Presence and distribution of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Friuli Venezia Giulia, from 2004 to 2011, through the non-invasive genetic monitoring ad conservation implications

After having disappeared at the beginning of 1900, the brown bear has started in a late 1960s a slow process of recolonization of the north-eastern Alps, through an expansion of Dinaric population. At the end of the 1990s the University of Udine began the occasional monitoring of the species and from 2004 non-invasive genetic monitoring became systematic. In the last 8 years 217 hair traps have been activated in the region to monitore: Natisone Valleys, the Julian and Carnic Alps and Prealps. Twenty-six hair traps were monitored in all years, whereas 40 were observed only in 2004, 2007 and 2011. The 26 hair traps constantly monitored from 2004 to 2011 showed 17% of average success of hair’s…

Using phylogeography to promote dormouse conservation: the case of Muscardinus avellanarius (Rodentia, Gliridae)

this study describes the phylogeographic history of the common dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius rodent strictly protected in europe (habitat directive, annex iv; Bern convention, annex iii). We analyzed the genetics of 120 common dormice across the species’ range, using sequences data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (704 pb). the dataset obtained was analyzed using different phylogenetic reconstructions as well as other methods adapted to phylogeography. A complex phylogeographic pattern has been retrieved from the mitochondrial dnA gene, with the presence of two highly divergent lineages. these two lineages are themselves subdivided into five sublineages, which should be regarde…

The integrated action framework of Rete Natura 2000 Basilicata

Basilicata Natura 2000 network consists of 50 Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and 17 Special Protection Zones (SPZs), covering alltogether more than 17% of the regional area. This network, partially overlapping other forms of land protection, represents a valuable environmental, agricultural and cultural heritage, in which the safeguard of natural resources and landscapes has to be coupled with the needs of the local population; especially in relation to development and social welfare. The Natura 2000 project involved a panel of experts belonging to 15 different institutions, to form a steering committee with the following professional and scientific skills: vegetation, landscape, fauna…

Mitochondrial phylogeographic of the common dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius (Rodentia: Gliridae)