicily Channel could pose a significant risk to neighbouring populations and goods. In this work, we are presenting the first results of the data collection that allowed us to identify and map several geological elements that can be used to assess submarine geohazards in the Sicily Channel. By using multibeam data and high-resolution seismic reflection profiles acquired during the ACUSCAL 2015 Cruise, we defined the characteristics of the morphostructural highs, and the morphology of slope failures and the stratigraphy of the mass transport deposits (MTD). In particular, …

Osservazioni preliminari sulla fenologia riproduttiva della popolazione di rospo smeraldino, Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1768, della Riserva Naturale di Monte Pellegrino (Palermo)

Preliminar observation about reproduction phenology of the green toad population in the natural reserve of “Monte Pellegrino” (Sicily). The Green toad is one of the six species of amphibias actually living in Sicily, the only one that has colonised some of small islands (Ustica and Lampedusa). The sicilian populations are, neverthless, the most meridional of european distribution and subject to insularity. The reproductive period of one population of north-west Sicily that we have studied, has began at the beginning of january, with a result of anticipation of minimum one month respect of the periods analysed by others authors in different italian countries. it could be explaned not only wi…

Selezione sessuale in una popolazione di Rospo smeraldino, Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1768, presente nella Riserva Naturale Orientata di Monte Pellegrino (Palermo, Sicilia)

Selezione sessuale in una popolazione di Rospo smeraldino, Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1768, presente nella Riserva Naturale Orientata di Monte Pellegrino (Palermo, Sicilia).