BIODIVERSITY JOURNAL

2017,8(1): 1-314

Quaternly scientific journal

edited by Edizioni Danaus,

viaV. Di Marco 43, 90143 Palermo, Italy

www.biodiversityjournaI.com

biodiversityjournal@gmail.com

Official authorization no. 40 (28.12.2010)

ISSN 2039-0394 (Print Edition)

ISSN 2039-0408 (Online Edition)

New Caledonia. New Caledonia is a hot spot with a high degree of endemism and

a rich biodiversity (for instance about 3.300 species of plants have been recorded

thus far, including the richest concentration of conifers in the world: 44 species,

among them 13 species of the genus Araucaria and the only known parasitic

conifer, i.e. Parasitaxus ustus). The presence of several phylogenetic relicts and

the circumstance that it was originally a fragment of Gondwana pointed towards a

“continental island”, but more recently, geological evidence indicating

Palaeocene and Eocene submersions and biogeographic and molecular

phylogenetic studies support the view that New Caledonia is a biota not older

than the Oligocene (Grandcolas et ah, 2008). The island is therefore a "Darwinian

island", although an old and large one. The main island (Grande Terre) hosts a

diverse array of habitats, including moist lowland forest, cloud forest, dry forest,

mangroves, savannah and the "maquis minier": this strange habitat is

characterized by the presence of ultramafic rocks, toxic and poor of nutrients for

the majority of plants. Nonetheless several endemic species of plants thrive there,

forming a landscape somewhat similar to the South African Fynbos, although in

the tropics. The images show some fine examples of the flora typical of maquis

minier: a small Lomandra insularis (Asparagaceae) (right, center) growing in the

middle of lichens ( Cladia retipora and Cladonia pycnoclada) (also right, top), and

the flower of Cunonia macrophylla (Cunionaceae) (right, bottom).

Alberto Ballerio, Viale Venezia 45, 25123 Brescia, Italy;

e-mail: alberto.ballerio.bs@aballerio.it

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 3-8

Aphaenogaster muelleriana Wolf, 1915 (Hymenoptera Formi-

cidae) in Salento (South East Italy)

Antonio Scupola

Museo Storia Naturale di Verona, Lungadige Porta Vittoria 9, 37129 Verona, Italy; e-mail: scupolant@outlook.it

ABSTRACT Workers of the ant Aphaenogaster muelleriana Wolf, 1915 (Hymenoptera Formicidae) have

been found in Salento (Apulia, South East Italy) for the first time. Also, this record represents

the first citation for the Italian peninsular territory. New Italian localities for A. splendida spe-

cies-group are given here.

KEY WORDS Ants; Aphaenogaster muelleriana', A. ovaticeps; A. splendida', first citation, Formicidae, Italy.

Received 23.12.2016; accepted 05.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

In July 2016 during my myrmecological re-

searches in Salento (South Apulia) I had the chance

to collect some specimens of the nocturnal Aphaeno-

gaster (Attomyrma) muelleriana Wolf, 1915 (Hy-

menoptera Formicidae Myrmicinae Stenammini).

This Balkan ant species was up to now virtually

unknown on the Italian mainland, having only two

historical records reporting localities close to the

Slovenian borders. The Salentinian specimens rep-

resent the first citation for Apulia and for the entire

Italian peninsular territory.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The specimens are stored in the following col-

lections: ASPC: Antonio Scupola personal collec-

tion (Verona, Italy); CGPC: Christophe Galgowski

personal collection (Saint-Aubin-de Medoc,

France); ESPC: Enrico Schifani personal collection

(Palermo, Italy); BMNH: The Natural History Mu-

seum of London U.K.; MSNM: Museo di Storia

Naturale di Milano, Italy; MSNV: Museo di Storia

Naturale di Verona, Italy; VGPC: Vincenzo Gentile

personal collection (Napoli, Italy).

Measurements were taken by means of an ocular

graticule mounted on Leica MB3 stereomicroscope

at 60X magnification. The measures are express in

mm; The following acronyms have been used: CL

(cephalic length, measured from the anterior edge

of the clypeus to the posterior border of the head);

CW (maximum width of the head, measured imme-

diately after the eyes); SC (scapus length, measured

without the basal condyle); Cl (cephalic index:

CW/CL); CS (cephalic size: CW+CL/2).

RESULTS

Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma) muelleriana Wolf, 1915

Examined material. New data. Italy, Salento

(Lecce Province, Apulia), Torre Vado, loc. Postu

Vecchiu, 9-16.VII.2016, (at the base of a little

wall near a house with garden), leg. A. Scupola; 15

workers.

Antonio Scupola

Distribution. Emery (1898) first mentioned

the Aphaenogaster muelleriana, nevertheless

without giving a formal description of it. Sub-

sequently Emery (1914) cited as A. ovaticeps new

subspecies, a series of workers from Cephalonia,

but also in this case without providing a formal

description. He writes: “ wird dr. K. Wolf der die

arbeiterin derselben bei Tries t fand, unter dem

namen subsp. Mulleriana beschreiben” . [“...Dr. K.

Wolf describes the worker found in the surround-

ings of Trieste under the name subspecies mul-

leriana A].

Wolf (1915), finally, describes A. ovaticeps ssp.

muelleriana , on a single specimen (Muller legit)

from Castle of Miramare near Trieste.

After the original description, new specimens

are signaled from Trieste (Finzi, 1922; Muller,

1923; Finzi, 1927) and Gorizia (Baroni Urbani,

1962). A. muelleriana is reported also from Slove-

nia (Bracko, 2007), Croatia (Zimmermann, 1935;

Bracko, 2006), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zimmer-

man, 1935), Serbia (Petrov & Collingwood, 1992),

Montenegro (Zimmermann, 1935; Karaman, 1998),

Albania (or Greece ?) (Pindo) (Emery, 1898 sub A.

ovaticeps ; Wolf, 1915; Emery, 1916, Finzi, 1927),

Greece (Prevesa) (Emery, 1898 sub A. ovaticeps ;

Wolf, 1915); Corfu island (Finzi, 1927), Cephalonia

island (Emery, 1914). The presence in Macedonia

(Borowiec, 2014) is dubious (not confirmed by

Karaman, 2009 and Bracko et al., 2014).

Remarks. The systematic position of A. muel-

leriana is actually still unclear. This taxon for a

long time has been considered only a subspecies

of A. ovaticeps Emery, 1898, (endemic species

from Liguria (North West Italy), as the differences

found in the workers (head more slender and pos-

terior much transverse, head surface more polish,

propodeal spiny less developed) and found in the

draws of the males (Wolf, 1915, based on the

draws of Emery, 1898), were weak but constant.

Muller (1923) studied the particular populations

of A. ovaticeps ssp. muelleriana from Split (loc.

Castella) (Central Balkan). He noticed that at

first sight, the specimens are convergent with A.

ovaticeps s. str. (head opacity and form of the pro-

podeal spiny), but in the same time, he found some

differences in males and in particular in the workers

(he compared the draws of Emery, 1908) (post-

petiole lower in profile as in A. muelleriana , and

head more slender respect to A. ovaticeps s. str.).

Muller then considered these populations as a

possible separate new subspecies (not described),

besides affirms that the Albanian (Grecian ?) popu-

lations are probably co-specific with this new sub-

species.

Finzi (1927) observed that the population of A.

ovaticeps ssp. muelleriana from Trieste, differs

from A. ovaticeps s. str. only for the brightness of

the vertexal, since the morphology of the head and

propodeal spiny are subject to intranidal variation.

He notices, in particular, that a specimen of A.

ovaticeps s. str. from Genoa, (collected by Mantero

in the year 1911), has a typical short propodeal

spiny, while a specimen of A. muelleriana from

Trieste has a longer propodeal spiny compared to

those of ovaticeps s. str. Finzi (1927) had not

enough materials to solve this problem and he never

took in consideration males reported from Pindo

and Preveza (Greece).

Emery (1908) writes that the male of A. ovaticeps

(sic!) (= muelleriana ?) from Pindo (Albania or

Greece ?) has the wings “gelblich” (yellowish) and

propodeal spiny less leaning, while the male from

Genoa (f. typ.) has the wings “farblos” (colourless)

and the propodeum more leaning. Finzi (1927), in

every case, accepts “sic et simpliciter ” the vision of

Muller, and considers the three followings entities:

Aphaenogaster ovaticeps s. str. from Genoa

(North West Italy: Liguria)

Aphaenogaster ovaticeps ssp. muelleriana from

Trieste (North East Italy: East Friuli and North

West Balcania)

Aphaenogaster ovaticeps n. ssp. of Muller,

from southern Balkans (Split, Albania, North West

Greece and Ionian islands).

Agosti & Collingwood (1987) raised A. muel-

leriana to bona specie without providing any fur-

ther information.

Recently, Borowiec (2014) in contrast with the

current opinion, considers the possible synonymy

between A. ovaticeps s. str. and A. muelleriana

s.l. (inclusive of the new subspecies of Muller).

He writes “... Materials from Corfu suggested

that both taxa represent only forms of one species

and nests with intermediate specimens were ob-

served

Here, I retain useful to provide measurements

from the different populations:

Aphaenogaster muelleriana Wolf, 1915 (Hymenoptera Formicidae) in Salento (South East Italy)

Aphaenogaster muelleriana 5 specimens from

Salento, Torre Vado (ASCP)

1.280

1.260

1.230

1.344

1.02

0.944

0.928

1.024

1.82

1.600

1.800

0.797

0.749

0.767

0.754

0.762

1.15

1.102

1.087

1.079

1.184

Aphaenogaster muelleriana 4 specimens from

Greece: Aetolia, loc. Akamania (ASCP)

1.232

1.216

1.248

1.072

0.880

0.912

0.960

0.784

1.600

1.440

0.714

0.750

0.769

0.731

1.056

1.064

1.104

0.928

Aphaenogaster ovaticeps 1 specimen If om Wolf, 1915

CL 1.200

CW 0.905

Cl 0.755

Aphaenogaster muellariana holotypus from Wolf, 1915

CL 1.250

CW 0.958

Cl 0.766

Figure 1. Head of worker of Aphaenogaster muelleriana

from Torre Vado (Lecce, Italy).

Wolfs measures perfectly match with my data.

In particular A. muelleriana fall perfectly into

the ranges (min-max) of Cl (0.75-0.80); CL

(1.10-1.34) and CW (0.79-1.02). Same case for A.

ovaticeps. This suggests that Borowiec could be

right in considering all taxa as members of a single

species. On the other hand I observed that the genus

Aphaenogaster has the tendency to form allopatric

species and endemisms, as underlined in the recent

revision of the related A. cecconii species-group

(Borowiec & Salata, 2014).

In this optics it is therefore possible that the vis-

ion of Muller could be correct and new synonymies

premature. I think that only studies based on the

males from all populations of the entire areal can

clarify the situation.

Here I consider Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma)

muelleriana a bona species , within the A. splendida

species-group (sensu Boer, 2013).

A. muelleriana in Salento have a transadriatic

origin as many other Apulian insects (for example

the tenebrionid beetle Dendarus caelatus Brulle,

1832, common in West Greece but in Italy present

only in Salento). These species are usually Balkan

distributed with the separated presence in Italy in

the North East (Friuli) and/or in the South East

(Apulia) (Gridelli, 1958).

Figure 2. Body of the worker of Aphaenogaster

muelleriana from Torre Vado (Lecce, Italy).

Antonio Scupola

Figure 3. Distribution of the species Aphaenogaster ovaticeps (yellow squares),

A. muelleriana (red squares) and A. splendida (blue circles).

NEW DATA ON THE A. SPLENDIDA SPE-

CIES-GROUP IN ITALY

Aphaenogaster splendida (Roger, 1859)

Examined material. New data. Campania. Prai-

ano di Positano, 9.VII.1966, leg. Poldi, 1 worker

(MSNM). Calabria. Reggio Calabria, centro citta,

3/VI/04, leg. E. Sgro, 1 worker (coll. Sgro); Locri

(camping), 1 gyne (dealate) (MSNM). Sicily. Alto-

fonte (Palermo), IX. 1963, leg. Genduso, 1 male

(MSNM); Tre Mestieri Etneo (Catania),

21. VIII. 1960, 1 gyne (MSNM); Catania, 7.VI.2005,

leg. Strano, 2 workers, 1 gyne and 1 male

(MSNM); Catania, 6.VII.2006, leg. Strano, 2 work-

ers 1 male (ex coll. Sgro) (ASCP); Catania,

29.V.1993, leg. Poldi, 1 worker (MSNM); Torretta

Torra (Bosco della Ficuzza, Palermo) 940 m, X.

2005, leg. Gatto, 1 worker and 2 males (MSNM);

PedaraLoc. Tarderia, Catania, 14.VI.1950, leg. Cas-

tellari, 1 worker (MSNM); Palermo, 14.IX.20 16,

leg. Schifani, 1 worker (ESPC).

Distribution. Campania; Sicilia, Friuli, Lazio

(Baroni Urbani, 1971); Pantelleria (Mei, 1995);

Campania, Calabria (present paper).

Remarks. The workers from Calabria differ

from Catania specimens having propodeal spines

slightly developed and differently oriented, differ-

ent sculpture of the mesosoma and less hairy gaster.

These differences are not sufficient to hypothesize

a different form (Sgro pers. comm.). On the other

side, males of Greece (Aetolia) have a different pro-

podeum profile, suggesting the existence of a dif-

ferent form respect to western Mediterranean

populations.

Aphaenogaster ovaticeps Emery, 1898

Examined material. New data. Liguria. Chiav-

ari, Genova, 10. VII. 2015, leg. S. Viale, 1 worker,

1 gyne and 1 male (VGPC).

Distribution. Genoa (Baroni Urbani, 1971).

Remarks. Species apparently endemic to Lig-

uria (North West Italy). Collected first by Mantero

(1898) but misidentified with A. subterranoides

Aphaenogaster muelleriana Wolf, 1915 (Hymenoptera Formicidae) in Salento (South East Italy)

Forel (see Emery, 1916) and subsequently described

as new species by Emery (1898).

Aphaenogaster muellariana Wolf, 1915

Examined material. New data. Apulia, present

paper. Veneto: Mestre- Venezia, 23.IX.1936, leg.

Maura, 3 workers (MSNM); Venezia citta,

5 .VIE 1991, 3 workers (MSNM); idem, 3 .VIII. 1953,

1 gyne (MSNM); 19.VII.1933, leg. Giordani Soika,

1 worker (MSNM); Venezia citta, San Polo Portico,

7. VI. 1973, leg. Poldi, 1 worker (MSNM).

Distribution. Eastern Friuli (Baroni Urbani,

1971), Veneto, Apulia (present paper).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Vincenzo Gentile (Napoli, Italy), and

the lamented Ezio Sgro (Reggio Calabria, Italy) for

the interesting data cited in this paper. A special

thank to Francesco Ballarin (Beijing, China),

Enrico Schifani (Palermo, Italy) for the donation of

a specimen of A. splendida , to Fabrizio Rigato

(MSNM) for the data provided based on the Milan

museum collection, to Enrico Ruzzier (BMNH) for

suggestions and advices provided during the manu-

script realisation.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 9-10

Does Leptailurus serval (Schreber, 1 776) (Mammalia Felidae)

occur in Western Egypt?

Spartaco Gippoliti 1 * &Aldo Oriani 2

'Parco Zoo Gallorose, Cecina, Italy; e-mail: spartacolobus@hotmail.com

2 Viale Abruzzi 73 A, 20131 Milano, Italy

‘Corresponding author

ABSTRACT The serval cat, Leptailurus serval Schreber, 1776 (Mammalia Felidae), has never been cited

from Egypt and Libya in recent time. Here we report the presence of a mounted skin (with

skull inside) in a local shop inside the Shiwa Oasis (NW Egypt). The scarcely-spotted pattern

exhibited by this skin adds interest to this record. We suggest to secure the specimen to a

Natural History Museum and begin an ad hoc investigation in the region.

KEY WORDS Shiwa Oasis; Serval; Sahara.

Received 02.12.2016; accepted 27.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

The Serval, Leptailurus serval (Schreber, 1776)

(Mammalia Felidae), is relatively abundant and

widespread in Africa with several subspecies and is

listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List

(Thiel, 2015).

There is only one known population of Serval

from north of the Sahara, in the Maghreb (Hunter

& Bowland, 2013) and it is classified regionally as

Critically Endangered. The species has never been

historically reported from Libya and Egypt (Hufna-

gel, 1972; Osborn & Helmy, 1980; Aulagnier et al.,

2010). However, as far as Libya is concerned,

Holocene remains of the species have been found

in Western Libya (Peters & Pollath, 2004). We

noted, incidentally, that a recent map (Hunter &

Bowland, 2013) overlooked the distribution of the

species along Eritrea - where the species is defin-

itely known from multiple records (Yalden et al.,

1980) and probably the Red Sea hills of Sudan.

During a trip to the Shiwa Oasis (NW Egypt),

precisely on 6 May 2012, one of us (A.O.) ob-

served in a local shop at the feet of Shali Fortress

a very badly mounted skin of a medium sized cat.

Two photos were taken of the specimens (Fig. 1),

that was immediately identified as a L. serval , al-

though it showed a particularly scarce marking

pattern.

Siwa Oasis lies approximately 300 km south of

the Mediterranean Sea coast, near the border with

Libya. It extended in a west-east direction between

29°06 , -29°21’N and 25°16’- 26°08’. Surface area

is about 1100 km 2 (Goodman et al., 1986).

We consider now useful a publication and de-

scription of this specimen as a mean to attract at-

tention to the issue and collect more data

(eventually securing the specimen for a museum

collection). In first instance, we find the fact that

the whole skin is mounted (with skull inside) as an

indirect evidence of the local (or very close origin)

of the animal, even if we can consider some com-

merce of sub-Saharan serval skins a likely possib-

ility.

Two distinct coat patterns are known for the ser-

val, and were formerly considered two distinct spe-

Spartaco Gippoliti & Aldo Oriani

Figure 1 . Serval mounted skin found in a shop near the Shali

Fortress, Siwa Oasis, 6 May 2012 (photo by Aldo Oriani).

cies (Pocock, 1907); the typical serval pattern with

relatively big marking, and the servaline one with

minute marking. The present atypical skin is prac-

tically spotless, except a number of big black

patches found dorsally. From the hind legs two

black lines reach the flanks. Underparts are yel-

lowish rather than white.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy the woolly ap-

pearance of the coat except for the dorsal area. It

seems as the serval was killed during a molt phase.

The skin presents a much deeper pelage tone from

the ‘typical’ sandy-buff. This is somewhat surpris-

ingly considering this pattern is found, as a rule, in

more humid regions (Rosevear, 1974).

Can such a medium-sized species have escaped

researchers until now? Rosevear (1974) reports for

West Africa that “is a not uncommon animal.... Yet

as it is only exceptionally on the move during the

day, and then mostly skulking in undergrowth, it

is rarely seen save in car headlights or by night

hunters with powerfid lamps ” . It is reasonable that

only through ad hoc research we could discover

more details on distribution and conservation status

of the Sahara serval.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 11-14

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malia Rodentia) in the Monumento Naturale ' ‘Pineta di Fre-

gene” and in the Castel di Guido Oasis (Latium, Italy)

Riccardo Di Giuseppe' & Mauro Grano 2

'Via dei Tre Denari 212, 00057 Maccarese, Italy; e-mail: info@programmanatura.it

2 Via Valcenischia 24, 00141Roma, Italy; e-mail: elaphe58@yahoo.it

"■Corresponding author

ABSTRACT This note gives news of the sighting of the Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758

(Mammalia Rodentia) in the monumental pine forest of Fregene, nowadays recognized as

Federico Fellini Park and of other specimens inside the Oasis Lipu of Castel di Guido. The

first sighting is the confirmation of the presence of the species in coastal pinewoods of Latium.

The second one constitutes the first report for this area.

KEY WORDS Castel di Guido; Fregene; Monumental Pinewood; urban ecology; Sciurus vulgaris.

Received 09.01.2017; accepted 24.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

The Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus,

1758 belongs to the Mammals class, Rodents order

and Sciuridae family. It is the only native arboreal

squirrel in Europe and in most of the Palearctic

area. Its area covers, in west-east direction, from

England to Japan while in north-south direction,

from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, includ-

ing the Caucasus (Gumell, 1987). In Italy it is wide-

spread in the Alps and the Apennines, reaching the

hillside. In plain it is almost absent because of the

excessive fragmentation of its habitat; it is not

present in the islands. It is a species related to forest

formations, which can be made of conifer, mixed

woods or simple hardwoods. It is spread from sea

level up to the limit of the forest vegetation (Waut-

ers & Marinoli, 2008).

The species is primarily found in Latium in nat-

ural areas near the Apennines, as well as in some

urban parks in Rome like Villa Ada and Villa

Borghese. It seems to be absent in coastal pine-

woods (Capizzi, 2009). The Pineta Monumentale

of Fregene, managed as an urban park, is made up

of Italian stone pine Pinus pinea L. These pines,

dated among the oldest of the Tyrrhenian Coastal

and probably of the entire Mediterranean basin (Di

Filippo et al., 2015), offer a special landscape and

natural value, providing an ideal habitat for the red

squirrel. The whole area of Castel di Guido, includ-

ing the homonymous Lipu Oasis, is part of a typ-

ical environment and landscape of the Campagna

Romana.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study area

The Fregene’s pinewood, inserted in the “Nat-

ural Reserve of the Roman Coast”, is one of the best

known examples of the Italian coastal pine forest.

Riccardo Di Giuseppe & Mauro Grano

It is an area of high cultural-historic value and nat-

uralistic-ecological value. It is a relic of Tyrrhenian

landscape before the land reclamation, which star-

ted from the end of the 1 9th century in the Roman

coast. Nowadays the area is used by a large number

of people for sport and leisure activities. The pine

forest is characterized by the presence of century-

old specimens of Pinus pinea (about 220 years),

until now dated among the oldest of the whole of

the Mediterranean basin (Di Filippo et al., 2015).

In the pine forest, there are areas with a higher dens-

ity of vegetation. This is especially shown where

are typical elements of the Mediterranean maquis

such as Quercus ilex L., Arbutus unedo L., Erica

arborea L., Pistacia lends cus L., Myrtus communis

L., Rhamnus alaternus L., Phillyrea angustifolia

L., P. latifolia L., Laurus nobilis L. and Ruscus

aculeatus L. This type of plant formation is the

primary maquis - known as the original vegetation

not altered by man, responding to the climate and

flora of the place.

From the point of view of the fauna, the Fre-

gene’s pinewood is an area of great interest for its

presence of bird species which are typical of old

woodlands, such as the red woodpecker Dendro-

cocopos major (Linnaeus, 1758) and the green

woodpecker Picus viridis Linnaeus, 1758. Among

mammals we remember the fox Vulpes vulpes

Linnaeus, 1758 and the hedgehog Erinaceus euro-

paeus Linnaeus, 1758.

The territory of Castel di Guido, an agricultural

center since the end of the tenth century, has typical

characteristics of the Campagna Romana; while the

flat areas are cultivated, the steepest parts, which

do not allow an easy tillage, are characterized by a

typical natural plant formation of Mediterranean

climate areas. The area is characterized, in fact, for

the presence of evergreen oak such as Quercus ilex

and Q. suber L. which are accompanied by under-

growth made of Phillyrea angustifolia, P latifolia,

Rhamnus alaternus. Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo

and Pistacia lentiscus. In this area there are also sev-

eral examples of typical oaks of the mixed decidu-

ous wood, such as Quercus pubescens Willd., Q.

cerris L. and Q. crenata Lam. (Di Giuseppe, 2012).

Inside the reserve 160 bird species have been

counted (Cecere, 2006). Among these it is import-

ant to underline the presence of booted eagle

Hieraaetus pennatus (J.F. Gmelin, 1788), of the

nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Linnaeus, 1758, of

a large colony of bee-eaters Merops apiaster Lin-

naeus, 1758, and some nocturnal raptors as Tyto

alba Scopoli, 1769, Otus scops Linnaeus, 1758,

Bubo bubo (Linnaeus, 1758), Athene noctua Sco-

poli, 1769, Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Strix

aluco Linnaeus, 1758.

There are many mammals, as the fox Vulpes

vidpes, the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata (Lin-

naeus, 1758), the European hare Lepus europaeus

Pallas, 1778 and recently, even the wolf Canis lupus

Linnaeus, 1758.

Considering the presence of an important her-

petofauna, in 2016 Castel di Guido has been desig-

nated AREN (Area di Rilevanza Erpetologica

Nazionale, i.e. Relevant National Herpetological

Area) by Societas Herpetologica Italica.

Methods

The observation in the Pineta Monumentale of

Fregene, lingered for several days and in different

times of the day. These observations have been

made with the aid of binoculars Minox HG 10X43.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

This note describes the sighting, in January

2016, of an individual of Red Squirrel Sciurus vul-

garis in Pineta Monumentale of Fregene (Fi-

umicino). The specimen was observed for several

days by one of the authors, in the early hours of the

day, as is typical of the species (Lurz et al., 2005),

both on land and in the act of climbing on trees. It

was also noted as it entered into a cavity at the top

of Pinus pinea. The specimen, of which was not

possible to determine the sex, had a deep brown

color. Nor was possible to understand whether the

observations made on different days were referring

to the same specimen or to different individuals.

This sighting represents a new evidence about the

presence of the species in the Pineta Monumentale

of Fregene which with its maturity level reached,

provides a suitable habitat for this species. The

feeding supply is probably based on fruits of Pinus

pinea, but also on other seeds, fruits and sprouts

(Wauters & Dhondt, 1987).

The presence of the squirrel in the pine forest of

Fregene is relevant because in recent studies con-

ducted in the province of Rome, it was shown that

Sightings of Red Squirrels Sciurus vulgaris in the “Pineta di Fregene” and in the Castel di Guido Oasis (Latium, Italy) 13

Figure 1. The young Red Squirrel is fed at the Wildlife

Rescue Center of Lipu in Rome.

it had turned away from coastal pinewoods

(Capizzi, 2009). It is absent, in fact, also in the

nearby coastal pinewoods of Castel Fusano and

Castel Porziano (A. Cattaneo, pers. com.). On

March 2016 at the Oasis Lipu of Castel di Guido,

in the village of Castel di Guido (Rome), it was

found by some cyclists a young squirrel which was

taken at the Wildlife Rescue Centre of Lipu in

Rome (Fig. 1). It was a young female still un-

weaned, released in June in the oasis through an ac-

climatization cage. A few weeks later in the same

site was spotted an adult specimen.

The Maccarese area - Fregene and the Castel di

Guido area are separated by anthropic barriers,

such as the A12 Civitavecchia - Rome and the rail-

way Rome - Civitavecchia, which create signific-

ant ecological fragmentation (Battisti, 2004).

Flowever, these two areas are connected to each

other through the old Via di Maccarese, which

could be a natural ecological corridor for the spread

of this species. In conclusion with this note can be

confirmed the presence of Sciurus vulgaris in the

territory of Fregene and in that one of Castel di

Guido, places included in the Roman Coast State

Nature Reserve. Regarding the area of Fregene, it

would be appropriate and desirable to promote in

the future specific research and studies to determ-

ine whether it is a growing population or some

isolated specimens. As concerns the Castel di

Guido areas it can be affirmed that the existing

population is consolidated and reproductive.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank Augusto Cat-

taneo (Rome, Italy), Cristina Cattaneo (Rome,

Italy), Francesca Manzia (Rome, Italy), Alessia De

Lorenzis (Rome, Italy), Flavia Cappello (Rome,

Italy) and Fabrizio Monaco (Fiumicino, Italy). A

special thanks to the people of Fregene, habitual

goers of the pinewood, for signalling the presence

of the red squirrel in that area.

REFERENCES

Battisti C., 2004. Frammentazione ambientale, connet-

tivita, reti ecologiche. Un contributo teorico e meto-

dologico con particolare riferimento alia fauna

selvatica. Provincia di Roma, Assessorato alle

Politiche ambientali, Agricoltura e Protezione civile,

249 pp.

Capizzi D., 2009. Scoiattolo comune Sciurus vulgaris

(Linnaeus, 1758). In: Amori G., Battisti C., De Felici

S. (a cura di), 2009, I Mammiferi della Provincia di

Roma. Dallo stato delle conoscenze alia gestione e

conservazione delle specie. Provincia di Roma, As-

sessorato alle Politiche dell’ Agricoltura, Stilgrafica,

Roma: 150-151.

Cecere J.G., 2006. L’ Avifauna: Ricerche e Check-list. I

Quademi dell’Oasi Castel di Guido, Lipu, Vol. 3, 143

pp.

Di Filippo A., Baliva M., De Angelis M. & Piovesan G.,

2015. Analisi dendroecologica della pineta vetusta di

Fregene (Fiumicino - RM). In: Atti del II Congresso

Intemazionale di Selvicoltura. Progettare il futuro per

il settore forestale, Firenze, 26-29 novembre 2014.

Firenze, Accademia Italiana di Scienze Forestali. Vol.

1: 161-165.

Di Giuseppe R., 2012. Ecologia e biologia riproduttiva

del tritone punteggiato Lissotriton vulgaris meridi-

onalis (Boulenger, 1882) (Amphibia, Urodela) nelF

area di Castel di Guido (Lazio). Atti del Museo di

Storia Naturale della Maremma, 23: 33-47.

Gurnell J., 1987. The natural history of squirrels. Chris-

topher Helm, London, 201 pp.

Riccardo Di Giuseppe & Mauro Grano

Lurz P.W.W., Gurnell J. & Magris L., 2005. Sciurus vul-

garis. Mammalian Species, 769: 1-10.

Wauters L.A. & Dhondt A.A., 1987. Activity budget and

foraging behaviour of the red squirrel {Sciurus

vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758) in a coniferous habitat.

Zeitschrift fur Saugetierkunde, 52: 341-352.

Wauters L.A. & Dhondt A. A., 1988. The use of red

squirrel dreys to estimate population density. Journal

of Zoology, 214: 179-187.

Wauters L.A. & Martinoli A., 2008. Sciurus vulgaris. In

Amori G., Contoli L., Nappi A. (Eds.), Fauna d’ltalia.

Mammalia II. Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Lago-

morpha, Rodentia. Vol. XLIV. Edizioni Calderini de

II Sole 24 Ore, Milano: 349-360.

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 15-18

New record of an irregular sea urchin, Brissus latecarinatus

(Leske, 1778) (Echinoidea Brissidae) from the Andaman

Islands

Naveen Kumar Nigam & Chelladurai Raghunathan

Zoological Survey of India, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre Horticulture Road, Haddo, Port Blair-744102, Andaman and

Nicobar Islands, India

* Corresponding author, email: naveennigam88@gmail.com

ABSTRACT An irregular sea urchin, Brissus latecarinatus (Leske, 1 778) Echinoidea Brissidae, is reported

herein for the first time from Andaman Islands. A brief description along with a note on its

distribution are provided.

KEY WORDS Andaman Islands; Brissus', Brissidae; Irregular; Echinoidea; Spatangoida.

Received 16.01.2017; accepted 27.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

Sea urchins are exclusively marine animals

which are found in the sandy and coral reefs areas

of the intertidal to the subtidal zones. Sea urchins

fall under the Class Echinoidea which is divided in

two categories based on their shapes, regular sea

urchins and irregular sea urchins. The regular sea

urchins possess almost a spherical symmetry and

irregular sea urchins are bilaterally symmetrical

(Chao, 2000).

In recent times, veiy few authors contributed to

the echinoids in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

(Mortensen, 1951; James, 1966; Sastry 2005, 2007;

Raghunathan et al., 2013). At present a total of 125

echinoid species are reported from India of which

83 species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands

(Clark & Rowe, 1971; Hegde & Rivonker, 2013;

Murugan et al., 2016). Till date, only one species of

Brissus Gray, 1825 (Brissidae) has been described

from the Indian waters. Brissus latecarinatus

(Leske, 1778) is known from the East coast, Lak-

shadweep and Gulf of Mannar (Bell, 1888; Clark &

Rowe, 1971; James, 1983, Sastry, 1991). There has

been no collection and description of the irregular

sea urchins from Andaman and Nicobar Islands so

far. The present paper allows to extend the range of

B. latecarinatus to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Marine exploratory studies with special ref-

erence to Echinodermata have been carried out in

two districts viz., North and Middle Andaman and

South Andaman (Fig. 1) of the Andaman and Nico-

bar Islands by employing Self Contained Under

water Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) in depths ran-

ging from 10-30 m. Specimens were collected by

hand picking and preserved in dry condition. The

preserved specimens were examined under stereo-

zoom microscope (Leica M 205 A) and measure-

ments were taken using a Vernier caliper

(Aerospace 150 mm). The identification was based

on morphological characters given in Clark &

Rowe (1971) and Chao (2000). All the identified

Naveen Kumar Nigam & Chelladurai Raghunathan

specimens are deposited in the National Zoological

Collection at the Zoological Survey of India, Anda-

man and Nicobar Islands.

ABBREVIATIONS. t.l.= total length; t.w. =

total width; t.h.= total height.

RESULTS

Systematics

Classis ECHINOIDEA Leske, 1778

Ordo SPATANGOIDA L. Agassiz, 1840

Familia BRISSIDAE Gray, 1855

Genus Brissus Gray, 1825

Brissus latecarinatus (Leske, 1778) Figs. 2-7

Examined material. One specimen, Casurina

Bay (Lat: 13°14.262’N, Long: 92°50.491’E), North

and Middle Andaman, depth 10 meter, 23.V.2016,

(Reg. No. ZSI/ANRC-16124); one specimen, Lax-

manpur (Lat: 11°50.712’N, Long: 93°00.855 , E),

Neil Island, South Andaman, depth 15 meter,

6.X.2016, (Reg. No. ZSI/ANRC- 16125); one spe-

cimen, Sunset Point (Lat: 11°50.470’N, Long:

93°01.159’E), Neil Island, South Andaman, depth

15 meter, 7.X.2016, (Reg. No. ZSI/ANRC- 16 126).

Description. Test oval and white in color. Test

medium in size t.l./t.w./t.h.= 34/29/18 mm, outline

from above curved, without distinct frontal notch,

posterior side narrow and posterior end pointed.

The pore series of frontal ambulacrum is not petal-

oid. Posterior interambulacrum distinctly raised and

keeled like. Posterior end obliquely truncate, slop-

ing toward dorsal side. The apical disc well de-

veloped with 4 genital pores, posterior petals longer

than anterior petals. Petals suken, narrowing prox-

imally and anterior to pore series of anterior petals,

series of posterior petals slightly billowy, anterior

petals pore pair narrower than posterior pore. Phyl-

lodes long and well developed. Sternal system

broad, labrum longer thickened and impenetrable,

peripetalous fasciole well developed. Subanal fas-

ciole bean shaped. Periproct longitudinally oval

denuded.

Figure 1. Map showing localities of Brissus latecarinatus in Andaman Islands. A: Laxmanpur, Neil Island, South

Andaman. B: Sunset Point, Neil Island, South Andaman. C: Casurina Bay, North and Middle Andaman.

New record of an irregular sea urchin, Brissus latecarinatus (Echinoidea Brissidae) from the Andaman Islands

Figures 2-7. Brissus latecarinatus from the Andaman Islands. Fig. 2: aboral view. Fig. 3: oral view. Fig. 4: lateral views

(left side). Fig. 5: lateral views (right side). Fig. 6: pore-series of frontal ambulacrum, petals. Fig. 7: view of subanal region

and periproct.

Distribution and Biology. Brissus latecarina-

tus has been reported from the West Indian Ocean,

Mascarence Island, East Africa and Madagascar;

Maidive; Ceylon; East Indies; North Australia; Phil-

ippine Island; China; Japan; South Pacific Island;

Red Sea (Clark & Rowe, 1971) Kenya (Humphreys,

1981), Aldabra (Clark, 1984), Northwestern Aus-

tralian (Marsh & Marshall, 1983), Australia (Rowe

& Gates, 1995), East Coast of Africa to Hawaiian

Islands (Sastry, 1991), Hawaii Islands (Edmondson,

1946; Clark & Rowe, 1971), Easter Island (Fell,

1974), Gulf of Thailand (Latypov, 2013), Mexico

(Martinez-Melo et al., 2016).

This species is exclusively available in sub-

tidal zone, sandy substrates, and corals reefs areas.

Remarks. New record to Andaman and Nicobar

Islands. Brissus latecarinatus was previously

known from the mainland India (East coast, Lak-

shadweep and Gulf of Mannar) and hitherto not

known from these Islands so far. From Lakshad-

weep, Bell (1888) reported B. unicolor (Leske,

Naveen Kumar Nigam & Chelladurai Raghunathan

1778) but James (1983) identified B. unicolor as a

B. latecarinatus however, the reasons behind such

a change were not mentioned by James. In 1989,

James collected a test of sea urchin and identified

it as a B. latecarinatus from Lakshadweep (Agatti

Island) but without poviding a formal description.

The present report of B. latecarinatus from the An-

daman Islands stresses the significance of intensive

studies for precise documentation of the echinoid

diversity and distribution in the Islands.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are thankful to the Director of Zo-

ological Survey of India for necessary facilities and

to Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate

Change, Government of India for providing support

for this work. Assistance rendered by Miss. Smitan-

jali Choudhury and Miss. Preeti Pereira, ZSI, Port

Blair for collection of specimens is duly acknow-

ledged.

REFERENCES

Bell F.J., 1888. Report on a collection of echinoderm

fauna of the Bay of Bengal. Proceedings of the Zo-

ological Society of London, 383-389.

Chao S.-M., 2000. The irregular sea urchins (Echinoder-

mata: Echinoidea) from Taiwan, with descriptions of

six new records. Zoological Studies, 39: 250-265.

Clark A.M. & Rowe F.W.E., 1971. Monograph of shal-

low-water indo-west Pacific Echinoderms. Trustees

of the British Museum (Natural History) London, x

+ 238 p. + 30 pis.

Clark A.M. , 1984. Echinodermata of the Seychelles. In:

Stoddart D.R. (Ed.), Biogeography and Ecology of

the Seychelles Islands. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, The

Hague, 83-102.

Edmondson C.H., 1946. Reef and shore fauna of Hawaii.

Berince P. Bishop Museum special publication, 22:

1-381.

Fell F.J., 1974. The Echinoids of Easter Island (Rapa

Nui). Pacific Science, 28: 147-158.

Hegde M.R. & Rivonker C.U., 2013. A new record of

Temnopleurus decipiens (de Meijere, 1904) (Echin-

oidea, Temnopleuroida, Temnopleuridae) from Indian

waters. Zoosystema, 35: 97-111.

Humphreys W.F., 1981. The echinoderms of Kenya's

marine parks and adjacent regions. Koninklijk Mu-

seum voorMidden-Africa (Tervuren, Belgium) Zo-

ologische Documentatie, 19: 39 pp.

James D.B., 1966. Studies on Indian Echinoderms-I

Rediscovery of the Echinoid, Breynia verdenburgi

Anderson from Andaman Sea, with an emended de-

scription. Journal of Marine Biological Association

of India, 8: 76-81.

James D.B., 1983. Sea cucumber and sea urchin resources.

Bulletin of the Central Inland Fisheries Research In-

stitute, 34: 85-93.

James D.B. 1989. Echinoderms of Lakshadweep and

their zoogeography. Bulletin of the Central Inland

Fisheries Research Institute, 43: 97-144.

Latypov Y.Y., 2013. Features of formation of reefs and

macrobenthos communities in the An Thoi ar-

chipelago the Gulf of Thailand (South China Sea). En-

vironmental Science An Indian Journal, 8: 297-307.

Marsh L.M. & Marshall J.I., 1983. Some aspects of the

zoogeography of northwestern Australian echinoids

(other than holothurians). Bulletin of Marine Science,

33: 671-687.

Martinez-Melo A., Solis-Marin F., Buitron- Sanchez B.

& Laguarda-Figueras A., 2016. An occurrence re-

cords database of Irregular Echinoids (Echinoder-

mata: Echinoidea) in Mexico. Biodiversity Data

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Mortensen T., 1951. A Monograph of the Echinoidea. V,

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593 pp., C. A. Reitzel, Copenhagen, 514-518 pp.

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Balakrishnan G., 2016. Diversity assessment of ech-

inoderms from Mudasalodai and Pazhayar in the

southeast coast of India. Journal of Coastal Life

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C. & Venkataraman K., 2013. A Guide to Common

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Sastry D.R.K., 1991. Echinodermata: Asteroidea, Ophiu-

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 19-20

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta spinoletta (Linnaeus, 1 758) (Aves

Motacillidae) actively feeding on small fishes

Arnaldo Camilloni 1 , Raffaele Luca 2 , Roberto Casalini 3 & Andrea Corso 4 *

'Via Antonio Rosmini 5, 00033 Cave, Rome, Italy; email: amaldocam@alice.it

2 Via Morino 78, 00033 Cave, Rome, Italy; email: raffol265@gmail.com

3 Museo Civico di Zoologia, Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 18, 00197 Rome, Italy; email: roberto.casalini@comime.roma.it

4 Via Camastra 10, 96100 Siracusa, Italy; email: zoologywp@gmail.com

^Corresponding author

ABSTRACT In this paper, the Authors observed and photographically documented some Water Pipits

Anthus spinoletta spinoletta (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves Motacillidae) feeding on alive small

fishes, Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821) of the Cyprinodontidae family, at Pantani

delLInferno, Circeo National Park (Lazio, Italy).

KEY WORDS Circeo National Park; ecology; Water Pipit.

Received 17.01.2017; accepted 11.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

During December 2016, two of us (ACa, RLu)

repeatedly observed some Water Pipits Anthus spi-

noletta spinoletta (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves Motacil-

lidae) feeding on alive small fishes at Pantani

delLInferno, Circeo National Park (Lazio, Central

Italy). The birds walking in very shallow water,

actively sought small fry, which were caught and

swallowed entirely. The observation was repeated

in several occasion and photographically docu-

mented. Despite this passerine winters regularly all

over the Italian Peninsula, as being also a breeding

species and partial migrant, such a behaviour was

never recorded before anywhere in the country.

For that reason, we believe is of interest report-

ing now our observations.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

From mid to late December 2016, regular visits

to the shallow, brakish retrodunal ponds of the wet-

lands complex of Circeo National Park (Latina,

Lazio, Italy), in the locality called Pantani dell’

Inferno, gave the opportunity to observe several

Water Pipits at very close range, therefore obtaining

a number of close up photographs.

Once the last two authors of this short note (RC

and ACo) received the photographs, realised that

the catching of alive fishes by the species was

something probably never reported before or at

least rather unusual. The small fry were identified

as Mediterranean Killifish or South European Tooth-

carp Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821), a

fish of the Cyprinodontidae family, endemic to the

Mediterranean basin, where it is found in most

countries but the Iberian Peninsulan (Bianco, 1995;

Duchi & Maino, 2013). Its natural habitats are

saline lakes, brackish marshes, and coastal saline

lagoons or salt-pans (Bianco, 1995; Leonardos,

2008; Lo Duca & Marrone, 2009 ). Both Glutz von

Blotzheim & Bauer (1985) and Cramp (1988) re-

port only occasional feeding on dead fishes found

Arnaldo Camilloni et alii

Figures 1-3. Anthus spinoletta spinoletta fishing and eating

Aphanius fasciatus at Pantani dell’ Inferno (Lazio, Italy)

(Fig. 1 by A. Camilloni; Figs. 2, 3 by R. Luca).

along bank shores, while Alstrom et al. (2003) men-

tion fishes as prey for some Motacillidae, without

further information on which species. However,

Fikkert (2013) reports the first and so far the pre-

viously only known case of fishing Water Pipit,

concerning a single bird observed in the Nether-

lands, catching, killing and eating fishes. This au-

thor, mentions the killing of 1 6 small fishes, with a

length of about 4 cm each, identified as belonging

to three species: Eurasian Perch Perea fluviatilis

(Linnaeus, 1758), Sunbleak Leucaspius delineatus

(Heckel, 1 843) and Nine-spined Stickleback Pun-

gitius pungitius (Linnaeus, 1758).

Our observations regard seven fishes rapidly

molested and eaten by the Water Pipits, and consti-

tute, up to date, the second ever published evidence

of fish- eating and the first regarding the Mediter-

ranean area.

REFERENCES

Alstrom R, Mild K. & Zetterstrom B., 2003. Pipits and

Wagtails of Europe, Asia and North America. Helm

Identification Guides, C. Helm Publishers, London,

496 pp.

Bianco P.G., 1995. Mediterranean endemic freshwater

fishes of Italy. Biological Conservation, 72: 159-170.

Cramp S., 1988. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the

Middle East and North Africa: the birds of the

Western Palearctic. Vol. V., Tyrant flycatchers to

thrushes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1084 pp.

Duchi A. & Maino S., 2013. Una popolazione non segna-

lata di Nono Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821)

(Cyprinodontiformes Cyprinodontidae) nel Pantano

di Marzamemi (Pachino, Siracusa) e aggiornamento

della distribuzione in Sicilia Sud-Orientale. II Nat-

uralista siciliano, 37: 521-527.

Fikkert C., 2013. Skillful fishing by a Water Pipit Anthus

spinoletta. Limosa, 86: 88-90.

Glutz von Blotzheim O.N. & Bauer K., 1985. Handbuch

der Vogel Mitteleuropas. Band 10/11, Passeriformes

(1. Teil) Motacillidae - Prunellidae. Aula-Verlag,

Wiesbaden, 895 pp.

Leonardos I., 2008. The feeding ecology of Aphanius fas-

ciatus (Valenciennes, 1821) in the lagoonal system

ofMessolongi (western Greece). Scientia Marina, 72:

393-401.

Lo Duca R. & Marrone F., 2009. Conferma della presenza

di Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821) (Cyp-

rinodontiformes Cyprinodontidae) nel bacino idro-

grafico del Fiume Imera meridionale (Sicilia). IlNat-

uralista siciliano, 33: 115-125.

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 21-26

Proliferation and exopolysaccharide production of Azotobacter

in the presence of mercury

Reginawanti Hindersah 1 *, Oviyanti Mulyani 1 & Rafael Osok 2

'Department of Soil Science Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Padjadjaran, Jalan Raya Bandung-Sumedang Km 21 Jatinangor

45363, Indonesia

"Department of Soil Science Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Pattimura, Jalan Ir. Putuhena Kampus Poka Ambon, Indonesia

■"Corresponding author, email: reginawanti@unpad.ac.id

ABSTRACT Bioremediation is a cheap, easy and effective method to improve the quality of heavy metal-

contaminated agricultural land. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria recently has been pro-

posed to be used in bioremediation of heavy metal. Rhizosphere-inhabitant Azotobacter

produce exopolysaccharide (EPS) as a mechanism to avoid heavy metal poisoning; and in

other hand EPS mobilize heavy metals in soil. The objective of this study was to get an in-

formation about growth and exopolysaccharide production profile of Azotobacter in media

with and without mercury chloride. The bacteria were isolated from mercury-contaminated

tailing at gold mining area in Maluku Province; and cultured in liquid medium containing

5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/L of HgCl 2 . Cultures were incubated for 4 days at 115 rpm on gyratory

shaker at room temperature. The results showed that all three isolates of Azotobacter enabled

to grow in media with lower level of HgCl 2 but Azotobacter Buru-1 and Buru-2 did not grow

on media with 20 mg/L of HgCl 2 . Azotobacter bd3a was able to grow on media with 20 mg/L

of HgCl 2 although the cell density was lower than that of control and lower level of mercury.

The presence of mercury affected and generally suppressed the production of EPS; but the

effect depend on the isolates. Azotobacter Buru-2 produced more EPS at 2 and 4 days after

incubation in the presence of 20 mg/L of HgCl 2 .

KEY WORDS Agricultural land; Azotobacter, Bioremediation; Mercury.

Received 23.02.2016; accepted 21.03.2016; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

Illegal gold mining at Burn Island in Maluku

Province, Indonesia produced million ton of tailing

with low soil fertility and containing mercury since

gold extraction was done with amalgamation pro-

cess. Currently mercury-contaminated tailings was

disposed improperly at gold mining site and agri-

cultural areas. The relatively cheap, easy and ef-

fective way to reduce levels of mercury in

agricultural land is bioremediation. The best way to

reduce levels of heavy metals is increased mobility

and availability of heavy metals in order to be more

easily uptaken by plant accumulators of heavy

metals. Recently Plant Growth Promotion Rhizobac-

teria (PGPR) has been developed as a bioremediation

inoculant. Azotobacter is heterotrophic aerobic

PGPR which are responsible for plant growth

through non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation and phyto-

hormone production.

One of EPS-producing microbes that potentially

may be developed for the bioremediation of mer-

cury-contaminated soil through the mechanisms of

absorption is Azotobacter. Exopolysccharide (EPS),

Reginawanti Hindersah etalii

an outer cell structures associated with the cell wall,

is an important substance and has been known to

have a real effect on the adsorption of metal (Prasad

et al., 2014). The capacity of Azotobacter in syn-

thesizing EPS has been widely reported (Vermani

et al., 1997; Hindersah & Sudirja, 2010; Gauri et

al., 2012). Exopolysaccharide is an extracellular

polymer that can control mobilization of heavy

metals (Chen et al., 1995; Hindersah et al., 2007;

Micheletti et al., 2008). Exopolysaccharide produc-

tion was mainly determined by the isolates and the

presence of carbon and nitrogen available (Vermani

et al., 1997; Hindersah & Sudiija, 2010). However,

the production of EPS can be inhibited or induced

by the presence of heavy metals such as although

Azotobacter has been reported as soil bacteria that

is resistant to mercury (Franqois et al., 2011).

In the process to screening potent PGPR to re-

mediate mercury-contaminated soil in Burn Island,

some Azotobacter isolates have been isolated from

tailing disposed on productive soil around gold min-

ing area in Gunung Botak, Burn Regency. The bare

tailings contain 10-306 mg/kg of total mercury de-

posited during three years mining from 2012-2105.

The average total mercury concentration in agricul-

tural land nearby mining area was 0.1-5 mg/kg

which is normal for the soil formed for parent ma-

terial containing no cinnabar, an more of mercury.

This research was conducted to obtain the growth

and EPS production profile of Azotobacter in the li-

quid media in the presence of mercury chloride. In

the future, this Azotobacter will be used as biore-

mediation agent to decrease either total or available

mercury level in tailing disposed on productive

paddy soil.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted from May to June

2016 in Soil Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agri-

culture, Universitas Padjadjaran. Source of isolates

were mercury-contaminated tailings in the gold-

mining area at District of Wamsait, Bum Regency,

Maluku Priovince. Azotobacter isolates Bum- 1 and

Bum-2 isolated from the tailings contain 10 mg/kg

of total mercury while Azotobacter bd3a was isol-

ated from tailings containing 306 mg/kg of total

mercury.

Three isolates of Azotobacter each were grown

in a liquid medium described by Vermani et al.

(1997) which contains 10 g sucrose, 1.0 g KH 2 PO 4 ,

1.0 g MgS0 4 .7H 2 0; 0.5 g NaCl; 0.1 g CaC0 3 ; 0.1

g NaN0 3 ; 0.1 g FeS0 4 ; 10 mg Na 2 Mo0 4 ; 15 g

agar; 1 L aquadest at pH 7, without and with 0, 5,

10, 15, and 20 mg/L of L HgCl 2 . As many as 1% of

pure cultures of Azotobacter on N-free media at a

density of 108 cfu/mL was added into 25 mL of

Vermani’s liquid medium in the 100 mL erlen-

meyer. Incubation was done on gyratory shaker

with 115 rpm at room temperature for three days.

Cell density of Azotobacter was measured every

day for three consecutive days. Exopolysaccharide

concentration in culture were analyzed at 2 and

4 days after incubation according to the method

described by Vermani et al. (1997) modified by

Hindersah & Sudirja (2010).

Bacterial cell density was determined by the Di-

lution Plate Method on Vermani’s agar medium.

The plates were incubated for 48 hours before the

clear, convex and slimy Azotobacter' s colony were

count. Exopolysaccharide production was determ-

ined by gravimetric, a total of 20 ml bacterial cul-

ture was centrifuged 9,000 rpm at 4 °C for 20

minutes; 10 mL of the supernatant was added with

20 mL of cold acetone and left overnight at 4 °C

prior to centrifugation at 9,000 rpm at 4 °C for 20

minutes. Exopolysaccharide in the bottom of the

tube was transferred to a Whatman no. 1 filter paper

and heated at 35 °C for 1 hour and placed into a

desiccator for 20 minutes before it was weighed.

Acidity measurement was done by using poten-

tiometer at room temperature; by dipping the elec-

trode in bacterial liquid culture until a constant pH

value.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Viability of Azotobacter in liquid media in

the presence of mercury

In this experiment, three isolates were cultured

on liquid media both with and without mercury. The

concentration of HgCl 2 were 5,10,15 and 20 mg/L

equivalent to 3.7; 7.4; 11.1 and 14.8 mg/L mercury.

All three isolates demonstrated the ability to live

and proliferate on mercury exposure conditions ex-

pect Burul and Buru2 in higher mercury concen-

tration (Table 1).

Proliferation and exopolysaccharide production of Azotobacter in the presence of mercury

Azotobacter HgCl (mg/L) Cell density (CFU)

Isolates 2 £) a y \ Day 2 Day 3

Bum 1

Control

55,000

820,000

11,900,000

44,000

730,000

10,800,000

22,300

410,000

4,500,000

8,100

110,000

1,230,000

Bum 2

Control

101,000

1,460,000

18,100,000

98,000

1,330,000

17,200,000

11,000

152,000

1,900,000

4,200

67,000

700,000

Bd3a

Control

98,000

1,480,000

17,900,000

97,000

1,120,000

11,100,000

77,000

960,000

10,300,000

49,000

138,000

18,200,000

28,000

350,000

480,000

Table 1 . Effect of mercury chloride Azotobacter cell density in liquid culture

after three days incubation with some level of mercury.

There was an increase of cell density from day

one to day three after incubation. Comparing to

control treatment, a clear decline in population

was shown by all isolate cultured in medium with

15 mg/L and 20 mg/kg of mercury; isolate Buru-1

and Buru-2 did not grow in media with 20 mg/L of

mercury. Decrease in mercury level caused decline

in cell density especially in day three after incuba-

tion, explained that mercury has interfered with the

metabolic system of Azotobacter especially Buru-

1 and Buru-2. Isolates bd3a was more resistant to

HgC^ at concentration of 15 and 20 mg/kg com-

pared to another isolate. Cell of Azotobacter bd3a

proliferated in liquid media with higher level of

mercury although slower than cell proliferation in

lower level of mercury and control treatment

(Table 1).

Soil polluted by elevated levels of heavy metals

caused negative effect on the activity of microbe

and their diversity. According to Robinson & Tuov-

inen (1984), mercury resistant bacteria can be isol-

ated not only from the location of mercury

contaminated soil but also of sediment, waste oil

and clinic or hospital. Bacterial resistance to mer-

cury and mercury-containing organic material is de-

termined by a plasmid, a small circular DNA mo-

lecules, which also encodes resistance to heavy

metals and antibiotics. For example Actinobacteria

is one of the bacteria that can reduce Hg (2+) to Hg

(0) facilitated by the mercuric reductase (MERA);

and plays an important role in biogeochemical

cycles mercury in temperate environments (Moller

et al., 2014).

Azotobacter resistance on mercury is also me-

diated by activity of mercury reductase and or-

ganomercury lyase which decreases the toxicity of

mercury. Azotobacter can extend the phase lag with

the presence of 10-50 mol/L of HgC^ and Nitrogen

fixation capacity slightly inhibited when the bac-

teria were incubated with 10 mol/L of HgC^Ghosh

etal., 1996). Resistant Pseudomonas, Cronobacter

and Bacillus bacteria detoxified mercury up to

95%; it was shown that Cronobacter species are the

most efficient in eliminating mercury in NFB me-

dium (Rafique et al., 2015).

Exopolysaccharide Profile

Production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) by three

isolate of Azotobacter in Vermani’s media with or

Reginawanti Hindersah etalii

without mercury is shown in Fig 2. The presence of

mercury influenced and generally suppressed pro-

duction of EPS; but the effect depends on Azoto-

bacter isolates. On day two, in general, the presence

of mercury increased the concentration of EPS, but

at 4 days after incubation there was a decrease in

the production of EPS.

In general, EPS production of buru-1 and bd3a

were significantly low compared to that of control,

especially on day four. Two days after incubation

the production of EPS of buru-2 with 20 mg/L of

mercury was approximately 2 -fold compared to

control (Fig. 1). However at 4 days after incuba-

tion, the production of EPS of buru-2 decreased

up to 50% in the presence of 20 mg/L of HgCl 2

(Fig. 2).

The presence of mercury in the media induced

the production of EPS since bacteria develop mech-

anisms to avoid heavy metal poisoning. Exopoly-

saccharide can adsorb heavy metals before it is

entering the system of metabolism. Mercury expos-

ure for 4 days substantially reduces the concentra-

tion of EPS compared to the EPS production of

Azotobacter in mercury-free medium (Fig 1).

The effect of Mercury on the synthesis of EPS

by Azotobacter is reported elsewhere. EPS is

formed to withstand drought, environmental

stress, and especially to protect nitrogenase from

oxygen (Sabra et al., 2000). Gupta & Diwan (2016)

described that the establishment of bacterial EPS on

the cell surface was to avoid heavy metal toxicity.

Exopolysaccharide is one of the outer structure of

prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial cell; in the

form of capsules or secreted as mucus that is not

strongly attached on the cell surface (Prasad et al.,

2014). Exopolysaccharide is a ligand that binds to

metals through hydroxyl and carboxyl (Chen et al.,

1995; Janecka et al., 2002) to facilitate the mobil-

ization of heavy metals that can be absorbed by

plants.

Franqois et al. (2011) have successfully identi-

fied a bacterial EPS production in sludge and water

t/3

HgCl 2 (mg/kg)

burn 1

■ bum 2

bd3a

Figure 1. Effect of mercury on the Exopolisaccharide of three isolates of Azotobacter

in liquid media with and without HgCl 2 on two (a) and four (b) days after incubation.

Proliferation and exopolysaccharide production of Azotobacter in the presence of mercury

that can proliferate in media with some levels of

mercury. Depending on the species, mercury can be

extracted from biomass after cultured on media

with mercury, showing that bacteria adsorb mer-

cury. Exopolysachharide synthesis is also a natural

mechanisms associated with antibiotics (Francois

et al., 2011). For soil microbes, Microbial EPS is

one of important substances which has a significant

role in facilitating the improvement of soil pores,

increasing the root adhering soil and also nutrient

uptake especially of nitrogen (Alami et al., 2000).

Such mechanism would be an important reason to

use Azotobacter in bioremediation. Azotobacter

might have a dual role; first as PGPR that promote

growth through nitrogen fixation and phytohor-

mone production and second as bioremediation

agents through the production of EPS.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that all three isolates of Azo-

tobacter were able to proliferate in liquid culture

contaminated with mercury. Azotobacter was able

to grow in media with HgCl 2 up to 20 mg/L and the

production of EPS depends on isolates and mercuiy

level in liquid media. Isolate of bd3a showed a de-

clined growth in media with 20 mg/L of HgCl 2 . The

presence of mercury affected and generally sup-

pressed the production of EPS; but the effect de-

pends on the isolates. Azotobacter buru-2 was the

most efficient un EPS producing on day two and

four in the medium with 20 mg/L of HgCl 2 .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The research was funded by the Directorate of

Higher Education-Higher Education Ministry of

Research and Technology-Higher Education Re-

pub lik Indonesia in 2016, for Fundamental Re-

search scheme. We thank the Laboratory of Bio-

chemistry Faculty of Mathematic and Natural

Sciences Universitas Padjadjaran for facilitating the

analysis of exopolysaccharide.

REFERENCES

Alami Y., Achouak W., Moral C. & Heulin T., 2000.

Rhizo sphere soil aggregation and plant growth

promotion of sunflowers by an exopolysaccharide

producing Rhizobium sp. strain isolated from sun-

flower roots. Applied and Environmental Microbio-

logy, 66: 3393-3398.

Chen J-H., Czajka D.R., Lion L.W., Shuler M.L.

& Ghiorse W.C., 1995. Trace metal mobilization in

soil by bacterial polymers. Environmental Health

Perspective, 103: 53-58.

Frangois F., Lombard C., Guigner J-M., Soreau R, Brian-

Jaisson F., Martino G., Vandervennet M., Garcia D.I.,

Molinier A-L., Pignol D., Peduzzi J., Zirah S. &

Rebuffata S., 201 1. Isolation and Characterization of

Environmental Bacteria Capable of Extracellular

Biosorption of Mercury. Applied and Environmental

Microbiology, 78: 1097-1106.

Gauri S.S. & Mandal S.M. & Pati B.R., 2012. Impact of

Azotobacter Exopolysaccharides on Sustainable

Agriculture. Applied Microbiology and Biotechno-

logy, 95: 331-338.

Ghosh S., Sadhukhan P, Ghosh D. & Chaudhuri J.,

1996. Studies on the effect of mercury and organo-

mercurial on the growth and nitrogen fixation by

mercury-resistant Azotobacter strains. Journal of

Applied Microbiology, 80: 319-326.

Gupta P & Diwan B., 2016. Bacterial Exopolysac-

charide mediated heavy metal removal: A review on

biosynthesis, mechanism and remediation strategies.

Biotechnology Reports, 13: 58-71.

Hindersah R., Arief D.H., Soemitro S. & Gunarto L.,

2007. Pengaruh inokulasi Azotobacter sp. LKM6

yang memproduksi eksopolisakarida dan aplikasi

kadmium klorida terhadap kadmium di tanah dan

tajuk selada. Proceeding of Indonesian Soil Science

Society Seminar, Yogyakarta 5-7 December 2007.

1140-1146 pp.

Hindersah R. & Sudirja R., 2010. Suhu dan waktu inku-

basi untuk optimasi kandungan eksopolisakarida dn

fitohormon inokulan cair Azotobacter sp. LKM6.

Jumal Natur Indonesia, 14: 52-56.

Janecka J., Jenkins M.B., Brackett N.S., Lion L.W.

& Ghiorse W.C., 2002. Characterization of a

Sinorhizobium isolate and its extracellular polymer

implicated in pollutant transport in soil. Applied and

Environmental Microbiology, 68: 423-426.

Micheletti E., Colica C., Viti C., Tamagnini P. & De

Philippis R., 2008. Selectivity in the heavy metal

removal by exopolysaccharide-producing cyano-

bacteria. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 105:

88-94.

Moller A.K., Barkay T., Hansen M.A., Norman A.,

Hansen L.H., Sorensen S.J., Boyd E.S. & Kroer N.,

2014. Mercuric reductase genes (merA) and mercury

resistance plasmids in high arctic snow, freshwater

and sea-ice brine. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 87:

52-63.

Reginawanti Hindersah etalii

Prasad R.K., Gautam R. & Behai S., 2014. Exopolysac-

charide secreting bacteria: Potential for useful ap-

plications. International Journal of Research, 1:

17-32.

Rafique A., Amin A. & Latif Z., 2015. Screening and

characterization of mercury-resistant nitrogen fixing

bacteria and their use as bio fertilizers and for mercury

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1271-1277.

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Microbial Resistance and Detoxification of mercury

and organomercury compounds: Physiological, Bio-

chemical, and Genetic Analyses. Microbiology Re-

view, 48: 95-124.

Sabra W., Zeng A.P., Lunsdorf H. & Deckwer D.W.,

2000. Effect of oxygen on formation and structure of

Azotobacter vinelandii alginate and its role in protec-

ting nitrogenase. Applied and Environmental Micro-

biology, 66: 4037-4044.

Vermani M.V., Kelkar S.M. & Kamat M.Y., 1997. Stu-

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383.

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 27-32

New locality records of a rare Dragonfly Gynacantha khasiaca

Madachlan, 1 896 (Odonata Aeshnidae) from India

Arajush Payra 1 *, Gaurab Nandi Das',Aratril< Pal 2 , Debarun Patra 3 &Ashish DTiple 4

‘Department ofW ildlife and Biodiversity Conservation North Orissa University, Takatpur. Baripada-757003, Odisha, India

Depart nient of Botany, University ofNorth Bengal, Da rjeeling - 734014, West Bengal, India

Department of M olecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Napaani. Assam 784028, India

department of Zoology, Vidyabharti College. Seloo, Wardha 442104, M aharashtra, India

Corresponding author: araj u s h p a y ra @ gmail.com

ABSTRACT Gynaccinthd khcisicicci M aclachlan, 1 896 (O donata A eshnidae) is a beautiful dragonfly, dis-

tributed mainly in South-eastern Asia. During Odonata survey in different parts of North-

Eastern and Eastern India from 2014 to 2016, some specimens of this species were observed

and photographed from 6 localities. Present record of this species from Purba Medinipur,

West Bengal represents its Sou the inmost distribution in India.

KEY WORDS Aeshnidae; distribution; dragonflies; observation; Purba M edinipur.

Received 24.02.2017; accepted 22.03.2 0 16; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

Dragonflies and damsel flies (Order Odonata)

are the prominent and colorful insects of wetlands

with long, slender abdomen, commonly known as

aerial predators, hunting by sight. These are mostly

found around the vicinity of freshwater habitats like

rivers, stream s, marshes, lakes and even small pools

and rice fields. As predators it plays an important

role in wetland and terrestrial food chains. Dragon-

flies are reliable indicators of overall ecosystem

health and also good Biocontrol agents (Andrew et

al., 2009; Tiple et al., 2013). Worldwide, 5952 spe-

cies under 652 genera of odonates have been repor-

ted, of which 477 species, 50 subspecies in 142

genera and 18 families are known from India (Sub-

ram anian, 2014; Nair & Subram anian, 2014; Kir an

et al., 2015; Emiliyamma & Palot, 2016).

Among dragonflies, the genus GyYICICClYlthci R am -

bur, 1 8 42 are large in size, pale brown and green in

colour and are crepuscular by nature (Fraser, 1 936).

The genus Gynacantha with 92 species is distributed

throughout the world, especially in the tropics

and subtropics region (Asahina, 1 993; Schorr &

Paulson, 2016). Among them about 30 species are

known from the South-eastern Asia and in India the

genus Gynacantha is represented only by 13 species

(Subramanian, 2014; Khan, 2015a). This distribu tio n

range of G. khasiaca M aclachlan, 1896 is known

from India (M itra, 2002), Nepal (Vick, 1 989) and

M yanrn ar (Fraser, 1936), and possibly Tibet (M artin,

1 909), although this record appears to be suspec-

ted by Fraser (1 936). According to M itra (2002),

Bangladesh has also been included in the range of

this species and Recently Khan (2015b) reported the

species from Tilagor Eco Park of Bangladesh and

confirmed its distribution in Bangladesh.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The authors have been documenting the Odonata

Arajush Payra et alii

diversity in different parts of Eastern and North-

Eastern India from 20 14-20 1 6. During the extens-

ive survey random specimen collection of G. khasi-

ClCCl was not adopted, as morphologically this species

shows some unique characteristics that can easily

differentiate it from other Indian GyndCdYltHci. Only

one specimen was collected from Ramnagar, Purba

Medinipur, West Bengal on 29th September 2015

and photographed, including its anal appendages

and Wing Venation were taken with the help of

Macro lens. We compared specimen and photo-

graphs, with known species of the genus GyVl-

acantha and identified with the help of identifica-

tion keys provided by Fraser (1936).

RESULTS

From the present survey 9 individuals (7 males,

2 females) were observed from 6 localities. Details

of the sightings from 6 localities are presented in

Tab le 1 . D is trib u tio nal range of G. kflClsiciCCl in S ou th -

ern Asia is showed in figure 1 and morphological

characters in figures 2-10.

Among the 9 individuals, we observed one

brown morph male and one female, the rest were

greenish in colour. This brown morph may be due

to their young stage. As this kind of morphological

colour changes with respect to aging as observed

by Fraser (1936) in the specimens of GyildCdYlthd

dravidd Fieftinck, 1960. In case of old G. khcisidCCl

male, eyes are pale blue to olive green in colour.

Labrum and labium olive brown in colour. Frons

light green with black ‘T ’ shaped mark on its upper

s id e. Thorax is bright green, with two thick blackish

brown stripes on each side of it. Legs are mainly

black to blackish brown. Wings are hyaline, but at

the base of wing tinted with bright amber colour.

Pterostigma dark brown in colour and covering 4,

5 cells. Discoidal cells 5 celled in forewing, but in

case of hind wing it varies from 4-6 cells. Fength

of the abdomen is mainly 47-51 mm. Segment 1

laterally green and dorsally brown. Segment 2 is

laterally bluish and light green beneath. Segment

3-7 with jugal paired spots and greenish paired ap-

ical annule. Segment 8-10 entirely black. Anal ap-

pendages black in colour, where inferior anal

appendages is two-third the length of the superior

Legend

O Mew Record

• Old Record

Bangladesh

India

Nepal

Myanmar

Bhutan

0 385 770 1,540 Kilometers

1 i i i I i i i J

9 o

Figure 1 . D is trib u tio nal range of GyflCLCCWthcL khcLSiCLCCL Maclachlan, 1896 in S outhern A sia.

New locality records of a rare Dragonfly Gynacantha khasiaca (Odonata Aeshnidae) from India

Date and time

Location

Latitude and

longitude

Altitude

Sex

Habitat

06.10.2014;

1 i . 4 5 am

Deo Pahar, Golaghat, Assam

26°35'56"'N

93°44’6”E

15 3m

M ale

Dense forest

1 8.1 1 .20 14;

5pm

Murti River, Gorumara Na-

tional Park, West Bengal

26°49'46"N

88°49'58”E

144 m

M ale

Dense forest

1 2.07.20 1 5 ;

10.17 am

C ooch B ehar,

W est B engal

2 6 0 1 9 ' 2 1 " N

89°26'48” E

46 m

Fern ale

Human

h ab ita tio n

06.8.20 1 5;

12.27 pm

Siliguri, W est B engal

2 6 °4 2 ’ 2 1 ”N

8 8 °2 2 ’ 1 2 ” E

12 5 m

M ale

Human

h ab ita tio n

1 4.09.20 1 5 ;

12.31 pm

Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur,

West Bengal

2 1 0 4 0 ’ 1 9 ” N

87°34'29” E

7 m

M ale

Human

h ab ita tio n

2 1 .09.20 1 5 ;

13.01 pm

Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur,

W est B engal

2 1 0 4 0 ’ 1 9 " N

87°34'29”E

7 m

Female

Human

h ab ita tio n

29.09.20 1 5 ;

1 8.09 pm

Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur,

W est B engal

2 1 °40 ' 1 9"N

87°34'29'’E

7 m

M ale

Human

h ab ita tio n

07.1 0.20 1 5 ;

18.50 pm

Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur,

W est B engal

2 1 °40 ’ 1 9"N

87°34'29'’ E

7 m

M ale

Human

h ab ita tio n

28.1 0.20 1 5 ;

18.15 pm

Khalingduar Forest IB,

Assam

26.5 1 .43 N

9 1 .52.47 E

3 77 m

M ale

Human

h ab ita tio n

Table 1. Sighting records of GynCLCCMthci kfiCLSiCLCCL in different parts of Eastern India.

Figures 2-4. GynaCCMthcL khosittCCl male (Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal; 7. X .2015). Fig. 2: lateral view of the

specimen. Fig. 3: wing venation of the specimen. Fig. 4: anal appendages (inferior anal appendages more than half the

length of superior anal appendages).

Arajush Payra et alii

Figures 5-io. Gynaccmtha khasiaca. Fig. 5: Gynacantha khasiaca male (Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal,

14. IX. 2015): Young male shows brown morph. Fig. 6: GyndCdTlthd khdSidCd female (Cooch Behar Purba, West Bengal,

1 2 .V 11.20 1 5 ): Young female shows brown morph. Fig. 7: GyVldCdYltHd khdSidCd m ale (Deo Pahar, Golaghat, Assam,

06.X. 20 14): dorsal-lateral view. Fig. 8: GyildCdllthd khdSidCd female (Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal,

2 1. IX. 20 15): lateral view. Fig. 9: GyndCdUthd khdSidCd male (M urti River, Gorumara National Park, West Bengal,

18. XI. 20 14): lateral view. Fig. 10: GyVldCdVlthd khdSidCd male (Siliguri, West Bengal, 06. VIII. 2015): lateral view.

New locality records of a rare Dragonfly Gynacantha khasiaca (Odonata Aeshnidae) from India

3 1

anal appendages. Old females are also similar to

males except sexual characteristics.

In case of young male eyes are olive brown. Lab-

rum and labium also brownish. Side of the thorax

is light yellowish in colour. Base of the wing also

tinted with brown amber colour. Dorsal surface of

the all abdominal segments blackish brown and

beneath pale yellow. Male and female specimens of

Gynacantha were observed in dense forest area,

human habitations with dense vegetation near

aquatic bodies at different parts of Eastern and

North-Eastern India (see Table 1).

Among the species of the genus Gynacantha, G.

khasiaca is one of most beautiful dr agon fly. It can

be easily distinguished from other Indian Gyn-

acantha by the greater length of inferior anal ap-

pendages which is more than half the length of

superior anal appendages and two blackish brown

stripes on each side of the bright green thorax

(Fraser, 1936; Khan, 2015).

DISCUSSION

In India G. khasiaca was mainly restricted to

North-eastern India and previously known from

Meghalaya: Khasia Hills (Fraser, 1 922; Kimmins,

1969; M acLachlan, 1896), Assam : M angaldai (Laid-

law, 1 923, Fraser, 1 936), Arunachl Pradesh: Abor

Hills (Laidlaw, 1914), West Bengal: Cooch Behar

(M itra, 2002) and Hasimara, Duars (Fraser, 1 936),

in Uttarakhand (Prasad & Sinha, 2010) collection

locality is unknown. Presently we observed this spe-

cies from 6 localities of both Eastern and North-

Eastern India. Among them 5 localities are new for

this species. The newly observed locality of G.

khasiaca in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

lies approximately 550 km southwest of the Cooch

Behar, West Bengal, India and Tilagarh Eco Park,

Bangladesh, which are the nearest previously known

localities. The observation of this species in Khal-

ingduar Forest IB, Assam is also important as this

place is very close to the Bhutan. Hence such new

locality records indicate this species may be found

in Bhutan as well as in other parts of Peninsular

India in a next future. Despite the recent reports of

G. khasiaca in Bangladesh by Khan (2015b) and in

Nepal by Vick (1989), in India the lastrecord of this

species was made by Mitra (2002) and the examined

specimen was collected in 1 9 8 3. Therefore our

present investigation designates its reports after a

long tim e in India.

With the exception of the observation from Deo

Pahar, Assam and Murti River bed, West Bengal;

the remaining observed localities were very close

to human habitations. During the last decade, the

cities have expanded twice in their circumference

causing loss of natural habitats for Odonates. Urban

development is expected to have a deleterious im-

pact on Odonata populations, if only because the

construction of buildings and concretes replaces or

reduces the area of natural and semi-natural hab-

itats. The quality of residual habitats may also be

adversely affected by various forms of pollutants

(Tiple & Chandra, 2013; Tiple & Koparde, 2015).

Due to the limited knowledge on distribution, sea-

sonality, low number of known localities and con-

tinuous decline of habitats, G. khasiaca was

categorized as a Data Deficientin IUCN (Mitra et

al, 2010). Much work has yet to be done in future

to clarify the distribution and status of the species,

especially for the purposes of conservation.

REFERENCES

Andrew R.J., Subram aniam K.A.& Tiple A. D., 2009. A

Handbook on Common Odonates of Central India.

South Asian Council of Odonatology, 65 pp.

Asahina S., 1993. A Listofthe Odonata from Thailand:

Parts I-XXI. Bosco Offset, Bangkok, 460 pp.

Emiliyamma K.G. & PalotM.J., 2016. A new species of

Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platys-

tictidae) from Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Journal

ofThreatened Taxa, 8(14): 9648-9652; http://dx.doi.

org/10.11609/jott. 3226. 8. 14. 9648-9652

Fraser F.C ., 1922. New and rare Indian Odonata in the

P u s a collection. Printed and Pub. for the Imperial

Department of Agriculture in India by Thacker. Spink

6 Company.

Fraser F.C., 1936. The Fauna of British India, including

Ceylon and Burma. Odonata. Vol. III. Taylor &

Francis, London.

Khan M .K., 2015. Dragon flies and dam self lies (In sec ta :

Odonata) of the northeastern region of Bangladesh

with five new additions to the Odonata fauna of

Bangladesh. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 7(11),

7 795-7 804.; http:// dx.doi.org/1 0.1 1 6 0 9 /Jo T T.o4 3 14.

7795- 804

Khan m.k., 2015 . Gynacantha subinterrupta r am bur,

1 842: an addition to the odonates (Insecta: Odonata:

Aeshnidae) of Bangladesh. Journal of Threatened

Arajush Payra et alii

Taxa, 7(1 0): 7704-7705; http://dx.doi.org/10.1 1609/

JoTT. o4276. 7704-5

Kim mins D.E., 1969. List of the type-specimens of

Odonata in the British Museum (Natural History). II.

Bulletin ofthe NaturalHistory M useum . Entomology

series, 23: 287-3 14.

Kiran C.G., Kalesh S. & Kunte K., 2015. A new species

of dam s el fly, PmtOStictCl ponmudiensis (Odonata:

Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from Ponmudi Hills in the

Western Ghats of India. Journal ofThreatened Taxa,

7 (5): 7146-7151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1 1609/JoTT.

04145.7 146-5 1

Laidlaw F.F., 1914. Odonata. Zoological Results of the

Abor Expedition. Section Indian Museum, Calcutta,

8: 335-349.

Laidlaw F.F., 1923. The Dragon flies (Odonata) of Burma

and Lower Siam III: Subfamily A eschinae. US

Government Printing Office.

Martin R., 1909. Aesch nines. Collections Zoologiques

du Baron Edmund de Selys-Longchamps, Catalogue

system atique et descriptif, pp. 157-223.

Me Lachlan R., 1896. On Some Odonata of the sub-

family Aesch n in ae. Annals and Magazine of Natural

History, 1 7: 409-425.

M itra T.R., 2002. Geographical distribution of Odonata

(Insecta) of Eastern India. Memoirs of Zoological

Survey oflndia, 19: 1-208.

M itra A ., B ab u R . & Dow R. A. ,2010. GynacantllCl khasi-

ClCCl. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

2010: e.T 167396A6341657. http://dx.doi.org/10.

2305/IU CN .UK .2010 4.RLTS.T 167396A6341657.en

NairM.V. & Subram anian K .A ., 2014. A new species of

AgrioCTietTlis Selys, 1 869 (Zygoptera: Coenagri-

onidae) from eastern India with redescription of

Agriocnemis keralensis Peter, 1 9 8 1 . Records of the

Zoological Survey oflndia, 1 14, 669-679.

Prasad M. & C. Sinha, 2010. Insecta: Odonata: Anisop-

tera. In: Fauna of Uttarakhand, State Fauna Series,

No. 18, (Part-2), pp. 29-52, Zoological Survey of

India, K olkata.

Schorr M . & Paulson D., 2016. World Odonata list. Uni-

versity of Puget Sound. Accessed at http://www.

pugetsound .edu/academ ics/academ ic resources/

slaterm useum / biodiversityresources/dragon flies/

world-odonata-list2/, 24 January 2017.

Subram anian K.A., 2014. A checklist of Odonata (In-

secta) of India. Zoological Survey of India, 3 1 pp.

Tiple A.D. & Koparde P., 2015. Odonata of M aharashtra,

India with notes on species distribution. Journal of

Insect Science, 15: 47.

Tiple A.D., Andrew R.J., Subram anian K.A. & Talmale

S.S., 2013. Odonata ofVidarbha region. Maharashtra

state, central India. O d o n a to lo g ic a , 42: 237-245.

Tiple A. & Chandra K., 2013. Dragonflies and damsel-

flies (Insecta, Odonata) of Madhya Pradesh and

Chhattisgarh states, central India. Journal C a r e 4 -

N a tu re , 1 : 1-10.

Vick G.S., 1 989. List of the dragonflies recorded from

Nepal, with a summary of their altitudinal distribution

(Odonata). Opuscula Zoologica Flum inensia, 43: 1-21.

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 33-38

Update to the status of Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1 798) and

Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1 89 1 for Italy and Central Mediterranean

basin (Odonata Libellulidae)

Andrea Corso 1 *, Ottavio Jan ni 2 , Maurizio Pavesi 3 & Michele Vigano 4

'MISC, Via Camastra 10, 96100 Siracusa, Italy; e-mail: zoologywp@gmail.com

2 MISC, Via Ongetta 5, 21010 Germignaga, Varese, Italy; e-mail: mikivigano@yahoo.com

3 Museo di Storia Naturale, Corso Venezia 55, 20121 Milano, Italy; e-mail: maurizio_pavesi@yahoo.com

4 MISC, Via G.G. D’Amore 21, 81016 Piedimonte Matese, Caserta, Italy

‘ Corresponding author

ABSTRACT An overview of the records of Pantala flavescens and Trithemis kirbyi for the Sicilian Channel

islands and mainland Sicily, with comments on their possible status in this area, is provided.

In light of the number of observed individuals, P flavescens is likely to be regular in the stud-

ied area, with up to 30 individuals recorded per year since autumn 2012. Trithemis kirbyi,

conversely, is only known from few scattered records, so that its status in the area remains to

be elucidated. No evidence of reproductive behaviour nor of actual breeding in this area was

hitherto found for any of the two species.

KEY WORDS Pantala flavescens ; Pelagie islands; Trithemis kirbyi.

Received 26.02.2017; accepted 15.03.2017; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) (Odonata

Libellulidae) is the most widespread dragonfly spe-

cies in the world, being recorded from all continents

but Antarctica. It reaches northwards at least to

north-eastern U.S. in North America, and to

Kamcatka in eastern Asia, yet its main range is bet-

ween 40°S and 40°N (Walker & Corbet, 1975). It

is an outstandingly resistant, powerful flyer, and a

very long distance migrant, often laying eggs during

its migrations wherever suitable conditions are

found (Boudot et al. 2013). Because of its rapid lar-

val development, it is also able to exploit temporary

waterbodies created by seasonal or occasional rains.

During migration, the species is capable of very

long sea-crossings - up to 1 ,000 km in a few days -

either at night or during daylight (Feng et al., 2006;

Anderson, 2009; Hobson et al., 2013; May, 2013;

Suhling et al., 2009, 2016; Vieira & Cordero-

Rivera, 2015). It has also reached Easter Island, one

of the most remote islands in the world, more than

3,500 km from South American coasts, where a

breeding population occurs (Dumont & Verschuren,

1991). Despite its highly migratory nature and the

wide distribution, records in Europe and North

Africa are surprisingly scarce (Jacquemin &

Boudot, 1999; Jodicke, 1995; Jodicke et al., 2000;

Schrijvershof, 2006; Buczynski et al., 2014). In

Africa, P. flavescens is commonly found throughout

the continent including Madagascar, from the Cape

of Good Hope to the southern edge of the Sahara;

there are however only a few records north of the

Sahara, not recorded e. g. for Libya or Western

Andrea Corso et alii

Sahara (Boudot et al., 2013). It is more frequent in

Egypt and adjacent areas of Asia Minor (Dijkstra

& Lewington, 2006; Kalkman & Van Pelt, 2006;

Boudot et al., 2009).

Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1891 (Odonata Libellul-

idae) is widespread throughout Africa, except in

rainforest areas, and in Southern Asia up to India

(Dijkstra & Lewington, 2006; Boudot et al., 2009).

Unlike P. flavescens, T. kirbyi is not a regular long-

distance migrant, its movements being essentially

erratic; yet it has recently and rapidly expanded its

range northwards, spreading into south-western

Europe (Chelmick & Pickess, 2008; Cano- Villegas

& Conesa-Garcia, 2009; Herrera-Grao et al., 2012;

Corso et al., 2012; Boudot et al., 2013; Obregon-

Romero et al., 2013). Global warming is influen-

cing the distribution range of numerous species of

Odonata, causing northward expansions, while a

tendency towards an increasing range of move-

ments in their migratoiy patterns has noticed as well

(Ott, 2001, 2010; Dijkstra & Lewington, 2006;

Bernard et al., 2009; Vieira & Cordero-Rivera,

2015). Trithemis kirbyi was recorded for the first

time in Sardinia in 2003 (Holusa, 2008).

Corso et al. (2012) briefly reported first records

of P. flavescens for Italy and of T. kirbyi for the

small Sicilian islands, in view of the present, more

detailed report. All the records of the two species

for Sicilian Channel islands and Sicily, updated to

November 2016, are herewith listed and discussed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study area, shown in figure 1 and figure 2,

is represented by:

1) The Pelagie Islands (Isole Pelagie), three

small islands - Lampedusa, Linosa, and Lampione

- located in the middle of the Sicilian Channel,

south of Sicily, halfway between Malta and Tunisia.

Geographically and geologically one part of the

archipelago (Lampedusa and Lampione) belongs to

the African plateau, while Linosa is a volcanic

island; politically and administratively the islands

fall within the Sicilian province of Agrigento and

represent the southernmost part of Italy. The largest

island is Lampedusa, about 20 km 2 ; the second

largest island is Linosa, while the smallest is

the uninhabited Lampione. The vegetation on

Lampedusa and Lampione is exceedingly low

and scarce, because of extensive destruction of the

formerly existing Mediterranean scrub; the latter

is better preserved on Linosa. Aquatic biotopes

are extremely scarce and scattered, only consisting

in a few temporary, rain- fed waterbodies. The

maximum altitude of the archipelago is on Linosa,

with Monte Vulcano (195 m a.s.l.), followed by

Lampedusa, with Albero Sole (133 m a.s.l.).

2) Northwest of the Pelagie there is the volcanic

island of Pantelleria, 110 km south-west of Sicily

and only 70 km north-east of Tunisia, by far the

largest and highest in altitude of the Sicilian Chan-

nel islands (836 m a.s.l., ca. 83 1cm 2 ). Besides

having several temporary waterbodies, consisting

in man-made water reservoirs and catchments, it

has a permanent volcanic lake, with a dense, locally

wide reed belt, potentially suitable for several

Odonata; because of high salinity, however, only

Ischnura fountaineae Morton, 1905, with the only

known viable European population, is definitely

known to breed here, and very few other dragonflies

are supposed to do so, at least occasionally.

3) Sicily, the biggest island in the Mediterranean

basin, is situated right in the centre of this “closed”

sea. It has a great variety of aquatic biotopes, in-

cluding coastal brackish wetlands, freshwater lentic

biotopes (either natural or man-made), streams and

rivers, habitats for a lot of Odonata species.

Since 2004, the islands of the Sicilian Channel

were visited every year, mainly by AC, OJ and MV.

The Pelagie were regularly visited in spring

(Lebruary-May), summer (June- August), autumn

(September-November), with a few winter visits

(December-January). Pantelleria, conversely, was

visited mainly in spring, with a very few visits in

summer and autumn. More specifically, between

April 2004 and November 2016, the Pelagie were

visited for a total of almost 540 days, mostly during

the autumn (see Corso et al., 2012). During these

visits, all potentially suitable dragonfly habitats,

over as much ground as possible, were prospected,

in order to assess what dragonfly species were

actually or possibly breeding in local waterbodies,

and what were only regular migratories or acci-

dental vagrants. The former ones proved extremely

scarce (Corso et al., 2012). Information, although

derived from more anecdotal observations, re-

garding the island of Djerba, Southern Tunisia, Gulf

of Gabes, and the Maltese Archipelago are also

reported, as these sites are geographically close and

Pantala flavescens and Trithemis kirbyi (Odonata Libellulidae) in Italy and Central Mediterranean basin

Figure 1. The study area in the Centre of Mediterranean

Basin, red circles showing the observations (and/or literature

data) sites.

Figure 2. Map of Sicily showing the areas where Pantala

flavescens was recorded during this study.

records from these areas are closely associated with

the patterns affecting Sicily and Pelagie islands.

Most of the records here reported refer to netted or

photographed specimens. However, some concern

field observations only, since P flavescens and T.

kirbyi are strong, fast fliers, often quite shy and

difficult to catch or approach. Fortunately, both are

locally unmistakable, so that their field identifica-

tion is easy and reliable (Dijkstra & Lewington,

2006). When netted, the specimens were photo-

graphed in the hand in four different positions - side

view, from below, from above and a close up of

secondary genitalia. To photograph the specimens

we used a digital SLR camera with a 18-70 mm

lens. Only a few voucher specimens were collected,

currently housed in the private collections of two of

the authors (AC and MP).

RESULTS

Corso et al. (2012) report the first Italian records

of P. flavescens from the Pelagie on October 2012,

with no further details. A detailed list of records is

herewith provided.

Lampedusa: 1 ex. (sex?), CalaMorta, 27.X.2012.

Linosa: 1 male, 28.X.2012; 1 male, 5.XI.2012; 13

exx. (mostly males), 6.XI.2012; 3 exx. (sex?),

7.XI.12; 8 exx. (mostly males), 8.XI.2012; 2 exx.

(sex?), 11.XI.2012 (Figs. 3-5). Both males and

females, the formers more abundant, were recorded;

all individuals were apparently immature, none of

the males showing bright red coloration. Only 1

male, on 6.XI.2012, was collected, and is currently

housed in MP collection (Figs. 4, 5). In the fol-

lowing years, P. flavescens was regularly recorded

on Linosa. At least 15 exx. were noticed from

20.X.2013 to mid XI.2013; at least 8 from late

X.2014 to mid XI. 2014; in 2015, 1 male was seen

on 27.X, 1 on 28. X and 1 on 3. XI; in 2016, only 1

(sex?) on 22.X. Sicily mainland (Fig. 2): the first

confirmed record concerns 1 male, Pantano (=

marsh) Cuba (Siracusa province), 36°42’27.10 ,, N

15°1 , 30.40”E, 2.XII.2012, AC (MP coll.). In the

following years, further individuals were observed:

1 male, Siracusa, 37°6’37.34 ,, N 15°13’43.28”E,

15. X.2014; 1 male, near Trapani, 37°59 , 34.18”N

12°31’9.52”E, 20.X.2014; 1 male, near Mazara

del Vallo (Trapani province), 37°39’44.25”N

12°32 , 2.06”E, 18.X.2014; 1 male, Siracusa, in the

very same site of the 2014 record, a mall parking

area, 19.X.2016 (all by AC). Although the repeated

observations on the said parking area may appear

surprising at first, the warm asphalted ground could

actually prove attractive to wandering individuals.

Because of their relevance to the study area, ob-

servations by AC at Djerba island (Gulf of Gabes,

Tunisia) are also reported. At least 20 specimens

Andrea Corso et alii

Figure 3. First photographically documented record of Pantala flavescens for Italy, concerning an immature male observed

at Linosa Island, Pelagie (Agrigento province, Sicily) on 18.X.2012 (M. Vigano/MISC). Figures 4, 5. The only specimen

collected of P. flavescens in Italy up to date - 1 male netted at Linosa Island, Pelagie, on 6.XI.2012 (M. Vigano/MISC).

Figures 6, 7. The first Trithemis kirbyi ever photographed alive in the field for Italy, at Linosa Island, Pelagie, on 16.X.2013

(Igor Maiorano/MISC). Figure 8. A mature female of P. flavescens collected in the Sinai desert, Egypt, October 2009, during

massive migration, for comparison (A. Corso/MISC). Figure 9. An immature male of P. flavescens collected in the Sinai

desert, Egypt, October 2009, during massive migration, for comparison (A. Corso/MISC).

Pantala flavescens and Trithemis kirbyi (Odonata Libellulidae) in Italy and Central Mediterranean basin

(mostly males) were observed on 30.IX.2010,

around the water treatment ponds of El Kantara

(33°41’52.48”N 10°56’25.45”E), probably the best

site for Odonata in the entire island (AC, unpubl.).

In the Maltese Archipelago, the species was re-

corded in the summer 2013 with three specimens

observed/collected (Degabriele, 2014). It is to be

stressed that no reason seems to exist, for which

migratory P. flavescens should not occur also on

Pantelleria. Lack of records may only result from

no researcher presence on the island during the

suitable period.

As for T. kirbyi , Corso et al. (2012) provided the

second record for Italy, after the first from Sardinia

in 2003 (Holusa, 2008), and the first regional one,

of a pair observed on Lampedusa, Capo Grecale,

20.X.2012. Subsequent records were obtained.

Lampedusa: 1 male observed, Albero Sole,

35°31 , 40.41 ,, N 12°32’20.04”E, 6.XI.2014. Linosa:

at least 6 specimens (3 males, 3 females)

35°52 , 10.65”N 12°51’49.77”E, 16-20.X.2013, 3 of

which (2 males, 1 female) were collected (Pigs. 6,

7, AC and MP collections).

CONCLUSIONS

The Pelagie islands are the only European area

where the highly migratory P. flavescens was recor-

ded regularly through more years (Corso et al.,

2012; Buczynski et al., 2014). During this study, up

to about 30 specimens were noticed - mostly col-

lected or photographed - on Linosa and Lampedusa

every autumn, since the first records by Corso et al.

(2012). Some records were also obtained in Sicily

mainland, in December 2012 and again in autumn

2014 and 2016. The species was recently recorded

also in the Maltese Archipelago (Degabriele, 2014).

Upon future studies, P flavescens very likely will

prove a regular migrant also here, and on Pantelleria

as well. Although the species is a regular migrant

also in Sicily mainland, where no doubt a number

of suitable biotopes exists, there is at present no

evidence of breeding in Italy; this also will be the

target of future studies. Trithemis kirbyi is wide-

spread and rather common throughout North Africa

(Dijkstra & Lewington, 2006; Boudot et al., 2009,

2013) and is at present rapidly spreading in Spain

as well (Chelmick & Piclcess, 2008; Herrera-Grao

et al., 2012; Obregon-Romero et al., 2013); yet it

has only occasionally been recorded in the Sicilian

Channel islands, precisely in the Pelagie (Corso et

al., 2012), while no record for Sicily mainland cur-

rently does exist.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 39-44

Chiloneus hoffmanni (Gonzalez, 1 970) (Coleoptera Curculionidae)

new to Italy, with a checklist of the species of the genus and

ecological notes

Roberto Casalini 1 , Enzo Colonnelli 2 *, Andrea Corso 3 & David Mifsud 4

'Museo Civico di Zoologia, via Ulisse Aldrovandi, 18, 00187 Roma, Italy

2 via delle Giunchiglie, 56, 00172 Roma, Italy

3 via Camastra, 10, 96100 Siracusa, Italy,

institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta

^Corresponding author, email: ecolonnelli@yahoo.it

ABSTRACT Chiloneus hoffmanni (Gonzalez, 1970) (Coleoptera Curculionidae) thus far considered a

Maltese endemic, is here recorded for the first time from Lampedusa island (Italy). Several

adults of this species and of C. solarii Pesarini, 1970 were found feeding on leaves of

Chaiybdis pancration (Asparagaceae). These observations constitute the first data on the eco-

logy of these species. An updated checklist of Chiloneus Schoenherr, 1842 is also provided.

KEY WORDS Curculionidae; Chiloneus; diversity; biology; Mediterranean.

Received 06.03.2017; accepted 23.03.2017; printed 30.03.2017

INTRODUCTION

Chiloneus Schoenherr, 1 842 is a genus of Scia-

philini Sharp, 1891 (Coleoptera Curculionidae) hav-

ing a Mediterranean-Turanian distribution. The

genus currently includes 41 described species of

which 40 are accommodated in the nominal sub-

genus, and one in the subgenus Mylaconeus Pesar-

ini, 1970 (Borovec, 2013; Borovec & Perrin, 2016).

The absolute majority of species are distributed in

the wanner parts of the Mediterranean basin.

The most recent and comprehensive revision of

this group was published by Gonzalez (1970), who

however confused members of this genus with

those of Desbrochersella Reitter, 1906, a morpho-

logically similar genus of Omiini Shuckard, 1840

(Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal, 1999). Distinguishing

features for the above mentioned genera were

provided by Borovec & Perrin (2016), who also

described new species, proposed new combinations

and several new synonyms, outdating the recent

catalogue of Borovec (2013).

Four species of Chiloneus were recorded from

Italy, of which three belong to the nominotypical

subgenus, and one to the endemic subgenus

Mylaconeus (Abbazzi & Maggini, 2009; Borovec,

2013).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the last 1 0 years, regular visits to the Pelagie

islands were carried out by one of us (AC), mostly

to study the bird and dragonfly fauna (Corso, 2005;

Corso et al., 2009, 2012). During October and

November 2016, several specimens of Chiloneus

were hand-collected on sea squill after heavy rains

on Linosa island. A few weeks later, in view of the

Roberto Casalini etalii

results obtained in Linosa, the same plant was suc-

cessfully investigated on Lampedusa island in order

to check the presence of Chiloneus. Given the faun-

istic and botanic similarity between the Pelagie and

the Maltese archipelagoes (Corti et al., 2002), we

decided to compare Chiloneus from the three is-

lands, i.e. Linosa, Lampedusa and Malta, which are

close to each other (Fig. 7). In Malta, one of us

(DM) collected this weevil from the base of the

same plant, called also sea onion or giant hyacinth,

in a coastal garigue habitat in the south-eastern part

of Malta (Munxar, l/o St. Thomas Bay), and addi-

tional material was available from Mellieha in

Malta and Qbajjar in Gozo. Specimens are pre-

served in the personal collections of EC and RC in

Rome, and of DM in Malta.

Body size of specimens is meant from an ideal

line in front of eyes to the tip of elytra, excluding

thus the rostrum, as usual for weevils. Measures

were taken with an ocular grid.

Pictures were taken by Francesco Sacco with a

Nikon 810 camera provided with a Mitutoyo Plan

Apo 10X objective and a tube lens f 80mm 4X.

Photo were then stacked with the program Helicon

Focus 6. 1 , and further processed using the program

Adobe Photoshop CS5.

Nomenclature of plants follows the checklist by

Conti et al. (2005).

ABBREVIATIONS. AC: Andrea Corso; EC:

Enzo Colonnelli; RC: Roberto Casalini; DM: David

Mifsud. Distribution, AG: Algeria; BH: Bosnia and

Hercegovina; CY: Cyprus; CR: Croatia; EG: Egypt;

GR: Greece; KZ: Kazakistan; IT: Italy; JO: Jordan;

IS: Israel; LB: Libya; MA: Malta; MO: Morocco;

SP: Spain; TR: Turkey; TU: Tunisia.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

On Linosa island, Chiloneus solarii Pesarini,

1 970, a weevil previously known on the basis of the

eight type specimens (Pesarini, 1970), was com-

monly found at the base of leaves of Charybdis

pancration (Steinh.) Speta (Asparagaceae) (Fig. 5).

It was found from sea level up to the top of Monte

Vulcano (m 195 a.s.l.), feeding on leaves and pro-

ducing irregular holes on their surface (Fig. 6). Dur-

ing the day, adults were hidden at the base of the

rather succulent large leaves of the plant, being act-

ive at night. Similar behaviour was shown by Chi-

loneus on Lampedusa and the Maltese islands. Hun-

dreds of exemplars were observed in Linosa, and

about 130 were collected at Monte Vulcano, Monte

Bandiera, Monte Rosso and Mannarazza. These are

the first ecological observations for these insular

Chiloneus , whose larvae probably develop inside

the bulbs of Chaiybdis and/or possibly inside roots

of the near plants.

During the five days spent on Lampedusa sev-

eral Charybdis and similar plants from all over the

island were investigated for the presence of this

weevil. Interestingly, many specimens of Chiloneus

were found all over the western part of the island,

from Capo Ponente to Albero Sole, Punta dell’ Ac -

qua, Cala Pulcino and Cala Galera, whereas not a

single specimen was found on the eastern part, east

of the town of Lampedusa to Punta Sottile, Cala

Francese and Capo Levante. In fact, on the eastern

part of the island, and suggesting that the two

weevils exclude each other from developing on the

same plants, was rather common only the sub-

endemic Brachycerus schatzmayri Zumpt, 1937.

This rather common weevil produces similar

damage to the leaves of the plant, and no less than

40 specimens were found. Apart this large As-

paragaceae, no other plant was found as possible

host of this huge Brachycerus Olivier, 1789 in the

island. In the field it became evident that the speci-

mens of Chiloneus from Lampedusa were sligthly

different from those found in Linosa.

Specimens from Linosa and Lampedusa were

morphologically compared, and it was found that

they belong to two apparently different species.

In fact, the specimens from Lampedusa were very

similar to Chiloneus hoffmanni Gonzalez, 1970, a

species considered endemic to the Maltese ar-

chipelago (Mifsud & Colonnelli, 2010). From side

to side examination of numerous specimens of Chi-

loneus from Malta and Lampedusa, we were able

to identify the Chiloneus from Lampedusa as C.

hoffmanni , a species never reported for the Italian

fauna.

Given the close relationship of these insular

Chiloneus to one another and their variability of

size, density and colour of scales of integument,

absence or presence and size of profemoral tooth,

the only reliable feature which allows discrimina-

tion of C. hoffmanni (Fig. 1) from C. solarii (Fig.

Chiloneus hoffmanni (Curculionidae) new to Italy, with a checklist of the species of the genus and ecological notes 41

Figures 1, 3. Male of Chiloneus hoffmanni from Lampedusa (Sicilian Channel, Italy), habitus and aedeagus from above,

respectively. Figures 2, 4. Male of Chiloneus solarii from Linosa (Sicilian Channel, Italy), habitus and aedeagus from

above, respectively. Photos by Francesco Sacco.

Figure 5. Leaves of Charybdis pancration cribbled by

adults of Chiloneus solarii in Linosa (Sicilian Channel,

Italy). Figure 6. Detail of the same, with some insects half-

hidden inside the rosette of leaves. Photos by Andrea

Corso.

2) are the striae of the latter which are clearly nar-

rower since their punctures are at most as wide as

1/3 of the width of the flat dorsal intervals, whereas

in C. hoffmanni at least some striae are formed by

punctures as wide as half of the often quite convex

intervals. The aedeagus and spermatheca are very

similar in both species, merely the aedeagus of C.

hoffmanni is slightly wider than that of C. solarii

(Figs. 2 and 4). The body size of C. hoffmanni is

also on average somewhat larger (mm 4. 0-5. 5,

mean 4.6) than that of C. solarii (mm 3. 5-5.0,

mean 4.2). The presence or absence of minute

blunt profemoral tooth cannot be used to differen-

tiate these two species as indicated by Pesarini

(1970), since a great variability was observed fol-

lowing examination of more than 220 specimens

at hand.

In general, vestiture of C. hoffmanni is also

sparser, and its integument more polished and

paler, whereas the colour of scales varies in both

species from golden-brownish to metallic greenish.

We plan to carry out molecular studies next year

to better assess the taxonomic status of these ex-

tremely close insular populations.

Roberto Casalini etalii

CHECKLIST

As already pointed out, the checklist of Chi-

loneus provided by Borovec (2013) became out-

dated after the publication of the work by Borovec

& Perrin (2016) in which several taxonomical, no-

menclatural and distributional changes were made.

It seems thus appropriate to provide here under an

updated list of all species of this genus, using

a format slightly different from that used in the

catalogue by Lobl & Smetana (2013). However,

same country abbreviations are being used to fa-

cilitate comparison in distributional data. Indented

names are synonyms. The list is presented here

under.

Chiloneus ( Chiloneus ) Schoenherr, 1842

Chilonorrhinus Reitter, 1915

Micro elytro don Pic, 1945

Rhinochrosis Desbrochers des Loges, 1892

aliquoi (Pesarini, 1975) - IT

barbaricus (Gonzalez, 1970) - AG

vaulogeri (Desbrochers des Loges, 1897)

belloi Borovec et Weill, 2016 - SP

brevipilis Desbrochers des Loges, 1893 - AG, TU

tuniseus Desbrochers des Loges, 1897

brevithorax Desbrochers des Loges, 1875 - CY

theresae (Pic, 1945)

carinidorsum Desbrochers des Loges, 1871 - AG

chevrolati Tournier, 1 874 - MO, PT, SP

parvus (Stierlin, 1899)

subglobatus (Desbrochers des Loges, 1892)

tingitanus (Gonzalez, 1970)

chobauti (Desbrochers des Loges, 1897) - AG

MO, TU

inhumeralis (Pic, 1903)

cinerascens (Rosenhauer, 1856) - AG, MO, SP

nitens (Pic, 1904)

seminitidus (Hustache, 1941)

corcyreus Penecke, 1935 - GR (Kerkyra)

corpulentus (Kiesenwetter, 1864) - GR

cyrenaicus Borovec et Weill, 2016 - LB

franzi (Gonzalez, 1970) - SP

gabrieli Reitter, 1915 - GR

globulus Borovec et Perrin, 2016 - AG

hispidus (Gonzalez, 1972) - JO

Tunis

Hammamet

Mona

Trapani

Favignana

Palermo

Reggio

Calabria

Marsala

Catania

Agrigento

Sicilia

Ragusa

Siracusa

Linosa

Malta

Figure 7. Map of central Mediterranean, showing the position of Linosa, Lampedusa, and Maltese islands.

Localities of Chiloneus hoffmanni are marked by red squares, whereas those of C. solarii are marked by a red dot.

Chiloneus hoffmanni (Curculionidae) new to Italy, with a checklist of the species of the genus and ecological notes 43

hoffmanni (Gonzalez, 1970) - IT (Lampedusa), MA

deluccaiV esarini, 1970

infuscatus (Chevrolat, 1861) - AG, TU

algericus Desbrochers des Loges, 1871

innotatus (Pic, 1927) - CY

insulanus (Gonzalez, 1970)

jonicus Kraatz, 1859 - GR

maculatus (Hampe, 1870) - BH, CR

maroccanus (Hoffmann, 1954) - MO

mediterraneus (Gonzalez, 1970) - SP

meridionalis (Boheman, 1840) - IT (Sicily)

championi (Gonzalez, 1970)

siculus Boheman, 1 842

minutissimus (Pic, 1904) - AG

nitidipennis (Pic, 1927)

subannulipes (Pic, 1917)

omiasformis Borovec et Weill, 2016 - SP

ottomanus Desbrochers des Loges, 1892 - TR

pallidns Bajtenov, 1974 - KZ

pennatus (Faust, 1885) - AG, SP

dividuus (Pic, 1904)

pruinosus (Desbrochers des Loges, 1896)

pertusicollis (Fairmaire, 1868) - AG, EG

nasutus Desbrochers des Loges, 1897

ruficornis (Allard, 1869)

sphaeropterus (Allard, 1869)

sahlbergi Reitter, 1915 - IS

scythropoides Reitter, 1915 - CY

sitoniformis Reitter, 1915 - IS

sitonoides Reitter, 1915 - AG

solarii Pesarini, 1970 - IT (Linosa)

submaculatus (Pic, 1917) - AG, TU

alboscutellaris ( Pic, 1917)

syriacus (Stierlin, 1886) - IS

tenietensis Borovec et Perrin, 2016 - AG

vaulogeri (Pic, 1896) - LB, TU

alluaudi (Pic, 1903)

pdosulus Normand, 1953

veneriatus Normand, 1937: 244 - TU

Chiloneus ( Mylaconeus ) Pesarini, 1970

lonai Pesarini, 1970- IT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ottavio Janni (Piedimonte Matese, Caserta),

Michele Vigano (Germignaga, Varese), Lucio Man-

iscalco (Palermo, Italy), Raimondo Finati (Napoli,

Italy), Hans Larsson (Malmoe, Sweden) and Igor

Maiorano (Trieste, Italy), friends and colleagues of

the birding team MISC, with whom Andrea Corso

regularly visited the Pelagie islands in the last ten

years, are thanked for their collaboration in the

field. Fabio Tuccio (Linosa, Italy) is appreciated for

his hospitality during the stay at Linosa island.

Francesco Sacco (Rome, Italy) was so kind to take

the pictures of the weevils. Marco Giardini (Sant’

Angelo Romano,, Italy) gave us information about

nomenclature of the plants.

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faunistico dei Curculionoidea italiani, Scolytidae e

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Platypodidae). Entomopraxis, Barcelona, 315 pp.

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of some species of Chiloneus, Desbrocher sella and

Sciaphilus, with description of two new species and

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timinae). Zootaxa, 419: 131-152.

Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A. & Blasi C. (Eds.),

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flora. Palombi e Partner, Roma, 420 pp.

Corso A., 2005. Avifauna di Sicilia. Edizioni L’Epos,

Palermo, 320 pp.

Corso A., Janni O., Larsson H. & Gustin M., 2009. Com-

mend sullo status del Marangone dal ciuffo Phalac-

rocorax aristotelis desmarestii in Sicilia. Alula, 16:

213-215.

Corso A., Janni O., Pavesi M., Sammut M., Sciberras A.

& Vigano M., 2012. Annotated checklist of the

dragonflies (Insecta Odonata) of the islands of the

Sicilian Channel, including the first records of Sym-

petrum sinaiticum Dumont, 1977 and Pantala flaves-

cens (Fabricius 1798) for Italy. Biodiversity Journal,

3: 459-478.

Corti C., Lo Cascio P., Massetti M. & Pasta S., 2002.

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Lobl I. & Smetana A. (Eds.), 2013. Catalogue of Palae-

artic Coleoptera. Volume 8. Curculionoidea II. Brill,

Leiden, Boston, 700 pp.

Mifsud D. & Colonnelli E., 2010. The Curculionoidea of

the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean) (Cole-

optera). Bulletin of the Entomological Society of

Malta, 3: 55-143.

Pesarini C., 1970. I Chiloneus italiani con descrizione di

tre nuove specie e di un nuovo sottogenere (VIII con-

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MARCH 2017, 8 (1): 45-312

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ISSN 2039-0394 (Print Edition)

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE 3rd INTERNATIONAL

MONOGRAPH

with the support of

CONGRESS

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association

o n I u s

BIODIVERSITY, MEDITERRANEAN,

SOCIETY”

SEPTEMBER 4th-6th, 2015

NOTO-VENDICARI. ITALY

Juniperus turbinata Guss. - Piano Pirrera, Acate, Sicily

BIODIVERSITY JOURNAL

2016,8 (I): 45-312

Quaternly scientific journal

edited by Edizioni Danaus,

viaV. Di Marco 43,90143 Palermo, Italy

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Official authorization no. 40 (28.12.2010)

ISSN 2039-0394 (Print Edition)

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Juniperus turbinata Guss. (Cupressaceae). Juniperus phoenicea was described by Linnaeus (1753) from specimens

collected from Montpellier, southern France; later Gussone (1845), described J. turbinata from southern Sicily

differentiating it from the previous one. After many taxonomic vicissitudes, the two species are currently recognized by

various authors and by the FUCN's Conifer Specialist Group. Juniperus turbinata differs from J. phoenicea mostly by

having a larger (12-14 mm), sub-ovoid cone and leaves without scarious border (Arrigoni, 2012). J. phoenicea is a western

European taxon that grows in a wide bioclimatic range from thermo- to supramediterranean belt with semiarid to humid

ombrotype, in Spain, southern France, Italy in Maritime and Apuane Alps, while J. turbinata is found from the infra- to

supramediterranean belt with arid to humid ombrotype and is widespread in the Mediterranean region and Canary Islands,

both in coastal and inland regions (Mazur et al., 20 1 6). J. turbinata is a large shrub or a small tree (8- 1 2m tall), which grows

mainly in coastal areas of the Mediterranean region and in mountains of northwest of Africa. In Sicily, the species is

generally rare but a large population was recently discovered near Acate in SE Sicily (Minissale & Sciandrello, 2013). It is a

typical Mediterranean species globally evaluated as Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN world red list (Farjon, 2013). In

fact although it is widely distributed along the coasts of the Mediterranean, subpopulations are scattered and usually small

or very small. It often occurs close to urbanized coastal strips, or paleo-dunes where much of the original habitat has been

destroyed. So reinforcement of J. turbinata populations and habitat restoration should be implemented.

References: Arrigoni PV., 2012. Miscellaneous notes about some taxa of the Italian flora. Webbia, 67: 3746. - Farjon A.,

2013 .Juniperus turbinata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.Tl 6349692 A84434669. Downloaded on 26

March 2017. - Gussone J., 1845. Florae Siculae Synopsis 2, Neapoli, p. 634 - Linnaeus C., 1753. Species plantarum 2.

Stockholm: Laurentii Salvii, p. 640. - Mazur M., Minissale P., Sciandrello S. & Boratynski A., 2016. Morphological and

ecological comparison of populations of Juniperus turbinata Guss. and J. phoenicea L. from the Mediterranean region.

Plant Biosystems, 150: 313-322. - Minissale P. & Sciandrello S., 2013. A relic wood of Juniperus turbinata Guss.

(Cupressaceae) in Sicily: Structural and ecological features, conservation perspectives. Plant Biosystems, 147: 145-157.

Pietro Minissalei Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Scienze Ambientali, Universita di Catania, Via A.

Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy; e-mail: p.minissale@unict.it -Cover photo by Pietro Minissale

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 47-48

Monograph

Introduction

Considerations on the International Congress

“Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”

Giorgio Sabella

Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - Section of Animal Biology “M. La Greca”, University of

Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy; e-mail: sabellag@unict.it

Received 05.05.2016; accepted 12.05.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

The Congress, held in September 2015 inNoto-

Vendicari (Siracusa, Sicily, Italy) (Figs. 1, 2), the

Sicilian town declared as World Heritage Site by

UNESCO, represented a new opportunity for sci-

entific debate (as in the previous meetings held in

2012 in Palermo and 2014 in Cefalu-Castelbuono,

Sicily, Italy), among university researchers and

scholars, members of scientific and environment-

alist associations, operators involved in environ-

mental management and territorial planning,

managers of protected areas, scholars dealing in

energy resources, communication and environ-

mental education.

In particular, the conference focused on: i) plant

and animal biodiversity; ii) biological and ecolo-

gical research, included the anthropogenic impact,

particularly in the Mediterranean, placing attention

on protected areas and their role; iii) issues related

to the debate concerning the sustainability and its

perspectives in the field of energy, medicine, edu-

cation and involvement of civil society.

A further aim of the congress was also to

strengthen collaboration, international friendships

and networks, already established in previous

meetings, as well as to extend the debate on nature

conservation to new areas, favoring the formation

of a large cultural community who share a common

interest in environmental sustainability starting

from a vision of ethics and not a consumerist or

opportunistic one.

These themes - the relationship between man

and environment and of the development of a truly

and not only nominal, sustainable lifestyle - are

highly topical and have great importance not only

for the conservation of nature, but especially for the

survival of our Planet.

Over the past 25 years, globalization has resul-

ted in rapid and profound changes in society, creat-

ing many new opportunities, but also generating

problems in the implementation of development

models and ensuring environmental sustainabilty.

It is clear that many environmental problems,

such as, climate change, the equitable use of re-

sources, mutual respect for the different cultures,

conservation of migratory species and the control

of the introduction of alien species, require the

adoption of global policies and cannot be dealt on

a national or local scale. However, this must not

prevent anyone from adopting correct nature con-

servation policies on all levels, including those in-

volving change in personal behaviors.

In this context, the study of biodiversity at all

levels, genetic variability, species, communities and

ecosystems, it is crucial to understanding the mech-

Giorgio Sabella

Figure 1. Noto Cathedral

(Sicily, Italy, photo P. Iuvara).

Figure 2. Vendicari, Salinaro House

(Sicily, Italy, photo P. Iuvara).

anisms that regulate the functioning of nature, set

conservation policies and environmental manage-

ment based on scientific criteria and not merely on

aesthetical or worse yet utilitarian basis. On the

other hand, it is increasingly evident that it is ne-

cessary to rethink the current models of society

based on consumism and on uncontrolled exploita-

tion of resources.

For this reason, the publication of the Proceed-

ings of the Congress has been divided into two sec-

tions. The contributions of the first section, mainly

bio-naturalistic and involving many and varied

aspects of biodiversity of animal, vegetation and

habitat, are published in the Biodiversity Journal,

while the contributions of the second section, which

examine the relationship between man and environ-

ment, will be published in the Proceedings and Me-

moirs of Ente Fauna Siciliana.

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 49-58

Monograph

Modern taxonomic and biogeographic approaches to biodi

versity in the Mediterranean area

Alessandro Minelli

Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58 B, I 35131 Padova, Italy; email: alessandro.minelli@unipd.it

ABSTRACT I review here examples of recent progress in the taxonomy and biogeography of Mediter-

ranean taxa. Morphological approaches have still much to offer, as shown by a study of

the Sicilian species of the wingless weevil genus Pseudomeira Stierlin, 1881 (Coleoptera

Curculionidae). A systematic analysis of molecular markers, however, is revealing a huge

number of previously unsuspected cryptic species, as in the scarab genus Pachypus Dejean,

1821 (Coleoptera Pachypodidae). Other molecular studies have revealed very deep phylo-

geographic structure in the Corsican brook salamander; the presence of six or more species

hitherto lumped under Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pulmonata Subulinidae), in a snail

genus in which biparental and uniparental reproduction coexist; the conservation of the same

male pheromone in vicariant species of the scarab beetles of the genus Osmoderma Lepeletier

et Serville, 1828 (Coleoptera Cetoniidae); the interplay of vicariance and dispersal events in

giving rise to the different taxa of the land snail genus Chilostoma Fitzinger, 1833 (Gastropoda

Flelicidae) inhabiting the Greek islands. Further examples of modern biogeographic studies

are a morphometric analysis revealing the preferential localization of steep slopes of phenetic

diversity of seven butterfly species groups in the Tuscan archipelago and across the Strait of

Messina; a research on tenebrionid beetles showing that present distribution patterns are not

completely explained by postglacial recolonization from Pleistocenic refugia; a comparative

analysis of the diversity of patterns (explained in part by vicariance, in part by dispersal) in

the biota on the two shores of the Strait of Gibraltar. A study on the ocellated lizards provides

a nice analysis of climatic niche evolution throughout speciation. Finally, a comparative study

of mtDNA from spurge hawkmoths collected between 1884 and 1986 has demonstrated the

complete disappearance, within one century, of a lineage from a former area of sympatry with

what now appears as its vicariant.

KEY WORDS dispersal; ecological niche; molecular taxonomy; taxonomic methods; vicariance.

Received 08.04.2016; accepted 21.07.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The terrestrial and freshwater biota of the Medi-

terranean area have long attracted the attention of

zoologists and botanists. Their study has always

been a challenging but eventually rewarding task

for the taxonomist confronted with a sometimes ex-

plosive fragmentation of isolated populations

whose taxonomic rank, either specific or subspe-

cific, continues to trouble us to date, as well as for

Alessandro Minelli

the biogeographer looking for an interpretation of

present-day distributions in the light of past events,

including palaeoclimatic history.

There is plenty of lineages within which on-

going speciation is worth investigation. But there

are also persisting traces of palaeogeographic and

palaeoecological events, suggesting for example

areas of glacial refugium and routes of (^colon-

ization. There are distribution patterns that would

support a vicariance paradigm in biogeography

alongside others supporting dispersal instead.

In the last few decades, the study of the Medi-

terranean biota has been often addressed by means

of new research tools, especially those of molecular

systematics, but also other approaches, for example

those of multivariate morphometries, have contrib-

uted and are still contributing to an evolving appre-

ciation of biodiversity in the Mediterranean area.

In the following, I will review a few recent stud-

ies, beginning with examples of accurate evaluation

of species diversity in critically difficult genera, due

to the careful application of different taxonomic ap-

proaches, either morphological or molecular. Next,

I will move into the spatial dimension of biological

diversity, thus giving examples of studies address-

ing the dispersal vs. vicariance dichotomy, the loc-

alization of refugia or the subtle interpopulation

relationships revealed by phylogeography. I will

provide examples focussing on the evolution of

Mediterranean biota in geological times as well as

others revealing instead dynamic changes in very

recent time, virtually in the present.

MORPHOLOGY TO MOLECULES

Since the advent of molecular systematics and

especially since the development of cheap and

highly efficient sequencing techniques, many

authors have expressed critical or at least sceptical

attitudes in respect to the usefulness of purely mor-

phological analyses in taxonomy, and especially in

the reconstruction of phylogeny. This criticism is

arguably justified in some groups, but it is simply

wrong as a general rule. Specialists generally know

where to look for reliable taxonomic traits, they also

know that their study may require operationally

challenging and time-consuming work. Coleopter-

ists, for example, know well that the aedeagus (the

main component of the male copulatory organ) is

generally diagnostic at the species level, even in

groups with very uniform external morphology; in

some groups, additional information (occasionally

even more diagnostic than the morphology of the

aedeagus) can be found in the female reproductive

apparatus, especially in the sclerotized sper-

matheca. A very good example of taxonomic study

based on a careful study of genital structures is

Bello & Baviera’s (2011) revision of the Sicilian

species of Pseudomeira Stierlin, 1881 (Coleoptera

Curculionidae), a genus of wingless weevils

whose members are nearly undistinguishable on

external morphology, but are confidently set apart

by examining the last two abdominal tergites, plus

aedeagus, tegmen and spiculum gastrale of males,

and ovipositor, spiculum ventrale and spermatheca

of females. The importance of using female charac-

ters is exemplarily demonstrated by this study be-

cause, of the 18 Sicilian species now recognized in

the genus, six are parthenogenetic and thus repres-

ented by females only.

An obvious superiority of many taxonomic stud-

ies based on morphology in respect to most of those

based on molecules is the much better sampling,

both in terms of localities and as number of speci-

mens. For example, Bello & Baviera (2011) exami-

ned over 2000 specimens from 116 localities, a

sampling that allowed them to find a number of spe-

cies new to science.

It must be acknowledged, anyway, that because

of the rapidly increasing efficiency and the also rap-

idly decreasing cost of DNA sequencing, molecular

studies are also increasingly based on extensive

sampling. Results are often puzzling and sometimes

astonishing. A case in point is the current progress

with the taxonomy of the scarab genus Pachypus

Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera Pachypodidae), insects

of extremely reduced vagility, due in particular to

the wingless condition of the females. To the first-

described species, P. candidae (Petagna, 1787), re-

corded from Southern Italy, Latium, Elba, Sardinia,

Corsica, old taxonomists were able to add only P

caesus Erichson, 1 840, from Sicily, and P demoflysi

Normand, 1936, only known from Cap Serrat in

Tunisia and Annaba in Algeria. The picture, how-

ever, has changed rapidly since Sparacio (2008) re-

cognized the Sardinian representatives of this genus

as belonging to a new species, P melonii Sparacio,

2008. In Sardinia, however, another, morphologic-

ally quite different species was described soon there-

Modem taxonomic and biogeographic approaches to biodiversity in the Mediterranean area

after, P. sardiniensis Guerlach, Bazzato et Cillo,

2013 (Guerlach et al., 2013). It was not difficult

then to suspect that the overall taxonomic articula-

tion of the Pachypus populations in the Tyrrhenian

area is possibly more complex than accepted thus

far. The study of two markers (Coxl and 16S) of

the mitochondrial DNA of an extended sample from

many localities of Italiy and Sardinia (Ahrens et al.,

2015) has revealed indeed a huge genetic diversity,

suggesting the presence of up to 42 species!

PHYLOGEOGRAPHY

With their study of the Corsican brook salaman-

der, Euproctus montanus (Savi, 1838), Bisconti et

al. (2013) have provided a fine example of the com-

plex phylogeographic patterns that may exist

among the populations of what has been hitherto

regarded as a quite uniform insular endemic. In the

case of a poorly vagile animal, an island of the size

of Corsica can host indeed a lot of ancient and geo-

graphically structured variation. The most surpris-

ing result of this study is the strongly unequal

distribution of recognizable lineages of Euproctus

Gene, 1838 in the different parts of the island. The

authors found five main clades, all but one restric-

ted to northern Corsica and essentially allopatric:

only in one sample did they find sympatric speci-

mens belonging to two different lineages.

Besides the strictly scientific interest of these

findings, this detailed phylogeographic analysis has

important consequences in terms of conservation,

because it has revealed a previously unsuspected

concentration of intraspecific diversity in a restric-

ted part of the island, contrasting with the uniform

presence of one lineage only throughout most of

Corsica. Critically important in terms of conserva-

tion is the fact that the four localized lineages have

each been sampled in one or two localities only.

Northern Corsica has been also identified as

the theatre of ancient phylogeographic splittings

between lineages of other organisms with limited

dispersal power, such as the land snail Solatopupa

guidoni (Caziot, 1903) (Ketmaier et al., 2010), the

isopod Helleria brevicornis Ebner, 1868 (Gentile et

al., 2010) and the rockrose Cistus creticus Sibth. et

Sm. (Falchi et al., 2009).

Remarkable is the amount of divergence among

the five Euproctus montanus lineages, which is

quite larger than the genetic differences found

among species pairs in several lineages of European

newts, for example between Calotriton asper

(Duges, 1852) and C. arnoldii Carranza et Amat,

2005 (Carranza & Amat, 2005), Triturus marmoratus

(Latreille, 1800) and T. pygmaeus (Wolterstorff,

1905) (Carranza & Amat, 2005), or T. carnifex

(Laurenti, 1768) and T. macedonicus (Karaman,

1922) (Amtzen et al., 2007).

The splits between these Euproctus lineages have

been dated 2. 6-5. 8 Myr, in agreement with the di-

vergence time estimated for other parallel splits in-

volving different taxa previously studied in Corsica:

these include a lizard ( Archaeolacerta bedriagae

(Camerano, 1885)) with parapatric lineages living

in northern Corsica that split apart 3. 7-5. 9 Myr ago

(Salvi et al., 2010).

Bisconti et al.’s (2013) results deserve two ad-

ditional comments. The first is of methodological

nature. The clear phylogeographic pattern they

discovered among the populations of Euproctus

montanus is based on comparisons of mitochondrial

DN A markers, but no parallel pattern was recovered

based on nuclear DNA markers. This is certainly

not a reason to regard their result with suspicion,

but it is a warning that the whole story has not been

reconstructed yet in full. The second point, amply

discussed by the authors themselves, is that the geo-

graphical isolation between the Euproctus clades

cannot be explained in terms of either present or

ancient geographical barriers; however, the palaeo-

climatic history of the island may have been largely

responsible for the geographic pattern of distribu-

tion of the mountain newt lineages, in the light of

Sue’s (1984) reconstruction, based palynologic and

macroflora analyses, according to which the palaeo-

environmental evolution of north-western Mediter-

ranean was characterized during the Pliocene and

Early Pleistocene by a progressive decrease in mois-

ture, with dry summers, favouring forest clearing,

becoming a regular feature approximately 3.2 Myr

ago.

SPECIES IN FACULTATIVELY UNIPA-

RENTAL ORGANISMS

Delimiting species is often very critical when

taxonomic units do not coincide with close repro-

ductive communities, that is, in the presence of hy-

Alessandro Minelli

bridization, but also when reproductive communit-

ies do not exist at all, that is, in the case of organ-

isms with uniparental reproduction. Under these

circumstances, it is pretty impossible to adopt uni-

form procedures: every case is to some extent dif-

ferent from the others. Particularly challenging are

the plants and animals adopting a mixed reproduct-

ive strategy, that is those in which biparental and

uniparental reproduction coexist. A Mediterranean

example is Rumina Risso, 1 826 (Pulmonata Subulin-

idae), a genus of facultatively selfing (self-fertil-

izing) snails. Based on morphology, three species

have been traditionally recognized. A polymorph-

ism of body colour is also long known among

the populations hitherto referred to R. decollata

(Linnaeus, 1758). A recent study by Prevot et al.

(2013) has addressed the question of whether this

diversity corresponds to fixed alternative pheno-

types due to sustained selfing or to diverging taxo-

nomic units. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA

sequences were compared, revealing an unexpected

phylogenetic structure suggesting the presence

of 7-10 species, one corresponding to R. saharica

Pallary, 1901 and the others currently grouped

under the name R. decollata (Linnaeus, 1758). The

contribution of the facultative selfing reproductive

strategy to the ongoing differentiation within this

snail genus remains, however, obscure.

MORPHOLOGY, DNA AND PHEROMONES

Before the advent of methods for sequencing

proteins and nucleic acids, taxonomists had learned

to extend comparisons beyond morphology, to in-

clude data on the presence or absence of specific

molecules of modest size. Particularly attractive

were sexual pheromones, because these are often

a (the) key cue through which the animal assesses

the identity of a potential partner. Nowadays it is

possible to combine data on pheromones (or on the

response to pheromones) with those obtained from

morphology and standard molecular investigations,

as in the recent study of Zauli et al. (2016) on the

scarab beetles of the genus Osmoderma Lepeletier

& Serville, 1828 (Coleoptera Cetoniidae). The tax-

onomy of these rare (and protected) insects is dif-

ficult. Traditionally, only a single species O.

eremita (Scopoli, 1763) was recognized in our

area, but other taxa were quite recently proposed,

based on slight morphological differences in agree-

ment with a consistent geographic pattern. From a

first molecular study (Audisio et al., 2009), based

on the mtDNA cytochrome C oxidase I gene (COI),

it resulted that at least four species should be recog-

nized: the western O. eremita , the Sicilian endemic

O. cristinae Sparacio, 1994 and two eastern

species, O. barnabita Motschulsky, 1845 and O.

lassallei Baraud et Tauzin, 1991 ; a fifth species, O.

italicum Sparacio, 2000, occurs in S-Italy (see

Audisio et al., 2007). A new study by Zauli et al.

(2016) has confirmed the differentiation of O.

eremita and O. cristinae at the level of species,

supported now by more extensive molecular evid-

ence (AFLP, i.e. amplified fragment length poly-

morphism markers, in addition to COI) and by a

morphometric analysis of male genitalia. The study

of pheromones, however, has failed to identify any

difference between the two species: the males of

both taxa produce and release (R)-(+)-c-decalac-

tone, whose attractive power has been demon-

strated in either case in the field. According to the

authors, the allopatry between O. eremita and O.

eremita can explain the use the same sexual pher-

omone by both species, due to the lack of selective

pressure for the evolution of a prezygotic isolation

mechanism.

DISPERSAL VS. VICARIANCE

A research on the Greek representatives of the

land snail genus Chilostoma Fitzinger, 1833 (Gast-

ropoda Helicidae) (Psonis et al., 2015) revealed a

complex biogeographic history of these molluscs,

involving both vicariance and dispersal patterns.

These snails are highly diversified and present

high levels of endemism. In this study, the authors

investigated the phylogenetic relationships of the

lineages of the genus Chilostoma distributed in

Greece based on partial DNA sequences of two mi-

tochondrial DNA (16S rRNA and COI) genes.

Complete sequences of one nuclear gene (ITS1)

representing the major mitochondrial lineages were

also analyzed. The phylogenetic trees revealed three

distinct major clades, corresponding to the three

subgenera Cattania Brusina, 1904, Josephinella

Haas, 1936 and Thiessea Kobelt, 1904, which sep-

arated in the late Miocene. They started differenti-

ating into distinct species during the Pliocene and

Modem taxonomic and biogeographic approaches to biodiversity in the Mediterranean area

Pleistocene through not less than nine vicariance

and seven dispersal events.

STEEP SLOPES OF PHENETIC DIVERSITY

Even in the case of species with veiy large dis-

tribution areas, the straits between islands or con-

tinental masses are the places where morphology

changes more significantly between populations

living even at a modest distance. By using a di-

versity of morphometries methods, Dapporto et al.

(2012) estimated this relationship between morpho-

logical differentiation and geographic proximity in

terms of phenetic slope, a measure whose scores

can be plotted onto a map, providing impressive

and easily graspable results. Their study targeted

the Western Mediterranean populations of seven

butterfly species groups, including samples from

Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, the Balearic Islands

and several smaller islands of the circum-Italian,

circum-Sicilian and circum-Sardo-Corsican ar-

chipelagos. Geometric morphometries was applied

to the male genitalia. Here are the main results:

Lasiommata megera (Linnaeus, 1767) group -

two distinct morphotypes, one (L. paramegaera

(Hiibner, [1824]) in Sardinia, Corsica, Capraia and

Montecristo, the other (L. megera) in the remaining is-

lands studied, Europe and North Africa. Italian pop-

ulations possibly representing a third morphotype.

Pyronia cecilia (Vallantin, 1894) - two distinct

morphotypes, one on most West Mediterranean is-

lands and in Spain, the other in Italy; intermediate

populations in North Africa and Sicily.

Pyronia tithonus (Linnaeus, 1767) - a highly di-

vergent population in North Africa and a south-west

to north-east cline; similarity between populations

on Sardinia, Corsica and Elba with those in south-

eastern France and between populations from Spain

and the Balkans.

Maniola jurtina (Linnaeus, 1758) - two morpho-

types, one in North Africa, Spain, Sicily, Sardinia

and the surrounding islands, the other in Italy and

Eastern Europe; intermediate populations in Cor-

sica, Elba, Giglio, Pianosa, Capri, Ischia.

Coenonympha pamphilus (Linnaeus, 1758)

group - two closely related species: C. lyllus (Esper,

1805) in North Africa, southern Spain, the Balear-

ics, Sardinia and Sicily, C. pamphilus in Corsica,

the Italian mainland and neighbouring islands as

well as Eastern Europe; intermediate populations in

France and Catalonia.

Hipparchia semele (Linnaeus, 1758) group - the

nominal species in the European mainland; vicari-

ant species on some islands (Ponza: H. sbordonii

Kudma, 1984; Aeolian Islands: H. leighebi Kudma,

1976). The closely related H. aristaeus (Bonelli,

1826) group occurs in Sardinia, Corsica and the

Tuscan islands ( H . aristaeus ) and North Africa (the

vicariant H. algirica (Oberthiir, 1876)). In Sicily the

two groups occur in sympatry, with H. semele and

a taxon, H. blachieri (Friihstorfer 1908), of the H.

aristaeus group. This group is represented in south-

ern Italy by H. neapolitana Stauder, 1921, together

with populations of the H. semele group and indi-

viduals with intermediate characteristics suggesting

hybridization between the two lineages.

In each species (or group of strictly related, vi-

cariant species) the morphometric analysis of the

shape of genitalia reveals narrow areas of steep

variation. In most cases these areas correspond to

sea straits; here are examples:

P. aegeria - a steep slope around Ponza and

along the Tyrrhenian Sea; minor slopes between

Ischia, Capri and the mainland, at the strait of Mess-

ina and in a few mainland areas.

Lasiommata megera/ paramegaera - a steep

slope in the Tuscan Archipelago where the two

morphotypes come into close contact without any

evidence of hybridization.

Pyronia cecilia - major slopes between the

Tuscan Archipelago and the Italian mainland.

Pyronia tithonus - a steep slope between the

Tuscan islands and Italian mainland, between

France and Italy and between Morocco and Spain

but also alongside Corsica.

M. jurtina , steep slopes correspond to all sea

straits between the Italian Peninsula and neighbour-

ing islands (Elba, Giglio, Ischia, Capri, Sicily).

Summing up, this study confirms the distinct-

ness between the insular Mediterranean populations

and those of the mainland, a result to some extent

surprising in a group of insects with good flying

power (see also Cesaroni et al., 1994; Dapporto et

al., 2009, 2011; Dapporto, 2010). As a general

trend, the butterfly populations of Mediterranean is-

lands are more similar to those of more western and

southern areas. For example, those of Sardinia are

very similar to those living in North Africa. To ex-

plain this trend, Dapporto et al. (2012) suggested

Alessandro Minelli

two hypotheses. The first of these is based on the

possible passive transport by winds, which mainly

blow in summer from the west, however, this might

explain the similarity between the fauna of Spain

and Sardinia, but not between Tunisia and Sardinia.

Therefore, the authors favour an alternative hypo-

thesis based on palaeogeography and palaeocli-

matology.

QUATERNARY REFUGIA

During most of the Quaternary, the environ-

mental conditions oscillating between peaks of cold

(glacial) and temperate (interglacial) climate caused

the extinction of many species and the migration of

others. The complex orography of the continent put

strong constraints on those migratory routes, the

paths of which can be reconstructed quite accur-

ately. During the glacial peaks, a number of species

survived in southern refugia, from which they even-

tually moved back towards higher latitudes in the

inter- or postglacial times. An excellent summary

of our knowledge of these events is Hewitt (1999).

Of recent studies focussing on the reconstruc-

tion of postglacial colonization trajectories in

the Mediterranean area, I will single out Fattorini

& Ulrich’s (2012) research on tenebrionid beetles.

According to their reconstruction, tenebrionid

beetles recolonized Europe, in post-glacial times,

following multiple trajectories, moving from two

refiigial centres, one in the Iberian peninsula, the

other in the Balkan peninsula. As expected, the lin-

eages involved in the postglacial recolonization

were the more tolerant and, possibly, more mobile

species, whereas many species with low dispersal

capabilities that evolved in those southern refugia

could not spread northwards.

These results are broadly in accordance with the

long established patterns of recolonization from a

number of glacial refugia in southern Europe (e.g.,

Taberlet et al., 1998; Dapporto et al., 2009, 2011;

Dapporto, 2010), but also revealed that the whole

biogeographic history of Europe throughout the

Holocene and late Pleistocene cannot be reduced to

that. Fattorini & Ulrich (2012) interpret the high

levels of endemism of tenebrionids in Spain and

Sardinia as witnessing that the faunas of these re-

gions originated during the Tertiary period and have

remained substantially isolated since then. This in-

dicates a complex history involving geographical

isolation and past and current conditions. In other

terms, besides the effects of the last Pleistocene gla-

ciation that largely erased the effects of previous

palaeogeographic and palaeoecological events,

some pre-Pleistocene patterns are still evident in the

distribution of European tenebrionids. This is sug-

gested for example by phylogenetic reconstructions

of the Mediterranean species of Tentyria Latreille,

1802 (Palmer & Cambefort, 2000) and Blaps Fabri-

cius, 1775 (Condamine et al., 2011), indicating an

ancient colonization of southern European areas

from North Africa across the Gibraltar Strait.

BIOVIVERSITY ACROSS THE STRAIT

If the Mediterranean basin as a whole is long

acknowledged as a hotspot of biological diversity,

less attention is generally paid to the local concen-

tration of biodiversity in smaller, sometimes very

strictly localized areas. In a very informative review

paper, Rodriguez- Sanchez et al. (2008) focussed on

the floristic diversity of two shores of the Strait of

Gibraltar, itself a pivotal area between two larger

biodiversity hotspots as the southern part of the

Iberian Peninsula and NW Africa. This small region

hosts a relict flora with a high percentage of en-

demic species, and the dominance of vegetation

types other than the usual Mediterranean-type

sclerophyllous forests and shrublands.

The authors show that plant endemism in the

area of the Strait of Gibraltar is associated with poor

soils and mild Mediterranean climate, whereas

relictness is primarily associated with riparian and

humid habitats, probably stable to some degree

since the Late Tertiary.

The phylogeographic studies performed thus

far on a number of animals have shown that the

degree of isolation correlated to the presence of

the Strait of Gibraltar is very different from case

to case. Although narrow, this strait separates dis-

tinguishable lineages in a nearly sedentary bird

such as the great bustard Otis tarda Linnaeus,

1758 (Broderick et al., 2003). However, other an-

imals with low dispersal power have been appar-

ently able to cros the Strait during the last 60 000

years, in some cases at least with the help of hu-

mans; there are examples among mammals (the

white-toothed shrews of the genus Crocidura

Modem taxonomic and biogeographic approaches to biodiversity in the Mediterranean area

Wagler, 1832; Cosson et al., 2005) and snakes (the

false smooth snakes of the genus Macroprotodon

Guichenot, 1850; Carranza et al., 2004) and even

in the salamanders of the genus Pleurodeles

Michahelles, 1830 (Veith et al., 2004). A different

story is told by the lizard Psammodromus algirus

(Linnaeus, 1758), which crossed the Strait around

2 million years ago, despite its poor attitude to

long-distance dispersal (Carranza et al., 2006).

Unable to cross the Strait were other vertebrates,

currently represented by different, vicariant spe-

cies on the European and African shores: for

example, the spadefoot toads are represented by

Pelobates cultripes (Cuvier, 1829) in Iberian

Peninsula, by P varaldii Pasteur et Bons, 1959 in

northern Africa (Garcia-Paris et al., 2003). By vi-

cariant taxa are also represented, on the European

vs. African side of the Strait, the painted frogs of

the genus Discoglossus Otth, 1837 (Fromhage et

al., 2004) and the freshwater fishes of the genus

Barbus Cuvier et Cloquet, 1816 (Zardoya & Doad-

rio, 1999).

CLIMATIC NICHE EVOLUTION THROU-

GHOUT SPECIATION

Ahmadzadeh et al. (2016) used the large ocel-

lated lizards of the genus Timon Tschudi, 1836 to

study the evolution of ecological niches through

comparative phyloclimatic analysis and to determ-

ine the possible role of climatic niche evolution dur-

ing the speciation process.

The authors established first a phylogeny of this

taxon, based on three mitochondrial and two

nuclear genes, and provided an age estimate for all

lineage splittings leading to the six living species.

The large ocellated lizards are estimatd to have

diverged from the sister genus Lacerta Linnaeus,

1758 ca. 18.6 Myr ago. Within Timon , two main

clades diverged 14.5 Myr ago and today have

widely disjunct distributions. The eastern clade in-

cludes the two oriental species T. princeps (Blan-

ford, 1874) and T. kurdistanicus Suchow, 1936,

which split apart 7.9 Myr ago. The western clade

consists of the European subclade with the species

T. lepidus (Daudin, 1802) and T. nevadensis (Buch-

holz, 1963), and the African subclade with the spe-

cies T. pater (Lataste, 1880) and T. tangitanus

(Boulenger, 1889). These two subclades are estim-

ated to have split apart 7.4 Myr ago, while species

divergence inside the European and African sub-

clades has been dated 5.7 Myr and 6.0 Myr respect-

ively.

The phylogenetic analysis suggests that the di-

vergence between the eastern and western groups of

Timon was determined by multiple vicariance

events. As remarked by the authors, the same bio-

geographical patterns involving divergence and

vicariance between a western and a eastern Medi-

terranean lineages has been found in other genera of

reptiles and amphibians: among the reptiles, in the

amphisbaenian genus Blanus Wagler, 1830 (the

western B. cinereus (Bedriaga, 1884), B. mettetali

Bons, 1963, B. marine Albert et Fernandez, 2009

and B. tingitanus Busack, 1988 vs. the eastern B.

strauchi (Bedriaga, 1884)) (Vasconcelos et al., 2006;

Albert et al., 2007; Sindaco et al., 2014); among the

amphibians, in Pelobates Wagler, 1830 (the western

P. cultripes (Cuvier, 1 829) and P varaldii Pasteur et

Bons, 1959 vs. the eastern P syriacus Boettger,

1889) (Tarkhnishvili & Gokhelashvili, 1999; Crot-

tini et al., 2010) and Pelodytes Bonaparte, 1838 (the

western P punctatus (Daudin, 1802) and P. ibericus

Sanchez-Herraiz, Barbadillo-Escriva, Machordom

and Sanchiz, 2000 vs. the eastern P. caucasicus

Boulenger, 1896) (Van de Vliet et al., 2012).

In the following steps of their study, Ahmadz-

adeh et al. (2016) used multivariate statistics on

species distribution models to characterize all spe-

cies in terms of their ecological niches. The

authors used the latter term in the sense of the

so-called Grinnellian niche (cf. Grinnell, 1917),

defined by Soberon (2007) as a “ subset [..] of

scenopoetic variable space [average temperature,

precipitation, solar radiation, terrain aspect, etc.]

corresponding to geographic areas defined by

actual or potential properties of [a] species ”,

rather than as Eltonian niche (cf. Elton, 1927;

MacArthur, 1968), measured instead in terms of

biotic interactions and resource-consumer dy-

namics (bionomic variables).

Niche divergence among species was quantified

by Ahmadzadeh et al. (2016) by computing mul-

tivariate niche overlaps via two-dimensional and n-

dimensional approaches. A generally low niche di-

vergence emerged among the members of the

eastern group, contrasting with the remarkable

climatic divergence observed within the western

group. The results suggest an important role of tern-

Alessandro Minelli

perature seasonality in a Mediterranean and Atlantic

climate context and a substantatial degree of niche

conservatism in terms of microhabitats as described

by vegetation cover.

POPULATION CHANGES DURING THE

LAST CENTURY

Against the background of studies such as the

example of Euproctus montanus discussed above,

revealing a phylogeographic structure essentially

frozen for a few million years, it is sensible to close

with an example of the unexpectedly rapid pace at

which the geographical distribution of different

haplotypes can change in vagile organisms as are

the hawkmoths (Sphingidae). The study of Mende

& Hundsdoerfer (2013) on Hyles euphorbiae (Lin-

naeus, 1758) is also an excellent example of the pre-

cious information we can obtain from molecular

studies of museum specimens.

Six distinct mitochondrial lineages are recog-

nized in the Mediterranean region for this group of

large moths. The mitochondrial lineage found

throughout most of Europe ( H . euphorbiae) is also

present on Malta, but is replaced by a different

lineage (informally known as ‘//. italica’’) in South-

ern Italy and Sicily. By analyzing DNA sequences

obtained from museum specimens collected at dif-

ferent times between 1884 and 1986, Mende and

Hundsdoerfer (2013) provided a reconstruction of

the evolution throughout the Twentieth Century of

the mitochondrial demographic structure of the

Hyles euphorbiae complex in Italy and Malta.

At the beginning of the XX century, the European

(//. euphorbiae) lineage coexisted with the southern

(‘//. italica’’) one both in Southern Italy and in Si-

cily. The frequency of the latter lineage, however,

went on increasing; if ca. 120 years ago it was

slightly more abundant there than the H. euphorbiae

lineage, its frequency increased till eventual

fiaxtion in recent years. The current areal disjunc-

tion between//, euphorbiae and ‘//. italica’’ is thus

a very recent pattern, tentatively explained by the

authors as due to genetic drift following anthropo-

genic habitat loss and fragmentation, perhaps in

combination with an impact from recent climate

warming that may have favoured the spreading of

L H. italica ’ populations.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 59-64

Monograph

Identification of emission sources from data of PM 2 5 chemical

speciation measured with automatic monitors: application in

a coastal site of the Mediterranean basin

Ettore Petralia , Massimo Berico, Teresa LaTorretta, Antonella Malaguti, Milena Stracquadanio & ChiaraTelloli

ENEA - Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development; SSPT-MET-INAT At-

mospheric Pollution Laboratory. Centro Ricerche “E. Clementel”, via Martiri di Monte Sole 4 , 40129 Bologna, Italy

’Corresponding author, e-mail: ettore.petralia@enea.it

ABSTRACT High -time resolution (1 hour) measurements of 11 species (organic carbon, elemental carbon,

chloride, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) within

the PM 2 5 were conducted, from 3rd May to 30th June 2010, in a coastal site of Basilicata

(Italy). Acquired data were analysed through Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) method in

order to individuate potential emission sources. This source apportionment evaluation revealed

5 factors separated as Vehicular traffic, Combustion of biomass, Secondary aerosol, Aged

marine, Marine fresh and Dust. For each factor were defined profile, temporal trend, 2411-

cycle and percentage contribution to measured PM 2 5 , also emphasizing the relationship be-

tween factors and different wind conditions.

KEY WORDS Automatic monitors; High-time resolution PM 2 5 measures; Positive Matrix Factorization;

Rural background site; Source apportionment.

Received 14.12.2016; accepted 02.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The study presented here had as its overall ob-

jective the identification of emission sources

(source apportionment) from PM 2 5 chemical spe-

ciation data collected by automatic monitors, and

was conducted at a coastal site within the Mediter-

ranean basin. In particular, attention was focused on

the use of noil-conventional measuring systems

such as automatic monitor, in an intensive monito-

ring campaign with acquisition of high-time reso-

lution data; it was verified the application of

multivariate statistical methods to such resolution

data typology (likely high variability), in order to

detect and identify potential emission sources by a

source apportionment receptor model approach for

a rural background site where the sources are not

particularly evident; finally, it was attempted to

solve the emissive framework using a limited num-

ber of PM 2 5 chemical parameters, as described

below.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study site, localised at the ENEA - Trisaia

Research Centre (Rotondella, Matera), is a coastal

area in Basilicata (Italy), 4 km away from the sea

(Gulf of Taranto) and about 10 km distant from Ap-

pennino Calabro-Lucano (Fig. 1). In relation to the

Ettore Petralia et alii

potential emission sources it is considered as rural

background (according to the criteria in Italian

Deer. Leg. 13 agosto 2010, n. 155) where the main

activities in the area are agriculture and handicraft,

thus missing important punctual emission sources.

The distance from the nearest town of great extent

(Taranto) is 60 km, while the distances from the

nearest towns of medium size are 4 km (Nova Siri

Scalo) and 6 km (Policoro). The distance from the

main roads is around 600-700 meters, with the

presence of a four lane motorway (SS106-Jonica)

and a two lane motorway (SS653-Sinnica).

The weather framework regarding the wind for

the entire sample period shows a prevalent direction

along the NW-SE axis, where to phenomena of

local breeze were alternating continuative perturba-

tion events from NW; in fact more in detail were

differentiated three wind condition periods: in

addition to the local breeze situation, emerged

situations of continuous perturbation from NW,

and situations of local breeze associated with sand

transport.

Instrumental set-up was consisting in a trans-

portable container-laboratory hosting inside an

URG 9000D Ambient Ion Monitor associated with

two ion chromatographs to analyse the major sol-

uble inorganic ions (Cl", NOy, NOy, S0 4 ", Na + ,

NH 4 + , K + , Mg ++ , Ca ++ ), an SUNSET semi-con-

tinuous EC/OC analyzer for organic carbon (OC)

and elemental carbon (EC), a control unit for the

acquisition of weather data.

Other than the facility to work standing-alone

via remote control, additional important advant-

ages of automated sampling and measurement

systems are the reduction or absence of positive

and negative artefacts in the sample (due to the

non-manipulation of specimen, the presence of

denuder that allows the separation of the gas phase

and of the aerosol phase, and the minimum

sampling interval) and a low limit of detection

value, with possibility to reveal even very low

mass concentrations. Finally these tools allow to

perform measurement campaigns for limited

periods with anyhow a consistent number of data

available, sufficient for advanced statistical ana-

lysis such as multivariate techniques through which

is possible the identification and quantification of

the emission sources. On the other hand the high-

time resolution of data from automated monitors

permits to obtain further information on the emis-

sion sources’ activity, for example any possible

variation within the daily cycle.

The sampling periods accounted for 59 days,

from 3rd May to 30th June 2010, with an 1 hour-

time resolution of measures; 11 species (organic

carbon, OC; elemental carbon, EC; chloride, Cl";

nitrite, N0 2 "; nitrate, N0 3 "; sulfate, S0 4 ~~; sodium,

Na+; ammonium, NH 4 + ; potassium, K + ; mag-

nesium, Mg ++ ; calcium, Ca ++ ) within the PM 25

(aero-suspended particles < 2.5pm of diameter)

were measured.

Factorial analysis with PMF (Positive Matrix

Factorization) was applied at the concentration

data; PMF allows to obtain information on the con-

tribution of emission sources in a specific receptor

site without knowing the sources’ emissivity refer-

ence profiles. The solution to the factorial model

Figure 1. Localisation of the sampling site.

ug / m 3

average

std

min

max

1.66

0.55

0.82

2.94

0.42

0.23

0.12

1.04

0.48

0.33

0.03

1.66

NOz'

0.16

0.04

0.06

0.26

NOb'

0.51

0.24

0.20

1.17

sof"

1.90

0.81

0.54

3.78

Na +

0.764

0.151

0.479

1.120

nh 4 +

1.020

0.505

0.148

2.279

K +

0.112

0.049

0.015

0.212

Mg 2 *

0.023

0.017

0.015

0.092

Ca 2+

0.097

0.108

0.015

0.481

Table 1 . Average, standard deviation, minimum and

maximum for each sampled component.

Emission sources from data of PM 25 chemical speciation: application in a coastal site of the Mediterranean basin 61

Na +

jAoAl *

2 +

juuMe^Jk-.

^W*A^s#Jv

NO ' **

VoAvwC^^ |^_

i c n 2-i ««»

j *.

4 .

Ca 2+

_u_

Vv^WwW^

Figure 2. Species’ time series.

Figure 3. Individuated factors through PMF analysis.

with PMF explains the correlation between the vari-

ables observed through their linear combinations

called “factors”, associated to sources, which ori-

ginate from common latent characteristics of the

observed variables. The input model needs certain

defined parameters such as the errors associated

with the individual specimen and the number of

factors in which clustering the experimental data,

corresponding to the theoretically expected sources.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The figure 2 shows sampled species’ time

series, where is noticeable the high variability of

the values along the sampling period and the Table

1 shows a summary of mean, standard deviation,

minimum and maximum for each sampled compon-

ent, highlighting also how low are concentrations.

For the case studied, the PMF analysis permit-

ted to individuate and recognise 5 factors (Fig. 3),

as follows.

The first factor is Vehicular traffic with a high

percentage of EC, N0 2 ‘, N0 3 ', linked to vehicular

exhaust emissions, together with the presence of

Ca ++ related to road resuspension. Another recog-

nized factor was the Combustion of biomass with

high percentage of organic carbon, elemental car-

bon and potassium, all components derived from

combustion processes. A third emission factor has

been identified as Secondary aerosol with preval-

Ettore Petralia et alii

ence (high % contribution) of sulfate and am-

monium as well, so a secondary aerosol present as

ammonium sulfate. Another factor was composed

of Marine fresh aerosol and Dust, with a very high

value of chlorine (which characterize the fresh

marine aerosol component) associated to a high

value of sodium, and the presence of magnesium

and calcium associated to both marine and sand

transport. The fifth factor was the so-called Aged

marine, defined as such because differently than

the fresh marine presents no chlorine (which comes

to be lost rapidly) but only the sodium. This factor

is mixed with a component of anthropogenic

nature, as evidenced by the organic carbon and ni-

trite (both of non-marine origin) probably carried by

the wind at the time of the air masses displacement.

In the Figure 4 are presented for each factor the

time series along the whole sampling period (left)

and the trends within the 24h-cycle (right).

Vehicular traffic presents a bimodal trend

almost coincident with the main hours of moving

vehicles: around 6:00-7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.,

Aged marine

02 - 05-10 12 - 05-10 22 - 05-10 01 - 05-10 11 - 05-10 21 - 05-10 01 - 07 -

Figure 4. Time series and 24h-cycle of each factor.

Emission sources from data of PM 25 chemical speciation: application in a coastal site of the Mediterranean basin 63

OC EC Cl- N02- N03- S04=

Vehicular traffic Combustion of biomass ■ Secondary aerosol ■ Aged marine ■ Marine fresh + Dust

Figure 5. Contribution % of each species to the 5 factors.

when traffic flows are greater, the Vehicular traffic

factor has the highest values. Combustion of bio-

mass, probably connected to agricultural activities

such as stubbles burning, has higher concentrations

during the daytime. Secondary aerosol has daily

changes that can be associated with both photo-

chemical processes and movements of air masses

involving the area. Marine fresh and Aged marine

are obviously influenced by sea-land breezes, so

when the breeze blew from the sea during the day

the highest concentrations of Marine fresh were re-

corded; when the breeze blew from the land, Aged

marine returns as the air masses are beckoned.

Also, as mentioned before, it was made a differ-

entiation into three periods cumulating the days

similar according three main anemological situ-

ations: 24 days combined with aNW perturbation;

16 days combined with situation of local breeze;

19 days combined with local breeze to which is

associated a transport of sand. In the period when

the perturbation comes from NW, so the Tyrrhe-

nian, the wind is stronger, while in situations of

local breeze and sand transport the wind maintains

lower speeds.

What happens to individual sources during vari-

ous anemological typologies. Vehicular traffic as

expected shows bimodal daily trend similar in the

all three periods although concentrations are dif-

ferent; this factor occurs with lowest values through-

out NW perturbation maybe depending from

dispersion and dilution concerns, in consideration

that the height of the mixing layer is greater during

the periods of perturbation. Combustion of biomass

concentrations are lower as well during NW per-

turbations, again probably because of greater dilu-

tion; it shows within the 24h-cycle higher values

more during daytime because of human activity.

Even Secondary aerosol is lower during NW per-

turbation, with an almost constant trend over the

24 hours; therefore this secondary aerosols is likely

associated with a regional background pollution.

Aged marine increases during the NW perturbation

because maybe linked to marine aerosol from the

Tyrrhenian that depletes chlorine during the way;

in this factor are also present components related

to pollution from human activities (eg. OC, N0 2 ')

because they are probably dragged by air masses

passing through the mainland. Marine fresh aerosol

shows higher values during the periods of local

breeze and sand transport for accumulation-dilu-

tion question and with 24h-cycle increasing in day-

time according to sea-land breeze phases.

Then, other data of most interest is the percent-

age contribution of each species to the 5 factors

(Fig. 5) where it is seen that some components enter

more in certain factors rather than in others like for

example the S0 4 " which most enters into Secondary

aerosol, or as the chlorine which enters completely

into Marine fresh; instead other components such

as N0 3 ' are distributed in several factors more or

less abundantly in one rather than in another.

Finally, regarding the contribution of the 5 factors

on the total PM 2 5 detected, it is seen that the main

factor in terms of mass is attributable to Secondary

aerosol with 30%, then follows Combustion of bio-

mass with 22%, then Aged marine with 21%, then

Ettore Petralia et alii

Vehicular traffic

Combustion of

biomass

■ Secondary aerosol

■ Aged marine

■ Marine fresh + Dust

Figure 6. Contribution of the 5 factors

on the total PM2.5 detected.

Marine fresh & Dust with 15%, and finally Vehicu-

lar traffic with 7% (Fig. 6).

CONCLUSIONS

In general the source apportionment techniques,

through multivariate statistical analysis, allow to

have information about air pollution factors that in-

sist on a specific area, with the possibility of differ-

entiating anthropogenic sources and natural

sources, and discriminating primary and secondary

sources. In particular for a rural background site, as

this study case, PMF model leads to the predeter-

mination of factors although the concentrations of

species are highly variable and near to the detection

limit. The use of PMF model is therefore to be con-

sidered a valid basis for the identification of the

most probable emission profiles at a site where the

sources are not particularly evident; hence it be-

comes essential to improve that receptor analysis

with weather studies, in particular anemology and

mixing layer height both locally and regionally. For

certain investigations as our situation is eventually

important rather temporal trends with cycles in the

short and medium term as well as occasional events,

and high-time resolution monitors can provide an

important contribution to the identification of po-

tential emission sources a fortiori in case of limited

number of parameters and limited sampling period.

Essential bibliography is reported below.

REFERENCES

Almeida S.M., Pio C.A., Freitas M.C., Reis M.A. &

Trancoso M.A., 2006. Approaching PM 2 5 and PM 2 5 -

10 source apportionment by mass balance analysis,

principal component analysis and particle size distri-

bution. Science of the Total Environment, 368: 663-

674.

Belis C.A., Larsen B.R., Amato F., El Haddad I., Favez

O., Harrison R.M., Hopke P.K., Nava S., Paatero P.,

Prevot A., Quass U., Vecchi R. & Viana M., 2014.

European Guide on Air Pollution Source Apportion-

ment with Receptor Models. European Commission

- Joint Research Centre Institute for Environment and

Sustainability, http://publications.jrc. ec.europa. eu/

repo sitory/handle/JRC 83309.

Kim E. & Hopke P.K., 2008. Source characterization

of ambient fine particles at multiple sites in the

Seattle area. Atmospheric Environment, 42: 6047-

6056.

Lee E., Chan C.K. & Paatero P., 1999. Application of

positive matrix factorization in source apportionment

of particulate pollutants in Hong Kong. Atmospheric

Environment, 33, 3201-3212.

Malaguti A., Mircea M., La Torretta T.M.G., Telloli C.,

Petralia E., Stracquadanio M. & Berico M., 2015.

Chemical composition of fine and coarse aerosol

particles in the Central Mediterranean area during

dust and non-dust conditions. Aerosol and Air Qual-

ity Research, 15: 410-425.

Malaguti A., Mircea M., La Torretta T.M.G., Telloli C.,

Petralia E,, Stracquadanio M. & Berico M., 2015.

Comparison of Online and Offline Methods for

Measuring Fine Secondary Inorganic Ions and Car-

bonaceous Aerosols in the Central Mediterranean

Area. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 15: 2641-

2653.

Nicolas J.F., Galindo N., Yubero E., Pastor C., Esclapez

R. & Crespo J., 2009. Aerosol inorganic ions in a semi-

arid region on the Southeastern Spanish Mediter-

ranean Coast. Water Air and Soil Pollution 201 : 149—

159, doi:10.1007/sl 1270-008-9934-2.

Norris G., Duvall R., Brown S. & Bai S., 2014. EPAPos-

itive Matrix Factorization (PMF) 5.0 Fundamentals

and User Guide. U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, Office of Research and Development,

Washington, DC 20460.

Paatero R, 2004. User’s guide for positive matrix factor-

ization programs PMF2 and PMF3, Parti: tutorial.

University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Paatero P. & Tapper U., 1994. Positive Matrix Factoriza-

tion: a non-negative factor model with optimal

utilization of error estimates of data values. Environ-

metrics, 5: 111-126.

SPECIEUROPE, European Commission - Joint Research

Centre Institute for Environment and Sustainability.

http://source-apportionment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/. Con-

tacts: Claudio Belis and Denise Pemigotti.

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 65-72

Monograph

Seafood species identification by DNA barcoding, a molecular

tool for food traceability

Venera Ferrito &Anna Maria Pappalardo

Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - Section of Animal Biology “M. La Greca”, University of

Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy; e-mail: vfeiTito@unict.it; pappalam@unict.it

ABSTRACT Traceability contributes to improve food safety giving information on animal species, origin,

authenticity, composition and production system. Species identification is an important step

of seafood traceability and molecular tools have been proved far superior to all other dia-

gnostic methods previously used. The seafood products are particularly affected by commer-

cial frauds based on unintentional or deliberate species substitutions of low value fish species

for high value fish. In this review, we summarize the data concerning the level of fish species

misidentification in processed products in the Italian fish markets and strengthen that DNA

barcoding is an effective molecular tool to track down mislabeling and food frauds. Further-

more, we highlight the COIBar-RFLP (Cytochrome Oxidase I Barcode-Restriction Fragment

Lengh Polymorphism), combining two consolidated techniques (COI barcoding and PCR-

RFLP) in a new molecular strategy as a rapid method for routine screening to detect the

mislabeling of seafood products.

KEY WORDS COIBar-RFLP; DNA Barcoding; Frauds; Seafood products.

Received 12.10.2016; accepted 19.12.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The fish trade globalization and the increased

demand for fishery products, have raised important

concerns about the food authentication due to the

alarming levels of seafood mislabeling worldwide

detected (Garcia- Vazquez et al., 2011; Changizi et

al., 2013; Helyar et al., 2014; Huang et al., 2014;

Armani et al., 2015; Benard-Capelle et al., 2015;

Lamendin et al., 2015). As a result, a high and

growing interest in the origin of seafood products

has been triggered in consumers who demand for

food quality and safety assurance. In this context,

seafood traceability has become very important to

respond to the consumers demand to know what

they eating. According to the European Union (EU)

regulation 178/2002, traceability is the ability to

track any food through all stages of production,

processing and distribution (including importation

and at retail). More specifically, product tracking is

the process that follows the product from upstream

to downstream (from beginning to the end) so that,

at every stage of the process, appropriate traces or

informations can be supplied. Product tracing is the

reverse process of the food supply chain, or a

method in gathering the informations previously re-

leased (Fig. 1). Therefore, traceability contributes

to improve food safety giving information on an-

imal species, origin, authenticity, composition and

production system.

Venera Ferrito & Anna Maria Pappalardo

Focusing on species identification, that is an

important step of seafood traceability, advances in

molecular biology technologies opened new

avenues in the field of food-safety, offering new

analytical controls suitable both to enhance the

food- safety and food-authenticity of foodstuff for

humans and to detect frauds. The reliability and

sensitivity of species authentication through mo-

lecular biology techniques is far superior to all other

diagnostic methods previously used, since it is

based both on the study of genes, from which the

uniqueness that characterizes all living things, and

on stability of DNA to every kind of treatment that

is used in the food processing industry. In particular,

molecular biology tools allowed to exceed the

limits of the morphological approach in species

identification. The morphological identification of

gross anatomical features of the whole fish accord-

ing to dichotomous key proposals by the Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO), has represented,

for example in Italy, the only method used in iden-

tification of fish species as legal standard of value.

However, a growing scientific literature dealing

with seafood products authentication has demon-

strated that the highly automated biomolecular

SEAFOOD PRODUCT

Figure 1. Flowchart of traceability in seafood industry. Ar-

rows indicate product tracking or the process that follows

the product from upstream to downstream (from beginning

to the end).

techniques can greatly improve species identifica-

tion in processed seafood products, especially when

due to the industrial processing, species lose those

morphological characters useful to recognize them.

Multiple marker types (mitochondrial genes, micro-

satellites, SNPs) have been submitted to analytical

methods such as nucleotide sequencing, fragment

analysis and genotyping for species identification

in processed products. Among these molecular

markers, a partial sequence of the mitochondrial

gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) referred to as a

barcode sequence, has been widely used for fish

species identification in transformed fishery

products (Ogden, 2008). The COI DNA barcode has

been validated for forensic species identification

(Dawnay et al., 2007) and is currently being used

to differentiate between animal taxa enabling dis-

crimination for more than 98% of animal species

(e.g., Hebert et al., 2003a, b; 2004; Paquin & Hedin,

2004; Ward et al., 2005; Hajibabaei et al., 2006;

Lefebure et al., 2006). Based on considerations

above, and considering that the new food habits

have led to an increased consumption of fresh or

frozen cuts, processed and ready to eat food,

making species identification very difficult, the

aims of the present review are:

1) to summarize the data concerning the level of

fish species misidentification in processed products

in the Italian fish markets;

2) , to strengthen that DNA barcoding is an ef-

fective molecular tool to track down mislabeling

and food frauds;

3) to recommend the formal adoption of DNA-

based procedures for the establishment of effective

standardized traceability systems by policy govern-

ment.

For these purposes, we will describe first the

DNA barcoding methodology and then we will re-

port on several cases of fish species substitutions.

Finally, we will deal with analytical approaches al-

lowing to improve the rapid identification of spe-

cies in convenience seafood useful for routine

species identification by local authorities.

DISCUSSION

DNA barcoding as a prime tool of species au-

thentication

Over the last decade, DNA barcoding has

Seafood species identification by DNA barcoding, a molecular tool for food traceability

emerged as a universal method to identify living

organism. It is based on the sequencing of a short

and standardized gene region for the recognition

and identification of animal species. However,

DNA barcoding does not seek to throw away the

morphological studies in support of a narrow and

entirely molecular identification system. The

overall purpose is to build an alliance between

molecular and morphological taxonomists for rapid

and unequivocally species identification (Bhat-

tacharya et al., 2015). The quest for a genetic

marker useful to determine unambiguously the spe-

cies is still a matter of debate. Such a genetic

marker should have several features. It should show

high interspecific but low intraspecific variation to

avoid ambiguities in the authentication of species.

From the technical point of view it should be char-

acterized by well-preserved PCR-primer sequences

at the borders, to guarantee PCR amplification

reliable, reproducible, productive and without the

risk of producing false negatives, especially in a

cluster analysis. Tipically, mitochondrial genes are

used for DNA barcoding in animal: the mtDNAhas

a higher rate of mutation compared to the nuclear

genome, is maternally inherited, has a high copy

number, which promotes PCR amplification

(Hebert et al., 2004). The best candidate to this role

has been proposed to be, at least for animals, an

approximately 648 bp region, near the 5’ end of the

mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene,

a highly conserved, bioenergetic gene encoding for

protein subunits of the respiratory chain and is

referred as a “barcode sequence” (e.g. Hebert et al.

2003a, b, 2004; Paquin & Hedin, 2004; Ward et

al., 2005; Pappalardo et al., 2011; Pappalardo &

Ferrito, 2015a, b; Pappalardo et al., 2015). This

gene region generally shows little variation within

species but substantial divergence between species,

allowing for taxa differentiation (e.g. “barcoding

gap”) (Mayer & Paulay, 2005). The Consortium

of Barcode of Life (CBOL) has indicated this

sequence, also know as the “Folmer region”, to be

the reference barcode for animal organisms. Until

now, the adoption of COI as a DNA barcode has

been successful in the species identification and in

the discovery of cryptic species among amphibians

(Vences et al., 2005), ants (Smith et al. 2005), birds

(Hebert et al., 2004), collemboles (Hogg & Hebert,

2004), fishes (Ward et al., 2005), mots and butter-

flies (Ball & Armstrong, 2006; Hajibabaei et al.,

2006) and spiders (Barret & Hebert, 2005). Most of

this studied species (>94%) showed well separated

barcodes, suitable for identification purpose (Ward

et al. 2005; Hajibabaei et al., 2006). Generally, two

approaches have been employed to analyze DNA

barcode sequences and to verify the identity of

unknown samples: a similarity search which is

conducted with the DNA Identification Engine at

BOLD (Barcode of Life Database), based on the

Hidden Markov Model (HMM) algorithm (Eddy,

1998), and BLAST algorithm of GenBanlc (Al-

tschul et al., 1990); and the Neighbour-Joining

(NJ) trees built with a distance-based approach to

illustrate sequence identity based on tree topology.

However, conventional DNA barcoding encounters

a problem: DNA degradation in processed biolo-

gical material often prevents the recovery of PCR

fragments longer than 200 bp, impeding full

barcode recovery (Hajibabaei et al., 2006). Some

authors have proposed the use of a “mini-barcode”

sequence to overcome this problem. The mini-

barcode system dramatically broadens the applica-

tions of DNA barcoding and several authors as

Meusnier et al. (2008) have demonstrated that

shorter barcode sequences (< 150 bp) represent ef-

ficient tags for species identification. According to

Ferri et al. (2015) the power of the DNA barcoding

is to merge in a single approach the moleculariza-

tion of identification process, the standardization of

molecular markers and analytical procedures and

the data computerization of identification results.

Information gathered from DNA barcodes can be

used across many fields of biology, where species

identification play a central role, including ecology,

conservation biology, biosecurity, medicine and

pharmacology (Pecnikar & Buzan, 2014). Further-

more, a relatively recent and important application

aspect of DNA barcoding method concerns the food

safety, since the rapid and accurate species identi-

fication through this promising tool has proved very

useful to detect potentially frauds particularly in

transformed seafood products.

Fish market frauds

In the last ten years, a large number of scientific

reports have highlighted that fraudulent fish species

substitution based on willful or unintentional sub-

stitution of low value fish species for high value

fish, is common in processed products, such as

Venera Ferrito & Anna Maria Pappalardo

fillets and transformed products, due that the mor-

phological identification of the processed species is

very difficult or impossible. More specifically, the

recent literature deals with the proper identification

of species contained in food through the DNA

barcoding methodology (Barcaccia et al., 2015) and

several investigations have been carried out on sea-

food products from various marketed brands and on

samples purchased in fish marketplaces.

The Italian markets have been investigated to

verify the label information of several seafood

products. For example, 69 samples of fresh and

frozen fish fillets obtained from department stores

and fishmongers of four different regions of North-

ern and Central Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Liguria,

Tuscany and Latium) were investigated for label

information trough COI DNA barcoding (Filonzi et

al., 2010). It was shown that the identified species

did not matched with the ones declared on label in

22 samples (32%). The amount of commercial

frauds in the trading of shark slices labeled as

“palombo” in Italian markets, was evaluated by

Barbuto et al. (2010), which highlighted a relevant

economical impact for consumers. Indeed, the re-

cognition of commercialized shark species through

the DNA barcoding approach showed a high

amount of commercial frauds rising the 80% of

analysed “palombo” slices. Studies by Nicole et al.

(2012) used a multi-locus DNA barcoding strategy

for genetic identification of the marine species

present in 37 seafood products (30 fish, 3 crusta-

cean and 4 mollusk samples) some of which were

fresh or frozen skinned fillets, or heat treated or

canned samples. The results of this study showed

that the identified species of five samples (13.5 %)

did not matched the label information and suppor-

ted the use of COI -based identification of fish

sample as an efficient tool for food authentication.

More recently, Cutarelli et al. (2014) ascertained

possible labeling frauds, made substituting value

species with less precious ones, in 58 Italian com-

mercial seafood products from Southern Italy mar-

kets (40 samples were whole fish caught in the

Mediterranean Sea and 18 samples were commer-

cial fish products). No mislabeling was found for

the whole fish sample, while two important frauds

were detected in transformed products (11.1%): in

a sample sold as cod fillets in butter, the species

Gadus macrocephalus Tilesius, 1810 (Gadiformes

Gadidae) and G. morhua Linnaeus, 1758 were sub-

stituted by the less valuable species Pollachins

virens (Linnaeus, 1758), and in a sample sold as

frozen grouper fillets that were made of halibut,

Reinhardtius hippo glossoides (Walbaum, 1792)

(Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae), instead of

grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834)

(Percifonnes Serranidae). A 56.6% of mislabeling

(17 products out of 30) was reported by Tantillo et

al. (2015) for Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus,

1758) (Gadiformes Merlucciidae) or European hake

fillet in Southern Italy (Apulia), while only 5% of

mislabeling (6 sample on 120) was detected by Di

Pinto et al. (2016) in the same region (Apulia) in

packaged frozen fishery products sold as breaded

hake cutlets, croquettes and sticks, and breaded

plaice fillets in market, supermarket and hypermar-

ket chains. However, it would be noted that none of

the products analyzed by Di Pinto et al. (2016)

declared the presence of M. merluccius on the label,

suggesting that the substitution of the European

hake, when it occurs, is deliberate (Ferrito et al.

2016). The screening of forty fresh and frozen fillet

samples labeled as European plaice, Pleuronectes

platessa Linnaeus, 1758 (Pleuronectiformes Pleur-

onectidae) and common sole, Solea solea (Lin-

naeus, 1758) (Pleuronectiformes Soleidae) ran-

domly purchased at several supermarkets in Sicily

and Calabria, allowed to detect mislabeled products

both for European plaice (35 % of the cases) and

common sole (41 % of the cases). Pleuronectes

platessa was replaced by Platichthys jlesus (Lin-

naeus, 1758) (Pleuronectiformes Pleuronectidae),

Limanda limanda (Linnaeus, 1758) and the river

fish Pangasius hypophtalmus (Sauvage, 1878)

(Siluriformes Pangasiidae); Solea solea was re-

placed by Arnoglossus laterna (Walbaum, 1792)

(Pleuronectiformes Bothidae) (Pappalardo & Fer-

rito, 2015a).

Toward a common strategy for a rapid iden-

tification of fish species: the COIBar-RFLP

Recently, two consolidated methods including

COI barcoding and PCR-RFLP were combined in

a new molecular strategy (COIBar-RFLP, Cyto-

chrome Oxidase I Barcode-Restriction Fragment

Lengh Polymorphism) for fish species identifica-

tion in processed seafood products (Pappalardo &

Ferrito, 2015b; Ferrito et al., 2016) (Fig. 2). The aim

was to perform a rapid and easy molecular approach

Seafood species identification by DNA barcoding, a molecular tool for food traceability

Total DNA

s p 2 Extraction

COIBar-RFLP

Spl Sp2 Sp3 VI

$00 1 )|»

100 lift

COI

COI Barcode

PCR amplification

Electrophoresis

Restriction

digest

Different sizes of

fragments

Figure 2. Diagram summarizing the steps of the DNA barcoding method (above) and of the RFLP

(Random fragment Length Polymorphism) method (below) combined in the COIBar-RFLP strategy.

by using the conventional DNA barcoding and a

traditional PCR-restriction fragment length poly-

morphism method to unveil potential mislabeling

commercial frauds. Emerging molecular techniques

have recently been used for seafood fish species

identification, but most of them are currently only

available for use by specialists in specially-

equipped laboratories and they include very expens-

ive methods such as real-time PCR, microarray

technology, and next-generation sequencing (NGS)

(e.g. Balitzki-Korte et al., 2005; Kochzius et al.,

2008; Teletchea et al., 2008; Heiberg & Morrissey,

2011; Pascoal et al., 2012; Chuang et al., 2012; Li

et al. 2013; Prado et al., 2013). On the other hand,

PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism

(PCR-RFLP) has proven to be a practical, simple

and rapid technique (Partis et al., 2000) and a high

level of expertise in molecular genetics is not ne-

cessary for interpreting results obtained on agarose

gels. In RFLP analysis, the DNA is cutted into frag-

ments by restriction enzymes and the resulting re-

striction fragments are separated according to their

lengths by gel electrophoresis. Therefore, PCR-

RFLP may be considered a suitable technique for

routine species identification in processed fishery

products, showing excellent potential even in the

case of mixtures of species (Rea et al., 2009).

The COIBar-RFLP analysis was applied to in-

vestigate labeling accuracy in processed anchovy

products to unveil putative fish fraud involving the

replacement of the European anchovy, Engraulis

encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758), with less valuable

Engraulidae and Clupeidae species (Pappalardo

& Ferrito, 2015b). Four different species, E. en-

crasicolus, E. japonicus (Temminck et Schlegel,

1846), Sardinella aurita Valenciennes, 1847 and

Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792), were found in

the processed products labeled as European an-

chovy and the COIBar-RFLP yielded differential

patterns of Mbol restriction sites allowing the

unambiguous discrimination of European anchovy

from the other species. The COIBar-RFLP was also

performed for white fish authentication in conveni-

ence seafood (Ferrito et al., 2016). In conflict with

the Italian Ministerial Decree (MD) of January, 31,

2008 stating that fish products labeled as hake must

Venera Ferrito & Anna Maria Pappalardo

contain only the species M. merluccius, four

species, Gadus chalcogrammus Pallas, 1814, M.

merluccius , M. productus (Ayres, 1855) and M. pa-

radoxus Franca, 1960, were found in 30% of

products (frozen breaded steaks and fish fingers)

collected from Southern Italy markets and labeled

as hake. The restriction enzyme Hinfl yielded dif-

ferential digestion patterns suitable to discriminate

the four species and to unveil inconsistencies

between product labels and genetic species identi-

fication.

CONCLUSIONS

Mislabeling detected through molecular tools

has been reported for seafood products worldwide

(e.g. Garcia- Vasquez et al., 2011, Chanzigi et al.,

2013, Galal-Kallaf et al., 2014, Benard-Capelle et

al., 2015, Carvalho et al., 2015, Cawthorn et al.

2015, Lamendin et al., 2015). In particular, COI

DNA barcoding has been adopted by the United

States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the

primary method of regulatory control of seafood

products in the United States (Handy et al., 2011);

by the governmental Brazilian Consumers Protec-

tion Agency for application of financial penalties,

due to detection of mislabeling and species substi-

tution in seafood products (Carvalho et al., 2015);

and in Canada, which is in the process of incor-

porating DNA barcoding into its regulatory frame-

work for fish species authentication (Clark, 2015).

The incorporation of DNA barcoding methods of

identification for law enforcement in the Italian

food control system, although inevitable in the fu-

ture, today remains a challenge (Ferrito et al.,

2016). We hope for the formal adoption of DNA-

based procedures for the establishment of effective

standardized traceability systems in Italy, and in this

context we encourage local authorities to carry out

pilot projects on the effectiveness of traceability

molecular tools such as COIBar-RFLP for routine

screening to detect the mislabeling of seafood

products.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 73-78

Monograph

Survey on the presence of phlebotominae sandflies in eastern

Sicily and connected risk of leishmaniasis

Oscar Lisi, Valerio Vaccalluzzo &Vera D’Urso

Department of Biolog ical. Geolog ical and Environmental Sciences - Sect ion of Animal Biology, University of Catania, via Androne

8 1 - 95 1 24 Catania, Italy

Corresponding author, e-mail: olisi@ unict.it

ABSTRACT The authors summarize the results of all the searches for phlebotomes in eastern Sicily, in-

cluding the connected risk for humans and dogs to contract leishmaniasis, and point out the

current situation with new risks, and the main goals for present and future research.

KEY WORDS Phlebotomes; PhlebotOUUlS SergentU Leishmonia tropica-, leishmaniasis; Eastern Sicily.

Received 06.09.2016; accepted 30.11.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

Sicily is a region in which sandflies are much

widespread and leishmaniasis is endemic, falling

into the sm all group of Italian regions with highest

values of incidence of the disease; this is always due

to Leishmania infantum n ico lie, 1908 (Trypanoso-

matida Trypanosomatidae), responsible for all kinds

of leishmaniasis, both human and canine, its main

vector is PhlebotoniUS perniciosus News te ad, 1911

(Diptera Psychodidae), present in all environments,

followed by P. peifiliewi P arro t, 1930, whose role

as vector is practically limited to rural environments

with sufficient presence of farm animals. Two

forms of human leishmaniasis are known in Italy;

visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a very serious illness

which invariably requires hospitalization; from

about 10 to more than 40 new cases/year in Sicily

are reported to the Ministry of Health. Cutaneous

leishmaniasis (CL) does not require hospitalization

and always has benign esit, therefore it is often non-

denoun ced or even non - recognised (Gradoni,

2013); for this reasons, though the number of new

cases/year recorded is more or less similar to VL,

it is believed that the real incidence is far higher.

Among the possible factors determining such a

stable situation of the disease, well rooted in the

territory, one can record the very high number of

infected dogs, constituting the parasite reservoir, the

increasing number of persons with immunodefi-

ciency and of travellers and migrants accross the

Mediterranean, and the effects of global warming,

which have had a positive influence on the vectors’

survaillance and distribution.

STATE OF ART

The first study on phlebotomes in S icily was due

to Adler & Theodor (1931), who carried out a very

important pioneering investigation on several foci

ofleishmaniasis in the Mediterranean, including the

town of Catania, in which they found P. peVYli-

ciosus, P. neglectus To n n o ir, 19 2 1 , P. sergenti P arro t,

19 17, P papatasi Scopoii, 1 7 8 6 and Sergentomyia

minutd (Rondani, 1843). They concluded that the

main vector had to be P. peVYlicioSUS and observed

that the distribution of the disease and the vector

Oscar LIsi etalii

were rather inhomogeneous in the town, anyway

with more incidence in the periphery than the centre

of the town.

Unfortunately, the results of their research, espe-

cially as regards the phlebotome species composi-

tion, were misrepresented by the fact that the

authors based their search for phlebotomes mostly

inside sick person’s houses, without taking into

appropriate consideration the environments of adult

emerging and daytime shelter of these insects out

of houses.

Biocca et al. (1977) reported the results of their

collections in many sites all over Italy, with a few

data also on Sicily. Among the others, they found

P. perniciosus ( 3 0 . 6 % of the specimens), P. per-

filiewi (20.0%), and, only in Sicily, P. Sergenti

(0.1%). They confirmed P. pemicWSUS as the main

vector of leishm aniasis in Italy and noticed its eco-

logical plasticity, finding it in various habitats and

from 0 to 1000 m a.s.l.. They reported P. perfiliewi

in Sicily as vector for CL. They also found the very

common and abundant species S. WlinutCl (4 7.8% ) ,

which however stings mostly anphibians and rep-

tiles and is not involved in the transmission of

Leishmania Borovsky 1898 (Ross 1903) for hu-

mans or dogs.

After 70 years from Adler’s and Theodor’s in-

vestigation, finally the attention focused again on

Sicily, thanks to Ruta et al., 2002, who carried

out a research in the hinterlands of Catania and

Siracusa; they collected more than 2000 specimens,

and found collectively P. peVYlitioSUS (50.4%), P.

neglectus ( o . 3 % ) , P. papatasi ( o .2 % ) , P. sergenti

(0.3%) and S. ntinutCl (48.8%); however, it must be

stressed that in a site they found about 90% of P.

pernidoSUS. The authors observed a flight season

from May to, in some sites, November (October in

others), and reported two generations during the

flight season, with just a very slight sign of a third

generation in the sites with the longest flight season,

immediately stopped by the incoming of the cold

season .

They stated that temperature and photoperiod

proved to be important to determine start and end

of the flight season, while during it humidity proved

to be the most impo rt ant factor which allowed sand-

flies survival. That a parameter proved to influence

the more or less presence of PhlebotOinUS Loew

1845 species with respect to SergentOinyici F rang a

et Par rot, 1920, the formerbeing more linked to hu-

midity, the latter more resistant to aridity.

Last but not least, the authors remarked on the

fact that the risk of transmission of leishmaniasis

is not constant during the whole flight season, it

becoming noticeable later than the appearance of

adults (for the fact that they need first to get contact

with infected hosts), and the risk becomes max-

imum in correspondence with the two peaks of

phlebotome density during the season. The authors

found more phlebotomes close to the coast then in

inland, thus determining a different risk.

D’Urso et al. (2002) performed a research in

Catania, Siracusa and Ragusa provinces during the

triennial 1997-99, collecting more than 10,000 spe-

cimens. They found, collectively: S. ininutCL

(63.6 %), P. perniciosus ( 3 4 . i % ) , P. sergenti ( l . i % )

and lastly, P. neglectus , P. papatasi and P perfiliewi

(<1%). Though not very high percentage, they

found more frequently P. sergenti than in the pre-

vious searches, and the authors remarked on the fact

that this species, though not in Italy, transmits L.

tropica in other M editerranean countries.

The authors did not find noticeable differences

in sandflies abundance and species composition

linked to different altitudes and distance from the

coast, pointing out the role of the specific kind of

environment (e.g. more or less anthropized, with

different humidity and vegetation, with a different

presence of animals). They find on average a dif-

ference between the Aetnean area and the Hyblean

one, the former being more anthropized and humid

with a higher sandfly biodiversity and an important

presence of P. pemicWSUS, P. Sergenti and P. neg-

lectus, the latter more rural and dry, dominated

essentially by S. Itlinutd, therefore with lower risk

of leishm aniasis.

The presence of P. Sergenti in Sicily, induced

D’Urso et al. (2004) to focus on this species, ana-

lyzing collections in the triennial 1 997-99 in one

collecting site at the foot of Etna, and another in the

Hyblean area. In the former site the authors found

77.7% of P. perniciosus and 2.0% of P. sergenti ,

while in the latter, apart from a great deal of speci-

mens of S. minuta, P. perniciosus was only 14.4%

and f! sergenti less than 0.02%. The authors pointed

out that P. Sergenti is associated with domestic

environments in urban and periurban areas between

0 and 750 m a.s.l. but were not able to comment on

a possible role in transmission o f leish m an iasis due

to the low density found in the studied sites. In any

case it is worth to mention that gradually, a scenario

was coming out, in which this species was not

Survey on the presence of phlebotominae sandflies in eastern Sicily and connected risk of leishmaniasis

7 5

always so rare as had resulted from the oldest

searches.

Another research focusing on P Sergenti was

due to Maroli et al. (2006), and was practically the

continuation of the previous mentioned (D’Urso et

al., 2004), which allowed the authors to find an

Etnean site in which P. sergenti w as the dominant

species (about 54%). Maroli et al. (2006) sampled

in the flight seasons 2004 and 2005 finding that this

species had a shorter flight season than P. pemi-

CIOSUS, with only one main density peak (i.e. one

main generation of adults). They also tested fern ales

w ith blood m eal, finding that P. Sergenti fed m ostly

on dogs (77.8%), far less on avia ns (8.3%) and only

little on humans (2.8%), while P. pCTYlicioSUS only

on dogs (60.0%) and humans (13.3%); however, it

must be stressed that in spite of possible prefer-

ences, phlebotomes are oportunistic feeders which

take their blood meal on the animals more at hand.

Maroli et al. (2005) carried out a research on

phlebotome ecology, sampling in 18 sites in various

parts of Sicily during 2004 flight season. Among

the various environments chosen for putting the

traps, they can be recorded: farms with various

livestock, chicken pens and wall crevices. They col-

lected a total of 882 1 specimens mostly belonging

to S. minuta (69.9%), while among the Phlebot-

OtnUS species the proportions were: P. pemicioSUS

(52.9%), P. perfiliewi Parrot, 1930 (46.5%), P. ne-

glectus (0.5% ), P. sergenti (o.i%) and P. papatasi

(0.03%). The authors pointed out that the two pro-

ven vectors of Leishmanici infantum, P. perniciosus

and P. perfiliewi, were abundant, the former more

present in domestic environments, the latter more

linked to farm animals (chickens excluded).

Finally, our research group decided to go on

with the studies and see what had happened to the

phlebotomes in the town of Catania after more than

70 years of urbanistic and sanitary progress, with a

series of searches, started with a big monitoring in

5 1 sampling sites distributed in the urban tissue, in

2006 flight season. A good 45 sites resulted positive

for phlebotomes, collecting a total of 434 1 speci-

mens, belonging to six species, one of which, P.

masdttii Grassi, 1908, was new for Sicily. With

respect to Adler & Theodor (1931) investigation,

the presence of phlebotomes in the town had not

only kept more than sufficient for the illnes’ main-

tenance and propagation, but, differently from

Adler’s and Theodor’s results, the sandflies, and in

particular P. pernicioSUS, turned out to be abundant

also in the centre of the town. Besides, with respect

to recent investigations in Sicily (e.g. Ruta et al.,

2002), it was observed in some sites a very long

flight season: from May to December, with a clear,

though lower, third peak in phlebotome density,

which means a third generation (D’Urso et al.,

2008a, 2009).

In some collecting sites, also P. Sergenti was

abundant: itwas found to be up to 45.5% of the spe-

cimens, which was the highest percent ratio ever

re corded in Sicily (D’Urso et al., 2008b).

Those results induced our research group, in

collaboration with a group of colleagues from the

“Istituto Superiore di Sanita” (Rome), to make

additional investigations in 2008, 20 1 2 and 2013,

both in the most interesting sites of Catania, and in

several A etnean sites, integrating the research also

with immunological, molecular and cultural tech-

niques in order to analyze females of PhlebotomuS

searching for viruses and Leishmania, and about the

latter we found that 11% of the investigated females

of P. pernicioSUS were positive for genomic Leish-

mania DNA (Lisi et al., 2 0 1 4); unfortunately it was

not possible to determine the species; according to

the current know ledge it should be L. infantum, but

the aim of the investigation was also to check if

some exotic Leishmania species had been able to

reach Sicily and set itself up there, idea justified for

several reasons, as it is discussed in the following

paragraph.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

A s it can be seen, the searches of the last decade

have drawn a scenario about the presence of phle-

botomes in eastern Sicily, that fully justifies the pres-

ence of the illness as endemic, maintained by these

insects as vectors, and by the huge number of in-

fected dogs, as reservoir, with the problem of the

stray, very numerous and practically out of control.

About the vectors, by comparing the results of

the researches of the last ten years, with those of the

older ones, it seems that phlebotome flight season

has prolonged, and perhaps the species composition

of several environments, especially urban, changed,

in favour of a more efficient maintainance and

propagation of the disease; all this is very probably

due to global w arm ing, which seems to have determ -

Oscar LIsi etalii

Messina

• Palermo

• Trapani

Taormina

• Enna

Caltanissetta *

* Aohiqentd

Catania

Siracusa

* Ragusa

Figure 1. Distribution of PhlebotomUS Sergenti in Sicily according to the literature.

ined the prolongation of the flight season, and, sup-

posedly (the avalaible data are still insufficient to state

this with certainty), changes in species composition

of some environments, especially the urban, and the

general abundance of these insects. Global warming

is a process still in act, thus rendering the situation

dynamic, and therefore in need to be monitored.

Another very important aspect to which to pay

careful attention, is the possibility for some exotic

Leishmania to reach Sicily and set itself up there

finding a species of phlebotome (competent or not

for “our” L. infantum) suitable as a vector. The

island lies in the main immigration route of the

“Mediterranean boat people”, migrants who fled

African and Middle East countries, most of which

are endem ic for L. tropica, because of civil conflicts

and/or poverty. Moreover, Catania is located close

to the Sigonella NATO military base, where every

year soldiers from all over the world (including L.

tropica. W rig h t, 1903 - endem ic M id die East coun-

tries) pass through. It is therefore not unlikely that

in div id u al in fee ted w ith L. tropica may reach S icily

(this, actually, has already happened), where the

presence of P. SCFgenti, the proven vector of L.

tropica in the countries in which the parasite is

endemic, constitutes a high potential risk for intro-

duction of the exotic parasite with the illness it

causes. Rioux (2001) demons trated thatpopulations

of P. Sergenti from Morocco are highly subjected to

get infected by L. tropica, and Depaquit et al.

(2002), while studying the intraspecific variability

of different populations of P. SCrgenti, found out

that Sicilian and Moroccan populations are “sister

groups”, thus arising the suspect that Sicilian P.

Sergenti might be as easily infected by L. tropica as

the M oroccan .

In Italy the distribution of P. Sergenti seems to

be limited to the East coast of Sicily (Fig. 1), but

while in the close past it was known only from few

Aetnean sites (Adler & Theodor, 1931; Biocca et

Survey on the presence of phlebotominae sandflies in eastern Sicily and connected risk of leishmaniasis

al., 1977), it then proved to be more spread along

the coast not only in the Aetnean territory, but also

in the Hyblean area (D’Urso et al., 2002, 2004;

Maroli et al., 2006); there fore, with mo re in v e s tig -

ations, it is possible that it will be found in other

areas, at least on the island; on the other hand, even

if the species were really today present only in east-

ern Sicily, it is not possible to exclude a coloniza-

tion of the rest of the island, and of southern Italy.

Besides, though less probable, it cannot be ex-

cluded that also other species of Leishmania may

reach Italy finding a phlebotome species capable to

establish a local cycle spreading the parasite. Today,

we “only” know that cases of foreigners affected by

exotic Leishmania species have already been repor-

ted: not only the above mentioned L. tropica but

also L. tnCljor from Africa and Middle East, and L.

braziliensis e L. panamenisis from South America.

Unfortunately, neither the clinical observation of

the patient nor the morpho logical observation of the

parasite under a microscope allow to identify the

Leishmania species, thus increasing the above men-

tioned risks since an exotic Leishmania m ight be at

first mi s taken with the local L. infantum and a cor-

rect identification might take place much later,

when the exotic parasite has already spread.

To conclude, it is necessary to keep on monitor-

ing and investigating to complete the picture of the

distribution and bio-ecology of the PhlebotomuS

species, especially P. Sergenti, and ensure that L.

tropica, as well as any other exotic Leishmania, has

not already started to set itself up in Sicily; in the

meantime, it would be much helpful if a better

sanitary control of stray dogs and immigrants might

be achieved .

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 79-86

Monograph

Preliminary observations on the use of drones in the environ-

mental monitoring and in the management of protected

areas. The case study of “R.N.O. Vendicari”, Syracuse (Italy)

Giorgio Sabella 1 *, Fabio Massimo Viglianisi 1 , Sergio Rotondi 1 & Filadelfo Brogna 2

DepartmentofBiological, Geological and Environ mental Science, Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, via Androne

81, 95124 Catania, Italy; e-mail: sabellag@unict.it; fabiovgl@unict.it; sergiorotondi@hotmail.it

2 Regional Department of Rural and Territorial Development. Service Office forthe Territory of Syracuse, Italy; e-mail: fbrogna@

regione.sicilia.it

Corresponding author

ABSTRACT The possible utilization ofUAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), also called drones, as means

for the environmental monitoring and the management of protected areas has been investig-

ated. The study was carried out in “R.N.O. Vendicari”, Syracuse (Sicily, Italy) in relation to

the problems of the fruition's management of the protected area. Some operational proposals

on the use of drones for these aims are suggested and the preliminary results are presented.

KEY WORDS UAS; Sicily; Protected areas; Environmental monitoring; Management; Drone.

Received 21.06.2016; accepted 01.10.2 0 16; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy )

INTRODUCTION

The study of ecology, especially environmental

monitoring, has benefited, since the 60s of last cen-

tury, of the latest technologies and of the technical

innovations openig up new possibilities in many

theoretical and applied branches of the natural

sciences. Since the 80s of last century, a further con-

tribution to research in this field has been made with

the use of two new technologies: the GPS (Global

Positioning System) and the GIS (Geographical

Information System).

In the last decade even the use of Unmanned

Aircraft Systems (UAS) seem to have had the same

kind of impact in the scientific and applied areas

(Anderson & Gaston,2013;Chabot& Bird,2015).

The use of drones has strongly increased due to

their ease of use and the lowering of the costs of

these remotely piloted aircrafts. On board they can,

carry small computers, cam eras and various sensors.

These can be easily used by n o n - sp e c ia lis ts , who

can then use them in many work activities to collect

data by multiparameter sensors (Thamm & Judex,

2006). In general, the use of these resources has

helped in increasing, as never before, the acquisi-

tion of both qualitative and quantitative environ-

mental and spatial data (M arris, 2013).Applications

to this data can be broadly divided into two cat-

egories: research applications and direct conserva-

tion applications (Sandbrook, 2015).

Apart from the research applications, also the

control of the risk areas or of protected ones, will

certainly benefit from the use of these unmanned

aircraft system s, supporting operators and ensuring

that the management and m onitoring of these areas

are more reliable convenient and accurate (Kramer

Giorgio Sabella etalii

& Thamm, 2006; Kohl & Wich, 2012). This is part

of the ongoing relationship between the effort to

safeguard protected areas and their fruition (West

et al., 2006).

The extension of the R.N.O. “Oasi faunistica di

Vendicari” (Southern Eastern Sicily) and its critic-

ality along with the continued reduction of the

supervisory staff, make it difficult to continously

monitor. The aim of this paper is to determine

whetherthe use ofUAS could make the monitoring

and the control of this area easier by reducing costs

and at the same time ensuring that the interventions

of the teams on the ground are more efficient.

In this work we use the word drone or UAS for

all types of aircrafts without an on board pilot,

although in the literature these vehicles are often

classified and designated by various other names

(Anderson & Gaston, 2013).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study area and management issues

The Oriented Natural Reserve “R.N.O. Oasi

faunistica di Vendicari”, instituted by D. A. 14

March 1984 in accordance with L. R. 98/81, is

located in the southeastofSicily, between No to and

Pachino in the province of Syracuse, and occupies

an area of about 1,517 hectares (Fig. 1). Its peri-

meter is included in those of the ZPS ITA 090029 -

Pantani della Sicilia su d -o rien ta le , and of the SIC

and ZPS ITA09002 - Vendicari, instituted in accord-

ance with Directive 1 992/43/EEC and with Direct-

ive 2009/147 /EC. The reserve is also included

within the area identified by IB A (International

Bird Areas) criteria cod. IB A 1 998-2000: IT167

“Pantani di Vendicari e di Capo Passero”, and in the

Ramsar area “3IT043 Vendicari”, in accordance

with D.P.R. 448 of 13 March 1 976, because it is

recognized as a key area for the resting and the

migration of migratory birds.

The reserve is a coastal area of great natural and

landscape value, characterized by high plant and

animal biodiversity thanks to the variety of habitats

(rocky and sandy coasts, brackish and freshwater

swamps, salt marshes, M editerranean scrub, scrub-

land and cultivated areas), due to the presence of

various types of substrates, as well as edaphic and

hydrogeological relationships. This did not prevent

Figure 1. Geographical framing, maps and logos of

The Oriented Nature Reserve “R.N.O. Faunistic oasis of

Vendicari”, Syracuse (Sicily, Italy).

Use of the drone in the environmental monitoring and in the management of protected areas,“R.N.O.Vendicari”, (Italy) 8 l

about half of the reserve’s territory to be used for

agricultural activities (AA.VV., 1991).

The overall climate is rather dry, characterized

by mild winters with little rainfall and hot, dry sum-

mers. Average annual rainfall does not reach 400

mm per year, with a maximum ofjust over 60 mm

in October, December and January, and values close

to zero in the summer months (June to August). The

average annual temperature is 18.2 °C . The coldest

months are January and February with a monthly

average of 11.9 °C . Quite high temperatures are

reached in July and August with average monthly

respectively being 25.3 °C and 26.2 °C (AA.VV.,

1991). The reserve falls within the lower dry ther-

momediterranean bioclimatic belt(Scelsi& Sparnp-

in a to , 1 9 9 8).

The management plan of “Pantani della Sicilia

sudorientale” (2009), approved under the condition

with D .D .G . 673/2009 of Regional C ouncillorship

of Land and Environment, highlights several critical

aspects of the R.N.O. mainly related to agricultural

activities, but also to the high hum an pressure linked

to its touristic fruition, especially in the summer

months; during just 2014 an estimate of, by defect,

more than 1 20,000 visitors visited the beaches of

Vendicari (Iuvara, 20 15). The dam ages caused to the

protected areas by an excessive fruition have already

been studied and documented (Muhar et al., 2002).

Technical characteristics of the utilized ma-

terials

The drone used is the Phantom 3 Professional

(Fig. 2). The technical characteristics of the drone

and its equipment are summarized in Table 1.

Regulatory information on U AS flights

The only current regu latio n for U AS flig h ts is th e

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulation of ENAC

(C ivil Aviation Authority) (2nd edition published in

16 July 2015 and updated in 21 December 2015).

There are several types of the UAS and there are

different classifications in which they are grouped

per weight, range, use, etc. (see Anderson &

Gaston, 2013 for a review). Among the different

UAS types,the two most common are those weigh-

ing less than 300 grams and 2 kg. The lightest

models (weighing less than 300 g) are characterized

by low flight range (under 10 minutes) combined

Figure 2. The Phantom 3 Professional built by DJI.

with lower quality of photographs. For this reason

we have chosen to operate the flights using a drone

belonging to the second category (whose operations

are regulated by art. 12 of ENAC Regulation): the

model Phantom 3 Pro. This has an upper flight

range of up to 20 minutes and is equipped with a

camera with 4k resolution, which has a high level

of image definition. These characteristics make it

appropriate for the purposes of the present study.

For whichever flight scenario, it is mandatory

that the driver is recognized by ENAC (art. 21)

through the adequate certification. The drone must

also be in sured .

Based on the experience and on the fact that the

ENAC regulations are constantly evolving and clear

guidelines have yet to be enacted, we propose the

following methodological process consisting of a

series of good practices to be followed in the case

of any flight plan processing:

Download from the Aviation website (www.

aeronautica.difesa.it) the updated version of the

Italian Aviation Map (CAI) in which the obstacles

to the flight and the zone types to air controlled

traffic (VFR Visual Flight Rules) are shown.

Identify the flight area and take action based on

the type of the overfly zone. The prohibited air-

spaces, according to paragraph 4 of the article 24

of the ENAC Regulation, are those within the ATZ

(Aerodrome Traffic Zone) of an airport, or located

at a distance of less than 5 km from an airport and

those within the active regulated areas and the

prohibited areas. In the latter all protected areas are

included and so it is to necessary to request the prior

authorization of the Managing Authority. When

Giorgio Sabella etalii

obtained this authorization must also be requested

from the ENAC Authority (article 24, paragraph 6

of EN AC Regulation).

The visual flight (Visual Line of Sight or VLOS)

must always be performed by a pilot with Attesta-

tion of Pilot of UAS (article 21, paragraph 1 of

ENAC Regulation) and with a medical certification

of class II issued by the standards relating to the li-

cense LAPL (Light A ircraft Pilots Licence) (article

21, paragraph 2 of ENAC Regulation). The pilot

must be accompanied by a qualified observer (art-

icle 5 of ENAC Regulation).

Aircraft: technical specification

Weight (in eluding battery and propellers

1280 g

Diagonal size (including propellers)

590 mm

Mas Ascent Speed

5 m/s

Max Descent Speed

3 m/s

Hover Accuracy

Vertical: +/- 0. 1 m (when Vision Positioning is active) or +/- 0.5

m; Horizontal: +/- 1.5 m

Max Speed

16 m/s (ATTI mode, no wind )

Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level

6000 m (Default altitude limit: 1 20 m above takeoff point)

Operating Temperature

0°C to 40° C

G PS Mode

GPS/GLONASS

Camera: technical specification

Sensor

Sony EXMOR 1/2.3” Effective pixels: 12.4 M (total pixels:

12.76M)

Lens

FOV 94° 20 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.8, focus at 8

ISO Range

100-3200 (video) 100-1600 (photo)

Shutter Speed

8s -1 /8000s

Image Max Size

4000 x 3000

Still Photography Modes

Single Shot; Burst Shooting: 3/5/7 shots: Auto Exposure

Bracketing (AEB): 3/5: Bracketed Frames at 0.7EV Bias; Time-

lapse.

Video Recording Modes

UriD: 4096x2 I60p 24/25, 3840x2 160p 24/25/30; Ft ID:

1 920x 1 08 Op 24/25/30/48/50/60; H D: 1 280x720p

24/2 5/ 3 0/48/ 50/60 ; 2 .7K : 2704 x!520p 24/25/30 (29.97)

Remote Controller and APP: technical specification

Operating Frequency

2.400 GHz-2.483 GHz

Max Distance

Up to 5 km or 3.1 miles (unobstructed, free of interference)

Mobile App

DJI GO

Latency

220ms (depending on conditions and mobile device)

Required Operating Systems

iOS 8.0 or later; Android 4, 1 .2 or later

Table 1. Technical sped fi cation of: Aircarft, Camera and Remote con tr oiler of Drone used.

Use of the drone in the environmental monitoring and in the management of protected areas, “R.N.O.Vendicari”, (Italy) 8 3

Perform a pre-flight checklist, which includes:

checking weather and of environmental conditions;

evaluting flight risks (obstacles, buildings, towers,

high tension cables, etc.); checking of integrity and

efficiency of the drone.

Informations on operated flights

The flights are performed according to the re-

quirements of the ENAC Regulation respecting the

condition laid down for flight in VLOS, according

to article 24, paragraph 2 (maximum height 150 m

and ray of maximum distance from operator of 500

m) and also according to article 27 paragraph 2

(Horizontal safety distance of at least 150 m from

the groups of people, and at least 50 m from indi-

viduals).

The experience was carried out during the first

decade of August 2015, from 10.00 to 11.00 a. m.,

the climatic and weather conditions optimal, wind

speeds below 1 0 kph, tem perature 3 1 °C,Magnetic

Storm 3Kp.

Using as a starting point the Marianelli houses

of the Regional Azienda of the State Forests (Fig.

3), which is located roughly in the centre of the re-

serve, two flight plans were scheduled.

The two flights were scheduled for control of

the north side and the south side of the reserve and

for the overfly of some fixed points allowing to

monitor the access roads and check for unauthor-

ized access to the reserve beaches. Moreover, it was

possible to verify the number of bathers and mon-

itor any behaviour prohibited by the Regulation of

the reserve in the Calamosche (Fig. 4) and Eloro

beaches (Fig. 5).

Operatively, in the two flights the drone re-

mained at a maximum height of 70 m and at a 150

m distance from people for privacy and security

reasons.

The first flight (Fig. 6) flew over the south and

the southeast zones of the reserve and lasted about

18 minutes, covering a linear pa th of approximately

4,600 m. with relative displacement of the operator

to ensure that the aircraft was always.

During the overflight of the zones, live video

and photos were taken. The images were seen by

the reserve supervisory staff and then the filming

were also observed offline and subjected to analysis

and processing by the reserve managers. Particular

attention was paid to the overflights of Calamosche

beach due to the strong inflow of swimmers at this

time. A first live estimate of presence of people on

the beach was made and later, in offline mode, an

accurate count of the number of swimmers was

done. These two numbers were compared with the

number of appearances detected by supervisory

staff based on daily records of access to reserve.

This made it possible to verify the percentage of

users who had used the not controlled accesses of

the reserve.

Figure 3. The starting field of the drone, the M arianelli houses

of the R egional A zienda of the State Forests photographed

by drone.

Figure 4. The Calamosche beach photographed by drone.

Figure 5. The Eloro beach photographed by drone.

Giorgio Sabella etalii

The second flight (Fig. 7) flew over the north

and northeast zones of the reserve and lasted about

19 minutes, covering a linear path of approximately

3,640 m .

The flight arrangements were the same used in

the previous flight. This time, however, in addition

to verifying and counting the number of bathers on

the beaches of the northern side of the reserve, the

position of the parked cars along the access road to

the beach was also detected to verify possible

grounds for refusal to circulation of any rescue

v eh ic le s .

In addition, the flight was scheduled to overfly

the houses subject to legal seizure to check the pos-

sible construction of new buildings or extensions to

existing ones.

RESULTS

The use of the drone inside the R.N.O. Vendicari

has been very satisfactory. From a technical point

of view, it has been appreciated the extreme ease

and immediacy of the procedures of setup and start-

ing (Watts et al., 2010). In fact, the positioning of

the batteries on the drone is as simple as changing

the battery on a mobile phone, to start the program

on the Control Pad less than five minutes are

needed, this perspective is a positive factor because

the operativity of the drone is virtually immediate

and therefore also in emergency circumstances its

use would be valid.

Another positive factor has been the battery life

of the drone that has allowed about 20-25 minutes

of flight and operation in total autonomy and no

maintenance, allowing a very thorough reconnais-

sance of the areas of the reserves examined.

It allows for high quality shooting of video and

photographs allowing it to reach a level of detail in

the images which was mo re than satisfactory. Also

the streaming link between operator and drone is

never lost even when up to several hundreds of

meters away, similary the flight controls sent in ter -

actively by the operator of the drone were executed

w itho u t delays.

Interesting was also the simulation carried out

deliberately to lose contact between the drone and

the operator. In this case the software implemented

in the aircraft enabled it to return to land independ-

ently and at the same starting point. This proves

that, even in difficult situations such as problems

caused by the weather or by the operator, the drone

would not be lost and there would be no accidents

on landing, thanks to its excellent emergency sys-

tem .

On the con tr ary, there are some ethical and tech-

nical disadvantages in the use of the drone. The

ethical and social implications (safety, privacy, psy-

chological wellbeing, data security and understand-

ing of conservation problems) in the use of the

drones are recently examined by Sandbrook (2015).

In particular, with regards to privacy, the main

problem is whether it is ethical to monitor people

without their knowledge, because this practice

could represent an infringement of human rights

(see Finn & Wrigth, 2012 for a detailed analysis),

although these aspects of privacy have been already

invaded with the use of satellite monitoring and

fixed cameras. In the case of protected areas, this

practice has the deliberate intention of law enforce-

rnent and it should be incorporated, with full reason

and legality, into the reserve regulation, but on

public land it shows some illegality profiles (Sand-

brook, 2015). Even the question of confidentiality

of data is relevant and needs for regulation.

The risks of misuse of drone technology for the

surveillance have been already highlighted and

some solutions have been proposed to avoid con-

flicts with local people (W est et al., 2006; Paneque-

Galvez et al., 2014). The main recommended

solutions are transparency of information and the

adoption of communally-agreed rules. The use of

fear as a tool of conservation raises obvious ethical

questions (Sandbrook, 2015).

Also like all electronic devices even UAS are

exposed to hacker risk, which would allow an at-

tacker to take control of the aircraft by changing

course with possible serious consequences (Hart-

mann & Steup, 2013).

As regards the technical problems, the main one

is detected in the operating limits of the batteries of

the drone that do not allow their use with temper-

atures above 40 °C . During the performed flights,

the weather condi tions and the time (early morning

between 10.00 and 11.00 a. m.) fell extensively in

the tolerance range of the batteries, while in the

same location, in the following weeks and in the

first hours of the afternoon, the temperature had

reached the tolerance limit of the instrument and

therefore no flight could not have been carried out.

Use of the drone in the environmental monitoring and in the management of protected areas,“R.N.O.Vendicari”, (Italy) 8 5

Figure 6. Flight plan number 1, with full telemetry, itinerary direction of Calamosche beach. The red line indicate the path

of drone. Figure 7. Flight plan number 1, with full tele me try, itinerary direction ofEloro beach. The red line indicate the

path of drone.

This is a significant problem because it does not

allow monitoring of users of the reserve in the

period that is experiencing the greatest influx of

visitors.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the use of drones for conservation is

in its infancy and there is currently limited evidence

regarding their effectiveness as a conservation tool

(Sandbrook, 2015), in our case study the use of un-

manned aircrafts has proved a very useful tool for

the reserve operators for the ease of use of the drone

and for the results obtained from the flights.

In addition, his low cost could favourably in-

fluence the choice by the administration in the pur-

chase and use of this instrument, which could

validly help the reduced number of supervisory staff

of the reserve in the surveillance action. Moreover,

the possibility to program the flights on predeter-

mined paths and at set intervals during the day

represents a further advantage linked to the use of

drones for the monitoring of protected areas.

In any case, the drone could not be used as a

substitute for the control actions and for interven-

tion of operators but should be used only as a sup-

port means for operator on site, who could be

relieved from unnecessary patrols and would thus

be able to intervene more timely and precisely in

places where the aerial monitoring would show vi-

olations, misconduct, etc.

Also valuable would be its contribution to the

prevention and deterrence of the fires and of the

harmful actions. In fact, the overflight at low alti-

tude is immediately noticed, and induces in people

a more cautious and respectful attitude because the

drone allow s, thanks to high image quality, the pre-

cise recognition of people and/or vehicles who are

offenders of the reserve regulation. This last point

regards the regulatory and ethical aspects is one on

which we must reflect carefully (particularly as it

regards the privacy and confidentiality of the data)

and probably it w ill be necessary to operate changes

of the laws, rules and regulations regarding the use

of drones in the monitoring and c o n tro 1 o f p ro tec ted

areas. For example, given that the ENAC Regula-

tion is still being defined and applied throughout

the national territory, it would be desirable that it is

update to provide different rules for overflights of

natural areas and reserves, since most are sparsely

populated. This would help reduce some constraints

and thus allowing to increase productive use of

drones for the environmental monitoring (Rango &

Laliberte, 2010). But all this should not discourage

the researchers to try and use this new technology

and assess the benefits that this can bring especially

in the field of environmental protection.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A heartfelt thanks to friends prof. David Mifsud

and dr. S irn one C utajar of M alta U niv ersity for c are -

ful and punctual review of the English language.

Giorgio Sabella etalii

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 87-104

Monograph

The wild vascular flora of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis

in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

Pietro Minissale 1 & Saverio Sciandrello 2

Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Italy

1,2 C.U.T.G.A.N.A. Centro Universitario per la Tutela e la Gestione degli Ambienti Naturali e degliAgroecosistemi Universita di

Catania, Italy

ABSTRACT This paper presents an updated list of the wild vascular flora growing in the Archaeological

Park of Syracuse and surrounding areas. The list of plants is the result of a bibliographic ana-

lysis and field surveys carried out in 2013-2015. A total of 343 specific and infraspecific taxa

are reported. The families most represented are Poaceae (43), Fabaceae (38) and Asteraceae

(35 taxa). The analysis of the biological spectrum of the vascular flora indicate the predom-

inance of therophytes (51%) and hemicryptophytes (20%) while, from a chorological point

of view, most of the species show a Mediterranean distribution (134 taxa). The phytogeo-

graphical value of some rare species, in particular OrigCltllim OlliteS, Elcitifie gUSSOYiei,

Collitriche truncata, Aristolochia altissima and Brassica souliei subsp. amplexicaulis is

discussed. The presence of some alien species, such as Vcichellici kttYYOO , LcifltCinCl CCU71CIYCI ,

Ailanthus Clltissimu is also highlighted, because in this area they represent a serious threat to

native p la n t b io d iv e rs ity .

KEY WORDS OYiganum onites; Elatine gussonei; Habitats of Community in te rest; conservation; alien species.

Received 13.01.2016; accepted 19.05.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

V e n d ic ari (Italy )

INTRODUCTION

The Archaeological Park of Syracuse, famous

for the big Greek Theater and other vestiges of

Greek and Roman times, houses elements of flora

and vegetation of great natural value which are

m a in tain e d over tim e thanks to the p rote c tio n of th e

archaeological site itself. This constraint prevents

very common activities on the outside areas such as

grazing, fire and urbanization. In this way the pro-

tec tio n and con serv a tio n of species and plant com-

munities of great importance, indicators of special

m ic ro h ab itats were indirectly guaranteed. In 2013

the execution of major maintenance of the inside

p ub lie green , m ad e by th e F o res try of Syracuse, fo 1-

lowing the provisions of the Superintendence, gave

the opportunity to carry out a study on the flora

aimed at its protection during worksite activities. In

this way it was possible to update the knowledge

on the vascular flora and to highlight some emer-

gencies and peculiarities so far not fully known,

which make even more extraordinary the cultural

and natural value of the area. The research has taken

account of earlier studies. In particular is worthy of

mention the floristic research of Zodda (1 928,

1 929), who recorded many species for the archae-

ological site in question within a study on the flora

of th e m u n ic ip ality of Syracuse. M ore recently, stud-

ies on the flora and vegetation of the archaeolo-

gical areas of Syracuse were made by Corbetta et

Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello

al. (2002), on the Greek Theatre and the surround-

ing areas; by Salmeri & Guglielmo (2012) on the

Latomie of Syracuse; Guglielmo et al. (2002) on

“Latomia dei Cappuccini”; Guglielmo et al. (2006)

on the archaeological sites in eastern Sicily.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The plants list is the result of a bibliographic

analysis and field surveys carried out during the

years 20 1 3-20 1 6. The study focused on the census

of native vascular flora with particular regard to the

species of p hy to g eo g rap h ic al or natural interest, but

also to the naturalized non-native species, poten-

tially invasive and their location on the site; includ-

ing their G IS mapping.

The nomenclature follows Giardina et al.

(2007); relatively to the Orchidaceae the reference

was Delforge (2005). Flora of Italy (Pignatti, 1982),

Med-Checklist (Greuter et al., 1984, 1 986) and

Flora Europaea (Tutin et al., 1964-1980) were also

consulted .

The collected samples are preserved in the herb-

arium of the Department of Biological Geological

and Environmental Sciences of Catania University

(C AT).

Study area

The study area includes the fenced archaeolo-

gical park, which covers about 23 hectares and the

outside area to the west of the park on the southern

side of the “Colie Temenite”, which is also subjec-

ted to archaeological restrictions. Geographically

the site falls in the Hyblaean district (Fig.l), a dis-

tinct area from the rest of Sicily, both in geological

(Manuella et al., 2015) and phytogeographical

terms (Brullo et al., 2011). The area is characterized

by a Miocene carbonatic series, consisting mainly

of calcirudite, belonging to the formation Monti

Climiti.The whole area is affected by various forms

of surface erosion as alveolar cavities, grooves, and

trays of corrosion. Throughout the area tectonic

fractures are also present, many of them are perpen-

dicular to the surface and therefore easily accessible

for the rainwater that increases their expansion.

The area is also affected by forms of underground

karstific atio n (Lena, 1 990).

Figure 1. Study area: the Archaeological Park of Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy).

The wild vascular flora of the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

Regarding the climate, the Syracuse therm o-plu-

viometric station records average annual temper-

atures of 18.2 ° C and average annual rainfall of 543

mm (Zampino et al., 1997). Overall the bio-climate

of the area can be defined lower thermo mediter-

ranean, lower dry, according to R iv as-M artinez

(1994) and Bazan et al. (2015).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The research allowed to update the list of flora,

which has resulted in 343 recorded species, some

of them are of great phy togeographical and conser-

vation value. Previously Zodda (1 928, 1 929) had

reported 158 entities, by making collections of

flora in the town of Syracuse for the archaeological

area and Temenite hill; then Corbetta et al. (2002),

for the area of the archaeological park, reported

191 entities, many of which not recorded by

Zodda. The current study has led to a considerable

increase of the flora’s list for the area, also con-

firming the presence of the rarest species previ-

ously reported. Taking account of the limited size

of the site, and by the fact that a fairly wide area is

used as a garden, the vascular wild flora, overall,

is quite rich and diversified. There are also many

ornamental species that are not mentioned here

with the exception of those showing autonomous

capacity to spread. For the ornamental species

census, see Salmeri & Guglielmo (2012) and Min-

issale et al. (2016).

On the whole, the chorological spectrum (Fig.

2) shows the prevalence of species with broad

Mediterranean range (134 taxa); some others have

a partial Mediterranean range (34), few species

have a range which extends in temperate regions

(84 taxa) or in tropical/arid areas (43 taxa) or aim ost

all over the world (12 taxa). Important features of

this flora are: on the one hand the endemics (9 taxa,

Sicilian or S Italy and Sicily endemics), precious

elements of this site, and on the other hand the

high number of alien naturalized species (27 taxa),

that trivializes the flora and might threaten native

species. The biological spectrum shows, as expec-

ted, the prevalence with over 50% of therophytes

followed by hem icryptophy tes and geophytes (Fig.

3).

Among the species already known in this area,

the presence of OrigCUlUtTl OliiteS has a phytogeo-

graphic relevance, this species having an east

M editerranean distribution, widespread on Greek

and Turkish coasts of the Aegean Sea and in most

of the Aegean islands (Vokou et al., 1 988; Aykut

Tonk et al. 2010). It is also present in Sicily only

near Syracuse (Fig. 4) and reported in Malta

(Greuter et al., 1986), but no longer found because

probably only cultivated (Mifsud, 2007). It is to

re m ark that the species was described by Linnaeus

(1 7 5 3 ) from a herbarium specimen just collected

from Syracuse (Fig. 5). Before Linnaeus, Boccone

(1697) had already shown this species to Syracuse,

identified, as was the custom at that time, with a

diagnostic phrase “Origanum ligtlOSUtfl SyVOCUS-

anum, perenne umbella amplissima, brevi lato,

nervoso folio, nigricante 1 . He pointed out that it

grew in Sicily only at Syracuse, on the road for

Melilli, about two miles from the town, that is in

Peleoterrp.

1 %

Med .Trap.

CM«d. a*

E Med S Med

4 9

Circumbg-r

Mtd.'Ad

Bpfea-Trpp

End

COSf^Ofl

EurO-Med

Figure 2. Chorological spectrum (see text).

Figure 3. Biological spectrum (see text).

Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello

•m'ftf. 8, ORIGANUM ffuris oblongs aggrcgatis hirfutts,,fo*

Ills cordatis twurii torts.

Otijijaiiam liguoium rjmcufjtuini [wrctinc, umkclhain-

piitlima brcvt, latu & ncrvofo *ol;o. Beet, mnf, i.f,

4 f. i . 38 .

Origanum onites, Bmh. pin. 111. an}

Habitat Synciife. b

Habitue Major a ns fed iigaefmt. Caulcs pilit io/tgit pa-

tttiu. Fuiia parva, tordar*, fttifejftiia, nenta, fatint

ftfratJ, ntnnifjte lamentefn , ex nlij rumor urn rttdi -

m eutit. Spic* eongtjix, ut in Alaj/rana, fed eklomg.f,

in fittgnfo pta/txeuh terns, truer media fejfitr, viliojd,

FloieS nihi.

Figure 4. Origanum onites-. Siracusa May 30, 2013. Figure

5 . Origanum onites diagnosis in Linnaeus (1753, 2: 590).

the same places where it is found today. He also

compares it with a plant represented by Alpini

(1 5 92), called HySSOpUS graeCOVUin , w hile A nguil-

lara (1561) describes a hyssop of the Greeks that

would be nothing but an oregano that grow s in the

Cyclades and Crete. On this basis Boccone rightly

thought that these entities were the same species

and highlights in this way its east Mediterranean

range, with a disjunction in Syracuse.

In the archaeological site, where in more recent

times was signaled by Zodda (1928), it is found

mainly on the rock edges o v e rlo o king the “La to m ia

del Paradiso” and “ In tag lia te 11a” and on rocky out-

crops of “Colle Temenite”, external to the archae-

ological park, up to the slope, above the cem etery of

Syracuse. Other locations near Syracuse, where the

species was reported from Fagotto & Longhitano

(1989) are Acradina, “L atom ia dei Cappuccini”,

Santa Panagia tuna fishery and “Con trad a Pantan-

elli”. The species, from the investigations carried

out in the course of this study, is still present in

these locations, only Pantanelli has not been con-

firmed; in any case th e most substantial population,

fo rm e d fro m some hundreds of individuals remains

that of Colle Temenite including archaeological

park. This species seems well integrated in the nat-

ural vegetation and therefore could be considered a

spontaneous species with disjoined areal confined

in Sicily, in Syracuse surroundings. However you

could not exclude an ancient introduction by the

Greeks themselves at the time of the Syracuse

foundation in the eighth century BC, or in the

following centuries.

A not her species of phy to geograph ical interest is

Brassica souliei (B att.) b att. w ith the subsp. amplex-

icaulis (Desf.) Greuter et Burdet distributed in

Morocco and Sicily (Greuteretal., 1984). In the is-

land is quite common on clay gullies of the central

area (Giardina et a 1 . , 2007; Brullo et a 1 . , 2011), but

rare or absent elsewhere. In Syracuse it has already

been reported by Pignatti (1 982). Since in the rest

of Hyblaean district it is not reported, the presence

in the archaeological area of the Tem enite hill could

be traced back, but as accidental introduction, due

to intensive exchanges, in the Greek era, with the

city of Gela which was connected with Syracuse by

a specific road (Burgio, 2005).

The research also helped to highlight an ex-

traordinary, hitherto little known, peculiarity of the

archaeological area that significantly enhances the

floristic value of this area. The hard M iocenic lime-

stones subjected to natural erosion have dimples

and natural excavations where in winter accumu-

lates rainwater that drains into the spring. These

dimples in the archaeological area were created in

great numbers and in more regular form also by

ancient Greek colonists that used to carve rock

blocks of various sizes, sometimes leaving cavities

and shallow dimples (Mastelloni, 2014). Thus a

somewhat peculiar system of temporary pools, for

the flora which grows there, originated (Figs. 6, 7).

The most important species found in the pools

is Elutilie gUSSOliei { Fig. 8), so far known only for

the M altese Islands and Lampedusa. Only recently

it has been reported to some localities of the

southern Hyblaean Mounts (Molnar et a 1 . , 2014)

and Minissale & Sciandrello (2016) report it for

the Neapolis of Syracuse especially in the rock

pools around the Tomb of Archimedes (Fig. 9),

above the Greek Theatre, but also in outdoor areas

on rocky outcrops crossed by the panoramic road

near the west side of the archaeological park

(Fig. 10). In the past it has been confused with the

related Elcttitie ITICICWpodci Guss.; under this name

it has been reported for the archaeological area of

The wild vascular flora of the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

9 1

Syracuse by Nicotra (1 890) and since then it was

no longer observed. In addition Minissale &

Sciandrello (2016) showed that the samples col-

lected in some locations in western Sicily can be

referred to this species thus becoming a Sicilian-

Maltese endemic. The discovery in the archae-

ological site is of exceptional value considering

that just the monuments p ro te c tio n has indirectly

favored its survival by preventing activities such

as fire, grazing and especially the urbanization that

has been rampant over most of th e areas bordering

the archaeological site. The investigation however,

allowed to find EldthlC gUSSOYld in other places of

the outskirts of Syracuse; this is particularly the

crags of Akradina and near the old tuna fishery of

Santa Panagia.

Figures 6-11 Species and plant communities in the archaeological park. Fig. 6: Rock pools and excavations near the Greek

Theatre (M arch 26, 2013). Fig. 7: Grooves and dimples at the Tomb of Archimedes (April 4 2013). Fig. 8: EldtiflC gUSSOYld ,

detail of flowers and capsules (April 4, 2013). Fig. 9: ElcititlC gUSSOHSi community in a smallpoolatthe Tomb of Archimedes

(April 4, 2013). Fig. 10: A pool temporary already dry in early spring on the Temenite h ill: ElcitinC gUSSOVLCi vegetation bordered

by Tillaea vaillantii vegetation (M arch 26, 20 1 3). Fig. 1 1 : TillaeCl vaillantii near the G reek Theatre (M arch 26, 20 1 3).

Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello

Other hygrophilous species of considerable rarity

found here are Tillaea vaillantii, (Fig. li), Lythrum

hyssopifolia { Fig. 12 ), Ccillit riche truncata (Fig. 13 ).

Each of these hygrophilous ephemeral species

characterizes different, typical of temporary pools,

plant m icro-com m unities, but each one diversified

for flooding period and soil depth (Minissale &

Sciandrello, 2016).

In the wide areas of the archaeological park af-

fected by reforestation of pines and eucalyptus trees,

flora does not present normally peculiarities of re-

mark, but sometimes species of some interest may

be found, as Aristolochid ClltlSSUllCL subendemic spe-

cies of H yblean Mounts and Algeria, found at the

altar of Hieron and upstream of the Greek theater,

OprhyS siculd , near the Rom an am phith eater, OvcHis

Figures 12-17 Plant species at the archaeological park. Fig. 12: LythrWfl HisSOp if O Hci in pools with deep soil above the

Greek Theatre (March 26, 2013). Fig. 13: Cdllit riche tTlinCQ-tCl in the deeper artificial pools near the tomb of Archimedes

(A pril 4, 20 1 3 ). Fig . 14: AbutUon theoplirdSti in Latomia San ta Venera (December 14, 2015). Fig. 15: Vdcliellid kdrWO on

the walls of the sacred way above the Greek Theatre (March 26, 2013). Fig. 16: LdHtdHd CdlTldVd (March 26, 2013). Fig.

17: Opuntid dillenii ( March 26,20 1 3 ).

The wild vascular flora of the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

papilionacea war. grandiflora, in outside areas of the

archaeological park. A nother species particularly rare

in Sicily (Giardina et al., 2007), is Abutilofl thcO-

phrasti, found in L atom ia Santa Venera (Fig. 14).

Alongside these floristic findings of great value,

the study also highlighted critical issues, such as the

presence and sometimes large spread of some in-

vasive alien species which threaten not only local

biodiversity but also the monuments themselves.

These are Vachellia kcitTOO. native to southern A frica,

which can settle easily even in small crevices and

cracks in the rock and it is present with hundreds of

specimens mainly in the upstream portion of the

Greek T heat re (Fig. 15) and close to the to mb of

Archimedes. In order to preserve the archaeological

site is necessary to pursue over time a schedule for

the eradication of this alien species from the archae-

ological site and where possible from neighboring

areas. The risk of its settlem ent throughout the site is

far from negligible, because even if cut at the base

of th e stem , it has g re at ab ility to regro w th . Its ab ility

to occupy niches and rocky ravines, in the long run.

leads to the fragmentation of the rocks with serious

damage to the archaeological site, but also for the

flora and the natural habitats present. They require

repetitive tasks such as cutting, chemical control,

localized to the stum ps in order to reduce the risk of

contamination to the rest of the flora and fauna.

Other exotic species spread in the area, with

independent propagation capacity, are hctYltClTlCl

camara (Fig. 1 6 ) , Washingtonia robusta , Opuntia

dillenii (F ig. 17). Also forthese species containment

interventions, and, if possible, eradication, pro-

longed in tim e, are required .

Inside the quarries, characterized by greater

coolness and moisture of the soil, AUanthuS altis-

Sima , highly invasive species, took great develop-

ment, so intensive cuts were carried out during the

last works in order to keep it under control; but for

the future a stronger action needs to be made such

as the uprooting and chem ical treatm ent.

The distribution map of the abovem entioned

“good” and “bad” floristic emergencies, in the study

area, is showed in figure 18.

Species of naturalistic interest to be protected

A Abubion theophrasti

■ Anstorochia a Hissima

# Caliimehe truncate

I 1 Satire gussonei

# Qptwyssieula

# Orchis papilomacea var grandiflora

H Origanum onrtes

■ Saroopotenurn spmosum

# Serapias lingua:

— v r ■ II \ ■ ■ ^11 1 i — o

sj? bar tana camara

Q Opuntia (filler ii

+ Washingloma robusta

Figure 18. Map of floristic emergencies recorded in the study area: the Archaeological

Park of Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy).

Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello

FLORISTIC LIST

The following floristic list shows, in addition

to the binomial with the author, biological form,

chorotype, IUCN category. Abbreviations of life

forms follow Pignatti (1982). The following letters

indicate the species already reported by Zodda

(1 928), (Z.a); Zodda (1929), (Z.b); Corbetta et al.

(2002), (C.); except where otherwise indicated, they

were con firm ed as present in the cu rre n t study; the

species of new recording for the site are indicated

w ith the letter (n ).

PTERID OPH YTA

Familia ADIANTACEAE

Adiantum capillus-veneris L .; G rhiz; B oreo-Trop.;

(C.)

Familia ASPLENIA CEAE

Ceterach officinarum wind.; h ros; Euro-Med.-

Iran.-Tur.; (n)

Familia AZOLL ACE AE

Azolla mexicana c . Presi.; i nat; Nat., Trop. Amer-

ica.; (n )

Familia P O L Y P O D I A C E A E

Polypodium cambricum l. subsp. serrulatum (Ar-

c an g .) Pic hi Serm .; H ros, Euri-Medit.; (n )

Familia SELAGINELLACEAE

Selaginella denticulata (L .) Spring; Ch rept; Med.;

(n)

GYM NOSPERM AE

Familia PIN ACE AE

Pinus halepensis m iiier; p scap; N at., M ed. (extens-

ively planted, occasionally of spontaneous

growth); (C .)

PinUS pineO L.; P scap; Nat., Euri-Medit. (planted,

occasionally of spontaneous growth); (C .)

ANGIOSPERMAE (D ic o ty le d o n e s )

Fam ilia ACANTHACEAE

Acanthus mollis L.;H scap;W M ed.; (C ., Z.a)

Familia AMARANTHACEAE

Amaranthus hybridus l ,;T scap; Nat., Trop. Amer-

ica; (C .)

Amaranthus retroflexus l.; t scap; Nat., N Amer-

ica; (C .)

Chenopodium album L .; T scap; C osm op.; (C .)

Familia ANACARDIACEAE

Pistacia lentiscus l .; P caesp; Med.; (C.)

Pistacia terebinthus l .; P caesp; Med.; (C.)

Fam ilia AP1ACEAE

Apium nodiflorum (L .)Lag.;H scap ; P aleotem p .; (C .)

DaUCUS CaWta L. subsp. caro ta; H bien; Euro-M ed.;

(C., Z.a)

Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum (Ucria) Beg.;

H scap.;S M ed.; (n)

Smyrnium olusatrum L.; H bien; Med.; (C.)

Thapsia garganica l h scap; Med.; (n)

Tordylium apulum L .; T scap ; M ed .; (Z .a)

Familia APOCYNACEAE

Nerium oleander l . ; p caesp; M ed.; (C., Z.a)

Vinca major L.; Ch rept; M ed.; (Z.b)

F am ilia ARAL IA CEAE

Hedera helix L. subsp. helix ; P lian; Paleotemp.;

(C.)

Familia ARISTOLOCHIACEAE

Aristolochia altissimav esf.; Plian;SW M ed . ; L R ;

(Z.a)

Familia ASTERACEAE

Anthemis arvensis l . subsp. arvensis ; t scap ; Med.;

(n)

Beilis annua L .; T scap; M ed .; (n)

Carduus pycnocephalus L.;H bien; Med.; (C . )

The wild vascular flora of the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

Carlina corymbosa l.;h scap;w Med.; (C.)

Chamaeleon gummifer (L.) c ass.; H ros; S Med.;

(n)

Calendula arvensis L.; T scap; Euro-M ed.-Iran.-

Tur.; (n)

Carthamus lanatus L.; T scap; M ed.-Iran.-Tur.; (n)

Cichorium pumilum Jacq.; T scap; Med.; (Z.a)

Coleostephus myconis (L.)Rchb.Fii.;T scap; M ed .;

(n)

Cynara cardunculus l . s u b s p . cardunculus: h scap;

Med.; (n )

Glebionis coronarium (L.) spach.; t scap; Med.;

(C ., Z .a)

Erigeron bonariensis l.; t scap; Nat., America;

(C.)

Erigeron canadensis l .; T scap; Cos mop.; (C.)

Symphyotrichum squamatus (Sprengei) Nesom; h

scap; Nat., Trop. America; (C.)

Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter; T scap; Med.;

(C .)

Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter; H scap;W Med.

(C ., Z .a)

Eupatorium cannabinum l.; h scap; Euro-Med.;

(C., Z.a)

Filago pyramidata L.;T scap; Euro-Med.; (n)

Galactites elegans (Ail.) Soidano; h b ie n ; Med.;

(C., Z.a)

Helminthotheca echioides (l.) Hoiub ; T scap;

M ed .; (C ., Z .a)

Hyoseris radiata L.;H ros; Med.; (Z. a)

Hypochoeris achyrophorus l. ;t scap; Med.; (c.)

Hypochoeris radicata l . ; h ros; M ed.; (n)

Onopordum illyricum L.; H bien; Med. (Z.a)

Pallenis spinosa (L .) C ass.; T scap ; M ed .; (Z .a)

Phagnalon rupestre (L .) d c . subsp. rup e s tre ; C h

suffr;W M ed.; (n)

Phagnalon saxatile (L .) Cass.; Ch suffr; W Med.;

L R ; (C ., Z .a)

Raphanus raphanistrum l . subsp. raphanistrum: t

scap; Euro-Med.; (Z.a)

Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth var. picroides-, h

scap; Med.; (C., Z.a)

Senecio vulgaris L.; T scap; Paleotem p.; (C ., Z.a)

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner; h b ie n ; Med.;

(C .)

Sonchus oleraceus L .; T scap; C osm op.; (C .)

Sonchus tenerrimus L .; H scap ; M ed .; (C ., Z .a)

Tragopogon porrifolius L.;H bien; Med.; (C.)

Urospermum picroides (L .) s ch m id t; t scap; M ed .;

(C ., Z .a)

Urospermum dalechampii (L.) Schmidt ; H scap;

M ed .; (Z .a)

Familia BORAGINACEAE

Anchusella cretica (M ill.) B igazzi, N ardi et S elv i;T

scap; E Med.; (Z.a), not found now

Borago officinalis L .; T scap ; M ed .; (n)

Cerinthe major l . subsp. major \ g bulb; Med.; (c.,

Z .a)

Cynoglossum creticum m iiier; h bien; M ed.-Iran.-

Tur.; (C ., Z.a)

Echium italicum L. subsp. siculum (L acaita) Greu-

ter et Burdet; (n)

Echium plantagineum l . t scap; Med.; (C.)

Heliotropium europaeum l . ; t scap; Euro -M ed.-

Iran.-Tur.; (C.)

Myosotis arvensis h ill; t scap; Euro-Med.; (C.)

Familia BRASSICACEAE

Biscutella maritima Ten.; T scap; SW Med.; (Z.a)

Brassica souliei (Batt.) Batt. subsp. amplexicaulis

(Desf.) Greuter et Burdet; T scap; SW Med.;

(reported by Pignatti [1 982] in Syracuse); (n)

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus; H bien;

Cos mop.; (n)

Coronopus didymus (L .) S m .; T rept; N at., N A ill er-

ica; (C .)

Diplot axis erucoides (L .) d c .; t scap; M ed.-Iran.-

Tur.; (C., Z.a)

Diplot axis tenuifolia (L .) d c .; h scap; Euro-M ed.;

(C.)

Erophila verna (L.) chevaii.; t scap; Paleotemp.;

(n)

Hirschfeldia incana (L.) l agreze-Fossat; H scap;

M ed.; (n)

Lobularia maritima (L .) Desv.; h scap; Med.; (c.,

Z .a)

Matthiola incana (L.) r. b r. subsp. incana ch

suffr; N W M ed .; (C ., Z .a)

Sinapis alba L. subsp. alba ; T scap; A.; Nat., E

M edit.; (C .)

Sisymbrium officinale (L.) scop.; t scap; Euro-

M ed .; (C .)

Familia CACTACEAE

Opuntia ficus -indica {h .) Mill.; P succ; Nat., Trop.

A m eric a ; (C .)

Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello

Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Haw.; P succ; Nat.,

Tro p . Am eric a ; (n )

F am ilia CAMPANULACEAE

Campanula erinus l.; t scap; m ed.; (C ., z.a)

Trachelium caeruleum l .; c h suffr; w m edit.; (z .b)

F am ilia C A P PA R ID A C E A E

Capparis spinosah .■ Ch suffr; M ed.-Iran.-Tur.; (C .)

Familia C A P R IF 0 L I A C E A E

Fedia comucopiae (L.) Gaertner; T scap; Med.;

(Z.a)

Sixalis atropurpurea (L.) Greuter et Burdet subsp.

maritima (L .) G re u ter e t Burdet; H b ien ; Med.;

(C.).

Valerianella eriocarpa d esv.; T scap; Med.-Atl.;

(C.)

Valerianella microcarpa Loisei.; t scap; Med.;

(Z.a)

Familia CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Arenaria serpyllifolia l . s u b s p . leptoclados ( r e ic h e n b . )

Nyman; T scap; Paleotemp.; (C.)

Cerastium glomeratum T h u ill. ; T scap; Circumbor.;

(Z.a)

Minuartia mediterranea (Ledeb.)K.Maiy;T scap;

M ed.; (C ., Z .a)

Paronychia argentea Lam.; H caesp; Med.; (Z.a)

Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) l .; T scap; Euro-

M ed.; (C .)

Sagina apetala Ard. subsp. apetala ; T scap; Pa-

leotemp.; (C ., Z.a)

Silene colorata Poiret; T scap ; M ed .; (Z .a)

SHene gallica L. T scap; Euro -Med.; (n)

Spergularia bocconei (Scheele) Graebner; T scap;

Paleotemp.; (C.)

Stellaria media (L.) v ill. subsp. media ; t rept;

Cosmop.; ( C . )

Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Pire; T scap; Euro-

M ed .; (Z .b)

Fam ilia CONVOLVULACEAE

Calystegia sylvatica ( Kit.) Griseb.; H scand; M ed.-

Iran.-Tur.; (C., Z.a)

Convolvulus althaeoides L H scand; Med.; (C.,

Z .a)

Convolvulus arvens is L .; G rhiz; Paleotemp.; (C .,

Z .b)

Convolvulus cantabrica L.; H scap; Euro -Med.;

(Z.a)

Familia CRASSULACEAE

Sedum caeruleum L .; T scap ; S Med.; (Z .a)

Sedum Stellatum L .; T scap ; M ed.; (n)

Tillaea muscosa l .; t scap; Euro-M ed.; (n)

Tillaea vaillantii w uid . ; t scap; Med.-Trop.; LR;

(Z.a)

Umbilicus rupestris (Salisb.)Dandy;G bulb; M ed.-

Trop .; (n)

Familia ELATINACEAE

Elatine gussonei (Somm.) Brullo, Lanfranco,

Pavone et Ronsisvalle; I rad; End. Sicily

Maltese Islands; CR; (n, it had been reported

by Nicotra (1890), to the Ear of Dionysius, as

Elatine macropoda g u ss .)

Familia EUPHORBIA CEAE

Andrachne telephioides l.; ch suffr; m ed.-iran.-

Tur.; LR; (C., Z.a)

Chamaesyce canescens (L.) Prokh.; t rept; Euro-

M ed.; (C .)

Euphorbia exigua L. var. exigua ; T scap; Euro-

M ed . (Z .a)

Euphorbia helioscopia l .; T scap; Paleotemp.; (C.,

Z .a)

Euphorbia humifusa w iiid .; n at., a sia; (C .)

Euphorbia peplus l .; T scap ; C ircum bor.; (C ., Z.a)

Euphorbia pinea L .; C h suffr; Med.; (C .)

Euphorbia terracina l.; t scap; m ed .; (c ., z .a)

M ercurial is annua L T scap; Paleotemp.; (C., Z.a)

Ricinus communis L.; T scap; Nat., Trop. Africa.;

(C ., Z .a)

Familia FABACEAE

Acacia saligna (Labill.) Wendl. fil.; P scap ; N at.,

A u stralia ; (n )

Anagyris foetida L.; P caesp; Med.; (n)

Anthyllis vulneraria l. subsp. maura (G. Beck)

Maire;H scap;W M ed.; (n)

The wild vascular flora of the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

Anthyllis vulneraria l. subsp. rubriflora (dc.)

Arcangeli; H scap; Euro-Med.; (Z.a)

Astragalus boeticus l.; t scap; M ed.-Iran.-Tur.;

(Z.a)

Astragalus epiglottis l ,;T scap; Med.; (Z.a)

Astragalus hamosus L.; T scap; M ed.; (C .)

Bituminaria bituminosa (L .) s tirton ; h scap; Med.

Hippocrepis multisiliquosa l.; t scap; w Med.

Lathy rus articulatus L.; T scap; Med.; (C„ Z.b)

Lathyrus clymenum l .; t scap; m ed .; (c .)

Lotus corniculatus L.; H scap; P aleotem p .; (C .)

Lotus cytisoides L .; C h suffr; M ed.; (C ., Z .a)

Lotus edulis L .; T scap; M ed.; (C ., Z .a)

Lotus ornithopodioides L.;T scap; Med.; (C„ Z.a)

Medicago italica (M iiier) Fiori subsp. tornata (L.)

Emberger et M aire; T scap; W M ed.; (C.)

Medicago littoralis Rohde ex Loisei. var. littoralis;

T scap ; M ed .; (Z .a)

Medicago lupulinah.-, T scap; P aleotem p.; (C ., Z.a)

Medicago minima (L .) b artai.; t scap; Euro-Med.;

(C.)

Medicago polymorpha l ,;T scap; M ed.-Iran.-Tur.;

(C.)

Medicago truncatula Gaertner; T scap; Med.-Atl.;

(C.)

Melilotus indicus (L .) a 11 . ; t scap; M ed.-Iran.-Tur.;

(C.)

Melilotus sulcatus D esf.; T scap ; M ed .; (C .)

Ononis natrix l . subsp. ramosissima (Desf.) Batt.;

H caesp ; M ed .; (Z .a)

Ononis reclinata l .; t scap; Med.; (c.)

Ononis viscosa l . subsp. breviflora (D c .) n y man;

T scap; Med.; (C.)

Robinia pseudoacacia L.; P caesp; Nat., N America;

(Z.b)

Tetragonolobus purpureus M oench; T scap; Med.;

(Z.a)

Trifolium campestre S c h rebel- ; T scap; Euro-Med.;

(C.)

Trifolium nigrescens v i v . subsp. nigrescens ; t scap;

M ed .; (C ., Z .a)

Trifolium resupinatum L . ; T rept; Med.; (n)

Trifolium scabrum L .; T l-ept; M ed.; (C ., Z .a)

Trifolium subterraneum v . subsp. subterraneum ; t

rept; Euro-Med.; (n)

Trifolium tomentosum L.; T rept; Med.; (C.)

Tripodion tetraphyllum (L.) Fourr.; t scap; Med.;

(C ., Z .a)

Vachellia karroo (H ayne) Banfi et Galasso; P caesp;

Nat., S Africa; (C. sub Acada karWO H ayne)

Vicia hybrida l .; t scap ; Med.; (Z .a)

Vida Sativa L . subsp. sativa ; T scap; M ed.-Iran.-

Tur.; (C .)

Familia FAGACEAE

Quercus ileXL.- P scap; M ed.; (C .)

Familia GERANIACEAE

Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Her.; T scap; Pa-

leotem p .; (C .)

Erodium malacoides { L.) L'Her.; T scap; M ed.; (C .,

Z .a)

Erodium mo schatum {L .) L'Her.; T scap; M ed.; (C .,

Z .a)

Geranium molle l. subsp. molle ; t scap; Pa-

leotem p .; (C ., Z.a)

Geranium rotundifolium L.; T scap; Euro-Med.;

(C ., Z .a)

Geranium robertianum l . subsp. robertianum ; t

scap; Circumbor.; (Z.a)

Familia LAM IACEAE

Ajuga chamaepitys (L.) Schreber subsp. chamae-

pytis ; T scap; Med.; (C., Z.a)

Ajuga iva (L.) Schreber; Ch suffr; Med.; (C.)

Ballota nigra l . subsp. uncinata (F io ri et b eg uino t)

Patzak; H scap; Euro-Med.; (C.)

Calamintha nepeta (L.)Savisubsp. nepeta ; h scap;

Euro-Med.; (C.)

Coridothymus capitatus { L.) Reichenb. fil.; Ch frut;

Med.; (Z.a)

Lamium amplexicaule L .■ T scap; Paleotemp.; (C.)

Mentha pulegium l .; h scap; Euro-M ed.-Iran.-Tur;

(n)

Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. subsp. suaveolens ; h

scap; Euro-Med.; (C.)

Micromeria canescens (Guss.) b e nth am ; ch suffr;

End. It. -sic .; (Z.a)

Micromeria consentina (Ten.) N . Terrace.; Ch suffr;

End. it. -sic.; reported by Zodda (1928), but

probably confused with the next species and

therefore it could be excluded from this florula

Micromeria graeca (L.) Bentham subsp. tenuifolia

(Ten.) Nyman; Ch suffr; End. It. -sic.; (n)

Micromeria microphylla ( d u r v . ) Bentham; c h

suffr; End. It. -sic.; LR; (Z.b)

Micromeria nervosa (Desf.) Bentham Ch suffr;

M ed .; (Z .a)

Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello

Origanum onites L.; Ch suffr; E Med.; VU; (C.,

Z .a)

Prasium majus L C h frut; M ed.; (C Z .a)

Salvia verbenaca l h scap ; m ed .-a ti.; (z .a)

Sideritis romana l.; t scap; w m ed.; (c .)

Teucrium capitatumh .; Ch suffr; Med.; (n)

Teucrium flavumh. subsp. flavum: Ch frut; Med.;

(C.)

Teucrium fruticans L.;NP;W Med.; (C.,Z.a)

F am ilia LAURACEAE

Laurus nobilis L .; P caesp ; N at., M ed.-A tl.; (C .)

F am ilia LIN ACEAE

Linum bienne m ill. var. bienne ; h bien ; m ed.-A ti. ;

(Z.a)

Linum Strictum L.; T scap; M ed.-Iran.-Tur.; (n)

F am ilia LYTHRACEAE

Lythrum hyssopifolia l .; T scap; Paleotemp.; (n)

Familia M ALVACEAE

Abutilon theophrasti M edik. Tscap; Paleotemp.; (n)

Malva nicaeensis a 11. ; t scap; Med.; (Z.a)

Malva parviflora L.; T scap; M ed.; (C .)

Malva sylvestris l .; h scap; Euro-M ed.; (C., Z.a)

Fam ilia MORACEAE

Ficus carica L .; P scap; N M ed .; (C .)

Fam ilia NYC TA GIN ACEAE

Mirabilis jalapa l.; g bulb; Nat., S A m eric a ; (C

Z .b)

Familia OLEACEAE

Olca CUWpaca L. subsp. oleaster (Hoffmanns et

Link) Negodi; P caesp; Med.; (C .)

Familia OROBANCHACEAE

Bellardia trixago (L .) a 11. ; t scap ; M ed .; (Z .a)

Parentucellia viscosa (L.) caruei; t scap; M ed .-

A tl.; (Z .a)

Fam ilia OXAL ID ACEAE

Oxalis corniculata l . ; h rept; Cos mop.; (C., Z.a)

Oxalis pes-caprae L G bulb; Nat., S Africa; (C .,

Z .a)

Familia PAPAVERACEAE

Fumaria bastardii b oreau; T scap ; M ed .-A tl.; (Z .a)

Fumaria capreolata l .; t scap; Euro-M ed.; (C.)

Fumaria flabellata g a span-.; t scap ; Med.; (Z .a)

Fumaria muralis Sonder ex Koch; T scap; Euro-

M ed.; (Z .a)

Fumaria officinalis l. subsp. officinalis ; t scap;

Paleotemp.; (Z.a)

Papaver rhoeas L. subsp. rhoeas ; T scap; Pa-

leotemp.; (C .)

Papaver setigerum dc.;t scap; m ed.; (C .)

Familia PHYTOLACCACEAE

Phytolacca americana L .; G rhiz ; N at., N America;

(n)

Fam ilia PLAN TA GIN ACEAE

Antirrhinum siculum Miller; Ch frut; End. It. -sic.;

(C., Z.a)

Callitriche truncata Guss. subsp. truncata-, i rad;

M ed.-A tl.; V U ; (Z .a)

Kickxia commutata (Bernh.) Fritsch subsp. com-

mutata ; H rept; M ed.; (C .)

Kickxia elatine{L.) Dumort. subsp. elatine t scap;

Euro-M ed. (n)

Linaria reflexa{h.) Desf.; T rept; C Med.; (C., Z.a)

Plantago afra l. subsp. afra-, t scap; Med.; (c.,

Z .a)

Plantago lagopus l .; T scap ; M ed .; (C ., Z .a)

Veronica arvensis l .; t scap; Paleotemp.; (C., Z.a)

Veronica cymbalaria Bodard; T scap; Med.; (C.,

Z .a)

Veronica hederifolia l .; t scap; Paleotemp.; (Z.a)

Veronica polita Fries; T scap; Circumbor.; (Z.a)

Fam ilia PLUMBAG IN ACEAE

Plumbago europaea L . ; Ch frut; Med. (n)

Familia POLYGONACEAE

Polygonum aviculare L T rept; Boreo-Trop.; (n)

The wild vascular flora of the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

Rumex buceplialophorus l. subsp. bucephalo-

phorus-, T scap; M ed.; (Z .a)

Rumex patientia L H scap; Nat., E Europe; (Z.a)

Rumex pulcher l . subsp . pulcher, h scap; Med.-

A tE; (C .)

F am ilia PORTULACACEAE

Portulaca oleracea l. subsp. oleracea ; t scap;

B oreo-Trop.; (C.)

F am ilia PRIMULACEAE

Anagallis arvensis L . ; T rept; B oreo-Trop.; (C .)

Anagallis foemina Miller; T rept; Boreo-Trop.;

(Z.a)

Samolus valerandi L.; H caesp; Boreo-Trop.; (C .,

Z .a)

F am ilia RANUNCULACEAE

Anemone coronaria l.; g bulb; m ed.; (n >

Clematis vitalba L.; P lian; Euro-M ed.; (Z.b)

Nigella damascena l ,;T scap; Med.; ( n )

Ranuncuus bullatus L H ros; N Med.; (n)

Ranunculus muricatus L.;T scap; Med.; n

F am ilia RESEDACEAE

Reseda alba L.; T scap; Med.; (C., Z.a)

F am ilia RHAMNACEAE

Rhamnus alaternus L.; P caesp; M ed.; (C ., Z.a)

F am ilia ROSACEAE

Pyrus spinosa Forssk.; P caesp; Med.; (Z.b)

Rubus ulmifolius Schott; NP; Euro-M ed.; (C ., Z.a)

Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach; NP; E Med.;

LR; (n)

Familia RUBIACEAE

Asperula aristata l. m. subsp. scabra (Presi) Nym .;

H scap; Euro-M ed.; (n)

Crucianella angustifolia l .; t scap; Med.; (z.a)

Galium murale (L.) All.; T scap; M ed.; (Z.a)

Galium aparine L T scap; Paleotemp.; (C.)

Galium verrucosum Huds. subsp. verrucosum ; t

scap; Euro-M ed.

Rubia peregrinaL P lian; Med. (n)

Sherardia arvensis l .; t scap ; Euro-M ed .; (z .a)

Valantia muralish.-, t scap; m ed.; (C., z.a)

Fam ilia R U TA C E A E

Ruta chalepensis L .; C h suffr; Med.; (Z.a)

Familia S C R O P H U L A R I A C E A E

Scrophularia peregrina l.;t scap; Med.; (c.)

Verbascum sinuatum L .; H bien ; M ed .; (C .)

Fam ilia SIMAROUBACEAE

Ailanthus altissima (M iiier) Swingle; P scap; Nat.,

China; ( n )

Familia SOLANACEAE

Hyoscyamus albus L .; T scap; M ed .; (C .)

Mandragora autumnalis b ertoi.; h ros; Med.; (c.)

Solanum nigrum L . subsp. nigrum ; T scap; Boreo-

Trop.; (C .)

Familia ULMACEAE

Celtis australis L .; P scap; Med.; (Z.a)

Fam ilia URTICACEAE

Parietaria judaica L.; H scap; Euro-M ed. -Iran. -

Tur; (C ., Z .a)

Parietaria lusitanicah. subsp. lusitanica- t rept;

M ed .; (C .)

Urtica membranacea Poiret; t scap; m ed.; (C .)

Familia VERBENACEAE

Lantana Camara L.; P caesp; Nat., Trop. America;

(C.)

Verbena officinalis l .; h scap; Boreo-Trop.; (C.)

Familia ZYGOPHYLLACEAE

Tribulus terrestris l.; t rept; c o s m o p . ; ( C . )

ANGIOSPERMAE ( M o n o c o ty le d o n e s )

Fam ilia ARACEAE

100

Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello

Arisarum vulgare Targ.-To z z . , Cj rhiz , 1VI c cl . , ( C . ,

Z.a)

Arumitalicum Miller; G rhiz; Med.-Atl.; (Z.a)

F am ilia CYPERACEAE

CcireX CUpvinC !(Sandorex H e u ffe 1) N e n d tw ic h ex

A. Kern.; H caesp ; Euro-M ed.-Iran.-Tur.; (n)

Carex divisa Hudson; G rhiz; M ed.-Atl.; (Z.b)

Cyperus aureus Ten. G rhiz; Med.-Trop.; (C .)

Cyperus longus l. subsp. badius (Desf.) Asch. et

G r. ; G rh iz ; Med.; (n )

Cyperus rotundas L G rhiz; Med.-Trop.; (C .)

F am ilia 1RIDACEAE

Gladiolus italicus Mill.; G bulb; M ed.-Iran.-Tur.;

(n)

Gynandriris sisyrinchium (L .) Pari.; g bulb; Med.;

(Z.a)

Gynandriris todaroana cif. et Giac.; g rhiz; End.

sic .-sard ,-cors .; (Z.a); not found now

Hermodactylus tuberosus (L.) Saiisb.; g rhiz; n

M ed .; (n)

Iris florentina L G rhiz; Nat., unknown origin ;

(Z.b)

Iris planifolia (Miller) Dur. et Sch.; G bulb; W

M ed .; (Z .a)

Romulea bulbocodium (L.) Sebast. et Mauri; G

bulb; M ed.; (n)

Familia JUNC ACEAE

J UnCUS ambigUUS Guss.; T caesp; Cos mop.; (Z.a)

not found now

Juncus bufonius L .; T caesp; B oreo-Trop.; (n)

J linCUS folioSUS Desf.; T scap; SO -Med.; (n)

Juncus hybridus B rot.; T caesp; Euro-M ed.; (n)

Fa m ilia ALLIACEAE

Allium neapolitanum C yr.; G bulb; Med.; (Z.b)

Allium roseum L.; G bulb; Med.; (C.)

Allium obtusiflorum DC.;G bulb; End. Sicily (col-

lected by Brullo in 1980, [Brullo etal. 1994] not

found now)

Nothoscordum gracile (Aiton) Stearn; G bulb.;

N at., A m eric a ; (n )

Fam ilia AMARYLL ID ACEAE

Narcissus serotinus L .; G bulb; Med.; (n)

Fam ilia ASPARAGACEAE

Asparagus acutifolius L.; NP; Med.; (C.)

Asparagus albus L.;NP;W Med.;(n)

Familia ASPHODELACEAE

Asphodelus fistulosus L.; H bien; M ed.; (C ., Z.a)

Asphodelus ramosus L . ; G rhiz; Med.; (C .)

Familia HYACINTH ACEAE

Bellevalia romana (L .) Sweet; G bulb; Med.; (Z.a)

Charybdis pancration (Steinh.) speta; g bulb;

M ed.; (C .)

Melomphis arabica (L .) Raf.; G bulb; Med.; (n)

Muscari parviflorumD esf.; G bulb; M ed.; LR; (C.)

Ornithogalum gussonei Ten.; G bulb;E M ed.; (Z.a)

PrOSperO autunmale (L .) Speta; G bulb; Med.; (n)

Familia RUSC ACEAE

Ruscus hypophyllumv Ch frut; SW Med.; (Z.a)

Familia LEMNACEAE

Lcmna minor L.; I nat; B oreo-Trop.; (n)

Familia ORCHID ACEAE

Ophrys sicula Tineo; G bulb; M ed.; (n)

Orchis papilionacea l . v a r. grandiflora b o is s . ; G

bulb; W Med.; (C .)

Serapias linguav.-, g bulb; m ed.-Atl. (n)

Fam ilia ARECACEAE

Chamaerops humilis l.; p scap; w Med.; (C.)

Washingtonia robusta H.wendi.; p scap; Nat.;

M e s sic o (n )

Familia POACEAE

Andropogon distachyos l .; h caesp; M ed.; (C., Z.a)

Anisantha diandra (Roth) Tzvelev; T scap; Euro-

M ed.; (C .)

Anisantha fas ciculat a (C. Presl) Nevski; T scap;

M ed .; (C .)

The wild vascular flora of the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

101

Anisantha madritensis (L.) Nevski; t s c a p : m ed.-

A tl. (C Z .a)

Anisantha rigida { Roth) Hyl.; T scap; Med.; (Z.a)

Anisantha rubens (L.) Nevski; t scap; M ed.-Iran.-

Tur.; (C.)

Anisantha sterilis (L .) Nevski; t scap; Paleotem p.;

(C.)

Anthoxanthum gracile B i\.; T scap; S Med.; (Z.b)

Avena barbata Potter; T scap; Cosmop.; (C., Z.a)

Avena sterilis L.;T scap; Med.; (C.)

Bromus alopecuros Poir.-, T scap; Med; (C .)

Catapodium rigidum (L.) Hubbard subsp. rigidum,

T scap; Euro-M ed.-Iran.-Tur.; (C.)

Cynodon dactylon ( L.) Pers.; G rhiz; Boreo-Trop.;

(C ., Z .a)

Cynosurus echinatus L .; T scap; M ed.; (Z.a)

Dactylis hispanica Roth; H caesp; Med.; (Z.a)

Dactyloctaenium aegyptium (L.) Richter; t rept;

Nat., sub tro p . ; (n )

Dasypirum villosum (L.) Borbas; T scap; Med.-

Iran.-Tur.; (Z.a)

Digitaria sanguinalis { l.) scop, subsp. sanguinalis ;

T scap; Boreo-Trop.; (C., Z.a)

Echinochloa colonum (L.) Link; T scap; Boreo-

Trop.; (Z.a)

Echinochloa crus-galli (L .) Beauv.; T scap; Boreo-

Trop.; (C., Z.a)

Eragrostis minor Host; T scap; Circumbor.; (C .)

Eragrostis pilosa (L .) p. b eauv.; Cosmop.; (n - new

record for Hyblaean district)

Hordeum leporinum Link; T scap; M ed.; (C ., Z.a)

Hyparrhenia hirta (L .) Stapf; H caesp; M ed.-Trop.;

(C., Z.a)

Hyparrhenia sinaica (D elile) Llaurado; H caesp;

M ed.-Trop.; (Z.a)

Lagurus ovatus L. subsp. ovatus ; T scap; Med.;

(Z.a)

Lamarckia aurca (L.) M oench; T scap; M ed .-Iran .-

Tur., (C ., Z .a)

Lolium pcrcnne L .; H caesp; Circumbor.; (Z.a)

Panicum repens L G rhiz; M ed.-Trop.; (C., Z.a)

Phalaris minor Retz.; T scap; M ed.-Iran.-Tur.; (C .)

Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) coss .. subsp. miliacea ;

H caesp; Med. - A tl.; (C Z.a)

Poa annua L.; T caesp; Cosmop.; (C.)

Poa infirma H .B .K .; T caesp ; M ed .; (n)

Poa bulbosa l . ; h caesp.; Paleotem p.; (n)

Polypogon monspeliensis (L .) d esf.; t scap; M ed.-

Trop.; (n)

Polypogon maritimus wind.; t scap; M ed.-Iran.-

Tur.; (n)

Polypogon viridis (G o u a n ) B r e is tr. ; H caesp; Med.;

(C ., Z.a)

Setaria verticillata (L.) Beauv.; T scap; Boreo-

Trop.; (C .)

Sorghum halepense { L.) Pers.; G rhiz; M ed.-Trop.;

(C.)

Stipa Capensis Thumb.; T scap; M ed.; (C., Z.a)

Trachynia distachya (L .) l ink ; t scap; M ed.-Iran.-

Tur.; (C .)

Trisetaria aurea (Ten.) Pign.; T scap; C M ed.; (Z.a)

Vulpia myUWS (L.) G m elin ; T caesp; Boreo-Trop.;

(C.)

Fam ilia TYPHACEAE

Typha angustifolia L .; G rhiz; C osm op.; (C .)

HABITATS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

AND PROPOSAL FOR S.C.I. INSTITUTION

Despite the vegetation features occurring in

the archaeological site are not examined in this

paper, since already treated by C orbetta et al. (2012)

and M inissale & Sciandrello (2016), here it would

point out that in the entire archaeological area of

Neapolis, including the non -fenced area placed west

of the Greek Theater, which extends to the cemetery

in Syracuse, occupying the non urbanized part of

“ C o lie Temenite”, there are habitats of Community

in te rest deserving of protec ti on which could be safe-

guarded, not only in an indirect way by the archae-

ological restrictions, but also by the establishment

of a Site of Community Importance ( S .C .1 .) . In this

way good management practices could be intro-

duced and it might be also a legal bulwark against

new property speculation that, after the great urban

expansions of the 60s and 70s of the last century,

do not cease to surround and threaten these sites.

In th e area the h ab itats of Annex I of th e European

Directive 93/42 EEC, which justify the institution

of a Site of Comm unity importance (S.C.I.), are the

fo 1 1 o wing:

3170*: Mediterranean temporary ponds, corres-

ponding to temporary pondsa characterized by am-

phibious community of the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea

class with Elatine gussonei and Tillaea vaillantii,

5420: Sarcopoterium spinosum phryg anas: in

this habitat can be included scrubland with Ori-

ganum OniteS which is associated with Corido-

102

Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello

thymus capitatus and sometimes Sarcopoterium

spinosum,

6220*: Mediterranean xeric grasslands ( TheVO -

Br achy po dieted) ■. here including the grasslands

dominated by Hyparrhenid hirtd, but also arid

ephemeral grasslands, such as those dominated by

Seduifl coeruleum that colonizes the rock with re-

duced soil and the grasslands dominated by Stipa

CapeUSlS which prefers a more thick soil.

The rocky habitats, being of artificial origin, al-

though older than 2000 years, still do not host the

typical rocky flora, except Antirrhinum siculum ,

and therefore they can not be ascribed to the cat-

egory as specified in Annex I.

The presence in the study area of the endemic

Elatine gUSSOnei is of great importance since it is

among the few Italian plant species of Community

interest included in Annex 11 of the Habitats Direct-

ive, whose conservation requires the designation of

special areas of conservation. This is particularly

true fo r th e h ab ita t of tem po rary pools w ith endemic

species not always well protected by the Natura

2000 network as recently highlighted by Bagella et

al. (20 13).

CONCLUSIONS

The plant cover, both natural and cultivated, of

the archaeological park contributes to characterize

the site and, as we have seen, it can provide points

of interest for visitors, which go far beyond just

ornamental value, landscaping or the possibility of

having shade and cool in summer; but as evidenced

by Minissale et al. (2016), it requires precise and

regular management interventions. In particular the

“positive” botanical emergencies found in the

archaeological site and surrounding areas must be

protected with great care; they represent an im port-

ant natural heritage that enriches the value of the ar-

chaeological site and in some cases they are the

expression of human actions that occurred in an-

tiquity; including quarry activities of stone blocks

that have increased the presence of micro-sites with

temporary pools suitable for the flora. On the other

hand the problem of invasive alien species should

not be underestimated; although very recently, it is

likely to become a serious threat to the archaeolo-

gical site as a whole; therefore, the control of invas-

ive species must be continuous and prolonged in

tim e .

Good management of the “green” will facilitate

access to areas, as most of the quarries, that before

the works of 2013 were almost inaccessible. For

these areas we highlight the opportunity to schedule

some intervention to improve the ornamental green

cover in order to differentiate it with a more Medi-

terranean footprint. In this regard, many species of

the Mediterranean maquis and garrigue could be

used, for the delimitation of the hedges currently

made with PittOSpOrum tobira (Thunb.) W.T.Aiton,

species of East Asia imported in Europe in XIX

century. In this case the use of myrtle ( MyrtUS

COmmuniS L.), a Mediterranean species, present in

Hyblean area, would be especially suitable for the

atom a em anating from the foliage and the beautiful

summer b 1 o o m .

Besides, the creation of thematic paths within

the Neapolis will be a valuable support to the use

of the site including the purpose of inducing (at

least some of the 500, 000 visitors per year who ac-

cess it) to learn more about this exceptional cultural

and naturalistic heritage. In any case a rigorous pro-

tocol of sustainable use will have to be developed

in order to avoid to damage or compromise the ex-

istence of the reported floristic peculiarities.

Finally, it is hoped that the scientific results

briefly summarized in this article and in Minissale

& Sciandrello (2016) can be interfaced with other

skills to m ake them the subject of further scientific

publications and dissemination editorial products

useful to raise awareness to plant heritage respect,

but also in order to plan a proper management of

the archaeological site and the surrounding territory.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was carried out with the support

of the Regional Forestry Company now called Re-

gional Department of Rural and Territorial Devel-

opment (D ip artim en to Regionale Sviluppo Rurale

e Terri to riale - Assessor a to Regionale dell’Agricol-

tura dello Sviluppo Rurale e della Pesca Mediter-

ranea ) office of Syracuse, as part of an agreement

fo r th e study and management of the flo ra of the Ar-

chaeological Park of Syracuse promoted by the Su-

perin te n d e n c e for the Cultural and Environmental

Heritage of Syracuse (Soprintendenza per i Beni

Culturali e Ambientali di Siracusa - Assessor ato

Beni Culturali e dell’Identita Siciliana).

The wild vascular flora of the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

103

We are particularly grateful to the folio wing per-

sons, at that time belonging to these institutions,

which have supported and encouraged us for this

research: Carmelo Frittitta, Filadelfo Brogna, M aria

Amalia Mastelloni and Alessandra Trigilia.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 105-112

Monograph

Preliminary data on the occurrence of alien macroalgae in

the vermetid reef along the coasts of Favignana Island (South-

ern Tyrrhenian Sea)

Paolo Balistreri* &Anna Maria Mannino

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Sezione di Botanica ed Ecologia vegetale, Universita

di Palermo, Via Archirafi 38, 90123 Palermo, Italy; e-mail: requin.blanc@hotmail.it; annamaria.mannino@unipa.it

’Corresponding author

ABSTRACT Intertidal vermetid reefs are highly diverse systems that provide numerous habitats for animal

and vegetal species, leading to an increase of intertidal biodiversity. These habitats, particu-

larly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities, are now experiencing high

mortality in several areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Since alien macroalgae are nowadays

considered one of the most serious threats to biodiversity and natural ecosystem functioning,

we provide a first baseline assessment of the occurrence of alien species in the vermetid reef

along the coasts of the Island of Favignana (Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area). Surveyes

carried out in 2015 revealed the only presence of Caulerpa cylindracea Sonder (Bryopsidales

Caulerpaceae). The alga, exclusively recorded within the cuvettes, showed low values of

abundance (class 1: cover <10%) except for San Giuseppe and Punta Longa localities where

the values of abundance fell within the class 3 (cover <40% and >20%). No significant cor-

relations were highlighted between the abundance values of C. cylindracea and those of the

dominant macroalgae inhabiting the cuvettes.

KEY WORDS Alien macroalgae; Favignana Island; southern Tyrrhenian Sea; vermetid reef.

Received 20.04.2016; accepted 23.08.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most

severely affected areas by biological invasions,

a “sea under siege” (Galil, 2000; Boudouresque et

al., 2005; Rilov & Galil, 2009). The number of alien

marine species reported so far ranges from more

than 600 to nearly 1 .000 (Zenetos et al., 2012; Galil

& Goren, 2014). As far as marine macrophytes are

concerned, a total of one hundred and thirty three

species have been listed as possible aliens; of these,

23 belong to the Chlorophyta, 79 to the Rhodo-

phyta, 30 to the Ochrophyta, and one is a seagrass

species (Tracheophyta) (Verlaque et al., 2015). At

present, 52 non-indigenous macroalgae are reported

from the Italian coasts, 6 Chlorophyta, 9 Ochro-

phyta, 36 Rhodophyta and 1 aquatic angiosperm

(Sfriso & Marchini, 2014). Among them the invas-

ive taxa belonging to the genus Caulerpa (Bryop-

sidales Caulerpaceae), Caulerpa racemosa var.

cylindracea (Sonder) Verlaque, Huisman et Boudour-

esque, thereafter reinstated to its species rank as C.

cylindracea Sonder (Belton et al., 2014), C. taxi-

folia (Vahl) C. Agardh and C. taxifolia (Vahl) C.

106

Paolo Balistreri &Anna Maria Mannino

Agardh var. distichophylla (Sonder) Verlaque,

Huisman et Procaccini, recently recorded in Sicily

(in 2007 as C. distichophylla in Meisnez et al.,

2010; Jongma et al., 2013; Musco et al., 2014),

have raised serious ecological and economic con-

cern.

Sicily and smaller surrounding Islands, located

at the crossroads between the eastern and western

sectors of the Mediterranean Sea and characterized

by intense maritime traffic (Occhipinti-Ambrogi et

al., 2011; Coll et al., 2012; Katsanevakis et al.,

2014), are particularly vulnerable and suitable to

biological marine invasions (Bianchi, 2007; Oc-

chipinti-Ambrogi et al., 2011; Katsanevakis et al.,

2012; Pap ini et al., 2013; see also Figs. 2-5 in Kat-

sanevakis et al., 2014) and then can be considered

as important sources for secondary dispersal. Ver-

metid reefs are bioconstructions built up by the

gastropod mollusc Dendropoma cristatum (Biondi,

1859) (Vermetidae) in association with some

coralline algae such as Neogoniolithon brassica-

florida (Harvey) Setchell et Mason. These biocon-

structions play a fundamental structural role, as they

protect coasts from erosion, regulate sediment

transport and accumulation, serve as carbon sinks,

make the habitat more complex and heterogeneous

and provide numerous habitats for animal and ve-

getal species thus increasing intertidal biodiversity

(Pandolfo et al., 1992, 1996; Badalamenti et al.,

1998).

These biogenic constructions, enclosed in the

SPA/BIO Protocol (Barcelona Convention) are now

threatened by environmental changes and human

activities (e.g. pollution, climate change, ocean

acidification) thus experiencing high mortality in

several areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Di Franco

et al., 2011; Galil, 2013; Milazzo et al., 2014).

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), even though have

a strong potential for habitat and biodiversity con-

servation, seem to be not effective in protecting

from the different threats and then from biological

invasions, sometimes enhancing them (e.g. Byers,

2005; Klinger et al., 2006; Burfeind et al., 2013).

Since the increase of knowledge is essential for the

conservation and protection of this highly valuable

and vulnerable habitat, with this study we provide

a first baseline assessment of the distribution and

abundance of alien macroalgae in the vermetid

reefs present along the coasts of Favignana Island

(Egadi Islands MPA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study area

The study was carried out at Favignana Island

(Egadi Islands MPA), located approximately five

kilometers from the western coast of Sicily. The Is-

land, part of the Aegadian Archipelago, represents

an example of a lower Pleistocene bioclastic cal-

carenite, characterized by a typic association known

as foramol (Kil, 2010). More or less continuous ver-

metid reefs are present along the coasts of Favig-

nana, consistent with the true reefs described along

the north-western Sicilian coasts (Antonioli et al.,

1999; Chemello, 2009). Their distribution confirms

the need of carbonatic substrates and of an abrasion

platform for the formation of true reefs (Dieli et al.,

2001). Recently, a preliminary description of the

reefs present along the coasts of Favignana Island

was provided (Balistreri et al., 2015; Table 1).

Sampling and Data analysis

Surveys were carried out in summer 2015 in ten

areas, characterized by the presence of a vermetid reef

(Fig. 1). Five areas were selected along the north-

ern side: Faraglione, Pozzo, Arre Turinu, San Gi-

useppe, San Nicola, and five along the southern side:

Pattern 1 Outer Margin: wide, flattened and ir-

regular. In the inner side, crevices were

also present.

Inner Margin: Dendropoma cristatum

is absent.

Cuvettes: not many, not deep and with

a variable width.

Pattern 2 Outer Margin: thin and not continuou-

sly arranged.

Inner Margin: Dendropoma cristatum

is absent.

Cuvettes: not many and not deep.

Pattern 3 Outer Margin: it has a variable height

and sometimes it is absent. Some crevi-

ces can also be present together with

regrowth areas.

Inner Margin: Dendropoma cristatum

is absent.

Cuvettes: many and sometimes very

deep.

Table 1 . Local patterns of vermetid reef observed at

Favignana Island (Balistreri et al., 2015).

On the occurrence of alien macroalgae in the vermetid reef along the coasts ofFavignana Island (S-Tyrrhenian Sea) 107

Figure 1. Location of the study areas at Favignana Island.

Figures 2-5. Cciulerpa cylindracea. Fig. 2: Habit (photo by Fabio Russo). Figs. 3, 4: Patches within cuvettes, the stolons of

Caulerpa cylindracea are strictly intermingled with the thalli of other macroalgae (San Giuseppe). Fig. 5: A patch beneath

the reef (San Giuseppe).

108

Paolo Balistreri &Anna Maria Mannino

Grotta Perciata, Cala Rotonda, Stomello, Punta

Longa, Cala Azzurra. These areas were surveyed in

order to check the presence of alien macroalgae. Six

of the studied areas (Faraglione, Pozzo, Arre Turinu,

Grotta Perciata, Cala Rotonda, Stomello) were

already checked for the presence of alien species in

summer 2012 (Balistreri, 2011/2012). The mac-

roalgal community inhabiting the reef was also ana-

lysed in terms of abundance values of the dominant

taxa. Abundance values of the alien taxa together with

those of the dominant macroalgae were estimated, as

substratum cover (%), by placing six replicated 400

cm 2 quadrats within the colonized surface, and five

classes were considered: 1 (cover <10%), 2 (cover

<20% and >10%), 3 (cover <40% and >20%), 4

(cover <60% and >40%) and 5 (cover >60%).

RESULTS

The surveys showed the only presence of C.

cylindracea (Fig. 2), generally forming isolated

patches within the cuvettes of the vermetid reef

(Figs. 3, 4). Moreover, it has been observed that the

stolons of C. cylindracea frequently grew strictly

intermingled with the thalli of other macroalgae,

leading to a complex web (Figs. 3,4).

The alga was totally absent at Faraglione, Grotta

Perciata, Pozzo and Stomello (Table 2). The abund-

ance values of C. cylindracea were low and fell

within the class 1 (cover <10%), with the exception

of Punta Longa and San Giuseppe, where the abund-

Study area

Reef

pattern

2012

2015

Faraglione

Pozzo

Arre Turino

Grotta Perciata

Stomello

Cala Rotonda

San Giuseppe

San Nicola

Cala Azzurra

Punta Longa

Table 2. Classes of abundance of Caulerpa cylindracea

in 2012 and 2015 (ms = missing data, - = absent).

ances fell within the class 3 (cover <40% and

>20%) (Table 2). At San Giuseppe, patches of C. cyl-

indracea were more or less continuously present up

to 1 m depth (Fig. 5) whereas at Cala Azzurra only

isolated thalli were present beneath the reef. The

macroalgal community inhabiting the cuvettes was

dominated by the following five taxa: Cystoseira

amentacea (C. Agardh) Bory, Halopteris scoparia

(Linnaeus) Sauvageau, Jania rubens (Linnaeus) J. V.

Lamouroux, Laurencia obtusa (Hudson) J.V.

Lamouroux and Padina pavonica (Linnaeus) Thivy.

No significant correlations were highlighted

between the abundance values of C. cylindracea

and those of the dominant macroalgae (Table 3).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Caulerpa cylindracea , the only alien species we

recorded, was exclusively present within the cu-

vettes and generally showed a patchy distribution.

Low abundance values were registered, with the

exception of Punta Longa and San Giuseppe.

Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan de

Saint-Leon, observed in summer 2008 only at San

Giuseppe within the cuvettes near the outer margin

of the reef (Balistreri, 2009/2010; Fig. 6), was

totally absent both in 2012 and 2015.

The comparison with data obtained from sur-

veys carried out in 2012 highlighted some differ-

ences in the distribution of C. cylindracea. In

particular, at Faraglione, Grotta Perciata, Pozzo and

Stomello the alga, recorded in 2012, was totally

absent in 2015 whereas at Arre Turino and Cala

Rotonda it was absent in 2012 but was present in

2015 (Table 2). In both years low abundance values

were registered.

At the moment the presence of C. cylindracea

doesn’t raise serious concern in the studied areas.

However, as it is a highly successful species (Car-

mthers et al., 1993; Ceccherelli et al., 2000; Cec-

cherelli & Piazzi, 2001; Raniello et al., 2007;

Occhipinti-Ambrogi et al., 2011; Felline et al.,

2012; Gorbi et al., 2014) and MPAs seem to be not

effective in protecting from the different threats and

then from biological invasions, its spread and dis-

tribution should be regularly monitored. Moreover,

since this species takes advantage of ecosystem

degradation (Occhipinti-Ambrogi & Savini, 2003),

making fragmented or less structured habitats

highly vulnerable to its invasion (Ruitton et al.,

On the occurrence of alien macroalgae in the vermetid reef along the coasts ofFavignana Island (S-Tyrrhenian Sea) 109

Taxa

Classes of abundance

Faraglione

Poz/o

Arre

Turino

Grotta

Perciata

Sto niello

Cala

Ro ton da

San

Giuseppe

San

Nicola

Cala

Azzurra

Punta

Longa

Junta

ruhens

Laurencin

o burnt

Cystoseira

amentacea

Halopteris

scoparia

Padina

pavonka

Caulerpa

cylindracea

Table 3. Classes of abundance of Caulerpa cylindracea and the dominant macroalgae in 2015

(R = Rhodophyta, O = Ochrophyta, C = Chlorophyta).

Figure 6. Thalli of Asparagopsis taxiformis

(San Giuseppe).

2005; Bulleri et al., 2010, 2011; Katsanevakis et

al., 2010), effective management and conservation

strategies have to be planned within the MPA.

The vermetid reef is a highly vulnerable habitat,

characterised by a delicate balance between two

opposite processes, deposition and erosion, with

the balance generally tilting toward deposition

(Chemello & Silenzi, 2011), even though “the struc-

ture can undergo a kind of ‘ suicide ’ leading to its

destruction by catastrophic events ” (Antonioli et al.,

1999; Chemello & Silenzi, 2011). Moreover, in-

creases in sedimentation might enhance the invas-

iveness of alien species such as C. cylindracea

(Airoldi & Cinelli, 1997; Piazzi et al., 2007). Indeed,

this alga is able to tolerate high sedimentation rates

and its spread and competitive ability may be en-

hanced by sediment deposition as consequence of

its ability to trap sediments (Piazzi et al., 2005,

2007). As consequence of its active mechanism of

stolonisation it forms compact multilayered mats to-

gether with macroalgae, that traps sediment creating

a relevant decrease of redox potential underneath

(Piazzi et al., 1997, 2005, 2007; Klein & Verlaque,

2008; Mannino & Di Giovanni, 2011; Matijevic et

al., 2013). This mat may negatively affect the

benthic assemblages (in term of diversity and struc-

ture), alters sediment conditions, causes drastic re-

ductions in diversity of the infaunal compartment

110

Paolo Balistreri &Anna Maria Mannino

(Antolic et al., 2008; Klein & Verlaque, 2008; Bal-

dacconi & Corriero, 2009; Holmer et al., 2009;

Zuljevic et al., 201 1) and directly affect reproduction

of demersal species (Felline et al., 2012).

Since areas located at the crossroads between

the eastern and western sectors of the Mediter-

ranean, like Sicily and the circum-Sicilian Islands, are

more vulnerable to biological marine invasions, reg-

ular monitoring programs, including public aware-

ness campaigns (e.g. the project entitled “Progetto

Caulerpa cylindracea - Egadi” sponsored by the

Department of Biological Chemical and Pharma-

ceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of

Palermo and the Egadi Islands MPA and available

at http://www.ampisoleegadi.it/progetto_caulerpa_

cylindracea_egadi.html), regular surveys and map-

ping by scientists, are strongly needed to assess the

spread dynamics of invasive species not only within

the protected areas (i.e. MPAs and Natural Re-

serves), but also in their surroundings in order to

reduce continuous spillover effects (see also Otero

et al., 2013). In the MPAs, high rates of visitation

could promote the introduction of invasive species

through increased disturbance and vectors (e.g.,

boat anchors, SCUBA equipment, bilge water, hull

fouling) and subsequent dispersal of propagules

(Minchinton & Bertness, 2003; West et al., 2007;

Britton-Simmons & Abbott, 2008; Burfeind et al.,

2013), therefore an Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

strategy integrated into the management plan of the

Egadi Islands MPA may be highly desirable.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 113-118

Monograph

Breeding of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis C.L.

Brehm, 1831 (Aves Podicipedidae) in the SCI and SPA

ITA060002 “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy)

RosaTermine

“Kore” University of Enna, Laboratory of Sanitary Environmental Engineering - Section of Biology, Cittadella U niversitaria -

941 00 Enna, Italy; e-mail: rosa. term ine@ unikore.it

ABSTRACT On 2015 breeding season, we censused a high number of Podiceps Yligricollis C.L. Brehm,

1831 (Aves Podicipedidae), breeding in the SCI and SPA ITA060002 “Lago di Pergusa”,

including the Nature Reserve “Lago di Pergusa”. After 1950 the breeding records of the P.

nigricollis in Italy were of approximately twenty and relative to a few pairs. Since 2010, in

the Lake Pergusa, the P. nigricollis has changed its status fro m “m igratory, o v erw in tering and

irregular breeder” to “regular breeder”. In 2010, and more regularly in 2012-2015, there are

in fact documented breeding attempts with relative offspring. This Lake has so far counted

the largest number of breeding pairs for S icily and Italy. We point therefore to the importance

of this protected natural area as a breeding site for the P. nigricollis.

KEY WORDS Black-necked Grebe; nesting; Pergusa Lake; Podiceps nigricollis-, Sicily.

Received 08.04.2016; accepted 21.06.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vend ic ari (Italy )

INTRODUCTION

After 1950 the breeding records of the Podiceps

nigricollis C.L. Brehm, 1831 (Aves Podicipedidae)

in Italy were of approximately twenty and relative

to a few pairs (B riche tti & Fracasso,2013;Verducci

& Sighele, 2013).

In Sicily (Fig. 1), this specie was considered

resident and regularly breeding (Benoit, 1 840;

Doderlein, 1 873 ). Later on, only two breeding

attempts were recorded: in 1 957 in the Lake Per-

gusa (20-25 pairs approximately) (Krampitz, 1 958)

and in 1966 in Palermo province, in the Scanzano

dam (1 pair) (Iapichino & M assa, 1989). For over

thirty years on the Island there have been anecdotal

sightings and irregular summer occurrence

( A A . V V., 2008).

From 2000 to 2011 there were a few cases of

breeding attempts: in 2000 and 2005 in Caltanis-

setta province (Mascara, 2007); in 2004, in 2006

(Corso, 2005, 2007) and 2011 (Di Blasi, pers.

comm. 2011) in Siracusa province.

Since 2010, in the Lake Pergusa, the P. nigricol-

tohas changed its status from “migratory, overwin-

tering and irregular breeder” to “regular breeder”.

There are in fact documented breeding attempts

with relative offspring:

- in 2010, with maximum observation of 16

adults at most and 13 chicks and juveniles together

(Ientile et al., 2010; Termine et al., 2011);

- in 2012, with maximum observation of 50

adults at most and 49 chicks and juveniles together

(Termine & M assa, 2015);

114

RosaTermine

- in 2013, with maximum observation of 128

adults and 112 chicks and juveniles together (Ter-

mine & Massa, 2015).

In 2011, between April and July, there are

records of 8 individuals with nuptial plumage,

however at the end of June their number was

already reduced to 2 and, given the absence of

observations of new born chicks, there are hypo-

theses that those were summer residents (Termine

& Massa, 2015).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Main object of this study, the monitoring of P.

nigricollis, was conducted from October 2013 to

August2015 by observation sessions at least every

15 days with 10x42 binoculars and 255-50x80 tele-

scope. We walked the whole lake perimeter with

an electric boat to access sites not seen from the

coast.

In the warm season, observation sessions were

conducted in early mornings and late afternoon,

thus during activity peak for water birds. Observa-

tion data were then inputted in a complete database.

Study area

The SCI and SPA ITA060002 “Lago di Pergusa”

(EN) include the Nature Reserve “Lago di Pergusa”

(402.5 hectares) created after the RegionalLaw No.

71 of 1995 and managed by the former Regional

Province ofEnna, now “Libero Consorzio Com un-

ale”.

The Lake Pergusa is a closed basin, approxim-

ately 140 hectares large and characterized by

marked water level fluctuations influenced by both

precipitations and summer evaporation that make

their waters as brackish ones.

For about twenty years the Lake water level de-

creased gradually down to its almost complete dis-

appearance in the summer 2002 following long

drought periods and several anthropic actions star-

ted in ‘30s with land reclamation works and con-

tinuing throughout ‘60s and ‘70s with ground water

draw from private and public wells.

Since 2003 the Lake water level has been in-

stead increasing, because both precipitation in-

crease and well closing, so that in the last years

the level is recorded beyond 4 metres versus 27

centimetres in 2002, when the water deficit and

Figure 1. Breeding sites of PodicepS Yligricollis in Sicily (1957-2015).

Breeding of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (Aves Podicipedidae) in the “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy)

115

Figure 2. Swimming adult with three chicks on its back in the “Lago di Pergusa”. Figure 3. Young grouped in large creche.

the salty conditions were so marked that they res-

ulted in an almost complete absence of its biotic

com ponent.

Controlled inflows of external water from the

nearby Ancipa dam ofTroina (Enna) have also con-

tributed to the recovery of the Lake. Between 2002

and 2004, indeed, the managing body conducted a

test for the environmental recovery of the Lake:

804,420 cubic metres of water were put in between

December 11, 2002 and May 7, 2003, and 750,010

cubic metres of water were put in between March

29 and May 3 1, 2004. Each inflow represents 1/6

of the total lake volume, today estimated as approx-

imately 4,500,000 cubic metres.

Despite its small size, the Lake hosts a rich avi-

fauna; censuses recorded more than 170 species, in-

cluding breeding, overwintering and migratory

ones.

Some of them are with a specific conservation

status; among the breeders, 18 species are included

in the European lists SPEC, among these 5 species

are included in the Annex I, Dir. 2009/147/CE: TytO

alba { Scopoii, 1 769), Calandrella brachydactyla

(Leisler 1814), Aythya nyvoca (G iildenstadt,

1770), Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1 75 8) and

lx- obiychus minutus (Linnaeus, 1 766). Moreover,

5 species are included in the Italian Red List: OtUS

scops (Linnaeus, 1758), Tyto alba , Aythya nyroca,

Porphyrio porphyrio and Ixobrychus minutus (Ter-

m ine et al., 2008 ).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

On the 18th Lebruary 2014, on 12 individuals,

6 were with nuptial plumage; 4 of them showed an

intraspecific competition, whereas one individual

with nuptial plumage and another with winter

plumage appeared as a pair that was observed also

on the following days; the breeding pairs were ob-

served from May to October, with observation of

maximum (Table 1, red font) 146 adults and 238

chicks and juveniles together.

On 17th Lebruary 2015, on 25 individuals, 13

were with a nuptial plumage; 6 of them showed an

intraspecific competition; the breeding pairs were

observed from May to August, with observation of

maximum (Table 1, red font) 261 adults and 304

chicks and juveniles together.

According to the observations conducted in Per-

gusa since 2010, the chicks are moved on the back,

even two-three at once (Pig. 2) by both parents and

they become independent at 2-3 week old although

they keep staying with their parents; as the breeding

season goes on, the pairs move close to each other,

together with their offspring, until they form larger

and larger groups.

Then starting in mid-August the young are

grouped in large creche (often only one), while

some adults hang round the groups (Pig. 3) and

other adults move to different directions getting

sometimes far from the groups.

Starting in mid-October young and adults

116

RosaTermine

Date

Singles

Pairs

Tot.

Adults

Pulli

Juv.

Total Pulli

+Juv.

I7.V.2014

1 5, VI. 2014

29. VI. 2014

13.VII.2014

142

1 13

196

03.VIII.2014

146

200

218

1 5. VII 1.2014

144

226

238

29.V1II.2014

139

22 5

225

29. IX. 2014

130

210

14.X. 2014

117

193

25. V. 2015

20.VL2015

135

251

1 85

185

30. VI. 2015

104

254

184

2 26

1 l .VII. 201 5

177

4 1

259

246

301

21.VII.201 5

108

261

264

304

02. VIII. 2015

172

248

283

298

15.VIII.2015

206

1 9

244

277

295

Table 1. Observations of PodicepS nigricollis daring 2014 and 2015

breeding seasons in the “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy).

Table 2. Maximum number of adults of PodicepS nigvicollis ob serv ed in the different

months (2004-2015) in the “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy).

Breeding of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (Aves Podicipedidae) in the “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy)

117

cannot be distinguished as the adults turn into the

w inter plumage.

On the Lake, the number of individuals is

markedly reduced starting in November; the occur-

rence of P. nigricollis in w intering is m uch reduced :

in the 2010-11 winter there were 2-4 observed in-

dividuals, in the 2011-12 winter 3-8, in the 2012-

13 winter 4-5 (Termine & M assa, 2015); in the

2013-14 winter 8-12, and in the 2014-15 winter

12-25 (Table 2).

During the breeding season, including the one

in 2010, in the Lake there was a marked water

vegetation cover forming floating mats, probably

promoting the occurrence and breeding of this spe-

cies.

CONCLUSIONS

We therefore emphasise the importance of this

protected natural area as a breeding site for the

Podiceps nigricollis. The restored ecological and

conservation conditions of the Lake may have fa-

voured an optimal context for this species settlement.

This Lake has so far counted the largest number

of breeding pairs for Sicily and Italy (Verducci &

Sighele, 2013).

Monitoring of avifauna is fundamental for un-

derstanding the evolution of biotic elements of the

ecosystems; in fact the avian populations change

according to diverse and often fast paces, therefore

the continuous monitoring is crucial for assessing

the conservation status of protected natural areas,

including the ones in Rete Natura 2000, given the

significant effect of biotic and abiotic variables on

the breeding success.

In Italy the low number of nesting sites make

this breeding population particularly vulnerable to

environmental fluctuations and the action of other

disturbance elements even at small scales (Gustin

et al. 2010). Accordingly, in addition to population

monitoring, it is necessary to at least continue to

monitor the water quality so that to prevent poten-

tial negative effects on the whole community.

Given its rare status as a breeder species, the

Black-necked Grebe is a species understudied in

Italy (Gustin et al., 2010) so that sessions of band-

ing and marking are strongly warranted.

Finally, given the exceptional nature of breeding

occurrence of the this species in Italy, investigating

the winter movements of young with tracking

devices would warrant future investigations as this

event appears to become consistent across the

years.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We thank the “Libero Consorzio Comunale” of

Enna for supporting our research. A special thank

goes to Bruno M assa for his precious suggestions.

We also thank Daniela Campobello for English.

REFERENCES

A u tori Vari, 2008.Atlante della Biodiversita della Sicilia:

Vertebrati terrestri. Studie Ricerche, 6,AR PA S icilia,

P ale rm o , 5 3 6 p p .

Benoit L., 1840. O rnitologia Siciliana. Stamperia G. F i-

um ara, M essina.

Brichetti P. & Fracasso G ., 2013. Ornitologia Italiana.

Vol. 1. G aviidae-Falconidae. Edizione elettronica

riveduta e aggiornata. Alberto Perdisa Ed., Bologna,

4 6 3 p p .

Corso A., 2005. Avifauna di Sicilia. L’Epos Societa

Editrice, Palermo, 324 pp.

Corso A., 2007. In: Ruggieri L. & Sighele M. (red.),

2007. Annuario 2006. EBN Italia, Verona, 10.

Di Blasi F., 2011. Personal communication. LIPU S aline

di Priolo (Siracusa).

Doderlein P., 1 873. Avifauna del Modenese e della Si-

cilia. Giornale di Scienze N aturali ed Economiche,

5: 265-328.

Gustin M., Brambilla M. & Celada C. (a cura di), 2010.

Valutazione dello Stato di C o n serv azio n e dell’avi-

fauna italiana. Volume I. Non-Passeriformes. Min-

istero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e

del Mare, Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (LIPU),

842 pp.

Iapichino C. & Massa B., 1989. The Birds of Sicily. Brit-

ish O rnithologist’U nion, C heck-list, 11: 1-170.

Ientile R., Termine R. & Siracusa A. M ., 2010. Nidi-

ficazione di Svasso piccolo Podiceps nigricollis

C.L. Brehrn, 1831 (Aves Podicipediform es) nella

Riserva N aturale Speciale Lago di Pergusa (Enna).

II N aturalista siciliano, 34: 543-544.

Krampitz H.E., 1 95 8. Weiteres uber die Brutvogel Sizi-

liens. Journal of Ornithology, 99: 39-58.

Mascara R., 2007. L’avifauna degli invasi artificiali di

Cimia, Comunelli e Disueri (C altanissetta, Sicilia).

Aggiornamento 1993-2006. Uccelli d ‘Italia, 32: 9-20.

Massa B. & Schenk H ., 1 983. Similarity tra le avifaune

della Sicilia, Sardegna e Corsica. Lavori della Societa

Italiana di B iogeografia, 8 ( 1980): 757-799.

118

Rosa Termine

Term in e R., Canale E. D., Ientile R., Cuti N Di Grande

C.S. & Massa B ., 2008. Vertebrati della Riserva N at-

urale Speciale e S ito d’Importanza Comunitaria

Lago di Pergusa. II Naturalista siciliano, 32: 1 0 5 —

186.

Termine R., Ientile R. & Siracusa M.A., 2011. N idi-

ficazione di Svasso piccolo nella Riserva N aturale

Speciale del Lago di Pergusa. Biologi Italiani, 4 1, n°

2: 42-46.

Termine R. & Massa B ., 2015. N idificazione di Svasso

piccolo Podiceps nigricollis C. L. Brehm, 1831 al

lago di Pergusa (Enna). In: Pedrini P., Rossi F.,

Bogliani G., Serra L. & Sustersic A. (a cur a di), 2015.

XVII Convegno Italiano di Ornitologia: A tti del

convegno di Trento. Ed. MUSE, Trento, 65-70.

Verducci D. & Sighele M ., 2013. La nidificazione dello

Svasso piccolo Podiceps nigricollis in Italia. Uccelli

d ’ Italia, 3 8: 39-48.

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 119-121

Monograph

Mycterodus arpadi Dlabola, 1 977 (Hemiptera Issidae): a new

record from Europe

Ilia Gjonov

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Faculty of Biology, Department of Zoology and Anthropology National Museum of

Natural History, Sofia, Bulgaria; e-mail: gjonov@cicadina.com

ABSTRACT Mycterodus arpadi Dlabola, 1977 (Hemiptera Issidae) is reported only from Asia Minor

(Beikoz, Istanbul Province). In 2012, in the Bulgarian part of the Strandzha Mountain a few

specimens of the species were collected and photographed. This is the first record of M. arpadi

in Europe.

KEY WORDS Bulgaria; fauna; Issidae; Mycterodus arpadi', new record.

Received 21.03.2016; accepted 08.05.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The Issidae family described by Spinola in

1839, belongs to the order Hemiptera and includes

numerous species. In the Western Palaearctic there

is only one tribe, Issini Spinola, 1839 comprising

51 genera and more than 455 species (Gnezdilov,

2013).

The genus Mycterodus Spinola, 1839 is one of

the richest within the family. It is present in the

Western Palaearctic with 40 species distributed in

Central and Southeastern Europe, Eastern Mediter-

ranean Basin, Anatolia, Caucasus, Middle Asia, and

Iran (Gnezdilov et al., 2014).

Mycterodus arpadi Dlabola, 1977 was described

on the base of only one male specimen from Beikoz

(the Anatolian part of Turkey). The specimen is de-

posited in the Hungarian Natural History Museum

(Budapest) (Dlabola, 1977). There are no other pub-

lished records except the holotype. Nevertheless,

four specimens are included in the collection of the

National Museum of N atural History in Paris (Mike

Wilson, pers. comm.). In the Turkish literature the

species is treated as endemic (Lodos & Kalkan-

delen, 1981; Onder et al., 2011). The species is as-

signed to the subgenus Mycterodus s. str. (Dlabola,

1995; Gnezdilov et al., 2014).

Two other species of Mycterodus are reported

from Bulgaria - M. cuniceps Melichar, 1906 and

M. immaculatus Fabricius, 1794. According to

Gnezdilov et al. (2014) the records concerning M.

immaculatus need a revision. Gruev (1970) de-

scribed another species - M. longivertex - but 3

years later the author referred to the species as a

junior synonym of M cuniceps (Gruev, 1973).

Mycterodus usually live on bushes and small

trees. M. cuniceps is frequently collected on oaks.

This is the first record of M. arpadi for Europe.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Examined material. Bulgaria, Strandzha Mt.,

Popovi slcali, N 42.1630 E 27.7373, 52 m a.s.l.,

1 male 2 females, 10.V.2012, m = 20/12, leg. I.

Gjonov (Figs. 1,2).

120

Ilia Gjonov

Figure 1 . Mycterodus arpadi lateral view.

Figure 2. Mycterodus arpadi dorsal view.

The material was collected by entomological

sweeping net in May 2012 in the Bulgarian part of

the Strandzha Mountain. The location is not far

from the Black sea coast in a limestone area with

bushy slopes, close to a small river. The specimens

were collected on oaks. Photographs of the living

specimens were taken by Olympus E-500 DSLR

camera with Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

APO Macro lens with Raynox DCR-250 macro

lens and ring flash. After photographing the

samples were stored. The specimens were pre-

served dry; thei were identified by examining ex-

ternal morphology and by carrying out a detailed

examination of genitalia following the original

description (Dlabola, 1977).

RESULTS

Photos of the genital structures made under

microscope were sent to Andras Orosz in HNHM,

Budapest, and he compared them with the genital

of the holotype and confirmed the species identi-

fication.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Till now M. arpadi was known as an Anatolian

endemic species. Considering the lack of previous

data, M. arpadi could be regarded as a rare species.

With this record the knowledge on the distribution

of M. arpadi is expanded and new data about the

composition of the family Issidae in Bulgaria are

added.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am grateful to Andras Orosz, HNHM, Bud-

apest, for confirming species identification and to

Mike Wilson, National Museum Cardiff who kindly

provided essential information.

REFERENCES

Dlabola J., 1977. Neue Zikaden-Taxone von Mycterodus,

Erythria, Selenocephalus und Goldeus (Homoptera:

Auchenorrhyncha). Acta Zoologica Academiae

Scientiarum Hungaricae, 23: 279-292.

Dlabola J., 1995. Mycterodus verwandte Taxone und

sieben neue Zikadenarten (Homoptera, Auchenor-

rhyncha). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis

Pragae, 44: 301-319.

Gnezdilov V.M., 2013. [Modern Classification and the

Distribution of the Family Issidae Spinola (Ho-

moptera, Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoroidea)]. Entomo-

logicheskoe Obozrenie, 92: 2013. (in Russian with

English summary)

Gnezdilov V.M., Holzinger W.E. & Wilson M.R., 2014.

The Western Palaearctic Issidae (Hemiptera, Ful-

goroidea). An illustrated checklist with keys to genera

and subgenera. Proceedings of the Zoological Insti-

tute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 3 1 8 (Sup-

plement 1): 121.

Mycterodus arpadi Dlabola, 1977 (Hemiptera lssidae):a new record from Europe

121

Graev B., 1970. Mycterodus longivertex sp. n. aus

Bulgarien (Homoptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Issidae).

Reichenbachia, 13: 1-3.

Graev B., 1973. Uber zwei Arten der Familie Issidae in

Bulgarien (Homoptera, Auchenorrhyncha). Folia

Entomologica Hungarica, 26: 71-74.

Lodos N. & Kalkandelen A., 1981. Preliminary list of

Auchenorrhyncha with notes on distribution and

importance of species in Turkey IV. Family Issidae

Spinola. Tiirkiye Bitki Korama Dergisi, 5: 5-21.

Onder F., Tezcan S., Karsavuran Y. & Zeybekoglu U.,

2011. Tiirkiye Cicadomorpha, Fulgoromorpha ve

Stemorrhyncha (Insecta: Hemiptera) Katalogu, Meta

Basim, Bornova, Izmir, 168 pp.

Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 123-144

Monograph

Review of the observations of aggregates of Steninae repor-

ted since 1 856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

Giulio Cuccodoro

Museum d’histoire naturelle, C. P. 6434, CH-1211 Geneve 6, Switzerland; e-mail: gulio.cuccodoro@ville-ge.ch

ABSTRACT The nine aggregates of Steninae documented since 1856 are reviewed, completed with

seventeen new reports. All the pictures available on the topic are presented. Considering the

ubiquity and megadiversity of the subfamily, this total of 26 observations reported over the

last 150 years appears strikingly low, clearly indicating that the phenomenon! is exceptional.

These observations were all made in the Palaearctic and Oriental realms, and refer to both

the extant genera of Steninae Dianous and Stenus. Six observations refer to Dianous species,

all from China, mainly D. banghaasi and D. freyi. Of the twenty observations referring to

Stenus ten were made in the Mediterranean area, mainly on S. cordatus, S. elegans and

S. turk. This collection of observations seems a composite of several kinds of behavioural

patterns, such as hibernation, aestivation, reproductive swarming, and possibly hilltopping,

with some most likely intermixed. Aggregation in compact multilayer masses of individuals

as well as occasional recurrence of Stenus aggretates at precise locations over days or year

are probably controlled by pheromone signals. The reasons driving these slender, one centi-

meter long rove beetles to occasionally swarm in compact masses of well over hundred thou-

sand individuals remain nevertheless as enygmatic as how such a spectacular phenomenon!

performed by members of the second most diverse genus of animals on earth can remain so

rarely observed.

KEY WORDS Ethology; aggregation; behaviour; reproduction; hilltopping; Mediterranean Region.

Received 16.01.2017; accepted 04.03.2017; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

Steninae are very distinctive slender rove beetles

with broad globular compound eyes. The subfamily

is distributed virtually worlwide except Antarctica

and New Zealand. It consists of some 2750 extant

species grouped in the genera Dianous Leach, 1819

and Stenus Latreille, 1779, the latter being the

second most diverse genus of animals with approx-

imately 2550 species (Herman, 2001; Thayer, 2005;

Cai et al., 2014). Feeding essentially on collembola

Stenus possess a chameleon-like protrusive prey-

capture mouth apparatus unique within insects,

which is probably the key innovation responsible

for the impressive radiation of the group (Betz,

1996, 1998). Partly because of the marked attrac-

tion of their favoured preys for humid microhabitas,

Steninae are mainly found in moist forest leaf litter,

near swamps, along river banks or lake shores, but

also walking on the foliage of tropical rainforests.

In Europe their greatest diversity is to find in moist

environments such as reeds, where some species

forage on humus or plants debris near the ground,

while others prefer to climb on plants, or are surface

124

Giulio Cuccodoro

runners on bare ground (Betz, 1999a, 1999b).

Although they usually possess fully functional

wings, they all are very reluctant to flight, and move

almost only walking or running. Hence another of

their evolutionary traits appears to be a trend

towards significant widening of tarsi, resulting in

the apparently repeated emergence of water-gliding

and swimming habilities (Betz, 2002).

In 2005 I was casually confronted to another

striking pecularity of Steninae unique within rove-

beetles, which is their ability to occasionally con-

gregate in very large numbers and form dense

multilayer masses of individuals (Cuccodoro, 2007;

Puthz, 2008). Submitting my few pictures and field

notes to the Stenus specialist Volker Puthz, I was

very suprized to learn that such an impressive phen-

onenom was still documented in the literature with

only a handfull of short notes since first reported

some 150 years ago from France (Dufour & Perez,

1857).

Here I review the nine observations of aggreg-

ates of Steninae recorded hitherto in the litterature

(Dufour & Perez, 1857; Rougemont, 1980; Abdul-

Nour&Kallab, 1989; Lecoq, 1991, 1993; Cooter,

1997; Puthz, 2000; Zhao & Li, 2004; Cuccodoro,

2007), as well as sixteen additional observations

reported to me by colleagues, or gathered over

the internet. All the pictures available to me are

presented, with some pertaining to previous

records published here for the first time. The struc-

ture of these observations as well as possible causes

and adaptative interests of the phenomenon! are

briefly discussed. Hopefully this will stimulate in-

vestigations on this phenonomenom, which is def-

initely as spectacular as it remains enygmatic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Most unpublished observations were forwarded

to me by Volker Puthz, Schlitz. He obtained them

mainly in feedback to his repeated call for informa-

tions on the topic “Stenus -Ansammlungen im Mit-

telmeerraum: wer hat solche Massenvorkommen

von Stenus (Staphylinidae) aufeiner kleine Fldche

(unter Stein, o. d.) beobachtet? Mitteilung Dr. V.

Puthz (....)” [Stenus - aggregations in the Mediter-

ranean area: who observed such mass occurences

of Stenus (Staphylinidae) on a small surface (under

stone, or similar) ? Contact Dr. V. Puthz] published

in the rubric Von Kollege zu Kollege on the recto

of the backcover of volumes 73 (1977) to 77 (1981)

of the journal Entomologishe Blatter. Several un-

published observations were also forwarded to me

by the other specialists of Steninae Guillaume de

Rougemont, London, and Liang Tang, Shanghai.

The rest was addressed to me in feedback to my

presentation on the topic at the “22nd International

Meeting on Biology and Systematics of Staphylin-

idae” in Stuttgart (Cuccodoro, 2007) and to my call

for informations addressed in June 2011 to all the

email list of the announcement of 26th edition of

the same meeting, or gathered by myself over the

internet. When still possible I also contacted the au-

thors of previously published reports for additional

informations.

RESULTS

The observations of aggregates of Steninae are

listed below organized chronologically, and con-

sequently numbered.

1) September 1856, Saint Sever ( France )

The first observation of an aggregate of Sten-

inae was made near Saint Sever (Landes France)

in the beginning of September by a local teacher

named Perez (first name unknown). He brought

back to Leon Dufour for identification a sample

containing two thousands and several hundreds of

individuals of Stenus rusticus Erichson, 1840 (=

Stenus picipes Stephens, 1833), which were only a

fraction of those forming the aggregate he wit-

nessed. Curious to see the phenomenon! by himself

L. Dufour went there some days later with M.

Perez, and they could observe it again exactly at

the same place. It was on leaves of a chestnut

stump cut at level with the ground located on the

edge of a small, dry ravine. The leaves were com-

pletely blackened by the beetles piled one on each

other. He estimated that they were more that twenty

thousands individuals within an area of 50 cm in

diameter. Dufour shalced the leaves and heard “like

a rain of sand”, so he put his hand underneath,

which was readily filled with thousands of Stenus.

These were etherized, put into a glass vial and

given to his friend Joseph Alexandre Laboulbene,

with charge to present that sample together with a

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

125

report of the observation at the Entomological So-

ciety of France in Paris. It was finally Leon Fair-

maire, in the name of Laboulbene, who read the

note of Dufour at the 22 October 1956 meeting of

the Entomological Society of France (Dufour &

Perez, 1857).

Note. The note is referred to as “Stenus rusticus

rencontre en immense quantite (note sur le), L.

Dufour et Perez ” in the table of contents (alpha-

betical by taxa) at page CLXIV of tome IV of the

Annales de la Societe Entomologique de France

(3rd series), in the section containing the reports

the meetings of this society in the last trimester

of 1856; as the last meeting reported was on 24

December 1 856, it is very unlikely that the volume

was published before the end of that year, hence

my quotation of the reference not following Lecoq

(1993), who credited the publication of the note to

Fairmaire in 1856.

2) 12 June 1972, Rosas (Spain) - Figs. 1, 2

The aggregate was observed by Alfred Elbert in

montains West of Rosas (Catalogna, Spain). It oc-

curred under a large stone, and consisted of several

thousands individuals of Stenus sp. massed in a few

multilayer masses (Figs. 1, 2). Reported to V. Puthz

by A. Elbert in January 1973 (V. Puthz pers.

comm.).

3) 12 July 1972, Tchirtchik (Uzbekistan)

The aggregate was observed by Josef Krai

some 1,000-1,300 m above sea level in the

Aktesch Valley near Tchirtchik in the western part

of the Mts. Tienshan (Tschaktall ridge), some 50

km West of Taschkent (Uzbekistan). The Aktesh

Valley is North oriented, and the place was located

at base of a rocky cliff, quite humid with many

stones and plants, probably occasionally flooded.

Turning a 25x15 cm stone was found a 6x4 cm

mass affixed to it and consisting exclusively of

Stenus facing the edge of the stone, organized in

several layers with their abdomens oriented regu-

larly, resembling roots. Some individuals were

collected using an aspirator, but as the others star-

ted to quit the mass and run away, the stone was

put in a sifter in order to catch them all. No par-

ticular smell, taste, or any other inconvenience

was experienced during the process. This sample

totalized 1,217 specimens of Stenus turk Puthz,

1972 with a sex ration of 36 females for 64 males

in a random sample of 100 individuals (det. L.

Hromadka). Additional masses were found under

some other stones, thought only those located at a

few steps of the first one, as well as in a few shad-

owed and wet places at base of the cliff. Reported

to V. Puthz by J. Krai in August 1976 (V. Puthz

pers. comm.).

4) 29 September 1972, Kreta (Greece)

The aggregate was observed by Hans Malicky

in the Yeropotamos river valley near the bridge

below Phaistos palace (Kreta, Greece). It occurred

in the late afternoon of a sunny day in a place

already at shade, and consisted of more than 10,000

individuals of Stenus picipes (det. V. Puthz) ag-

gregated in compact clusters hanging on a few

blades of grasses near the river shore, from far look-

ing like bee swarms. There were no stones in the

area. Reported to V. Puthz by H. Malicky in August

1977 (V. Puthz pers. comm.).

5) 3 July 1977, Trimiklini (Cyprus)

The aggregate was observed by Stanislav Vit

near the village of Trimiklini on the island of

Cyprus. It occurred in the late morging of a sunny

day on the bank of a stream in a small ravine shad-

owed by a gallery forest, and consisted of several

thousands of Stenus turbulentus Bondroit, 1912

running around on only a few square meters along

the steam shore, but he didn’t noticed any dense

multilayer masses of individuals. Reported to me

by S. Vit in June 2011.

6) January 1979, Kathmandu (Nepal)

The aggregate was observed by Guillaume de

Rougemont near the Dakshinkali Temple (Kath-

mandu, Nepal). The aggregate was estimated to

consist of over 50 individuals of Stenus immsi

Bernhauer, 1915 massed closely under a loose

boulder on the bank of a stream. Frost prevailed at

night. Individuals remained inactive when dis-

turbed, apparently in state of hibernation, in sharp

contrast with the activity of other specimens collec-

126

Giulio Cuccodoro

ted few months before in October in litter at roots

of plants near a small torrent. Reported in Rouge-

mont (1980).

7) 1981, Aures (Algeria)

The aggregate was observed by Jean-Michel

Maldes and Serge Doguet on Djebel Mamel

(Aures, Algeria). It occurred in a deep and shad-

owed crack of a big rock, and was estimated to

consist of several thousands individuals of Stenus

cordatus Gravenhorst, 1802. Nearby was also ob-

served an aggregate of Chalcoidea. Reported in

Lecoq (1993).

8) 31 August 1981, Corfu ( Greece )

The aggregate was observed by Gerhard

Katschak along the Ropa river on the island of

Corfu (Greece). It occurred at around noon on a

quite humid and 26 °C warm sunny day. In the bed

of the river, which is reduced to puddled at this time

of the year, were several thousands individuals of

Stenus sp. gathered on only a few square meters

close to some puddles, most quite active walking

around on the ground. Sampled specimens per-

tained to six species: S. hospes Erichson 1840, S.

indijferens Puthz, 1967, S. pallitarsis Stephens,

1833, S. planifrons Rey, 1884, S. similis (Herbst

1784), and S. sinuatus Cameron, 1930, with approx-

imately 70% of them being S. pallitarsis and S.

planifrons ; sex ratio balanced. Reported to V. Puthz

by G. Katschak in September and October 1981 (V.

Puthz pers. comm.).

9) 27 May 1983, Tilos ( Greece )

The aggregate was observed by Dieter Liebegott

near the cloister of Agios Panteleimon on the island

of Tilos (Greece), nearby the aggregate of Apion

reported by Liebegott (1983). It occurred on a

sunny day at noon along a small creek, and con-

sisted of several thousands individuals of Stenus sp.

densely grouped under some stones on a few square

meters. The beetles were motionless, and massed to

a depth of 2-3 bodies in the middle each group.

Reported to V. Puthz by D. Liebegott in June 1983

(V. Puthz pers. comm.).

10) 27 June 1987: San Pietro Island (Italy) -

Pigs. 3, 4

The aggregate was observed by Maurizio Mai

and Roberto Poggi at an elevation of 140 meters

above see level on the westen slope of the Monte

Guardia dei Mori (Pig. 3). It occurred under decay-

ing leaves in the stony bed of a dry stream. The ag-

gregate consisted of about 700 individuals of Stenus

sp. intermixed with approximately an equal number

of Apion sp., all forming one dense aggregate cov-

ering only few squares centimeters. Individuals

were motionless, apparently inactive. About half of

the individuals were sampled (Pig. 4), totalizing

358 Apion (s. str.) gracilicolle (Gyllenhal, 1839)

and 375 Stenus ( Parastenus ) elegans Rosenhauer,

1856. Reported in Lecoq (1993); additional inform-

ations and pictures sent to me by R. Poggi in July

2011.

11) June 1988, Cave Mgharet el Qlanssiye

(Lebanon) - Figs. 5, 6

The aggregate was observed by Hani Abdul-

Nour, Nayla Abdul-Nour, Malake Assouad, Fadi

VBaroudi, Antoine Ghaouche, Oussama Kallab,

and Paul Khawaja in the cave Mgharet el Qlanssiye

located at base of a small cliff close to a small trib-

utary of the ouedi Qozha'fa, only few kilometres

away from Kfar Sghab (Lebanon). It occurred on

the ceiling of the cave at some five meters from its

entrance (Fig. 5). On an area of ten square meters

were some fifteen dense, black masses of Stenus,

each several centimeters thick, with some isolated

individuals walking between, for an estimated total

of more than 100,000 individuals. The mass on fig-

ure 6 covered an area of about 200 cm 2 and was

estimated to contain between 10,000 and 30,000 in-

dividuals. Amazingly some spiders were affixed

with silk threads above some groups of Stenus sp.,

motionless, becoming suddenly very aggressive

when approaching the hand, as if defending their

larder. Specimens sampled were Stenus cyaneus

Baudi, 1848. Reported in Abdul-Nour & Kallab

(1989); original colour dia of Fig. 6 and specimens

sent to me by H. Abdul-Nour in October 2007.

12) July 1988, Pyrenees orientates (France)

The aggregate was observed by Jean-Claude

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

127

Lecoq at some 1200 m above sea level close to

the top of Pic Neoulou (Pyrenees orientales,

France). It occurred under a 30x40 isolated stone

lying on wet grass close to the tree line, and con-

sisted of several thousands individuals densily

grouped on an area large as two hands. Individals

were nearly motionless. Specimens sampled were

Stenus cordatus; sex ration balanced. According

to his experience the species is not very common

in the area, and individuals were kilometers away

of their nearest favorite habitat. Reported in

Lecoq (1991).

13) 1994, Sichuan (China)

The aggregate was observed by Fa-Ke Zheng on

the Emeishan in Sichuan (China), and consisted of

several thousands Dianous freyi Benick, 1940

gathered in dense multilayer masses on and under

a large boulder near a stream. Reported in Puthz

( 2000 ).

14) May 1996, Zhejiang (China)

The aggregate was observed by John Cooter

in the Long Wang Shan Nature Reserve (Zheji-

ang, China), and consisted of several thousands

Dianous freyi in a deep horizontal crevice under

a huge boulder resting on bare rock on the

bank of a stream. They were near motionless in

the deep shade, forming a continuous mass 1-2

cm deep and 3-5 cm across, and extending

for well over one meter. Nearby specimens of D.

banghaasi Berhnauer, 1916 were active at the sun

on the bare rock, while individuals of D. freyi

would actively seek shelter in shallow crevice or

under dead leaves when disturbed. Reported in

Cooter (1997).

15) 2 June 1999, Sardegna (Italy)

The aggregate was observed by Roberto Poggi

at some 1000 meters above sea level nearby Genna

Silana at Fonte Esilai (Sardegna, Italy). It occurred

near a stream, and consisted of several hundreds in-

dividuals of Stenus sp. very densely grouped to-

gether. Specimens sampled pertained to two spe-

cies: S. cordatus and S. elegans. Reported to me by

R. Poggi in July 2011.

16) 16 August 2000, Guangdong (China) -

Figs. 7, 8

The aggregate was observed by Graham T.

Reels in the Chebaling Nature Reserve (Guang-

dong, China). It occurred by a stream in subtropical

forest, and consisted of several thousands Dianous

sp. densely massed in four separate groups near the

base of a single veiy large boulder (Fig. 7). All the

beetles were motionless, and massed to a depth of

4-5 bodies in each group (Fig. 8). A sample from

two of the masses made by scooping an open tube

through the beetles included about 250 individuals

of D. banghaasi , and a single individual of an un-

described species. Reported to G. de Rougemont by

G.T. Reels in September 2000 (G. de Rougemont

pers. comm.).

17) May 2003, Zhejiang (China)

The aggregate was observed by Liang Tang and

Li-Zhen Li some 300 meters above see level on

Mt.Tianmushan (Zhejiang, China). It occurred dur-

ing a cloudy day on the boulders of a big steam, and

consisted of several hundreds D. banghaasi and D.

freyi densely grouped on each other on a few square

centimeters close to the water surface. Reported

with a picture in Zhao & Li (2004); additional in-

formations reported to me by L. Tang in June 2011.

18) 25 July 2003, Guizhou (China)

The aggregate was observed by Liang Tang at

700 meters above see level on Mt. Fanjingshan

(Guizhou, China). It occurred during a sunny day

on a boulder in a big steam, and consisted of

about hundred Dianous sp. pertaining to two dis-

tinct species with red elytral spots, individuals

densely grouped on each other on a few square

centimeters. Reported to me by L. Tang in June

2011.

19) 2004, Nanchong (China)

The aggregate was observed by Fa-Ke Zheng

in Nanchong (China). It occurred on a boulder

close to a stream, and consisted of large numbers

of D. banghaasi (not D. freyi, G. de Rougemont

pers. comm.) on a very small area. Reported in

Zhao & Li (2004).

128

Giulio Cuccodoro

20) 17 and 19 October 2005, Mt Barail

(India) - Figs. 9-15

The aggregate was observed by Alessandro

Marietta and me near the town of Haflong (North

Cachar Hills) in the cloud forest located at the top

of the 1 800 m high Mt. Barail (Assam, India) (Fig.

10). It occurred at the edge of the summital clear-

ing (Fig. 9), and consisted of more than five thou-

sands individuals densely concentrated at base of

a small tree.

We discovered the aggregate in the early after-

noon of a rather cloudy day. Individuals were al-

most everywhere up to 1.5 m high on the mossy

stem (Fig. 11), as well scattered at a few centi-

meters from each other almost everywhere over the

surrounding couple of square meters of vegetation

(Fig. 13, 14). Density of individuals was partic-

ularly high underneath some recurved dead

broadleaves and in shallow cavities of thin dead

branches, where they formed compact multilayer

masses (Fig. 12). Most individuals appeared mod-

erately active, with many couples in copula (Fig.

14). Specimens sampled were all Stenus stigmatias

Puthz, 2008; sex ration balanced. The aggregate

was still going on when we left the place at 3.30

PM. The following morning we returned there and

settled our camp for further investigations, but

couldn’t find even a single Stenus, and rain started

pooring on us from 3 PM until late in the night. The

day after was sunny until clouds obscured the sun

from late morning throughout the afternoon. At

about 1 PM we suddenly noticed again some

Stenus near the same particular tree. As if they

were oosing out of its trunk and basal branches

(Fig. 12), their number increased dramatically and

within half an hour the aggregate had resumed with

the same intensity as two days before. At around 4

PM, the attendants at the aggregate appeared to

have significantly decreased in number, and they

were all gone before sunset a 4h30 PM. I returned

and camped there at the same period of the year

during two weeks in 2006 and one week in 2008,

but couldn’t see again even one individual of S.

stigmatias. Reported in Cuccodoro (2007) and

Puthz (2008).

21) September-Nov ember 2005-2009, Mon-

te fiascone (Italy) - Figs. 15-19

The aggregate was observed by Anonymous in

the village of Montefiascone, located on a small

rocky hill two kilometers away from the eastern

shore of lake Bolsena (Latium, Italy) (Fig. 15). It

occurred inside a refurnished part of a very ancient

house and its underground cellar (Fig. 16, 17), both

adjoining to the thousand years old castel erected

on top of that 620 m high local summit. Consisting

of more than hundred thousands individuals, the

phenomenon! lasted several weeks typically from

late September to late November, and reoccurred

annually at least from 2005 to 2008. It was so in-

trusive that the owner of the house and his family

moved out during that period of the year. Despite

intensive efforts to seal every possible entrance into

the house (mosquito nets at windows, joining

around the door and windows frames, etc.) the

owner never succeeded to prevent the Stenus sp.

from coming, and then going out. He never saw

them flying. Amazingly individuals tended to con-

centrate in dark places (angles of the rooms, under

the furnitures, etc., Fig. 18), but they were moving

rather toward the windows while aggregated. Dur-

ing these seasonal invasions individuals were seen

mating (Fig. 19), and only very few dead specimens

were left behind after leaving. The phenomenon!

never occurred elsewhere in the neighborhood, and

stopped after heavy sanitation works were carried

out in and around the house in Spring 2009. Repor-

ted on the WEB (Forum Entomologi Italiani) by

Anonymous in March 2009; further informations

reported to me by Anonymous in March 2009.

22) June 2009, Hainan Island (China)

The aggregate was observed by Anonymous in

Yingeling Nature Reserve (Hainan Island China). It

occurred on leaf litter in forest near the mountain

summit, and consisted of several thousands Stenus

sp. pertaining to at least two species (one black with

red spots and the other bluish black) intermixed on

a very small area. Reported to me by L. Tang in

June 2011.

23) 9 September 2010, Komirshi river (Kaza-

khstan) - Figs. 20-23

The aggregate was observed by Vitaly Kats-

cheev in the gorge of river Komirshi (Kyrgiz Al-

atau, Kazakhstan, Fig. 20), and consisted of more

than four hundred individuals of Stenus turk form-

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

129

ing a continuous congestion on a 20x30 cm plat-

form under a willow bush close to a stream (Figs.

21-23). Only individual specimens were found ne-

arby, with an average density of 18.7 individuals

per square meter on the 10 square meters around

this bush. Reported to V. Puthz by V. Katscheev in

January 2011 (V. Puthz pers. comm.).

24) 13 May 2011, Mt. San Angelo (Italy)

The aggregate was observed by Pavel Krasensky

at an elevation of 8 1 5 m above sea level on the North

slope of Mt. Saint Angelo (Apulia, Italy) during a

sunny day with about 15 °C at shadow, and no wind.

It occurred near the entrance of a small cave located

-41°42’36.1”N 15°56’33.8”E - in a sheltered depres-

sion in oak forest, and consisted of about 200 to 300

Stenus cordatus scattered on the grass on an area of

about ten square meters completely at shade. The

specimens quickly ran on the grass, and about half

of them flown. After about 15 minutes of observation

the specimens slowly disappeared. Reported to me

by P. Krasensky in February 2016.

25) 22 November 2014, Virajpet (India) -

Figs. 24-28

The aggregate was observed by Vipin Baliga

and A.K. Karthik near Virajpet (Karnataka, India).

It occurred in a sheltered depression on the vertical

face of a huge boulder adjacent to a stream,

and consisted of several thousands of Stenus sp.

grouped in two dense masses (Figs. 24, 25). As they

were taking pictures, they noticed that individuals

were slowly dispersing, moving away from the

groups (Figs. 26-28). After a few pictures they went

ahead and while returning found them scattered

over a greater area. Despite my efforts I couldn’t

spot a couple in copula in the close up pictures of

the aggregate (Figs. 26, 27). Reported on the WEB

(India Biodiversity Portal) by V. Balinga in Decem-

ber 2014; further informations reported to me by V.

Balinga in February 2017.

26) 5 February 2015, Agumbe (India) - Figs.

29-33

The aggregate was observed by Lukas Pod-

loucky at some 1 00 meters above see level near the

Onake Abbi falls at Agumbe (Karnataka, India). It

occurred at around 2 PM of a 30-35 °C hot sunny

day on the stem of tree shaded by branches close to

a stream (Fig. 29). Estimated to consist of more

than hundred thousand individuals densily grouped

in one multilayer mass it is by far the largest Stenus

aggregate ever photographed (Figs. 30-33). The

mass did not change shape, nor moved during the

quarter of an hour it was surveyed. Only after small

disturbation (blow, touch, ...) some individuals tried

to escape from the shape of the mass, and some of

the tree. Despite my efforts I couldn’t spot a couple

in copula in the close up pictures of the aggregate

(Figs. 32, 33). Reported on the WEB (Friends of

Coleoptera Entomology department Facebook

page) by J. Kadlec in December 2015; further

informations reported to me by L. Podloucky in

December 2015.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This collection is very heterogeneous, and at

first glance quite puzzling. It seems in fact that

this assemblage deals with different kinds of phe-

nomena, with some of them probably even mixed

up. So at this level of knowledge (rather of ignor-

ance) it would be certainly very hazardous to

draw any definitive interpretation to most of

them. However some considerations can never-

theless be made.

First both the genera Dianous and Stenus are in-

volved. And some species are more frequently

cited, notably S. cordatus (reports 1, 12, 15 and

24), S. elegans (reports 10 and 15), and S. turk (re-

ports 3 and 23), and D. banghaasi (reports 16, 17

and 19 ) and D.freyi (reports 13, 14, 17). More fre-

quent aggretative behaviour in these taxa might re-

flect either a higher sensibilty to drought of these

two Dianous species inhabiting in subtropical cli-

mate, or in the contrary a better adaptation pre-

cisely to long periods of draught of these three Ste-

nus species inhabiting in the Mediterranean cli-

mate.

However considering the megadiversity and

ubiquity of the subfamily, in particular of the

genus Stenus, and in the light of the repeated calls

for observations on the topic made since 1977 it is

quite astonishing that the new total of reports since

1856 is of twenty six only. Many staphylinists who

130

Giulio Cuccodoro

spent years of their life in cumulate fieldwork

throughout the world never had the chance to wit-

ness a Stenus aggregate. And for the few lucky

ones it mostly remained a once in a lifetime exper-

ience to which they were unprepared, hence the

scarcity of the pictures made. Fortunately the phe-

nomenon! is truly so impressive that it stroke the

attention even of non-specialists, to whom we owe

the best and most impressive pictures available

(Figs. 24-33). This indicates clearly that even if

possibly common in some stenine taxa, aggreg-

ative behaviour certainly remains very exceptional

within the subfamily.

Generaly speaking it is not so uncommun to

find Steninae concentrated in high population

density in some peculiar suitable biotopes. For

example sometimes hundreds, or even thousands

individuals of Stenus may inhabit mossy spots

over rocky slope, and assemblages of several spe-

cies of Dianous can also rather frequently be seen

by dozens feeding at base of some particular

boulders in streams. Nevertheless those specimens

are always separated one from another with some

distance, doing their own business apparently

without communicating with each other. This

could well be the case for the reports 5 and 8, the

later consisting of a congregation of six different

species of Stenus.

Several observations seem also to refer to indi-

viduals grouped together in a common attempt at

minimizing negative abiotic factors, such as high

or low temperature, or low humidity. These groups

would hence be formed by individuals gathering

together in most suitable microhabitats of their

environment, like under stones (for humidity, and

heat or cold), or in caves (for humidity and cold),

with individuals remaining rather inactive, not

necessarily engaged in elaborate interactions

between each other, like mating. Such behaviour

would be expected to occur rather on circadian

and/or seasonal basis. For example all the reports

pertaining to Dianous sp. were consistently made

in subtropical climate with individuals grouped on

boulders close to streams (reports 13, 14, 16-19;

Figs. 7, 8); insects could seek there fresh and

humid during the hottest hours of the day, but still

remaining close enough to their normal habitat in

order to be able to readily return there once the am-

bient conditions will be back to their liking. As

already noted by Rougemont (1980) it is also very

likely that the small group of S. immsi he found in

January in Nepal massed together and inactive

were individuals hibernating during excessive cold

(report 6). Same could apply to the aggregate ob-

served in January in Khazakstan (report 23). Sim-

ilarly most observations from the Mediterranean

area (reports 1, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15 and 24) and that

from Uzbekistan (report 3; Figs. 20-23) might

refer to populations of Stenus in state aestivation

trying to escape excessive drought under stones, or

in caves. Particularly impressing is that aggregate

observed in Lebanon inside the “rove beetles cave”

(report 11), where the masses of Stenus were

“guarded” by spiders (Fig. 6).

Considering the rather individualistic normal

behaviour of these insects, it seems obvious that

pheromone signals drive them to form such dense

masses consisting of several layer of bodies tightly

piled onto each other. However the reasons which

would trigger those pheromones signals remain

very obscure. The most seducing hypothesis is that

aggregative behaviour would facilitate reproduc-

tion, and hence those signals would be triggered on

seasonal basis. This would be particularly tempting

to explain when Stenus are surprized in compact

clusters grouped above the ground on leaves of a

tree (report 1), hanging on a few blades of grasses

(report 4), or forming very compact masses in full

view on a boulder (report 25; Figs. 24-28) or a tree

(report 26; Figs. 29-33). However at least for these

last two reports (25 and 26), which were those doc-

umented with the best pictures ever of the phe-

nomenon!, it seems that there were no specimens

mating (see Figs. 26, 27, 32, 33). So far the only

evidences of specimens in copula during or after

an aggregation pertain to observations made in

India (report 20; Fig. 14) and in Italy (report 21;

Fig. 19).

The two latter reports (20 and 21) together with

report 1 are amazingly also the only three aggreg-

ates having reoccurred at least two times at the

same place: on a particular tree at several days of

interval for reports 1 and 20, and inside a house and

its cellar over several years for report 21. Recur-

rence of an aggregate on a very precise location is

also very hard to explain without the implication of

lasting pheromone signals.

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

131

Figures 1, 2. Aggregate n° 2 (12. VI. 1972: Rosas, Spain, credit A. Elbert). Views of the stone with dense multilayer masses of

Stenus sp. (black masses), and isolated individuals walking away.

132

Giulio Cuccodoro

Figures 3, 4. Aggregate n° 7 (27.VI.1987: San Pietro Island, Italy, credit R. Poggi). View of the biotope and sample of the ag-

gregate, with sifter and sheet covered with many individuals of Stenus (red arrow showing one) and Apian (blue arrow showing

one) running out of the sifter and on the sheet.

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

133

Figures 5, 6. Aggregate n°l 1 (June 1988: Cave Mgharet el Qlanssiye, Lebanon, credit H. Abdul-Nour). Entrance of the cave and

dense multilayer masses of Stenus cyaneus, the main one covering about 200 cm 2 , with their « gardian spider » (red arrows).

134

Giulio Cuccodoro

Figures 7, 8. Aggregate n°16 (16.VIII.2000, Guangdong, China, credit G.T. Reels). Fig. 7: boulder with several thousands Dia-

nous banghaasi (dark areas) densely massed in four separate groups near the base. Fig. 8: close up of upper group with indi-

viduals massed in 4 to 5 layer.

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

135

Figures 9, 10. Aggregate n° 20 (17 and 19.X.2005: Mt Barail, India, credit G. Cuccodoro). Fig. 9: view of the biotope (red

arrow showing the location of the aggregate). Fig. 10: view of the western slope of Mt Barail (red arrow showing the lo-

cation of the aggregate) from Haflong (North Cachar Hills, Assam).

136

Giulio Cuccodoro

Figures 11, 12. Aggregate n° 20 (17 and 19.X.2005: Mt Barail, India, credit G. Cuccodoro). Fig. 11: mossy stem of the

tree where the aggregate was observed twice at two day of interval thousands (red arrow showing the branch photographed

in figure 12). Fig. 12: densely massed Stems stigmatias as if oosing out of a dead branche.

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

137

Figures 13, 14. Aggregate n° 20 ( 17 and 19.X.2005: Mt Barail, India, credit G. Cuccodoro). Figs. 13, 14: Stenus stigmatias

over the vegetation near the tree of figure 1 1 (red arrows showing couples in copula ).

138

Giulio Cuccodoro

Figures 15-19. Aggregate n° 21 (September-November 2005-2008, Montefiascone, Italy, credit Anonymous, WEB

(Forum Entomologi Italiani) in March 2009). Fig. 15: view of the Lake Bolsena from the site of the aggregate. Fig. 16:

view of the biotope, with cellar. Fig. 17: entrance of the cellar inside which part of the aggregate occurred repeatedly in

Autumn over several years 17 (red arrows showing area with Stenus). Fig. 18: multilayer mass of Stenus sp. in the comer

of a room inside the house. Fig. 19: Stenus sp. walking out of the cellar shown in figure 17 (red arrows showing couples

in copula).

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

139

Figures 20-23. Aggregate n° 23 (15.XII.2010, Komirshi river, Kazakhstan, credit V. Katscheev). Fig. 20: view of the biotope.

Figs. 21, 22: views of the microhabitat (red arrow showing the location of the aggregate). Fig. 23: sifter with hundreds Stenus

turk running away.

140

Giulio Cuccodoro

Figures 24-28. Aggregate n° 25 (22.XI.2014, Virajpet, India, credit V. Baliga). Figs. 24, 25: Views of the entire Stenus sp.

aggregate. Figs. 26, 27: details of the aggregate (note the apparent absence of couples in copula). Fig. 28: close up of three

Stenus sp. walking away of the aggregate.

Review of the observations of aggregates ofSteninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

141

Figures 29-33. Aggregate n° 26 (5. 11.2015, Agumbe, India, credit L. Podloucky). Fig. 29: view of the biotope (red arrow

showing the location of the aggregate). Fig. 30: view of the main part of the aggregate. Fig. 3 1 : close up of the central part

of the aggregate. Figs. 32, 33: close ups of the lower part of the aggregate (note the apparent absence of couples in copula).

142

Giulio Cuccodoro

Aggregate

Year

Country

Climate

Month

Species involved

Exposure

Multilayer

Stream

Hilltop

Matings

Pictures

1856

France

Cool temperate

September

SteMtonfatos

in full view

yes

1972

Spain

Mediterranean

January

5fews sp.

ihidded

yes

Figs-1,2

1972

Uzbekistan

Wam continental

July

Stenuj

hidden

yes

1972

Greece

Mediterranean

September

Sfem/spicipes

in full view

yes

1977

Cyprus

Mediterranean

July

5t™ sp.

in full view

yes

1979

Nepal

Subtropical

February

Stems imms/

hidden

yes

1981

Algeria

Coldsemiarid

Stems sp,

hidden

yes

1981

Greece

Mediterranean

August

Stems (6sp,)

in full view

yes

1983

Greece

Mediterranean

May

Stems sp.

hidden

yes

1987

Italy

Mediterranean

June

5fe/?us e/egons +

Apion sp,

hidded

yes

Figs.3,4

1988

Lebanon

Mediterranean

June

Stems cpei/s

hidden

yes

Figs. 5, 6

1988

France

Cool temperate

July

SfeMtoflfotos

hidden

yes

1994

China

Subtropical

D/onous/rey/

in full view

yes

Pufo.2000

1996

China

Subtropical

May

Djanous/reyi

hidden

yes

1999

Italy

Mediterranean

June

5fe/?use/egans +

SfenustoJita

in full view

yes

2000

China

Subtropical

August

Dimmsbongtoi

sp.

in full view

yes

Figs, 1 , 8

2003

China

Subtropical

May

Dlomi/sboflgtar

+ D/orrous freyi

in full view

yes

Zhao & Li,

2004

2003

China

Subtropical

July

Dims sp(2sp,|

exposed

yes

2004

China

Subtropical

Dims bontai

exposed

yes

2005

India

Subtropical

October

5te/?i/s sf/gmofros

in full view

yes

Figs. 9-14

2005-

2008

Italy

Mediterranean

September-

November

Stenus sp.

hidden

yes

Figs, 15-19

2009

China

Subtropical

June

Stems sp. (2sp.)

in full view

yes

2010

Kazakhstan

Warm continental

December

Stems turfc

hidden

yes

Figs, 20-23

2011

Italy

Mediterranean

May

Stems rorcta

in full view

2014

India

Tropical

November

Stems sp,

in full view

yes

Figs, 24- 28

2015

India

Tropical

February

Stems sp.

in full view

yes

Figs. 29-33

Table 1. Summary of the 26 observations of aggregates of Steninae reported since 1856

(Coleoptera Staphylinidae).

Review of the observations of aggregates of Steninae reported since 1856 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

143

Together with the reports 12 (from France) and

22 (from China) these same two reports (20 and 21)

belong even more amazingly to the four aggregates

of Stenus found near or at the top of a local summit,

with specimens over one kilometer away from their

usual habitat, corroborating the suggestion by

Lecoq (1991) of a possible hilltopping effect on the

phenomenom. Although Steninae can fly (see report

24), they are basically very lasy flyers and prefer

walking. On the top of Mt. Barail I have not seen

even one specimen flying to or away of the two

consecutive aggregates I watched there for over 6

cummulated hours (report 20). But the key advant-

age for their survival these one centimeter long rove

beetles would find in walking at least half a kilo-

meter away of their habitat up to the top of this 1800

m high summit is quite obscure to me.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My colleagues and friends V. Puthz (Schlitz,

Germany), G. de Rougemont (London, United

Kingdom) A. Ryvkin (Moscow, Russia) and L.

Tang (Shanghai, China) helped me in various ways,

notably by forwarding me all the published and un-

published informations they had gathered on the

topic over decades dedicated to the study of Sten-

inae, and I warmly thank them again here. For

providing precious informations and/or pictures

used in this paper my thanks are also extended to

H. Abdul-Nour (Jdeit-el-Matn, Lebanon), V. Baliga

(Bangalore, India), A. Elbert (Monheim, Germany),

G. Gridelli (Italy), J. Kadlec (Strakonice, Czech

Republic), S. Karimbumkara (Bangalore, India), G.

Katschak (Kleve, Germany), V. Katscheev (Russia),

J. Krai (Prague, Czech Republic), P. Krasensky

(Chomutov, Czech Republic), D. Liebegott (Frank-

furt, Germany), H. Malicky (Lunz, Germany), A.

Marietta (Catania, Italy), L. Podloucky (Ceske

Budejovice, Czech Republic), R. Poggi (Genoa,

Italy), G.T. Reels (Yuen Long, Hong Kong), and S.

Vit (Geneva, Switzerland).

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la grotte aux staphylins. Liban souterrain, Bulletin du

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Betz O., 1996. Function and evolution of the adhesion-

capture apparatus of Stenus species (Coleoptera,

Staphylinidae). Zoomorphology, 116: 15-34.

Betz O., 1998. Comparative studies on the predatory be-

haviour of Stenus spp. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae):

the significance of its specialized labial apparatus.

Journal of Zoology, London, 244: 527-544.

Betz O., 1999a. Life forms and hunting behaviour of

some Central European Stenus species (Coleoptera,

Staphylinidae). Applied Soil Ecology, 9 (1998): 69-

74.

Betz O., 1999b. A behavioural inventory of adult Stenus

species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Journal of Nat-

ural History, 33: 1691-1712.

Betz O., 2002. Performance and adaptive value of tarsal

morphology in rove beetles of the genus Stenus

(Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) Journal of Experimental

Biology, 205: 1097-1113.

Cai C., Clarke D.J., Huang D. & Nel A., 2014. A new

genus and species of Steninae from the late Eocene

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38: 557-562.

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of Mt Barail (India: Assam), pp. 5-6. In: Wolf-

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fur Naturkunde Stuttgart, 19 pp.

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rusticus rencontree en immense quantite. Annales de

la Societe Entomologique de France (3eme serie), 4:

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Museum of Natural History, 264, 1-4218 (in 7 vols).

Lecoq J.-C., 1991. Observation d'un comportement rare

chez un staphylin: le gregarisme (Col. Staphylinidae).

L’Entomologiste, 47: 173-174.

Lecoq J.-C., 1993. Gregarisme des staphylins: suite. (Col.

Staphylinidae). L’Entomologiste, 49: 38.

Liebegott D., 1983: Massenansammlungen von Riis-

selkafern der Gattung Apion auf agaischen Inseln.

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Vereins, Frankfurt am Main, 8: 54-56.

Puthz V., 2000. The genus Dianous Leach in China

(Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). 261. Contribution to the

knowledge of Steninae. Revue Suisse de Zoologie,

107: 419-559.

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Himmelst-ochter (Coleoptera Staphylinidae). Linzer

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 145-150

Monograph

The alien leafhopper Balclutha brevis Lindberg, 1 954 (Hemi-

ptera Cicadellidae) and its hostplant, the invasive Poaceae

Pennisetum setaceum (Forsskal) Chiov.: a real risk in the scen-

ario of Mediterranean land biodiversity?

Vera D’Urso*, Oscar Lisi & Giorgio Sabella

Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, via Androne

81 - 95124 Catania, Italy

‘Corresponding author: dursove@unict.it

ABSTRACT The possible effects on Mediterranean biodiversity of the alien leafhopper Balclutha brevis

Lindberg, 1954 (Hemiptera Cicadellidae) and its alien hostplant, Pennisetum setaceum

(Forsskal) Chiov., are discussed; Pennisetum setaceum is a perennial grass of Poaceae spread

worldwide and recently colonizing very quickly also Mediterranean countries, it being an in-

vasive species that colonises several environments and is able to modify ecosystems replacing

the herbaceous indigenous vegetation. Balclutha brevis, described from the Canary Islands,

has been reported in Sicily and Malta Islands. In Sicily, conspicuous populations of this spe-

cies, with specimens of different generations living together during the whole year, are present.

A Wolbachia Hertig, 1936 strain and the Trichogrammatidae Oligosita balcluthae Viggiani

et Laudonia, 2015, parasitoid of eggs, affect B. brevis. The aggressiveness of P. setaceum and

the speed of colonization of B. brevis could cause a banalization of the flora and also the

fauna with modification of the entomocoenosis and possible transmission of disease to wild

and cultivated plants.

KEY WORDS Alien species; Balclutha brevis; Oligosita balcluthae; Pennisetum setaceum; Sicily; Wolbachia.

Received 04.07.2016; accepted 14.11.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The alien species of leafhopper Balclutha brevis

Lindberg, 1954 (Hemiptera Cicadellidae), living on

the alien Crimson Fountain Grass Pennisetum seta-

ceum (Forsskal) Chiov., has been recently reported

in Sicily (Bella & D’Urso, 2012).

The Crimson Fountain Grass is a perennial Po-

aceae with a thermo-cosmopolitan distribution. The

areas of origin of this species are North and East

Africa, the Near East and the Arabian Peninsula;

from these areas the species has spread worldwide,

recently also to Mediterranean countries: the

Canary Islands, Southern France, Southern Spain,

Balearic Islands, Southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia.

Recently reported also from Malta Island (D’Urso

& Mifsud, 2012). Its spread is linked especially to

its use as an ornamental, it having an attractive

appearance, low nutritional requirements and res-

istance to soil aridity, also in its cultivar “ rubruni ”

(Figs. 1, 2).

According to Pasta et al. (2010), P. setaceum

was reported for the first time in Sicily by Bruno

(1939) (sub P. ruppelii) in the Botanical garden of

146

Vera D’Urso et alii

Palermo, where seeds imported from Abyssinia

were planted in 1938.

Pennisetum setaceum was found in natural en-

vironment in about 1959 on the slopes of Mount

Pellegrino (Pignatti & Wikus, 1963) and Catania

(Borruso & Furnari, 1960) (sub P. villosum R.

Brown). Currently, this species is in rapid expansion

along the coastal areas and the main roads of Sicily

(D’Amico & Gianguzzi, 2006; Giardina et al.,

2007; Pasta et al., 2010) where there are suitable

environmental conditions.

Outside of its native areas, P. setaceum is an in-

vasive species that colonises several environments

and is able to modify and to alter ecosystems repla-

cing the herbaceous indigenous vegetation (Pasta et

al., 2010). It also increases the risk of fire since it

is highly flammable (Rahlao et al., 2009), resists

after fire and indeed its vegetation is stimulated by

fire (Smith & Tunison, 1992; Brooks & Pyke,

2001). As widely documented, it has escaped from

cultivation as ornamental many times (e.g. in the

USA) (Poulin et al., 2005) and it is a major threat

to native vegetation in many areas (also natural re-

serves) such as in the Hawaii, where it is subjected

to control and eradication methods (Castillo et al.,

2007).

Balclutha brevis is a leafhopper 3.20-3.80 mm

long, yellowish-green (Fig. 3). The species of the

genus Balclutha Kirkaldy, 1900 live on various

grass species by feeding sap; the genus has a cos-

mopolitan diffusion with about seventy described

species (McKamey, 2010); in the Mediterranean

area 1/3 of those species are present with at least 6

species reported also in Italy. Balclutha brevis, de-

scribed from the Canary Islands by Lindberg

(1954), was subsequently reported from Cape Verde

Islands. Recently, the species has been reported

from Sicily (Bella & D’Urso, 2012) and Malta Is-

lands (D’Urso & Mifsud, 2012).

The presence in Sicily of this alien species could

be due to introduction via North Africa, where it is

supposed to be present though not yet reported due

to the lack of fieldwork. In Malta, the species was

probably introduced together with P. setaceum,

used as ornamental plant and now spreading rapidly

(Mifsud, personal communication). According to

Aguin Pombo et al. (2005), B. brevis is probably a

native species from the Cape Verde Islands. In our

opinion, this species is likely native from the same

native range of P. setaceum (the wide area compris-

ing North and East Africa, the Near East and the

Arabian Peninsula) and the leafhopper should be

considered as an established alien outside that area.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present paper takes into consideration part of

the results of an investigation conducted in the ter-

ritory of the town of Catania (on which a specific,

detailed paper on the life cycle of B. brevis is in pre-

paration): during the years 2012-13 two sites, one

in the town and one in a suburban area, were mon-

itored about every twenty days. Ten ears of P. seta-

ceum were collected every time and all arthropods

found on them were identified and counted.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In Sicily, conspicuous populations of adults and

immature stages (Fig. 4) of B. brevis develop ex-

clusively on P. setaceum ears (also on the cultivar

“ rubrum ”), both on spontaneous and ornamental

plants. The eggs are laid in groups inside the

glumes. The observed life cycle of B. brevis lasted

about 17 days and several generations follow one

another throughout the year, with specimens of

different generations living together; actually, all

stages (immature stages, adults and eggs) can be

found together in every period of the year.

When these insects are very numerous, the ears

contain many microdrops of honeydew that blur the

plants heavily (Fig. 5). In addition, the honeydew

can attract other feeders especially Formicidae; as

a matter of facts, the highest number of ants found

corresponded well to the peaks of B. brevis popula-

tion. The honeydew could attract also several spe-

cies of Apoidea, especially Apis mellifera

Linnaeus, 1758. In our land, honeydew honey is

produced when there are large populations of

aphids or whiteflies.

Up to now, little is known about the fauna asso-

ciated to P. setaceum', a report concerns a new aphid

(Homoptera Aphididae) from Saudi Arabia and Er-

itrea (Aldryhim & Ilharco, 1997). In Sicily, the arth-

ropod fauna associated to the Crimson Fountain

Grass is not very rich. Ants are the most numerous

in specimens (represented by 6 species) followed

by the Trichogrammatidae (although present with a

The alien Balclutha brevis and its hostplant, the invasive Pennisetum setaceum: a risk for Mediterranean biodiversity? 147

Figures 1, 2. Pennisetum setaceum as ornamental green near Catania (Fig. 1) and a clump living on an house wall

in the city (Fig. 2). Figures 3, 4. Balclutha brevis adult (3) and fifth stage (4). Scale bar = 1 mm

single species); rare araneids, beetles and bugs but

with more species (Table 1).

The Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera Chal-

cidoidea) include parasitoid of insect eggs; the spe-

cies found, Oligosita balcluthae Viggiani et Laudo-

nia, 2015 was identified into the eggs of B. brevis.

Oligosita balcluthae belongs to the collina-group

and is very similar to O. biscrensis Nowicki, 1935

known only for a female collected on palm orchad

in Biskra (Northern Sahara, Algeria) (Bella et al.,

2015). The above mentioned similarity could con-

firm our hypothesis of the provenience in our land

of B. brevis from North Africa. The presence of the

parasitoid indicates that there is a natural population

control of the leafhopper; besides, from this it can

be inferred that B. brevis is well established in Si-

cily for a time long enough to allow the consol-

idation of the relationship between parasitoid and

host.

In addition, recently a Wolbachia Hertig, 1936

strain, belonging to the taxonomic supergroup B, in

males and females specimens of B. brevis from Si-

cily, has been detected by molecular screening

study (PCR) with three Wolbachia specific genes

(16S rRNA, ftsZ, wsp) (Pappalardo et al., 2016).

Wolbachia is the most widespread intracellular

a-proteobacteria maternally inherited endosym-

biont of insects and nematodes. The well known ef-

148

Vera D’Urso et alii

FORMICIDAE

6 species

TRICFLOGRAMMATIDAE

Oligosita balcluthae

APHIDOIDEA

at least 1 species

THYSANOPTERA

at least 1 species

ACARINA

at least 1 species

ARANEIDA

at least 3 species

COLEOPTERA

at least 3 species

HETEROPTERA

at least 2 species

Table 1 . Taxa of arthropods collected on P. setaceum.

Figure 5. Ear of Pennisetum setaceum with

drops of honeydew.

clutha to other insects and vice versa. Moreover, it

is not inconceivable that the infection could be tran-

smitted either by predation (some injury, e.g. by

wasp) or more probably by parasitoids, which may

function as a vector for Wolbachia bacteria and

transfer it to other arthropods (Lis et al., 2015).

To date, there is no evidence for a vector role of

B. brevis and, moreover, the species has not been

found jet by us on any other grass species except for

P. setaceum. However, some species belonging to the

genus Balclutha are vectors of plant diseases. Ac-

cording to Han (2012), B. punctata (Fabricius, 1775)

is able to transmit mulberry dwarf phytoplasma

to mulberry; according to Morgan et al. (2013), B.

rubrostriata (Melichar, 1903) is known to be a vector

of the phytoplasma that causes sugarcane white leaf

disease to sugarcane and according to Dakhil et al.

(2011), almond witches’ - broom phytoplasma in Le-

banon was also detected in Balclutha sp., therefore

considered potential phytoplasma earner.

In addition, in Mississippi, P. setaceum resulted

positive to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus and Sugar-

cane Mosaic Virus. These viruses are transmitted

by sap and by several species of aphids (Rosen-

kranz, 1980). In conclusion, it cannot be excluded

a priori a possible extension of the diet for B. brevis

in new habitats colonized, or its possible role in the

transmission of plant pathogens.

fects of Wolbachia on reproduction of its hosts (e.g.,

cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis, male

killing, feminizing of genetic males and modifying

fecundity) considered, it can be hypothesized that

these bacteria have influenced biology, ecology, di-

versification and speciation of their hosts (Lis et al.,

2015). In spite of Wolbachia infections in both

males and females of B. brevis, no morphostmctural

alteration commonly related to the presence of the

bacterium, has been noticed in all the examined spe-

cimens (Pappalardo et al., 2016).

It is known that host plants can mediate Wolba-

chia infection in phytophagous insect populations.

The natural horizontal transmission of Wolbachia

can take place by consumption of infected or con-

taminated food, e.g. plant sap and/or from para-

sitoids, e.g. parasitoidal wasps.

The Crimson Fountain Grass could have medi-

ated Wolbachia transmission from infected Bal-

IMPACT ON MEDITERRANEAN BIOD-

IVERSITY

As already emphasised by Pasta et al. (2010), P.

setaceum is a strongly invasive species in rapid ex-

pansion which threatens to supplant the natural and

ruderal vegetation of many Sicilian environments;

this can happen even in the southern European

countries where it is an alien species (as it happened

for example in parts of Hawaii). The result will be

a banalization of the flora and also of the fauna. Ac-

cording to Litt & Steidl (2010) while invasions by

normative plants alter the structure and composition

of native plant communities, those invasions can

also alter the function of ecosystems for animals

that depend on plants for food and habitat. Con-

sequently to the spread of P. setaceum, the presence

of B. brevis will rapidly increase as well.

As already stated, though there is no evidence

for a role of vector of B. brevis in the transmission

The alien Balclutha brevis and its hostplant, the invasive Pennisetum setaceum: a risk for Mediterranean biodiversity? 149

Scenarios of Mediterranean biodiversity

• Aggressiveness of Crimson Fountain Grass

Modification of the natural and semi-natural

biotic communities with replacement of the

indigenous grasses with R setaceum.

Banalization of flora and fauna

Possible modification of entomocoenosis and

possible diseases in wild and cultivated plants

Possible transmission of plant pathogens and Wolbachia

Large populations

honeydew

Speed of colonization of Balclutha

Figure 6. Actions of Pennisetum setaceum and Balclutha brevis on the Mediterranean biodiversity.

of plant pathogens, it cannot be excluded a poten-

tial transmission of phytoplasmas and viruses if B.

brevis moves to other host plants (to be monitored)

and/or if other insects feed on the sap of P. setaceum.

One has to consider also the effect of Wolbachia

and its possible transmission, vertical and hori-

zontal, to other taxa, (e.g. the sap feeders Ho-

moptera and Heteroptera) and to parasitoid wasps.

The result could be a modification of entomo-

coenosis and the possibility of diseases on wild and

cultivated plants: the latter hypothesis appears at the

moment quite unrealistic.

In addition, a positive action of the massive

presence of B. brevis could be the possible produc-

tion of honeydew honey (Fig. 6).

CONCLUSIONS

In the light of the discussed framework, with the

linked risks, some recommendations are necessary:

- B. brevis is probably more widespread than it

appears; it is necessary to check in other Mediter-

ranean areas with Crimson Fountain Grass and, in

addition, to check if the leafhopper can live on other

herbaceous plants, especially Graminaceae.

- The knowledge about the biology of the para-

sitoid O. balcluthae should be improved.

- According to Pasta et al. (2010) the spread of

Crimson Fountain Grass should be monitored and

the plant should be kept under control by means of

eradicating new populations to avoid an eco-cata-

strophe in Sicilian coasts. In Hawaii, containment

and eradication programs of this alien plant have

been implemented; the same protocols should be

followed also in the European countries.

-The use and sale of Pennisetum as ornamental

plant should be strongly discouraged, if not forbid-

den.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 151-184

Monograph

Study on flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses (Insecta

Hemiptera) in moist areas considered restricted relics of the

ancient LacusVelinus in the provinces of Terni and Rieti (Um-

bria and Latium, Italy)

Adalgisa Guglielmino 1 *, Enrico Scarici 1 , Alessandro De Santis 2 & Christoph Buckle 3

'Department of Agriculture and Forestry Science, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy

2 Via Colli San Silvestro 5, 1-02010 Santa Rufina, Cittaducale (Rieti), Italy

3 Neckarhalde 48, D-72070 Tubingen, Germany

’Corresponding author, e-mail: guglielm@unitus.it

ABSTRACT A research on vascular plants and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in moist areas of the provinces

of Terni (Umbria) and Rieti (Latium) was conducted from 1999 to 2015. Prevalently four

areas were studied: Lago di Piediluco, Lago di Ventina, Lago Lungo and Lago Ripasottile.

267 taxa of vascular plants are recorded on the whole. Species of particular interest are But-

omus umbellatus, Carex acutiformis, C. elata, C. pseudocyperus, C. paniculata, Cladium

mariscus, Epipactis pal us tr is, Frangula alnus, Glyceria maxima, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae,

Nuphar lutea, Oenanthe aquatica. Orchis incarnata. Ranunculus lingua, Rorippa amphibia,

Rumex hydrolap athum, Scutellaria galericulata and Viburnum opulus, all included in the

Regional Red Lists of Italian Plants of Umbria and Latium. 162 Auchenorrhyncha species

were collected. Four species ( Cixius remotus, Kelisia punctulum, Anakelisia fas data and

Megamelodes lequesnei) are recorded for the first time for Italy, five {Kelisia praecox,

Struebingianella lugubrina, Chloriona smaragdula, Hishimonus cf. hamatus and Metalimnus

formosus) are new records for the Apennine Peninsula (“S” in the checklist of the Italian

fauna). For some species of special interest, their ecology, life cycle and distribution are dis-

cussed. 60 taxa are strictly correlated with moist habitats. The investigated areas are of high

relevance for nature conservation as they constitute small relics of the ancient Lacus Velinus,

where several stenotopic Auchenorrhyncha species occur, associated particularly with moist

vegetation.

KEY WORDS flora; faunistics; ecology; phenology; biogeography; environmental conservation.

Received 25.03.2016; accepted 08.06.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The Lacus Velinus originated in the Pleistocene

and occupied a great part of the present basin of

Rieti (Fig. 1). This lake formed due to the depos-

ition of material of the river Velino which developed

first a strong difference in level between the plains

of Rieti and Temi, originally situated on the same

level. Subsequently, the sediments formed a barrier

of calcarean rock at the point of the confluence of

152

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

the Velino and the river Nera (Fig. 2). This barrier

blocked the passage of the water of the former, and

caused the flooding of the whole valley creating a

lake named by the Romans Lacus Velinus.

In the Roman period, the consul Manius Curius

Dentatus proceeded to a first act of reclamation of

the territory and realized in 271 BC a drainage

canal, called “Cavus Curianus” which allowed the

water of the Velino to merge with the river Nera. It

cut the barrier of calcarean rock near the locality

“Marmore” and created in this way the homonym-

ous waterfall. During the following centuries, the

drainage of the lake and the reclamation of land

went on in order to avoid floodings and to increase

the agricultural surface. This produced a gradual

fragmentation of the original lake basin. Nowadays,

some separate water basins only are left: the Lago

di Piediluco in the province of Terni (Umbria) and

the Lago di Ventina, Lago Ripasottile and Lago

Lungo in the province of Rieti (Latium).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In spring and summer 2015 a floristic analysis

was conducted with the aim to record the vascular

plants present in the studied area (only for the local-

ity “Fiume Velino”, a detailed floristic study was

not conducted). The field data, in some cases un-

edited, were integrated, where possible, with those

gathered from former studies regarding the same

sites or adjacent areas (Sorgi & Fanelli, 1993;

Venanzoni & Gigante, 2000).

The floristic study concerned only marginally

the hydrophytes (for a closer examination see Sorgi

& Fanelli, 1993; Venanzoni & Gigante, 2000).

The Auchenorrhyncha samplings were carried

out in several years (1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2009-

2012, 2015), from April to November, at 1 1 localit-

ies (some of them sampled more times). We applied

two collection methods: a) by entomological net

and aspirator, b) directly by sight of single speci-

mens by means of the aspirator. The distribution of

Auchenorrhyncha species in Italy is cited preval-

ently from Servadei (1967) and completed by data

published later in the following papers: Alma et al.

(2009a, 2009b); Carl (2008); D’Urso (1995);

Guglielmino & Buckle (2007, 2008); Guglielmino

et al. (2005); Mazzoni (2005); Mazzoni et al.

(2001); Vidano & Arzone (1987).

The present study includes also data gathered

by a degree thesis (De Santis, 2010) conducted in

2009-2010 which aimed to study the Auchenor-

rhyncha populations of the Natural Reserve

“Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile” from a faunistic point

of view.

Investigated areas (Fig. 3, Table 1)

The Lago di Ventina (Figs. 4-7), part of the

comunity of Colli sul Velino, is a small lake of about

10 ha, surrounded by a continuous band of helo-

phytes.

Its flora is well preserved and very various with

ca. 400 recorded species, some of which of elevated

scientific interest as Ranunculus lingua and Glyceria

maxima , known in Latium only in this area (Sorgi

& Fanelli, 1993; Anzalone et al., 2010). The lake is

bordered by pasture areas crossed by numerous

ditches and surrounded by different species of

willows (e.g. Salix alba, S. cinerea, S. purpurea)

and poplars ( Populus alba and P. canadensis ).

Presently, the lake basin and the moist areas sur-

rounding it constitute a Site of Community Interest

(pSIC) “Lago di Ventina - cod. Natura 2000 -

IT6020010” because of the preserved high floristic

and faunistic biodiversity.

- The Lago di Piediluco (Figs. 8, 9), including a

Site of Community Interest (pSIC) (Lago di Piedi-

luco - Monte Caperno - cod. Natura 2000 -

IT5220018) and a Special Protection Zone (SPZ)

(Lago di Piediluco - Monte Maro - cod. Natura

2000 - IT5220026), forms together with the “Parco

fluviale del Nera” and the “Cascate delle Mar-

more”, a part of the system of protected areas of the

region of Umbria which preserves habitats of

community interest. It is the largest of the residual

basins of the ancient Lacus Velinus, has an irregular

shape with a perimeter of about 13 km and is

surrounded by wooded areas and mountains. The

area stands out for the diversity of habitats and for

an interesting and rich flora and fauna.

- East of the Lago di Piediluco, near the locality

Madonna della Luce (Figs. 10, 11), we studied a

further habitat consisting of ditches, moist mead-

ows, shrubs of Salix cinerea and adjacent fields and

hedges.

- Presently, the Lago Lungo (Figs. 12, 13) and

Lago Ripasottile (Figs. 14, 15) constitute the

“Riserva Naturale dei Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile”.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 153

It was established in 1985 due to its exceptional avi-

faunistic and geographic value, and represents one

of the few moist habitats in good conservation stage

in Italy. On the base of the presence of many species

of community interest in according to the Birds Dir-

ective 79/409 EEC and of priority habitats in ac-

cording to the Habitats Directive 92/43 EEC, a part

of the plain of Rieti was designated as pSIC and

SPZ with the code Natura 2000 - IT602001 1 “Laghi

Lungo e Ripasottile”.

- In addition, we studied two areas near Montisola,

a little village belonging to the community of Con-

sigliano (province of Rieti): one of them (on the

eastern side of the village) with ruderal vegetation

near a little pond (Fig. 16), the other one (northwest

of the village) consisting of a moist meadow with

Bolboschoenus maritimus and Carex hirta (Fig. 17).

- Finally, we investigated one area on the river

Velino, north of Pie di Moggio, in the province of

Temi (Figs. 18, 19) with riparian vegetation ( Popu -

lus alba, Salix alba, Petasites hybridus, Poaceae

species).

Lago di Ventina

Rieti province; Lago Ventina, southern side;

N42°30’27.1” E12°45’05.0”; 375 m

26/06/2010 (loc. 543)

Rieti province; Lago Ventina, northwestern

side; N42°30’38.5” E12°44’57.5”; 378 m

26/06/2010 (loc. 544), 18/07/2011 (loc. 601),

27/04/2012 (loc. 632), 06/06/2015 (loc. 747)

Rieti province; Lago Ventina, southwestern

side; N42°30’23.0” E12°44’50.5”; 375 m

26/06/2010 (loc. 545), 30/10/2010 (loc. 549),

25/11/2011 (loc. 618), 27/04/2012 (loc. 631),

11/08/2012 (loc. 685), 06/06/2015 (loc. 746),

13/09/2015 (loc. 758)

Rieti province; Lago Ventina, eastern side;

N42°30’31.6” E12°45’39.3”; 369 m

19/09/2015 (loc. 762)

Lago di Piediluco

Temi province; Lago di Piediluco, between 20/08/1999 (loc. 32), 22/08/2000 (loc. 87),

Piediluco and Madonna della Luce, west of road 10/06/2005 (loc. 131, 132), 11/06/2005

SS 79, Km28.6;N42 0 3r36.8”E12 0 46’ 10.9”; 372m (loc. 133), 13/06/2015 (loc. 748)

Madonna della Luce

Rieti province; East of Lago di Piediluco,

Madonna della Luce, SS 79 near fork Labro,

Km 29.5; N42°3 1 ’15.0” E12°46’38.2”; 372 m

21/08/2000 (loc. 86), 11/06/2005 (loc. 134),

13/06/2015 (loc. 749), 13/09/2015 (loc. 759)

Lago Lungo

Rieti province; Lago Lungo, N42°28’53.3”

E12°51 ’10.1”; 376 m

25/05/2009, 15/06/2009 (loc. 452), 22/07/2009

(loc. 454), 18/08/2009, 4/09/2009, 6/11/2010

(loc. 550)

Rieti province; Lago Lungo; N42°28’57.7”

E12°51 ’10.9”; 372 m

19/06/2015 (loc. 750), 13/09/2015 (loc. 760)

Lago Ripasottile

Rieti province; Lago Ripasottile; N42°28’50.0”

E12°49’08.0”; 371 m

25/05/2009, 15/06/2009 (loc. 451), 22/07/2009

(loc. 455), 03/08/2009, 04/09/2009

Rieti province; Lago Ripasottile; N42°28’57.9”

E12°49’08.3”; 370 m

19/06/2015 (loc. 751), 13/09/2015 (loc. 761)

Montisola

Rieti province; Montisola, pond southeast of the 03/08/2009, 18/07/2011 (loc. 600), 27/04/2012

village; N42°28’36.8” E12°47’48.9”; 377 m (loc. 630), 19/09/2015 (loc. 764)

Rieti province; Montisola, meadow southwest of 18/07/2011 (loc. 602), 19/09/2015 (loc. 763)

the village; N42°28’29.7” E12°47’27.5”; 388 m

Fiume Velino

Temi province; SS 79 between Marmore

and Rieti, river Velino near Pie di Moggio,

km 23.9; N42°30’50.3” E12°44’27.0”; 371 m

06/08/2006 (loc. 281)

Table 1. List of collecting sites. In order to facilitate the comparison of data in our different papers on the Italian

Auchenorrhyncha fauna we maintain the number system of collecting localities applied already in other publications.

154

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Figure 1 . Outline map of Central Italy (the arrow indicates the investigated area). Figure 2. The Nera-Velino river system. Figure

3. Investigated areas, a = Lago di Ventina; b = Lago di Piediluco; c = Madonna della Luce; d = Lago Lungo; e = Lago Ripasottile;

f = Montisola; g = Fiume Velino. Figures 4, 5. Lago di Ventina. Figure 4. Area east of the lake with tall sedges, willows and

poplars. Figure 5. Area on the northwestern side with Glyceria maxima, Phragmites australis and Schoenoplectus lacustris.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 155

Figures 6, 7. Lago di Ventina. Fig. 6: meadow on the southwestern side with Carex hirta and C. distans. Fig. 7. reed and tall sedges

on the southwestern side. Figures 8, 9. Lago di Piediluco. Fig. 8: small path with different Cyperaceae and Poaceae species between

willow trees. Fig. 9: undergrowth among young Populus canadensis trees. Figures 10, 11. Madonna della Luce. Fig. 10: moist

meadow with Carex spp. and Juncus sp. along a ditch. Fig. 1 1 : moist meadow with tall sedges, in the background Sal Lx cinerea.

156

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Figures 12, 13. Lago Lungo. Fig. 12: path along a ditch with tall sedges, Glyceria sp. and other Poaceae. Fig. 13: mown meadow

with Cyperus longus and Carex hirta, in the background Salix alba. Figures 14, 15. Lago Ripasottile. Fig 14: moist meadows,

ditches with sedges, reed, J uncus sp. and willows. Fig. 15: moist meadows with sedges, reed, Cyperus longus ; in the background

Salix alba and S. cinerea. Figures 16, 17. Montisola. Fig. 16: little pond east of the village with Schoenoplectus lacustris and

Phalaris arundinacea. Fig. 17: moist meadow northwest of the village with Carex hirta and Bolboschoenus maritimus.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 157

Figures 18, 19. Fiume Velino. Willows on the riverbanks. Figure 20. Ranunculus lingua. Figure 21. Butomus umbellatus.

Figure 22. Glyceria maxima. Figure 23. Carex riparia. Photos 4-19: Christoph Buckle, 20-23 Enrico Scarici.

158

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

RESULTS

A ) Flora (Table 2)

267 taxa of vascular plants have been identified

belonging to 252 species, 181 genera and 57 fam-

ilies. The botanic nomenclature applied is the one

proposed by Conti et al., 2005. The list of taxa is

given in Table 2.

The florula is characterized by a significant

number of remarkable taxa, characteristic of well

structured and preserved moist environments,

nowadays everywhere rarer and rarer. Some taxa

are of particular interest as they are included in

the Regional Red Lists of Italian Plants of Umbria

and Latium (Conti et al., 1997). This is the case

with Carex acutiformis, C. elata, Epipactis palus-

tris, Orchis incarnata, endangered units in Um-

bria or with Ranunculus lingua (Fig. 20), Butomus

umbellatus (Fig. 21), Glyceria maxima (Fig. 22),

considered vulnerable in Latium. Oenanthe aquat-

ica is a veiy rare species in Umbria and in Latium,

and is considered in these regions endangered and

at lower risk, respectively. Some species are also

rare or very rare. They are in progressive rarefac-

tion due to changes of the terrestrial particularly

fragile humid environments. In this context may

be mentioned, among others, the extremely rare

species Ranunculus lingua and Glyceria maxima ,

present in Latium exclusively in the “Lacus

Velinus” area, furthermore Carex pseudocyperus,

Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Rorippa amphibia

and Scutellaria galericulata, uncommon or rare

species in Latium, in addition considered at lower

risk (Anzalone et al., 2010). Frangula alnus is

regarded as rare and vulnerable in Umbria (Or-

somando et al., 1998).

Flowever, there are numerous synanthropic

species as well, infesting cultures or bound to

pasture and to other human activities conducted in

the investigated area or in immediately adjacent

zones.

In addition, we record 10 alien and invasive spe-

cies with vast distribution: Ailanthus altissima,

Amaranthus deflexus, A. retroflexus, Artemisia

verlotiorum, Datura stramonium , Erigeron canaden-

sis, E. sumatrensis, Robinia pseudoacacia. Sorghum

halepense and Xanthium orientate subsp. italicum

(Celesti-Grapow et al., 2010).

B) Auchenorrhyncha (Table 3)

162 species of Auchenorrhyncha have been

identified belonging to 101 genera and 10 families.

60 species have host plants strictly connected with

humid conditions. The list of species is given in

Table 3.

Auchenorrhyncha fauna of the individual in-

vestigated areas

1) Lago di Ventina (83 species; months: IV, VI, VII,

VIII, IX, X, XI)

Auchenorrhyncha species of particular interest

are Kelisia punctulum (on Carex acutiformis ? ),

Anakelisia fasciata (quite abundant, probably on

Carex riparia. Fig. 23), Megamelus notula (on tall

sedges), Megamelodes lequesnei (on Carex sp.?),

Delphacodes mulsanti (on Cyperaceae species:

Eleocharisl , Cyperus?), Struebingianella lugubrina

(a rich population on Glyceria maxima ), Stroggylo-

cephalus agrestis (on Carex spp.), Zygina lunaris

(on Salix sp.), Cicadula placida (very abundant, on

Phalaris arundinacea, Glyceria maxima [and other

Poaceae species ?]), and Metalimnus formosus (on

Carex spp.).

Many of the species (36) found in this area are

bound to humid sites. This group includes (in addi-

tion to all the taxa mentioned above) Cixius wagneri

(on Salix spp.?), Kelisia ribauti (on Carex spp.),

Flastena fumipennis (on Cyperus longus ), and

Cicadula quadrinotata (on Carex spp.), which all

occur in high abundance, furthermore Kelisia

guttula (on Carex flacca), K melanops (on Carex

sp.), Stenocranus major (on Phalaris arundinacea),

Conomelus lorifer dehneli (on Juncus spp.),

Florodelphax leptosoma (on Juncus spp.), Javesella

dubia (on Agrostis sp.?), Macropsis albae (on Salix

alba), M. cerea (on Salix sp.), M. marginata (on

Salix purpurea), Idiocerus stigmaticalis (on Salix

alba), I. vicinus (on Salix cinerea), Tremulicerus dis-

tinguendus (on Populus alba), Viridicerus ustulatus

(on Populus alba), Cicadella viridis (on Carex spp.),

Notus italicus (on Carex paniculata), Edwardsiana

prunicola (on Salix sp.), Eupteryx thoulessi (on

Mentha aquatica), Zygina lunaris (on Salix sp.), Z.

nivea (on Populus alba), Balclutha nicolasi (on

Cyperus longus), Cicadula lineatopunctata (on Carex

spp.?), and Conosanus obsoletus (on Juncus spp.).

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 159

Other taxa are rather euryecous and are gener-

ally found on meadows or ruderal places without

specific characteristics. We mention here only some

particularly abundant species as Laodelphax stri-

atella, Toya propinqua, Philaenus spumarius,

Megophthalmus scanicus, Anaceratagallia laevis,

A. ribauti, Aphrodes bicincta, Eupteiyx atro-

punctata, E. melissae, Zyginidia gr. ribauti, Bal-

clutha punctata, Macrosteles sexnotatus, M. viridi-

griseus, Deltocephalus pulicaris, Euscelis incisus,

Psammotettix alienus, P. confinis, Jassargus bisub-

ulatus, and Arthaldeus striifrons.

2) Lago di Piediluco (89 species; months: VI, VIII)

Kelisia punctulum and Cicadula placida (on

Phalaris arundinacea, Glyceria maxima [and other

Poaceae species?]), can be mentioned as particu-

larly interesting Auchenorrhyncha species.

There is a high number (31) of taxa with host

plants correlated with moist or wet conditions.

In addition to Kelisia punctulum and Cicadula

placida, we mention Cixius wagneri (on Salix

spp.?), Kelisia brucki (on Juncus spp.), K. guttula

(on Carex flacca), K. melanops (on Carex sp.), K

ribauti (on Carex spp.), Conomelus lorifer dehneli

(on Juncus spp.), Delphax ribautianus (on Phrag-

mites australis ), Florodelphax leptosoma (on Jun-

cus spp.), Javesella dubia (on Agrostis sp.?),

Flastena fumipennis (on Cyperus longus ), Aphro-

phora pectoralis (on Salix spp.), Macropsis albae

(on Salix alba), M. marginata (on Salix purpurea ),

M. najas (on Salix alba), M. notata (on Salix

triandral), M. vicina (on Populus alba), Idiocerus

stigmaticalis (on Salix alba), L vicinus (on Salix

purpurea), Metidiocerus rutilans (on Salix sp.), Vi-

ridicerus ustulatus (on Populus alba), Cicadella

viridis (on Carex spp.), Kybos rufescens (on Salix

purpurea), Edwardsiana prunicola (on Salix spp.),

E. salicicola (on Salix spp.), Balclutha nicolasi (on

Cyperus longus), Macrosteles frontalis (on Equis-

etum sp.), Cicadula quadrinotata (on Carex spp.),

Conosanus obsoletus (on Juncus spp.), and

Paralimnus phragmitis (on Phragmites australis).

Out of the group of taxa of meadows or ruderal

places without close connexion to wet sites we

mention only the most abundant ones: Laodelphax

striatella, Toya propinqua, Dictyophara europaea,

Trypetimorpha occidentalis, Cercopis vulnerata,

Philaenus spumarius, Stictocephala bisonia, Ana-

ceratagallia laevis, Austroagallia sinuata, Alebra

wahlbergi, Empoasca decipiens, Zyginidia gr. rib-

auti, Macrosteles laevis, Allygidius abbreviatus,

Psammotettix alienus, P. confinis, Jassargus bisub-

ulatus, and Arthaldeus striifrons.

3) Madonna della Luce (65 species; months: VI,

VIII, IX)

Interesting Auchenorrhyncha species are Cixius

remotus, Kelisia punctulum (a rich population, on

tall Carex (C. acutifonnisl), Anakelisia fas data (on

Carex riparia), Delphacodes mulsanti (a rich popu-

lation, possibly on Eleocharis), Cicadula frontalis

(on tall sedges, probably Carex riparia), and C.

placida (on Phalaris arundinacea, Glyceria max-

ima [and other Poaceae species?]).

20 taxa have host plants correlated with moist

or wet conditions. In addition to the species

already mentioned before except for C. remotus, we

record Kelisia ribauti (on Carex spp.), Florodelphax

leptosoma (on Juncus spp.), Flastena fumipennis

(on Cyperus longus), Macropsis prasina (on Salix

cinerea), Cicadella viridis (on Carex spp.), Asym-

metrasca decedens (on Salix spp.), Edwardsiana

prunicola (on Salix spp.), E. salicicola (on Salix

spp.), Linnavuoriana sexmaculata (on Salix spp.),

Balclutha nicolasi (on Cyperus longus), Mac-

rosteles ossiannilssoni (on Carex spp.), M. sardus

(on Epilobium hirsutum), Cicadula lineato-

punctata (on Carex spp.?), C. quadrinotata (on

Carex spp.), and Paralimnus phragmitis (on

Phragmites australis).

Among the other taxa we mention here only

some particularly abundant species as Laodelphax

striatella, Dicranotropis remaniaca, Toya propin-

qua, Philaenus spumarius, Megophthalmus scani-

cus, Anaceratagallia laevis, A. ribauti, Aphrodes

bicincta, Zyginidia gr. ribauti, Euscelis incisus,

Psammotettix alienus, P. confinis, and Arthaldeus

striifrons.

4) Lago Lungo (61 species; months: V, VI, VII,

VIII, IX, XI)

In this area several particularly interesting taxa

were found: Kelisia punctulum (on tall Carex spe-

cies [C. acutiformisl ]), Anakelisia fasciata (on

Carex riparia?), Chloriona smaragdula (on Phrag-

mites australis), Megamelodes lequesnei (on Carex

160

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

sp., probably C. hirta ), Delphacodes mulsanti (on

Eleocharis? , Cyperus sp.?), Rib auto delphax al-

bostriata (on Poa pratensis ), Zygina lunaris (on

Salix spp.), Z. cf. ordinaria (on Salix spp.), and

Cicadula placida (on Phalaris arundinacea,

Glyceria maxima [and other Poaceae species?]).

26 species display an ecological restriction

to moist areas. Besides the species mentioned

above (with the exception of Rib auto delphax al-

bostriata ), the following taxa belong to this group:

Kelisia ribauti (on Carex spp.), Stenocranus major

(on Phalaris arundinacea ), Conomelus lorifer

dehneli (on tall Juncus species), Delphax sp.

(on Phragmites australis ), Javesella dubia (on

Agrostis sp.?), Flastena fumipennis (on Cyperus

longus ), Macropsis albae (on Salix alba), Idiocerus

vicinus (on Salix purpurea), Stroggylocephalus

agrestis (on Carex spp.), Cicadella viridis (on

Carex spp.), Asymmetrasca decedens (on Salix

spp.), Edwardsiana prunicola (on Salix spp.), Lin-

navuoriana sexmaculata (on Salix spp.), Eupteryx

thoulessi (on Mentha aquatica), Balclutha nicolasi

(on Cyperus longus), Cicadula quadrinotata (on

Carex spp.), Conosanus obsoletus (on Juncus

spp.), and Paralimnus phragmitis (on Phragmites

australis).

The most common taxa among the ecological

generalists at this site are Laodelphax striatella,

Toya propinqua, Eupteryx atropunctata, Zyginidia

gr. ribauti, Macrosteles laevis, Maiestas schmidtgeni,

Psammotettix alienus, P confinis, and Arthaldeus

striifrons.

5) Lago Ripasottile (76 species; months: V, VI, VII,

VIII, IX)

Species of particular interest are Kelisia praecox

(on Carex sp.), K. punctulum (on tall sedges), Ana-

kelisia fas data (on tall sedges), Megamelus notula

(on tall sedges), Delphacodes mulsanti (on Eleocharis

sp.?, Cyperus sp.?), Kybos virgator (on Salix alba),

Zygina cf. ordinaria (on Salix spp.), and Cicadula

placida (on Phalaris arundinacea [and other Poaceae

species?]).

Including the species mentioned above, 32 taxa

are correlated with moist areas: Cixius wagneri,

Kelisia ribauti (on Carex spp.), Stenocranus major

(on Phalaris arundinacea), Chloriona unicolor

(on Phragmites australis), Flastena fumipennis

(on Cyperus longus), Macropsis albae (on Salix

alba), M. cerea (on Salix spp.), Idiocerus stigmat-

icalis (on Salix alba), I. vicinus (on Salix pur-

purea), Populicerus albicans (on Populus alba),

Viridicerus ustulatus (on Populus alba), Cicadella

viridis (on Carex spp.), Kybos rufescens (on Salix

purpurea), Asymmetrasca decedens (on Salix

spp.), Edwardsiana prunicola (on Salix spp.), Lin-

navuoriana sexmaculata (on Salix spp.), Eupteryx

thoulessi (on Mentha aquatica), Zygina nivea (on

Populus alba), Balclutha nicolasi (on Cyperus

longus), Macrosteles frontalis (on Equisetum sp.),

M. sardus (on Epilobium hirsutum), Cicadula

lineatopunctata (on Carex sp. ?), C. quadrinotata

(on Carex spp.), and Conosanus obsoletus (on

Juncus spp.).

Laodelphax striatella, Toya propinqua, Lepyro-

nia coleoptrata, Philaenus spumarius, Sticto-

cephala bisonia, Anaceratagallia laevis, Maiestas

schmidtgeni, Psammotettix alienus, P. confinis and

others are generally found on meadows or ruderal

places.

6) Montisola (47 species; months: IV, VII, VIII, IX)

1 3 taxa found in this area are typical for humid

sites: Kelisia guttula (on Carex flacca ), Kelisia

ribauti (on Carex spp.), Stenocranus major (on

Phalaris arundinacea), Delphacodes mulsanti (on

Eleocharis sp.?, Cyperus sp.?), Javesella dubia (on

Agrostis sp.?), Idiocerus stigmaticalis (on Salix

alba), Cicadella viridis (on Carex spp.), Eupteryx

thoulessi (on Mentha aquatica), Macrosteles

frontalis (on Equisetum sp.), M. sardus (on Epi-

lobium hirsutum), Cicadula placida (on Phalaris

arundinacea, Glyceria maxima [and other Poaceae

species?]), C. quadrinotata (on Carex spp.), and

Paramesus obtusifrons (on Bolboschoenus mari-

timus).

Most species in this area, however, are colon-

izers of ruderal biotopes. The most abundant ones

among them are Laodelphax striatella, Agalma-

tium flavescens, Philaenus spumarius, Anacerata-

gallia laevis, Emelyanoviana mollicula, Eupteryx

melissae, E. rostrata, Zyginidia gr. ribauti, Ar-

boridia parvula, Neoaliturus fenestratus, Mac-

rosteles laevis, M. sexnotatus, Ally gidius jure atus,

Euscelis incisus, Psammotettix alienus, and P.

confinis.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 161

7) Fiume Velino (14 species; months: VIII)

Aphrophora salicina (on Salix spp.), Macropsis

albae (on Salix alba), M. vicina (on Populus alba),

Viridicerus ustulatus (on Populus alba), and Zygina

nivea (on Populus alba) are generally found on the

arboreal riverside flora. Eupteryx petasitidis (on

Petasites hybridus) is often found on its host plant

along rivers as well.

Dicranotropis remaniaca, Anaceratagallia laevis

and Eupteryx curtisii occur in more or less shadowy

and not too dry meadows.

C) Phenology (Table 4)

Auchenorrhyncha hibernate in the egg, nymph

or adult stage. The last condition is rather rare. It is

recorded for Central Europe among others for the

genera Asiraca Latreille, 1796, Stenocranus Fieber

1866 and Delphacodes Fieber 1866 in Delphacidae,

for Tettigometridae, for some Agalliinae and Idiocer-

inae, the genera Empoasca Walsh, 1862, Zygina

Fieber, 1866 and Arboridia Zakhvatlcin, 1946 in

Typhlocybinae, and for the genera Balclutha and

Mocydiopsis Ribaut 1939 in Deltocephalinae. Taxa

that hibernate in the adult stage should be present

both in advanced autumn and in spring. The data

that we can gather from our present research are

from 6th and 25th of November and from 27th of

April, respectively. Thus, there is a gap of about five

months without samplings. Of course, the insects

have a reduced metabolism under winter conditions

or even pass this period in some type of quiescence.

In comparison to Central Europe or to mountain

areas, however, this period is to be expected rather

short in southern Europe and at low altitude (< 400

m). In these areas, indeed, December, March and

April may offer mild weather rather than snow and

frost. This implies on the one side that the late sum-

mer generation of egg overwinterers may extend

until late autumn, and on the other side that nymph

overwinterers reach the adult stage already in spring

or early summer.

If we study the results of the seasonal distribu-

tion in our research, we find seven taxa that were

collected both in late autumn and in spring: Kelisia

ribauti, Anakelisia fasciata, Stenocranus major,

Emelyanoviana mollicula, Psammotettix alienus,

and Psammotettix confinis. For Kelisia ribauti and

Anakelisia fas data, adult overwintering is possible,

but perhaps only as females. For both species only

females were observed in spring with a much re-

duced abundance. The Psammotettix taxa, however,

occur also in late April in rich populations including

male specimens. Adult hibernation is therefore

probable, in contrast to the conditions in Central

Europe, where these taxa overwinter apparently in

the egg stage. For Stenocranus major adult over-

wintering is probable, as the species of this genus

generally hibernate in the adult stage. For Cicadula

quadrinotata and Emelyanoviana mollicula we

suppose equally adult overwintering. The Cicadula

specimens (males and females) in November have

apparently grown under short day conditions

(strong melanism), thus they are no old summer

specimens, and both sexes were found in April as

well. As to Emelyanoviana, we found in Sardinia

populations with both males and females already at

the beginning of April.

Other adult overwinterers are surely among the

taxa that were collected in November only, so for

example the Agalliinae. Also some Eupteryx taxa

( E . rostrata, E. zelleri) possibly hibernate in the

adult stage. Particular is the case of Megamelodes

lequesnei. This species was found exclusively in

November (brachypterous males and females).

Thus, this taxon has in central Italy apparently a

different phenology (hibernation as adults) in

respect of the central European populations (egg

hibernation with two generations), in addition to a

different host plant (see below).

Hibernation in the nymph stage is often ob-

served among the Auchenorrhyncha, above all in

Cixiidae, many Delphacidae, in Cercopidae and a

few Deltocephalinae. Nymph overwinterers in our

material are above all the taxa found in spring and

early summer.

Many species collected already in April ( Eury -

bregma nigrolineata, Laodelphax striatella, Di-

cranotropis remaniaca, Struebingianella lugubrina,

Xanthodelphax straminea, Javesella dubia, Rib-

autodelphax imitans, Flastena fumipennis, Cer-

copis sanguinolenta) belong to this group, in addi-

tion to many taxa collected in June.

The third group comprises the egg overwinter-

ers. Aphrophoridae, Macropsinae, Aphrodinae,

Cicadellinae and most genera of Typhlocybinae and

Deltocephalinae belong to this group. They occur

generally from June to autumn. Most cicadellids in

our material belong to this group.

162

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Taxon

Acer campestre L.

Achillea millefolium L. s.l.

Agrimonia eupatoria L. subsp. eupatoria

Agrostis stolonifera L.

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Alisma plantago-aquatica L.

Althaea officinalis L.

Amaranthus deflexus L.

Amaranthus retroflexus L.

Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) Rich.

Anagallis arvensis L. subsp. arvensis

Angelica sylvestris L. subsp. sylvestris

Arctium lappa L.

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. subsp. serpyllifolia

Artemisia verlotiorum Lamotte

Artemisia vulgaris L.

Atriplex prostrata Boucher ex DC.

Avena barbata Pott, ex Link

Avenafatua L.

Avena sativa L. subsp. sativa

Avena sterilis L.

Ballota nigra L. subsp. meridionalis (Beg.) Beg.

Beilis perennis L.

Berula erecta (Huds.) Coville

Bidens tripartita L. s.l.

Blackstonia perfoliata (L.) Huds. subsp. perfoliata

Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla

Brachypodium rupestre (Host) Roem. et Schult.

Bromus cfr. commutatus Schrad.

Bromus hordeaceus L. subsp. hordeaceus

Bromus sterilis L.

Butomus umbellatus L.

Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. subsp. sepium

Campanula rapunculus L.

Carduus pycnocephalus L. subsp. pycnocephalus

Carex acutiformis Ehrh.

Carex caryophyllea Latourr.

Carex depauperata Curtis ex With.

Carex distans L.

Carex elata All. subsp. elata

Carex flacca Schreb. subsp. serrulata (Biv.) Greuter

Carex hirta L.

Carex otrubae Podp.

Carex paniculata L. subsp. paniculata

Table 2/1. List of vascular plant species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di Piediluco; ML

= Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola. Records from bibliographic data which

were not confirmed by direct observations are marked by an asterisk (*).

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 163

Taxon

Carex pseudocyperus L.

Carex riparia Curtis

Carthamus lanatus L. subsp. lanatus

Centaurea calcitrapa L.

Centaurea soltitialis L. subsp. soltitialis

Cephalanthera rubra (L.) Rich.

Chenopodium album L. subsp. album

Chenopodium polyspermum L.

Chenopodium urbicum L.

Cerastium sp.

Cichorium intybus L.

Cirsium arx’ense (L.) Scop.

Cirsium creticum (Lam.) d’Urv. subsp. triumfetii

(Lacaita) Werner

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.

Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl

Clematis vitalba L.

Conium maculatum L. subsp. maculatum

Convolvulus arvensis L.

Cornus sanguinea L. s.l.

Corylus avellana L.

Cota tinctoria (L.) J. Gay subsp. tinctoria

Crataegus monogyna Jacq.

Crepis vesicaria L. s.l.

Cruciata laevipes Opiz

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.

Cynoglossum creticum Mill.

Cyperus longus L.

Dactylis glomerata L. subsp. glomerata

Dasypyrum villosum (L.) P. Candargy, non Borbas

Datura stramonium L. subsp. stramonium

Daucus carota L. subsp. carota

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. s.l.

Dipsacus fullonum L.

Dorycnium herbaceus Vill.

Echinocloci crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.

Echium plantagineum L.

Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. et Schult.

subsp. palustris

Elymus repens (L.) Gould, subsp. repens

Epilobium hirsutum L.

Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz

Equisetum arvense L. subsp. arvense

Equisetum palustre L.

Equisetum telmateja Ehrh.

Erigeron annuus (L.) Desf. (= Aster annuus L.)

Table 2/2. List of vascular plant species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di Piediluco; ML

= Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola. Records from bibliographic data which

were not confirmed by direct observations are marked by an asterisk (*).

164

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Taxon

Erigeron canadensis L.

[= Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.]

Erigeron sumatrensis Retz.

Euonymus europaeus L.

Eupatorium cannabinum L. subsp. cannabinum

Euphorbia platyphyllos L. s.l.

Festuca sp.

Festuca arundinacea Schreb. subsp. arundinacea

Festuca heterophylla Lam.

Ficus carica L.

Fragaria viridis Duchesne subsp. viridis

Frangula alnus L.

Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl subsp.

oxycarpa (Willd.) Franco et Rocha

Galega officinalis L.

Galium aparine L.

Galium mollugo L. subsp. erectum

Syme (= G. album Mill.)

Galium mollugo L. subsp. mollugo

Galium palustre L. s.l.

Geranium dissectum L.

Geum urbanum L.

Glyceria fluitans (L.) R. Br.

Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb.

Hedera helix L. subsp. helix

Heliotropium europaeum L.

Helleborus foetidus L. subsp. foetidus

Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub

(= Picris echioides L.)

Holcus lanatus L.

Hordeum murinum L. subsp. leporinum (Link) Arcang.

Humulus lupulus L.

Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L.

Hypericum perforatum L.

Hypericum tetrapterum Fr.

Hypochcieris raclicata L.

Inula conyzae (Griess.) Meikle

Iris pseudacorus L.

Juncus articulatus L.

Juncus effusus L. subsp. effusus

Juncus gerardii Loisel.

Juncus inflexus L.

Juniperus communis L.

Lactuca saligna L.

Lactuca serriola L.

Lamium maculatum L.

Leucanthemum sp.

Ligustrum vulgare L.

Table 2/3. List of vascular plant species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di Piediluco; ML

= Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola. Records from bibliographic data which

were not confirmed by direct observations are marked by an asterisk (*).

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 165

Taxon

Linaria vulgaris Mill, subsp. vulgaris

Linum bienne Mill.

Lolium multiflorum Lam. subsp. multiflorum

Lolium perenne L.

Lonicera caprifolium L.

Lotus sp.

Lotus corniculatus L. subsp. corniculatus

Lycopus europaeus L. s.l.

Lysimachia vulgaris L.

Lythrum salicaria L.

Malva sylvestris (L.) Mill.

Medicago lupulina L.

Me die ago minima (L.) L.

Medicago orbicularis (L.) Bartal.

Medicago sativa L.

Mentha aquatica L. subsp. aquatica

Mentha arvensis L.

Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds.

Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. subsp. suaveolens

Mercurialis annua L.

Nigella damascena L.

Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm.

Odonthites vulgaris Moench subsp. vulgaris

Oenanthe aquatica (L.) Poir.

Ophrys apifera Huds.

Orchis incarnata L.

Pallenis spinosa (L.) Cass, subsp. spinosa

Papaver rhoeas L. subsp. rhoeas

Paspalum distichum L.

Pastinaca sativa L. subsp. mens (Req. ex Godr.) Celak.

Persicaria maculosa (L.) Gray

Petrorhagia prolifera (L.) P.W. Ball et Heywood

Phalaris aquatica L.

Phalaris arundinacea L. subsp. arundinacea

[= Typhoides arundinacea (L.) Moench]

Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.

subsp. australis

Phyllostachys bambusoides Siebold et Zucc.

Picris hieracioides L. subsp. hieracioides

Plantago lanceolata L.

Plantago major L. subsp. major

Poa bulbosa L.

Poa trivialis L. subsp. trivialis

Polygonum arenastrum Boreau subsp. arenastrum

Polygonum aviculare L. s.l.

Populus alba L.

Table 2/4. List of vascular plant species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di Piediluco; ML

= Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola. Records from bibliographic data which

were not confirmed by direct observations are marked by an asterisk (*).

166

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Taxon

Populus canadensis Moench

Populus tremula L.

Potentilla reptans L.

Prunella vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris

Prunella x intermedia Link

Prunus spinosa L. subsp. spinosa

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn subsp. aquilinum

Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh.

Ranunculus lingua L.

Ranunculus repens L.

Ranunculus sardous Crantz s.l.

Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix subsp. trichophyllus

Raphanus raphanistrum L. subsp.

landra (DC.) Bonnier et Layens

Rhincinthus sp.

Robinia pseudacacia L.

Rorippa amphibia (L.) Besser

Rosa canina s.l.

Rosa sempervirens L.

Rosa sp.

Rubia peregrina L. subsp. peregrina

Rubus caesius L.

Rubus sp.

Rubus ulmifolius Schott

Rumex crispus L.

Rumex hydrolapathum Huds.

Rumex obtusifolius L. subsp. obtusifolius

Rumex pulcher subsp. pulcher

Ruscus aculeatus L.

Sagittaria sagittifolia L.

Salix alba L.

Salix cinerea L.

Salix purpurea L. s.l.

Salix triandra L. subsp. amygdalina

(L.) Schiibl. et G. Martens

Sambucus ebulus L.

Sambucus nigra L.

Sanguisorba minor Scop. subsp. balearica

(Bourg. ex Nyman) Munoz Garm. et C. Navarro

Schoenoplectus lacustris (L.) Palla

Scirpoides holoschoenus (L.) Sojak

Scrophularia umbrosa Dumort. subsp. umbrosa

Scutellaria galericulata L.

Securigera securidiana (L.) Degen et Dorfl.

Senecio erraticus Bertol. subsp. erraticus

Setaria verticillata (L.) P. Beauv.

Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. subsp. viridis

Table 2/5. List of vascular plant species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di Piediluco; ML

= Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola. Records from bibliographic data which

were not confirmed by direct observations are marked by an asterisk (*).

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 167

Taxon

Sherardia arvensis L.

Sideritis romana L. subsp. romana

Silene conica L.

Silene latifolia L. subsp. alba (Mill.) Greuter et Burdet

Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke s.l.

Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop.

Solatium dulcamara L.

Solatium nigrum L.

Solidago gigantea Aiton

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill subsp. asper

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.

Sparganium erectum L. subsp. erectum

St achy s palustris L.

Stachys germanica L. subsp. salviifolia (Ten.) Gams.

Stellaria aquatica (L.) Scop.

Stellaria media Viv. subsp. media

Taraxacum officinale s.l.

Teucrium scorclium L. subsp. scordioides

(Schreb.) Arcang.

Thalictrum lucidum L.

Torilis sp.

Trifolium campestre Schreb.

Trifolium echinatum M. Bieb.

Trifolium frag if e rum L. subsp. fragiferum

Trifolium pratense L. subsp. pratense

Trifolium repens L. subsp. repens

Trifolium resupinatum L.

Typha angustifolia L.

Typha latifolia L.

Ulmus minor Mill, subsp. minor

Urtica dioica L. subsp. dioica

Valeriana officinalis L.

Valerianella sp.

Verbascum blattaria L.

Verbascum densiflorum Bertol.

Verbascum cf. pulverulentum Vill.

Verbascum sinuatum L.

Verbena officinalis L.

Veronica anagallis- aquatica L.

subsp. anagallis -aquatica

Veronica arvensis L.

Veronica montana L.

Viburnum opulus L.

Vicia hybrida L.

Vida sativa L. s.l.

Vicia sativa L. subsp. cordata (Hoppe) Batt.

Vicia sativa L. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh.

Viola arvensis Murray s.l.

Xanthium orientale L. subsp. italicum Moretti) Greuter

(= X. italicum Moretti)

Table 2/6. List of vascular plant species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di Piediluco; ML

= Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola. Records from bibliographic data which

were not confirmed by direct observations are marked by an asterisk (*).

168

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Taxon Locality

Cixius nervosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

(+)

Cixius remotus Edwards, 1888 1

Cixius wagneri China, 1942 4

(+)

Reptalus quinquecostatus (Dufour, 1833)

Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret, 1865

Kelisia brucki Fieber, 1878

Kelisia guttula (Germar, 1818) 3 4

(+)

Kelisia melanops Fieber, 1878 3 4

Kelisia praecox Haupt, 1935 2

(+)

Kelisia punctulum (Kirschbaum, 1868) 1

(+)

Kelisia ribauti Wagner, 1 93 8 4

/\ nakelis ia fas data ( Ki rsc h baum , 1868) 1

(+)

Stenocranus major (Kirschbaum, 1868)

(+)

Eurybregma nigrolineata Scott, 1875

Conomelus lorifer dehneli Nast, 1966 4

Delphax ribautianus Asche et Drosopoulos, 1982 4

Delphax sp.

Chloriona smaragdula (Stal, 1853) 2

Chloriona unicolor (Herrich-Schaffer, 1835)

(+)

Megamelus notula (Germar, , 1830) 3

(+)

Laodelphax striatella (Fallen, 1826)

Megamelodes lequesnei Wagner, 1 963 1

(+)

Delphacodes mulsanti (Fieber, 1866) 3

(+)

Muirodelphax aubei (Perris, 1857) 4

(+)

Dicranotropis remaniaca Guglielmino, D’Urso

et Buckle, 2016

(+)

Florodelphax leptosoma (Flor, 1861) 4

Struebingianella lugubrina (Boheman, 1 847) 2

Xanthodelphax straminea (Stal, 1858) 4

Toya propinqua (Fieber, 1866)

(+)

Javesella dubia (Kirschbaum, 1 868) 4

(+)

Rib auto delphax albostriata (Fieber, 1866) 3

Rib auto delphax imitans (Ribaut, 1953) 4

(+)

Flastena fumipennis (Fieber, 1866) 4

Neomenocria advena (Spinola , 1839) 3

Dictyophara europaea (Linnaeus, 1767)

(+)

Trypetimorpha occidentalis Huang et

Bourgoin, 1993

Agalmatium flavescens (Olivier, 1791)

Issus coleoptratus (Fabricius, 1781)

(+)

Cercopis arcuata (Fieber, 1 844)

(+)

Cercopis sanguinolenta (Scopoli, 1763)

(+)

Cercopis vulnerata Rossi, 1807

(+)

Table 3/1. List of collected Auchenorrhyncha species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di

Piediluco; ML = Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola; FV = Fiume Velino; 1 =

new for Italy; 2 = new for peninsular Italy; 3 = new for Latium; 4 = new for Umbria.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 169

Taxon Locality

Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758)

(+)

Neophilaenus campestris (Fallen, 1805)

Aphrophora alni (Fallen, 1805)

Aphrophora pectoralis Matsumura, 1903 4

Aphrophora salicina (Goeze, 1778)

Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758)

Centrotus cornutus (Linnaeus, 1758)

(+)

Stictocephala bisonia Kopp et Yonke, 1977 4

(+)

Megophthalmus scanicus (Fallen, 1806)

(+)

Macropsis albae Wagner, 1950 4

Macropsis cerea (Germar, 1837)

(+)

Macropsis glanclacea (Fieber, 1868) 4

(+)

Macropsis marginata (Herrich-Schaffer, 1836)

Macropsis najas Nast, 1981 4

Macropsis notata (Prohaska, 1923) 4

Macropsis prasina (Boheman, 1852) 3

Macropsis vicina Horvath, 1 897 4

Hephathus nanus (Herrich-Schaffer, 1835)

(+)

Anaceratagallia laevis (Ribaut, 1935)

Anaceratagallia ribauti (Ossiannilsson, 1938)

Austroagallia sinuata (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

Idiocerus stigmaticalis Lewis, 1 834 4

(+)

Idiocerus vicinus Melichar, 1898 4

(+)

Balcanocerus larvatus (Herrich- Schaffer, 1835)

Metidiocerus rutilans (Kirschbaum, 1868) 4

Populicerus albicans (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Tremulicerus distinguendus (Kirschbaum, 1868)

(+)

Viridicerus ustulatus (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

(+)

lassus scutellaris (Fieber, 1868)

Penthimia nigra (Goeze, 1778)

(+)

Eupelix cuspiclata (Fabricius, 1775) 4

(+)

Aphrodes bicincta (Schrank, 1776)

Aphrocles makarovi Zachvatkin, 1948

(+)

Anoscopus albifrons mappus Guglielmino

et Buckle, 20 1 5

(+)

Anoscopus serratulae (Fabricius, 1775)

(+)

Stroggylocephalus agrestis (Fallen, 1 806)

(+)

Evacanthus acuminatus (Fabricius, 1794)

Cicadella viridis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Alebra wahlbergi (Boheman, 1 845)

(+)

Emelyanoviana mollicula (Boheman, 1845)

(+)

Table 3/2. List of collected Auchenorrhyncha species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di

Piediluco; ML = Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola; FV = Fiume Velino; 1 =

new for Italy; 2 = new for peninsular Italy; 3 = new for Latium; 4 = new for Umbria.

170

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Taxon Locality

Dikraneura variata Hardy, 1850

(+)

Wcigneriala sinuata (Then , 1 897) 4

(+)

Not us italicus Wagner, 1954 3

Kybos rufes cens Melichar, 1896 4

(+)

Kybos virgator (Ribaut, 1933) 3

(+)

Empoasca decipiens Paoli, 1930

(+)

Empoasca pteridis (Dahlbom , 1850)

Empoasca vitis (Gothe, 1875)

(+)

Empoasca sp.

(+)

Asymmetrasca decedens Paoli, 1932 3

(+)

Edwardsiana divers a (Edwards, 1914)

(+)

Edwards iana prunicola (Edwards, 1914) 4

(+)

Edwardsiana salicicola (Edwards, 1885) 4

Edwardsiana sp.

(+)

Linnavuoriana sexmaculata (Hardy, 1850)

(+)

Ribautiana cruciata Ribaut, 1931

Ribautiana clebilis (Douglas, 1876) 3

(+)

Ribautiana tenerrima (Herrich-Schaffer, 1834) 4

Eupteryx atropunctata (Goeze, 1778)

(+)

Eupteryx curtisii (Flor, 1861)

Eupteryx decemnotata Rey, 1891 3

(+)

Eupteryx melissae Curtis, 1837 4

(+)

Eupteryx notata Curtis, 1837 3

(+)

Eupteryx petasitidis Ferrari, 1882 4

Eupteryx rostrata Ribaut, 1936 4

(+)

Eupteryx thoulessi Edwards, 1926

Eupteryx urticae (Fabricius, 1803)

(+)

Eupteryx zelleri (Kirschbaum, 1868)

(+)

Zyginidia gr. ribaut i Dworakowska, 1970

Zygina discolor Horvath, 1897 4

(+)

Zygina lunaris (Mulsant et Rey, 1855) 3

(+)

Zygina nivea (Mulsant et Rey, 1855) 3 4

(+)

Zygina cf. ordinaria (Ribaut, 1936) 3

Arborklici parvula (Boheman, 1845)

(+)

Arboridia spathulata (Ribaut, 1931)

(+)

Arboridia sp.

(+)

Fruticidia bisignata (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

(+)

Goniagnathus brevis (Herrich-Schaffer, 1835)

Hishimonus cf. hamatus Kuoh, 1976 2

(+)

Neoaliturus fenestratus (Herrich-Schaffer, 1834)

(+)

Balclutha nicolasi (Lethierry, 1876) 4

Balclutha punctata (Fabricius, 1775)

Table 3/3. List of collected Auchenorrhyncha species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di

Piediluco; ML = Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola; FV = Fiume Velino; 1 =

new for Italy; 2 = new for peninsular Italy; 3 = new for Latium; 4 = new for Umbria.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 171

Taxon Locality

Balclutha rosea (Scott, 1876)

Balclutha saltuella (Kischbaum, 1868)

(+)

Macrosteles forficula (Ribaut, 1927)

(+)

Mcicrosteles frontalis (Scott, 1875) 4

Macrosteles laevis (Ribaut, 1927)

(+)

Macrosteles ossiannilssoni Lindberg, 1954

(+)

Macrosteles quadripunctulatus

(Kirschbaum, 1 868) 4

Macrosteles sardus Ribaut, 1948

(+)

Macrosteles sexnotatus (Fallen, 1806)

(+)

Macrosteles viridigriseus (Edwards, 1924) 4

(+)

Macrosteles sp.

(+)

Deltocephalus pulicaris (Fallen, 1806)

Maiestas schmidtgeni (Wagner, 1939)

Chiasmus conspurcatus (Perris, 1857)

(+)

Doratura paludosa Melichar, 1 897

Phlogotettix cyclops (Mulsant et Rey, 1855) 4

(+)

Exitianus taeniaticeps (Kirschbaum, 1868)

(+)

Anoplotettix fuscovenosus (Ferrari, 1882)

Lamprotettix nitidulus (Fabricius, 1787)

(+)

Allygus modestus Scott, 1876 4

Allygidius abbreviatus (Lethierry, 1878)

(+)

Allygidius atomarius (Fabricius, 1794)

Allygidius furcatus (Ferrari, 1882)

Phlepsius sp.

(+)

Graphocraerus ventralis (Fallen, 1 806)

Cicadulci frontalis (Herrich-S chaffer, 1835) 3

Cicadula lineatopunctata (Matsumura, 1908)

(+)

Cicadula placida (Horvath, 1 897) 3 ’ 4

Cicadula quadrinotata (Fabricius, 1794) 4

Mocydia crocea (Herrich-S chaffer, 1837)

(+)

Thamnotettix zelleri (Kirschbaum, 1868) 4

(+)

Conosanus obsoletus (Kirschbaum, 1858)

Euscelis incisus (Kirschbaum, 1858)

Euscelis lineolatus Brulle, 1 832

(+)

Euscelis sp.

(+)

Artianus manderstjernii (Kirschbaum, 1868)

(+)

Paramesus obtusifrons (Stal, 1853)

Paralimnus phragmitis (Boheman, 1 847) 4

Metalimnus formosus (Boheman, 1845) 2

Arocephalus longiceps (Kirschbaum, 1868) 4

(+)

Psammotettix alienus (Dahlbom, 1850)

Psammotettix confinis (Dahlbom, 1850)

Adarrus exornatus Ribaut, 1952 4

Jassargus bisubulatus (Then, 1 896)

Arthaldeus striifrons (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Table 3/4. List of collected Auchenorrhyncha species and their collecting localities. LV = Lago di Ventina; LP = Lago di

Piediluco; ML = Madonna della Luce; LL = Lago Lungo; LR = Lago Ripasottile; M = Montisola; FV = Fiume Velino; 1 =

new for Italy; 2 = new for peninsular Italy; 3 = new for Latium; 4 = new for Umbria.

172

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Taxon month

VII

VIII

Cixius nervosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Cixius remotus Edwards, 1888

Cixius wagneri China, 1942

Reptalus quinquecostatus (Dufour , 1833)

Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret, 1865

Kelisia brucki Fieber, 1878

Kelisia guttula (Germar, 1818)

Kelisia melanops Fieber, 1878

Kelisia praecox Haupt, 1935

Kelisia punctulum (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Kelisia ribauti Wagner, 1938

Anakelisia fas data (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Stenocranus major (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Eurybregma nigrolineata Scott, 1875

Conomelus lorifer dehneli Nast, 1966

Delphax ribautianus Asche et

Drosopoulos, 1982

Chloriona smaragdula (Stal, 1853)

Chloriona unicolor (Herrich- Schaffer, 1835)

Megamelus notula (Germar, 1830)

Laoclelphax striatella (Fallen, 1 826)

Megamelodes lequesnei Wagner, 1 963

Delphacodes mulsanti (Fieber, 1866)

Muiro delphax aubei (Perris, 1857)

Dicranotropis remaniaca Guglielmino, D’Urso

et Buckle, 20 1 6

Florodelphax leptosoma (Flor, 1861)

Struebingianella lugubrina (Boheman, 1 847)

Xanthodelphax straminea (Stal, 1858)

Toy a propinqua (Fieber, 1866)

Javesella dubia (Kirschbaum, 1 868)

Rib auto delphax albostriata (Fieber, 1866)

Rib auto delphax imitans (Ribaut, 1953)

Flastena fumipennis (Fieber, 1866)

Neomenocria advena (Spinola, 1 839)

Dictyophara europaea (Linnaeus, 1767)

Trypetimorpha occidentalis Huang et

Bourgoin, 1993

Agalmatium flavescens (Olivier, 1791)

Issus coleoptratus (Fabricius, 1781)

Cercopis arcuata (Fieber, 1844)

Cercopis sanguinolenta (Scopoli, 1763)

Cercopis vulnerata Rossi, 1807

Table 4/1. Table 4. List of Auchenorrhyncha species and their collecting months.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 173

Taxon month

VII

VIII

Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Neophilcienus campestris (Fallen, 1805)

Aphrophora alni (Fallen, 1805)

Aphrophora pectorcilis Matsumura, 1903

Aphrophora salicina (Goeze, 1778)

Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758)

Centrotus cornutus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Stictocephala bisonia Kopp et Yonke, 1977

Megophthalmus scanicus (Fallen, 1806)

Macropsis albae Wagner, 1950

Macropsis cerea (Germar, 1837)

Macropsis glanclacea (Fieber, 1868)

Macropsis marginata (Herrich-Schaffer, 1836)

Macropsis najas Nast, 1981

Macropsis notata (Prohaska, 1923)

Macropsis prasina (Boheman, 1852)

Macropsis vicina Horvath, 1897

Hephathus nanus (Herrich-Schaffer, 1835)

Anaceratagallia laevis (Ribaut, 1935)

Anaceratagallia ribauti (Ossiannilsson, 1938)

Austroagallia sinuata (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

Idiocerus stigmaticalis Lewis, 1834

Idiocerus vicinus Melichar, 1898

Balcanocerus larvatus (Herrich-Schaffer, 1835)

Metidiocerus rutilans (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Populicerus albicans (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Tremulicerus distinguendus (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Viridicerus ustulatus (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

Iassus scutellaris (Fieber, 1868)

Penthimia nigra (Goeze, 1778)

Eupelix cuspidata (Fabricius, 1775)

Aphrocles bicincta (Schrank, 1776)

Aphrodes makarovi Zachvatkin, 1948

Anoscopus albifrons mappus

Guglielmino et Buckle, 20 1 5

Anoscopus serratulae (Fabricius, 1775)

Stroggylocephalus agrestis (Fallen, 1 806)

Evacanthus acuminatus (Fabricius, 1794)

Cicadella viridis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Alebra wahlbergi (Boheman, 1845)

Emelyanoviana mollicula (Boheman, 1845)

Table 4/2. Table 4. List of Auchenorrhyncha species and their collecting months.

174

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Taxon month

VII

VIII

Dikraneura variata Hardy, 1850

Wagneriala sinuata (Then, 1 897)

Notus italicus Wagner, 1954

Kybos rufescens Melichar, 1896

Kybos virgator (Ribaut, 1933)

Empoasca decipiens Paoli, 1930

Empoasca pteridis (Dahlbom, 1850)

Empoasca vitis (Gothe, 1875)

Asymmetrasca decedens Paoli, 1932

Edwardsiana divers a (Edwards, 1914)

Edwards iana prunicola (Edwards, 1914)

Edwardsiana salicicola (Edwards, 1885)

Linnavuoriana sexmaculata (Hardy, 1850)

Ribautiana cruciata Ribaut, 1931

Ribautiana debilis (Douglas, 1876)

Ribautiana tenerrima (Herrich- Schaffer, 1 834)

Eupteryx atropunctata (Goeze, 1778)

Eupteryx curtisii (Flor, 1861)

Eupteryx decemnotata Rey, 1891

Eupteryx me lissae Curtis, 1837

Eupteryx notata Curtis, 1837

Eupteryx petasitidis Ferrari, 1882

Eupteryx rostrata Ribaut, 1936

Eupteryx thoulessi Edwards, 1926

Eupteryx urticae (Fabricius, 1803)

Eupteryx zelleri (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Zyginidia gr. riband Dworakowska, 1970

Zygina discolor Horvath, 1897

Zygina lunaris (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

Zygina nivea (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

Zygina cf. ordinaria (Ribaut, 1936)

Arboriclia parvula (Boheman, 1845)

Arboriclia spathulata (Ribaut, 1931)

Fruticidia bisignata (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

Goniagnathus brevis (Herrich-Schaffer, 1835)

Hishimonus cf. hamatus Kuoh, 1976

Neoaliturus fenestratus (Herrich-Schaffer, 1 834)

Balclutha nicolasi (Lethierry, 1876)

Balclutha punctata (Fabricius, 1775)

Balclutha rosea (Scott, 1876)

Table 4/3. Table 4. List of Auchenorrhyncha species and their collecting months.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 175

Taxon month

VII

VIII

Balclutha saltuella (Kischbaum, 1868)

Macrosteles forficula (Ribaut, 1927)

Macrosteles frontalis (Scott, 1875)

Macrosteles laevis (Ribaut, 1927)

Macrosteles ossiannilssoni Lindberg, 1954

Macrosteles quadripunctulatus

(Kirschbaum, 1868)

Macrosteles sardus Ribaut, 1948

Macrosteles sexnotatus (Fallen, 1806)

Macrosteles viridigriseus (Edwards, 1924)

Deltocephalus pulicaris (Fallen, 1806)

Maiestas schmidtgeni (Wagner, 1939)

Chiasmus conspurcatus (Perris, 1857)

Doratura paludosa Melichar, 1 897

Phlogotettix cyclops (Mulsant et Rey, 1855)

Exitianus taeniaticeps (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Anoplotettix fuscovenosus (Ferrari, 1882)

Lamprotettix nitidulus (Fabricius, 1787)

Allygus moclestus Scott, 1876

Allygidius abbreviatus (Lethierry, 1878)

Allygidius atomarius (Fabricius, 1794)

Allygidius furcatus (Ferrari, 1882)

Phlepsius sp.

Graphocraerus ventralis (Fallen, 1 806)

Cicadula lineatopunctata (Matsumura, 1908)

Cicadula frontalis (Herrich-Schaffer, 1835)

Cicadula placida (Horvath, 1 897)

Cicadula quadrinotata (Fabricius, 1794)

Mocyclia crocea (Herrich-Schaffer, 1837)

Thamnotettix zelleri (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Conosanus obsoletus (Kirschbaum, 1858)

Euscelis incisus (Kirschbaum, 1858)

Euscelis lineolatus Brulle, 1 832

Artianus manderstjernii (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Paramesus obtusifrons (Stal, 1853)

Paralimnus phragmitis (Boheman, 1 847)

Metalimnus formosus (Boheman, 1845)

Arocephalus longiceps (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Psammotettix alienus (Dahlbom, 1850)

Psammotettix confinis (Dahlbom, 1850)

Adarrus exornatus Ribaut, 1952

Jassargus bisubulatus (Then, 1 896)

Arthaldeus striifrons (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Table 4/4. Table 4. List of Auchenorrhyncha species and their collecting months.

176

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

OBSERVATIONS ON SOME TAXA OF

SPECIAL INTEREST

Cixius remotus Edwards, 1881 (Fig. 24)

New record for Italy.

A small population of this species was found

near Madonna della Luce in June on herbaceous

vegetation. The species is recorded from western

Europe, UK and the Balkan Peninsula. Little is

known about its biology.

Kelisia praecox Haupt, 1935 (Fig. 25)

New record for peninsular Italy.

One male was found near the Lago Ripasottile in

September. In Italy, the species is recorded from

Piemonte (Alma et al., 2009b). Host plants are Carex

brizoides and other Carex species (Nickel, 2003;

Nickel et Remane, 2002). The host plant of the

population in the Lago Ripasottile area is unknown.

Kelisia punctulum (Kirschbaum, 1868) (Fig. 26)

New record for Italy.

This taxon is widely distributed in the studied

area (Lago di Ventina, Lago di Piediluco, Madonna

della Luce, Lago Lungo and Lago Ripasottile). It

was collected in June on tall sedges. As host plant

is recorded Carex acutiformis (Nickel, 2003).

Kelisia punctulum is widely distributed and not

rare in western, central, eastern and southeastern

Europe, but apparently absent in most parts of the

Mediterranean region.

Anakelisia fas data (Kirschbaum, 1868) (Fig. 27)

New record for Italy.

The species is present in high abundance at the

Lago di Ventina, but was found at the Lago Lungo,

Lago Ripasottile and Madonna della Luce as well.

Adults were collected from April to November.

Anakelisia fasciata is recorded for Germany as

univoltine. Hibernating takes place in the egg stage

with some females hibernating as adults (Nickel,

2003). A similar condition is observed on the Lago

di Ventina. Many specimens were found in autumn,

with a percentage of males decreasing from October

to November. In April only females were found.

Only few specimens were collected in summer (end

of June, mid- July), including one male. The species

is monophagous on Carex riparia (Nickel, 2003),

but possibly it uses also other tall sedges as host

plants. It is widely distributed in most parts of

Europe except for the northernmost regions and the

Iberian Peninsula.

Chloriona smaragdula (Stal, 1853) (Figs. 28, 29)

New record for peninsular Italy.

The species was collected on the Lago Lungo in

July. It is monophagous on Phragmites australis

and is recorded from most parts of Europe except

for the Iberian Peninsula.

In Italy there are records from Trentino Alto

Adige (Carl, 2008), Veneto and Emilia Romagna

(Servadei, 1967).

Megamelus notula (Germar, 1830) (Figs. 30, 31)

New record for Latium.

The species was found on the Lago di Ventina

in September and October and is apparently sedent-

ary in this area as all collected specimens are bra-

chypterous. One macropterous specimen was

collected also on the Lago Ripasottile, in June.

Megamelus notula lives on Carex spp. (Nickel,

2003). In northern Italia there are records from

Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli- Venezia Giulia and

Emilia (Servadei, 1967); in peninsular Italy, the spe-

cies is recorded from Abruzzo (Guglielmino et al.,

2005).

Megamelodes lequesnei Wagner, 19631 (Fig. 32)

New record for Italy.

Brachypterous males were collected in Novem-

ber both on the Lago di Ventina and the Lago

Lungo. In Germany, the species is bivoltine and

hibernates in the egg stage; host plants are J uncus

effusus and J. inflexus (Buckle & Guglielmino,

2005), possibly also other tall Juncus species.

In the investigated areas, however, it lives on

Carex spp., probably Carex hirta. Apparently, it

hibernates in the adult stage.

The species is recorded from several European

regions including Spain, the British Islands and the

Balkan region.

Delphacodes mulsanti (Fieber, 1866) (Fig. 33)

New record for Latium.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 177

The taxon is widely distributed in the studied

areas (Madonna della Luce, Lago Lungo, Lago

Ripasottile and Montisola). The specimens were

collected in June, September, October and Novem-

ber, possibly on Eleocharis sp.

Fieber (1866) described this taxon from south-

ern France. As usual in those times, he did not

consider the aedeagus morphology. Subsequent

description of further Delphcicodes taxa based

principally on the aedeagus shape, raised the

question of their relationship or possible identity

with D. mulsanti. Until 1983, four further taxa of

this group had been described: (1) D. ornatipennis

(Haupt, 1927), based on one female from Palestina,

(2) D. audrasi Ribaut, 1954, from eastern France,

(3) D. fascia (Lindberg, 1960), from Portugal, and

(4) D. linnavuorii (Le Quesne, 1960), described

from central Italy (Toscana) on a specimen figured

by Linnavuori (1957) as D. mulsanti. Asche &

Remane (1983) discussed this problem in a long

article in which they described an additional spe-

cies, (5) D. nastasi, from Greece. Out of these taxa,

four are recorded by D’Urso (1995) from Italy: D.

mulsanti, D. linnavuorii, D. audrasi and D. nastasi.

In the meantime, Asche (pers. com.) had the

opportunity to study the type of D. audrasi and

material on which Fieber’s original description of

Delphax mulsanti was based. In addition, he studied

a rich Delphacodes material from Irak, collected by

R. Linnavuori, which displays a surprisingly high

variability in the aedeagus morphology. All the spe-

cies of the mulsanti group mentioned above are

represented in the variation spectre of these popu-

lations. Our own material from Sardinia and penin-

sular Italy comprises at least the aedeagus

morphology of D. fascia, D. nastasi and transitional

forms. A quite different aedeagus shape is represen-

ted by the specimen figured by Linnavuori (1957)

from Toscana as D. mulsanti, and later described by

Le Quesne (1960) as D. linnavuorii. Nevertheless,

the aedeagus shape of this specimen as well is

within the spectre of variability of the material from

Irak observed by Asche.

These observations suggest clearly that the five

species mentioned above are conspecific with D.

mulsanti. We propose the following synonymies:

Delphax mulsanti, Fieber, 1866 = Megamelus

ornatipennis Haupt, 1927 = Delphacodes audrasi

Ribaut, 1954 = Calligypona fascia Lindberg, 1960

= Megamelodes linnavuorii Le Quesne, 1960 =

Delphacodes nastasi Asche et Remane, 1983

(syn. nov.) (see also Haupt, 1927; Lindberg, 1960;

Ribaut, 1954).

Struebingianella lugubrina (Boheman, 1847)

(Figs. 34, 35)

New record for peninsular Italy.

A very rich population of this species was found

on the Lago di Ventina, in April and September, on

Glyceria maxima. As host plant is recorded also G.

fluitans (Nickel, 2003). The species hibernates in the

nymph stage, and has two generations (Nickel, 2003).

It was recorded in Italy only from Friuli- Venezia

Giulia (Servadei, 1967).

Interestingly, a high number (about 30%) of the

collected males have a mirror image symmetric

aedeagus in respect of the aedeagus type generally

observed in the populations from central Europe (as

figured e.g. in Ossiannilsson, 1978, Figs. 510-512).

Rib auto delphax albostriata (Fieber, 1866)

(Fig. 36)

New record for Latium.

Brachypterous and macropterous adults were

found on the Lago Lungo in July and September.

The species is monophagous on Poa pratensis. In

Italy there are records from Valle d’ Aosta (Alma

et al., 2009a), Trentino Alto Adige (Remane &

Hellrigl, 1996), Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria

(Guglielmino & Buckle, 2007), Emilia Romagna

(Guglielmino & Buckle, 2008), Toscana, Abruzzo

(Guglielmino et al., 2005). The species hibernates

in the nymph stage and has two generations (Nickel,

2003). It is widely distributed and rather common

in central Italy.

Macropsis prasina (Boheman, 1852) (Fig. 37)

The species was found near Madonna della Luce

in June.

This taxon is mentioned in the Servadei cata-

logue apparently as M. virescens (Fabricius, 1794)

and recorded for Piemonte, Liguria and Trentino-

Alto Adige. Generally, there was much confusion

in the past about the taxonomy of this genus, and

until today Macropsis is one of the most complic-

ated Cicadellidae genera in Europe. Therefore, old

records are unclear and may be interpreted in dif-

ferent ways. Species discrimination, above all

178

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

among the green species, is sometimes impossible

without the indication of the host plant; as material

from old collections is normally devoid of such in-

formation its identification is particularly difficult.

We found no specimens in the Servadei collection

that can be attributed surely to M. prasina (most

of the specimens belonging to the label “ prasina ”

display the ovipositor features of M. marginata).

Notus italicus Wagner, 1954 (Fig. 38)

New record for Latium.

The species was found only on the Lago di

Ventina, and is apparently restricted there to Carex

paniculata as host plant.

The species is described from Trentino-Alto

Adige and Veneto, and there are records from sev-

eral other regions in northern Italy (Servadei, 1967).

On the Apennine Peninsula it is recorded from

Abruzzo (Guglielmino et al., 2005) and Calabria

(Servadei, 1967).

Kybos virgator (Ribaut, 1933) (Fig. 39)

During our research one male was collected on

Salix alba near the Lago Ripasottile.

In Italy there are records only from Veneto and

Sardinia (Servadei, 1967). The species feeds primar-

ily on S. alba and S. fragilis (Nickel, 2003).

In 2011, a new Kybos species, K. albitalicus

Guglielmino, Poggi, Buckle, 2011 was described

(Guglielmino et al., 2011). This taxon feeds on S.

alba as well (and on S. eleagnos ), is quite common

in central Italy and is distinguishable from K. vir-

gator mainly by the morphology of its tymbal

organ. Therefore, records before 2011 are to be

checked; they may refer possibly to K. albitalicus.

The male collected in the Lago Ripasottile area

displays long, well developed apodemes of the

second abdominal sternum; thus, it belongs clearly

to K. virgator.

Zygina lunaris (Mulsant et Rey, 1855) (Fig. 40)

New record for Latium.

Adults were found on the Lago Lungo, Lago

Ripasottile and Lago di Ventina, on Salix alba in

July and September. The species lives prevalently

on narrow-leaved Salix species (S. alba, S. fragilis,

S. purpurea, etc.) (Nickel, 2003). In Italy there are

records from Piemonte (Alma et al., 2009b) and

Toscana (Mazzoni et al., 2001).

Zygina cf. ordinaria (Ribaut, 1936) (Fig. 41)

New record for Latium.

Adults were collected on the Lago Lungo and

Lago Ripasottile, on Salix alba, in July. The species

lives on narrow-leaved Salix species ( S . alba, S.

viminalis, S. fragilis, S. purpurea, etc.) (Nickel,

2003).

This taxon is generically recorded from Italy by

Vidano and Arzone (1987); recently, it was collec-

ted in Trentino Alto Adige (Carl, 2008), Emilia Ro-

magna (Guglielmino & Buckle, 2008) and Toscana

(Mazzoni, 2005).

Hishimonus cf. hamatus Kuoh, 1976 (Fig. 42)

New record for peninsular Italy.

One specimen was collected in September near

Madonna della Luce and the Lago Ripasottile,

respectively.

This species was recently introduced in Europe

and is present in Slovenia (Seljak, 2013) and

northern Italy (Lombardy: Francesco Poggi, unpub-

lished data).

Cicadula frontalis (Herrich- Schaffer, 1835)

(Fig. 43)

New record for Latium.

The species was found in June and September

only in a restricted area near Madonna della Luce,

on Carex acutiformis and/or C. riparia.

The species is widely distributed in most parts

of Europe. In Italy there are records from Emilia

and Calabria (Servadei, 1967). In the Servadei

collection of the museum of Verona there are no

specimens of this taxon from Italy.

Cicadula placida (Horvath, 1897) (Fig. 44)

New record for Latium.

The taxon is widely distributed and common in

the studied area (Lago di Ventina, Lago di Piedi-

luco, Madonna della Luce, Lago Lungo, Lago Ri-

pasottile and Montisola). Adults were collected in

June, July, October and November. The species

feeds on Phalaris arundinacea, Glyceria maxima,

and possibly also on other tall Poaceae species. Spe-

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the Lacus Velinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 179

cimens collected in June were light yellow-green,

specimens collected in November brown.

The species is recorded in Italy from Piemonte

(Servadei, 1967) and Toscana (Mazzoni, 2005).

Metalimnus formosus (Boheman, 1845) (Fig. 45)

New record for peninsular Italy.

Specimens of this taxon were collected on the

Lago di Ventina from June to November. The spe-

cies feeds on Carex spp. In Germany C. acuta and

C. data are recorded as host plants (Nickel, 2003).

In the Lago di Ventina area, the species feeds on

Carex riparia, C. paniculata and possibly further

Carex species.

In Italy it is recorded from Piemonte, Trentino

Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia (Servadei,

1967).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of vascular plants (267) and Auchen-

orrhyncha species (162) emphasizes the high biod-

iversity of the Lacus Velinus area. However, not

only the quantity of species but also the particular

interest of some of them is an important result.

Among the vascular plants are to be recorded in this

context Butomus umbellatus, Carex acutiformis, C.

elata, C. pseudocyperus , C. paniculata , Cladium

mariscus, Epipactis palustris, Frangula alnus,

Glyceria maxima , Hydrocharis morsus-ranae ,

Nuphar lutea , Oenanthe aquatica. Orchis incarn-

ata , Ranunculus lingua, Rorippa amphibia, Rumex

hydrolapathum, Scutellaria galericulata and Vi-

burnum opulus, all included in the Regional Red

Lists of Italian Plants of Umbria and Latium.

Among the Auchenorrhyncha we mention four

species ( Cixius remotus, Kelisia punctulum, Ana-

kelisia fas data and Megamelodes lequesnei ) as new

for Italy and five ( Kelisia praecox, Struebingianella

lugubrina, Chloriona smaragdula, Hishimonus cf.

hamatus and Metalimnus formosus) as new for the

Apennine Peninsula (“S” in the checklist of the

Italian fauna). Besides, most of the collection sites

even seen in isolation present impressively rich

Auchenorrhyncha communities. 83 species were

found at the Lago di Ventina, 89 at the Lago di

Piediluco, 65 near Madonna della Luce, 61 at the

Lago Lungo, 76 at the Lago Ripasottile, 47 near

Montisola and 14 on the river Velino. The different

numbers are in part due to a different sampling in-

tensity and a different spatial, ecological and tem-

poral extension of the collecting sites and periods.

However, the low species number in the localities

near Montisola and on the river Velino in respect of

the other sites is in part correlated with a lower di-

versity of plants in those distinctly disturbed habitats.

In addition to the high number of taxa occurring

in the investigated area, a very important result con-

sists in the high number of 60 taxa that are strictly

correlated with moist habitats. Most of the species

recorded for the first time in Italy or peninsular Italy

belong to this group.

The present research emphasizes also the lack

of data concerning the Auchenorrhyncha species in

Latium and above all in Umbria. While 1 8 taxa of

Auchenorrhyncha are new records for Latium (from

six sampling localities), no less than 44 are new for

Umbria (in spite of this region being represented by

only two sampling localities). However, a subdivi-

sion of our results in data from Latium and from

Umbria makes little sense. The investigated area is

a single ecological and geological unit, despite of

its belonging to two different administrative entit-

ies. The site of the Lago di Piediluco (in Umbria),

for example, is only about 250 m distant from the

border of Latium and about 1km distant from the

site “Madonna della Luce” (in Latium).

Nowadays humid habitats in central Italy are

generally rare. Often they have been destroyed or

at least severely compromised already in Roman

times. Therefore, an area with such high number of

hygrophilous plants and Auchenorrhyncha taxa as

the “Lacus Velinus” region deserves particularly

high attention and protection. This not only in view

of the Flora and the Auchenorrhyncha fauna (and

the Avifauna), but also in regard of other groups of

animals which are unexplored until now, and may

be expected to be represented by many further rare

and interesting taxa. The uncontrolled diffusion of

alien and invasive plant species may become a

serious risk for the conservation of the biodiversity

of this area, the remarkable naturalistic interest of

which this research has confirmed.

Even if the studied areas furnished very import-

ant results, we are far from an approximately com-

plete knowledge on their Auchenorrhyncha fauna.

Additional investigations should include more loc-

alities, biotopes and collecting seasons.

180

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Figures 24-3 1 . Auchenorrhyncha from study areas. Figure 24. Cixius remotus. Figure 25. Kelisia praecox. Figure 26. Kelisia

punctulum. Figure 27. Anakelisia fas data. Figure 28. Chloriona smaragdula, macropterous male. Figure 29. Chloriona

smaragdula, brachypterous female. Figure 30. Megamelus notula, male. Figure 3 I . Me game! us notula, female. Figures 25-

3 1 : Photos Gernot Kunz.

Flora and Auchenorrhyncha biocenoses in restricted relics areas of the LacusVelinus (Umbria and Latium, Italy) 181

Figures 32-39. Auchenorrhyncha from study areas. Figure 32. Megamelocles lequesnei. Figure 33. Delphacodes mulsanti.

Figure 34. Struebingianella lugubrina, male. Figure 35. Struebingianella lugubrina, female. Figure 36. Rib auto delphax

albostriata. Figure 37. Macropsis prasina. Figure 38. Not us italicus. Figure 39. Kybos virgator. Figures 32, 34-37, 39:

Photos Gernot Kunz; Figures 33, 38: Photos Massimo Vollaro.

182

Adalgisa Guglielmino etalii

Figures 40-45. Auchenorrhyncha from study areas. Figure 40. Zygina lunaris. Figure 41 . Zygina ordinaria. Figure 42. Hishimonus

cf. hamatus. Figure 43. Cicadula frontalis. Figure 44. Cicadula placida. Figure 45. Metalimnus formosus . Photos Gemot Kunz.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many thanks to Manfred Asche (Berlin, Ger-

many) for important information about the

Delphacodes mulsanti problem. We are thankful to

Massimo Vollaro (Viterbo, Italy) for help in pre-

paring the photos of mounted specimens out of our

Auchenorrhyncha collection.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 185-192

Monograph

Pselaphinae (Coleoptera Staphylinidae) from Sicily and Cala-

bria (Italy). Results from a short entomological expedition in

April, 20 1 5

Giorgio Sabella 1 *, Rostislav Bekchiev 2 & Rumyana Kostova 3

'Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Animal Biology Section, via Androne 8 1, 95 124 Catania,

Italy; e-mail: sabellag@ unict.it

A1 ational M useum ofNaturalHistory, 1 TsarOsvoboditelBlvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; e-mail: bekchiev@nmnhs.com

Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, 8 Dragan Tsankov Bvld., Bulgaria; e-mail:

rkostova@ biofac.uni-sofia.bg

Corresponding author

ABSTRACT The study presents the results from an entomological expedition in Southern Italy. Two rare

species, BatrisodeS adnexus (C. Hampe, 1 863 ) and Chennium siculum Fiori, 19 14, were

collected in Sicily and three species, PcinCiphcintllS CltOJTlUS K iesenw etter, 1 858, BiblopleCtUS

pUSillllS (Denny, 1 825), and BiblopleCtUS dclhcri'lli (Guillebeau, 1 888 ), are recorded for the

first time from Calabria.

KEYWORDS Italy; Pselaphinae; faunistics; taxonomy; new record.

Received 09.09.201 6; accepted 24.1 0.2016; printed 30.03.20 1 7

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

A short entomological expedition was conduc-

ted in April 2015 as a result of the collaboration

between Catania University (Italy), National Mu-

seum of Natural History of Sofia (NMNHS) and

Sofia University (Bulgaria).While the region of Si-

cily is relatively well studied about Pselaphinae

fauna (Sabella, 1998), in the contrary the coastal re-

gion of Calabria is still poorly investigated. The aim

of this expedition was to collect material from spe-

cific habitats for Southern Italy with scarce inform-

ation about the Pselaphinae species composition.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The material was collected from 01 to

08. IV. 2015 in the region of Sicily and from 09

to 12. IV. 2015 in the region of Calabria. The main

visited habitats were mountain and plane forests so

as wet zones in Sicily and mainly coastal dunes in

Calabria (Figs. 1-5).

The following collection methods were used: 1.

Sifting with litter reducer (mesh diameter6x6 mm).

The beetles were sorted up manually directly from

the sifted leaf litter or rotten wood orwere extracted

using W inkler/M oczarski selectors from 2.5-3 kg

soil samples; 2. Light trap with a 160W MBTF

lamp and a F8T5 - 365 nm black light tube; 3.

Sweeping on the vegetation with an entomological

net and with a one-hand blower (Partner GB V 325 ).

4. Collection at sight under stones and among the

roots of herbaceous vegetation.

Determination of the species was made by dis-

sections using standard techniques: genitalia and

186

Giorgio sabella etalii

small parts were mounted in Euparal on acetate la-

bels which were pinned with the specimens.

The material used for this study is deposited in

the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia,

Bulgaria (NMNHS) and in the Department ofBio-

logical, Geological and Environmental of Catania

University (DBUC).

The general distribution of the species is given

according to Poggi & Sabella (2 0 05) and Schulke

& Smetana (2015). In references all authors of the

mentioned species are listed. The map was pro-

duced with SimpleMappr (Shorthouse, 2010).

RESULTS

In total, 186 specimens belonging to 23 Pselaph-

inae species were collected during the study (12

species from Sicily and 12 species from Calabria),

with one species, Brycixis itolicUS (B audi di S elve,

1 870), common for both regions.

List of the identified Pselaphinae species

from the studied regions

SIC ILY

Trimium zoufali Krauss, 1900

Examined material. NEBRODI - San Fratello

(Messina), N 37. 94540 E 14. 62729, 05. IV. 2015,

sifting litter, 1 male and 1 female (R. Bekchiev, G.

Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Endemic of mainland Italy (from

Emilia to Calabria) and Sicily.Widespread in S icily.

Sylvicolous species that lives in litter and rotten

wood.

Batrisodes adnexus (c.Hampe, 1 8 6 3 )

Examined material. NEBRODI. San Teodoro

(Cesaro, Messina), N 37. 87024 E 14. 67808,

05. IV. 2015, 1 male (R . Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Kostova) (NMNHS).

Figure 1 . M ap of the main points of the studied area in South Italy.

Pselaphinae from Sicily and Calabria (Italy). Results from a short entomological expedition in April, 2015

187

Remarks. Widespread in Europe. Reported for

main land Italy and Sicily. Not very common in Si-

cily where is known only to the northern districts

(Peloritani, Etna, Nebrodi, Madonie and Sicani). In

literature it is mentioned as m yrm ecophilous spe-

cies (generally hosted in nests of Lasius brwmeUS

(Latreille, 1 798), but it was collected also with car

net, entomological net and sifting of rotten wood.

Bryaxis siculus Fiori, 1 9 1 3

Examined material. IBLEI. Villa Vela (Noto,

Siracusa), N 3 6. 98767 E 1 5. 02672, sifting litter,

04. IV. 2015, 3 males and 1 female (R . Bekchiev,

G. Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS). IBLEI. Cassaro

(Noto, Siracusa), N 37. 10304 E 14. 96445,

06. IV. 2015, sifting litter, 2 females (R. Bekchiev,

G . Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Endemic to Sicily ( I b lei, Madonie

and Sicani districts). Sylvicolous species living in

litter and sometimes also under big stones in forest.

Bryaxis italicus (B audi di Selve, 1870)

Examined material. NEBRODI. San Fratello

(Messina), N37. 94540 E 14. 62 7 29, 05. IV. 2015,

sifting litter, 3 males (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Kostova) (NM NHS).

Remarks. Reported from southern France (Var,

Alpes Maritimes), Switzerland (Ticino), mainland

Italy, Elba and Giglio islands, and Sicily. In Sicily it

is known only to the northeastern regions (Pelorit-

ani, Etna, Nebrodi and Erei districts). Very common

in sifting of vegetal debris, litter and potting soil.

Tychus opuntiae (Schmidt- Goebel, 1 836)

Examined material. IBLEI. Villa Vela (Noto,

Siracusa), N 36. 98767 E 1 5. 02672, 04. IV. 2015,

sifting litter, 1 male (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Figures 2-5. Typical habitats: Vendicari, Sicilia (Fig. 2); Nebrodi, San Fratello, Sicilia (Fig. 3); Marina di Strongoli, C alabria

(Fig. 4); Santa Severina, Calabria (Fig. 5).

188

Giorgio sabella etalii

Kostova) (NMNHS). NEBRODI. San Teodoro

(Cesaro, Messina), N 37. 87024 E 14. 67808,

05. IV. 2015, under stones, 2 females (R. Bekchiev,

G . Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Endemic of Sicily and Malta. Wide-

spread in Sicily. Very common under stones in wet

and clay meadows, in sifting of litter and vegetal

debris, among the roots of plants in swampy areas;

collected also by net car, window traps and ento-

mological net at sunset on herbaceous vegetation in

w et m eadow s.

Brachygluta aubei (Tournier, 1 868)

Examined material. IBLEI. Granelli (Pachino,

Siracusa), N3 6.7 0 844 E 15.00 5 19, 0 3.04.20 15, sift-

ing and sweeping, 11 ex. (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella,

R. Kostova) (NMNHS). IBLEI. Vendicari (Noto,

Siracusa), N 3 6. 7 8723 E 1 5. 09456, 0 1. IV. 2015,

sifting and sweeping, 3 males (R . Bekchiev, G.

Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Known of coasts of Portugal and

Spain, atlantic coast of France, Sardinia and cir-

cum Sardinians islands, Sicily, Malta, islands of Fav-

ignana, Pantelleria and Galita, and Maghreb

(Tunisia, A lgeria and Morocco). Widespread in all

coasts of Sicily and also in the central regions along

riversides of salty streams or rivers. Halophilous

species, common in coastal marshes and also along

the riversides of salty rivers among the roots of

plants. It was collected also with net car and ento-

mological net on the riparian vegetation.

Brachyhluta dentiventris (Sauicy, 1 8 76)

Examined material. IBLEI. Granelli (Pachino,

Siracusa), N 36. 70844 E 1 5. 005 19, 03. IV. 2015,

sweeping, 1 male (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Widespread in the western Mediter-

ranean basin, mentioned ofPortugal, Spain, south-

ern France, Corsica, islands of Elba and Giglio,

Sardinia and circum Sardinians islands, Italy main-

land (Liguria, Tuscany, Basilicata and Apulia)

Sicily, Malta, islands of Pan telle ri a and Galita, and

Maghreb (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco). Not very

common but widespread in Sicily. It is found under

stones in wet and clay meadows and among the

roots of plants in swampy areas.

Brachygluta ragusae (Sauicy, 1 876)

Examined material. NEBRODI. San Fratello

(Messina), N37. 94540 E 14. 62 7 29, 05. IV. 2015,

under stones, 10 ex. (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Kostova) (NMNHS). San Teodoro (Cesaro, Mess-

ina), N 37. 87024 E 14. 67808, 05. IV. 2015, under

stones, 3 males and 2 females (R . Bekchiev, G. Sa-

bella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Reported of mainland Italy (from

Tuscany to Calabria), Sicily and Pantelleria island

and also mentioned by Gridelli (1950: 22) of Dal-

matia. Very common and widespread in Sicily.

Gen-erally under stones in wet and clay meadows,

sometimes sifting vegetal debris along the river-

sides of stream s.

Trissemus antennatus antennatus (Aube, 1 833)

Examined material. IBLEI. Villa Vela (Noto,

S iracusa), N36. 98767 E15. 0 2672, 0 4. IV. 2015, sift-

ing litter, 1 male and 4 females (R. Bekchiev, G.

Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Subspecies reported of Germany,

Switzerland, Austria, France, Corsica, mainland

Italy, Elba island, Sardinia and Sicily. Very com-

mon and widespread in Sicily. It lives in many hab-

itat: marshes, swampy areas, riversides of streams,

under stones in wet meadows, in litter and vegetal

debris and it is also cacthed by net car, window

traps and entomological net.

Pselaphogenius peloritanus (Hoidhaus, 1 9 1 o )

Examined material. IBLEI. Canicattini Bagni

(Siracusa), N 37. 03649 E 15. 07537, 06. IV. 2015,

sifting litter, 1 female (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Kostova) (NMNHS). NEBRODI. San Fratello

(Messina), N 37. 94540 E 14. 62729, 05. IV. 2015,

sifting litter, 2 males and 2 females (R. Bekchiev,

G. Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS). San Fratello

(Messina), N 37. 93 67 8 E 14. 63943, 05. IV. 2015,

sifting litter, 2 males and 1 female (R. Bekchiev, G.

Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Endemic of Sicily, where it is wide-

spread in the forestal habitat. Generally in sifting of

litter, sometimes under big stones in forest and in

sifting of vegetal debris.

Pselaphinae from Sicily and Calabria (Italy). Results from a short entomological expedition in April, 2015

189

Chennium siculum Fiori, 1 9 1 4 (Fig. 6)

Examined material. NEBRODI. San Teodoro

(Cesard, Messina), N 37. 87024 E 14. 67808,

05. IV. 2015, entomological net, 1 male (I. Gjonov)

(NMNHS).

Remarks. Endemic of northern Sicily (Sicani

and Nebrodi districts). Myrmecophilous species,

generally hosted in nests of TetrCUTlOriuifl CCieS-

pitum (Linnaeus, 1758) and LasiuS brUMieUS

(Latreille, 1 79 8), but also collected at sunset by

entomological net on herbaceous vegetation in wet

meadows.

Ctenistes kiesenwetteri Sauicy, 1874

Examined material. NEBRODI. San Fratello

(Messina), N 37. 94540 E 14. 62729, 05. IV. 2015,

under stones, 11 ex. (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Rostov a) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Reported of Algeria, Tunisia and Si-

cily. Very common and widespread in Sicily. Gen-

erally collected under stones in wet and clay

Figure 6. Habitus of Chennium siculum Fiori, 1914.

meadows but also among the roots of plants in

swampy areas, rarely in sifting of litter and vegetal

debris .

CALABRIA

Panaphantus atomus K iesenwetter, 185 8

Examined material. CROTONESE. Mouth of

N eto river (Marina di Strongoli, Crotone),

N39. 19115 E 17. 1 3858, 09-1 0. IV. 20 15 , sifting lit-

ter, 2 ex. (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R. Rostova)

(NM NH S).

Remarks. Localised butwidespread in Mediter-

ranean basin: Maghreb (Tunisia, Algeria and Mo-

rocco), southern France, Corsica, mainland Italy

(Veneto, Liguria, Emilia, Tuscany, Umbria and La-

tiu m ), S ardinia, S icily , C ro atia , B o snia-H erzego vina,

Greece, islands of Corfu and Crete, Georgia,

Azerbaijan, Israel and north w e stern Iran . New record

from Calabria. It lives in marshes and swampy areas

among the roots of plants or under vegetal debris.

Euplectus bonvouloiri narentinus Reitter, 1882

Examined material. CROTONESE. Verzino

(Crotone), N39. 3521 1 El 6. 8 02 82, 1 0. IV. 2015, sift-

ing, 1 male and 1 female (R . Bekchiev, G. Sabella,

R. Rostova) (NMNHS); same data, 1 female (R.

Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R. Rostova) (DBUC).

Remarks. This subspecies is widespread in

central and southern Europe and it is mentioned

for all mainland Italy. It lives in litter and rotten

wood.

Euplectus verticalis Reitter, 18 84

Examined material. CROTONESE. Mouth of

N eto river (Marina di Strongoli, Crotone),

N39. 19115 E 1 7. 1 3 85 8, 0 9 - 1 0 .1 V.2 0 1 5 , sweeping

and sifting, 2 males (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Rostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Distributed in the regions of south-

eastern o f M editerranean basin (Slovenia, Macedo-

nia, Italy, Greece, islands of Corfu, Zante, Crete and

Rodi, Israel and Turkey). In Italy is reported for

Tuscany, Latium, Calabria and Sicily. Generally it

is collected by sifting litter, vegetal debris and

190

Giorgio sabella etalii

rotten wood, alongside the riversides of streams and

rivers and in swampy areas.

Bibloplectus delhermi Guiiiebeau, 1 8 8 8

Examined material. CROTONESE. Mouth of

Neto river (Marina di Strongoli, Crotone),

N39. 19115 E 1 7. 1 3 85 8, 09-10.IV.2015, sifting lit-

ter, 1 male and 1 female (R . Bekchiev, G. Sabella,

R. Kostova) (NM NHS).

Remarks. Reported of Great Britain, Germany,

Switzerland, southern Austria, France, mainland

Italy (Veneto, Emilia, Tuscany, Latium and Ba-

silicata), Giglio island, Sicily, Greece, Slovakia,

Hungary and Turkey. New record from Calabria.lt

lives in marshes and swampy areas among the roots

of plants or under vegetal debris.

Bibloplectus pusillus (Denny, 1 825 )

Examined material. CROTONESE. Mouth of

Neto river (Marina di Strongoli, Crotone),

N39. 19115 E 1 7. 1 3 85 8, 09- 1 0.IV.20 1 5 , sweeping

and sifting, 10 males and 14 females (R . Bekchiev,

G. Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Widespread in Europe and men-

tioned also from Turkey. In Italy is mentioned of

the mainland (Piemonte, Lombardia, Friuli

Venezia-G iulia, Veneto, Emilia, Liguria, Tuscany,

Latium, Umbria and Basilicata), Sardinia and Si-

cily. New record from Calabria. Same habitat of

the previous species.

Trimium paganettii Reitter, 1906

Examined material. CROTONESE. Santa

Severina (Crotone), N39. 13331 E16.902 0 4,

10. IV. 2015, sifting litter, 2 males and 2 females (R .

Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS), same

data, 1 male and 2 females (R . Bekchiev, G.

Sabella, R. Kostova) (DBUC).

Remarks. Endemic of southern Italy, until now

known from Campania,Apulia,Basilicata,Calabria

and Sicily. Sylvicolous species that lives in litter

and rotten wood.

Tychobythinus glabratus (Rye, 1 8 7 o )

Examined material. CROTONESE. Santa

Severina (Crotone), N39. 13331 E16.9 0 2 04,

10. IV. 2015, sifting litter, 2 males and 2 females (R.

Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R. Kostova) (NMNHS); same

data, 2 females (R . Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Kostova) (DBUC).

Remarks. Reported of southern England, Ger-

many, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slove-

nia, and Croatia (Dalmatia). Known of mainland

Italy, islands ofElba, Palmarola, Zannone and San

Domino, and Sicily, where it seems confined only

in the Peloritani district. In Italy the species was col-

lected under very big stones or sifting litter and ve-

getal debris, while in the northermost regions of its

distribution area it is mentioned as m yrm ecophilou s

species.

Bryaxis italicus (BaudidiSelve, 187 0 )

Examined material. CROTONESE. Mouth of

Neto river (Marina di Strongoli, Crotone),

N39. 19115 E 17. 13858, 09- 1 0 .IV. 20 1 5 , sifting lit-

ter, 14 ex. (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R. Kostova)

(NM NHS).

Remarks. For information on this species, refer

to the discussion made earlier.

Tychus pullus Kiesenwetter, 1858

Examined material. CROTONESE. Mouth of

Neto river (Marina di Strongoli, Crotone),

N39. 19115 E 17. 1 3858, 0 9- 1 0 .IV. 2 0 1 5 , sifting lit-

ter, 1 male and 4 females (R . Bekchiev, G. Sabella,

R. Kostova) (NMNHS).

Remarks. Species distributed in eastern Medi-

terranean basin, known for Italy, Slovenia, Croazia,

Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegowina,Albania,

Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Slovakia, Hungary

and Turkey. In Italy is reported for Veneto, Emilia,

Tuscany, Umbria, Tuscany, Apulia, Basilicata and

Calabria. It is found in marshes and swampy areas

among the roots of plants, under vegetal debris and

under stones.

Rybaxis longicornis (Leach, 1 8 1 7 )

Examined material. CROTONESE. Mouth of

Neto river (Marina di Strongoli, Crotone),

N39. 19115 El 7. 1 3 85 8, 09-10. IV. 2 015, sifting and

swipping, 21 ex. (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Kostova) (NM NHS).

Pselaphinae from Sicily and Calabria (Italy). Results from a short entomological expedition in April, 2015

191

Remarks. Species widespread in allEurope (in-

cluding England and Ireland), Thyrrhenians islands,

North Africa, Minor Asia and Central Asia. It is

present throughout Italy mainland, Sardinia and

c ire u m s ard in ian s islands and Sicily. It lives in

marshes, swampy areas, riversides of streams and

rivers and wet meadows, among the roots of plants,

under vegetal debris and under stones. It seems to

prefer salty soils.

Pselaphus parvus K aram an, 1940

Examined material. CROTONESE. Mouth of

Neto river (Marina di Strongoli, Crotone),

N39. 19115 E 1 7. 1 3 85 8, 0 9- 1 0 .1 V .2 0 1 5 , sifting

and swipping 22 ex. (R. Bekchiev, G. Sabella, R.

Kostova) (NM NHS).

Remarks. Known of Austria (Eastern Tirol);

Switzerland, France (M aritime Alps), Corse, Italy,

Slovenia, and Croatia (Istria). In Italy only in the

mainland. It is found in marshes, swampy areas,

riversides of streams and rivers, among the roots of

plants or under vegetal debris.

Pselapho genius sp. gr fiorii

Examined material. CROTONESE. Verzino

(Crotone), N 39. 352 1 1 E 1 6. 802 82, 1 0. IV. 2015,

sifting litter, 1 male and 1 female (R. Bekchiev, G.

Sabella, R. Kostova) (DBUC).

Remarks. The specimens are still being studied.

Based on the exoskeletalmorphology and aedeagal

features character, they are attributable with cer-

tainty to the Pselapho genius fiorii group (Sabella,

1 992) and are closely related to Pselapho genius

aspromontanus ( r e itte r, 1 9 1 o ) .

CONCLUSIONS

A first result of this entomological expedition

in Sicily and Calabria, two rare Pselaphinae spe-

cies, Chennium siculum and Batrisodes adnexus ,

were collected from Sicily, while three species,

Panaphantus atomus, Bibloplectus pusillus, and

BibloplectUS delhernti, are recorded for the first

time from Calabria.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to thank prof. A. Petralia, Ente Fauna

Siciliana (Noto, Italy) and F. La Manna (Crotone,

Italy) for their kind assistance during the expedi-

tio n .

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 193-204

Monograph

Taxonomical notes on some poorly known mollusca species

from the Strait of Messina (Italy)

Alberto Villari 1 & Danilo Scuderi 2 *

'Via Villa Contino 30, 98124 Messina, Italy; e-mail: villaria@tiscali.it

2 Via Mauro de Mauro 15b, 95032 Belpasso, Catania, Italy; e-mail: danscu@tin.it

^Corresponding author

ABSTRACT The finding of some species of Mollusca interesting either for their distributional pattern,

taxonomy or simply for the new iconography here presented are reported. Some species

represent the first finding in Italian waters or the first record of living specimens. As a con-

sequence, they furnished interesting data on habitat preferences and the external morphology

of the living animal, which are hereafter reported. The taxonomy of some problematic taxa

is here discussed, reporting new name combinations, while for others the question remains

open. Discussions, comparisons and a new iconography are here reported and discussed.

KEY WORDS Mollusca; poorly known species; Messina Strait; Mediterranean Sea.

Received 26.08.2016; accepted 15.11.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

Notwithstanding a lot of inedited papers on the

biodiversity of the Messina’s Strait were produced

in the past, from the XVIII century to recent time,

numerous new notices are added every year. This

richness of interesting findings is due to the par-

ticular series of coincidences, from the peculiar

currents to the very characteristics geo-morphology

of the site, which play a fundamental role for a high

hydrodynamism, already well known since Omer’s

time, and its influence on maintaining a wide range

of environmental conditions deeply connected to

the large variety of ecological niches. From the

deep bottoms to the lower water biocoenosis, the

Messina's Strait had ever offered to researches a

complete series of data in every possible field of

marine biology, from Algae to jellyfish, to ichthy-

ology and malacology. As an example, beyond data

of his life as a researcher, the recent biography of

A. Cocco includes even interesting romantic notices

of the scientific activity in Europe (Ammendolia

et al., 2014) and the Messina Strait in particular,

as could be inferred by its definition as “the Para-

dise of Zoologist” done by August David Krohn

(Battaglia et al., 2012).

In the XIX century numerous contributions re-

garded the Messina’s Strait malacology, among

which a complete checklist of the malacological

taxa inhabiting the Strait (Granata-Grillo, 1876-

1 877), while a more recent and updated edition was

compiled by Micali & Giovine (1983).

Numerous records of peculiar or new species at

all regarded the Calabrian side of the Strait of Mess-

ina. Among all, the most recent important taxo-

nomical studies led to the description of new taxa,

i.e. Jujubinus curinii Bogi et Campani, 2006, Fu si-

nus dimassai Buzzurro et Russo, 2007, Gibberula

194

Alberto Vi llari & Danilo Scuderi

cristinae Tisselli, Agamennone et Giunchi, 2009.

Further notes on new assessments of the malacolo-

gical communities of the Strait of Messina regarded

some new alien species, whose geographical distri-

bution is expanded to this area (Crocetta et al.,

2009).

In recent times new additions to the malacology

of the Sicilian side of the Strait of Messina were

published. Among Gastropoda some taxonomical

and biological notes regarded the rare species

Melanochlamys seurati (Vayssiere, 1926), sub-

sequently reported as M. algirae (Adams in

Sowerby II, 1850), found at Villaggio Pace -7m,

2 liv. specimens under Condylactis aurantiaca

(Delle Chiaje, 1825), Anthozoa Actiniaria Actinii-

dae (Micali & Scuderi, 2006); the taxonomical

position and distribution of the opistobranch incor-

rectly known as Cylichnina multiquadrata Ober-

ling, 1970 was re-discussed by Micali (2014), who

assigned it the correct name Notodiaphana at-

lantica Ortea, Moro et Espinosa, 2013; Skenea

giemellorum Romani, Bogi et Bartolini, 2015 was

described as new species and reported for some

Italian localities, among which the Strait of Mess-

ina (Romani et al., 2015).

The bivalves Lucinoma spelaeum Palazzi et Vil-

lari, 2001 for the first time after hits institution as a

new species (Palazzi & Villari, 2001), was recorded

outside Taormina’s caves, along the shores of the

Strait (Micali, 2004), where an exceptional finding

of the Cephalopoda Octopoteuthis sicula Riippell,

1 844 (Villari & Ammendolia, 2009), a problematic

mesopelagic species, allowed new taxonomical

considerations (Jereb et al., 2012; 2016).

Since we always had been attracted by the bio-

logical richness of the Messina’s harbor, whose

peculiar hook shaped form contributes to maintain

a well preserved environment, also due to a very

vigorous hydrodynamism, we begun to sample

malacological materials for new observations.

Data on species hereafter reported and commented

are based on records of the sole Messina province

(Fig. 1).

Some of these records represent just an expan-

sion of the geographical distribution of some poorly

known species, i.e. Jujubinus curinii, described

only in recent time from Scilla (Reggio Calabria),

and Pitar mediterrcineus (Aradas et Benoit, 1872),

reported as a good species by Gofas et al. (2011),

separated by the more common P. rudis (Poli,

1795). The habitat preference, the external appear-

ance of the soft parts and the likely shell growth

rate are here reported for the rare Mathilda gemmu-

lata Semper, 1865. Some species with an Atlantic

or W-Mediterranean preference, like Tricolia

deschampsi Gofas, 1993, Setia slikorum (Verduin,

1984), Gregariella semigranata (Reeve, 1858) are

here reported for the first time or confirmed to be

present in Italian waters. The systematic position of

some other debated taxa are here confirmed as good

species, i.e. Alvania sororcula Granata-Grillo, 1877

and Setia sciutiana (Aradas et Benoit, 1874),

whose locus typicus is the Messina’s Strait. While

the validity of Alvania peloritana Aradas et Benoit,

1874 as a good species and the identity of a prob-

able second species of Pinctada Roding, 1798 in the

Mediterranean remain open questions. Chelidon-

ura fulvipunctata Baba, 1938 is here reported as a

recent new alien species for the Italian waters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sampling was undertaken in June-September

2015 and materials were collected along the shores

of Messina, in classic localities where Authors in

the past had described their new taxa: a complete

map of the sampling localities is reported (Fig. 1).

Samples were conducted by SCUBA diving and

materials were collected handily with a hand-towed

net method (Russo et al., 1985), modified simultan-

eously utilizing a brush on both shaphilic and well-

lighted photophilic hard substrata, from the surface

to -4/6m depth. Materials fallen into the net, with a

1 mm mesh size, were immediately stored in marine

water and sorted for the identification under stereo-

microscope after few minutes. Some specimens

were drawn with gray and coloured pencils and then

saved in 90° ethanol.

Additional material derived from preceding col-

lecting samples by fish-nets shell-grit in the collec-

tions of both the Authors of the present paper.

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS, h:

height; liv.: living specimens; sh.: shell/shells; st.:

station; AVC: Alberto Villari collection; PMC:

Pasquale Micali collection; DSC: Danilo Scuderi

collection; JC: Jeffreys Collection; RMNH:

Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historic (now NCB:

Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Nether-

lands); USNM: United States National Museum.

Taxonomical notes on some poorly known mollusca species from the Strait of Messina (Italy)

195

Figure 1 . Study area and position of the six investigated sta-

tions: 1. Harbor of Messina; 2. S. Raineri, Maddalena Lo

Faro wreck; 3. S. Raineri, “Degassifica” station; 4. Marina

del Nettuno; 5. Contrada Paradiso; 6. Ganzirri.

RESULTS

Conclusions on the most interesting malacolo-

gical material collected here follow. Results are

grouped according to the systematic order of taxa.

They vary from enlargements of geographical ran-

ges of distribution of some species recorded to re-

evaluations of the taxonomical status of some

problematic taxa.

Jujubinus curinii Bogi et Campani, 2006 (Figs.

29, 30)

Examined material, st. 6, fishing nets, -100/120

m depth, one single sh., DSC; Taormina, -20 m, 12

sh., PMC.

Remarks. This species was known only for the

locus typicus, the Calabrian coast of the Strait,

where it was supposed to be an endemism (Bogi &

Campani, 2006). According to our own data, the

range of geographic distribution should be enlarged,

though only inside the restricted area around the

Sicilian coasts of the Strait, from Ganzirri Southern

to Taormina.

Tricolia deschampsi Gofas, 1993 (Fig. 31-34)

Examined material, st. 2, 3, 5, 6, -2/4 m depth,

among algae and under stones, 56 liv. and 32 sh.

Remarks. Among the “small Tricolia species”

living in Sicily, T. deschampsi has never been re-

corded before. The exam of the external anatomy

of the living animal (Fig. 34) had confirmed the

taxonomical identification made after shell morpho-

logy. The species was described for the South

Mediterranean part of Spain, where it was believed

to be endemic, like other congeners. In recent time

T. deschampsi has been recorded in Aegean Sea

(Manousis & Galinou-Mitsoudi, 2014), although

the species figured seems better to correspond to

young specimens of T. tenuis on the basis of the col-

our pattern of the shell and the protoconch outline

(see sketches in figures 2, 3 for comparisons). Our

findings are the first for Italian waters and allowed

comparisons with T. landinii (Fig. 35). Differences

based on shell morphology, underlined by Scuderi

& Reitano (2014), and on colour and anatomy of

the living animal (almost entirely green in T. land-

inii and reddish-brown in T. deschampsi ) allowed

the easy distinction of the two sympatric species.

Gofas (1993) reported the very similar T. punctura

Gofas, 1993 in the Strait of Messina, which differs

in colour pattern and some details of the shell.

Tricolia landinii Bogi et Campani, 2007 (Fig. 35)

Examined material, st. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, -2/4 m

depth, among algae, 49 liv. and 37 sh.

Remarks. The original material on which the

species was described resulted constituted by young

specimens, making the identification of the species

problematic: only the re-description of adult speci-

mens and the description of the external anatomical

parts discriminated it rather sufficiently from all

other “small Tricolia'''’ and from the close similar T.

tingitana (Scuderi & Reitano, 2014). Specimens

here collected furnished useful additional informa-

tions on the shell colour pattern (Figs. 35, 36), which

is almost paler and reddish than those usually found

around the volcanic coasts of Catania. The colour

of the living animals, paler brown in T. deshampsi

and greenish in T. landinii , allows a good and quick

discrimination of these two similar species.

Setia sciutiana (Aradas et Benoit, 1874) (Figs.

23-27)

Cingula kuiperi Verduin, 1984

Examined material, st. 4, -2/4 m depth, among

196

Alberto Villari & Danilo Scuderi

Figures 2-9. Sketches of young shells and protoconchs of some species of Tricolia. Figs. 2,3:1 tenuis , Linosa Island.

Figs. 4, 5: T. miniata, Linosa Island. Figs. 6,1: T. pullus, Linosa Island. Figs. 8, 9: T. speciosa, Portopalo di Menfi.

algae and under stones, 25 liv. and 22 sh. Cingula

kuiperi, holotype (RMNH.MOL.55641), El Djem-

ila, Algeria, h: 1.6 mm (Fig. 27).

Remarks. This species is similar to Setia am-

bigua (Brugnone, 1873) but the former could be re-

cognised by: whorls more rounded, spire shorter,

less turriculated, protoconch dome-shaped, smooth,

with a dark stain umbilicus reduced to a narrow

chink dark spots of the body-whorl arranged in

three rows, but the lower two usually merge

into one. Judging from Mediterranean checklists

(Clemam, 2016; WoRMS, 2017), the taxonomical

position of this species is still uncertain.

In fact it is placed among incertae sedis of

Rissoidae. Probably the uncertainty which charac-

terises the taxonomical status of the species is

due to Verduin (1984), who, notwithstanding the

good original diagnosis, stated the impossibility to

identify this taxon without the help of the type ma-

terial, which he was not able to find among the col-

lections of several Museums. In the same paper

Cingula kuiperi Verduin, 1984 was described from

Algeria. One year after the description of this taxon,

it was reported from Antibes (van der Linden & Wag-

ner, 1985), extending its geographical distribution

to France. Ten years later Gaglini (1994) reported

the finding of the type material of “ Rissoa ”

sciutiana Aradas et Benoit, 1874, which she figured

and reported as valid species and possible synonym

of Setia kuiperi (Verduin, 1984). But, one more

time, the name S. sciutiana was not recognised as

valid.

We have found numerous living specimens of

this species, sympatric with the abundant congen-

eric S. ambigua from which could be separated by

the almost orange-brown colour of the hepatopan-

creas, instead of blackish as in S. ambigua (Figs.

25, 26 and 28). We have found a perfect corres-

pondence with the type material figured by Gaglini

(1994). Moreover, after the comparison of the

material collected with the type of S. kuiperi (Fig.

27), we agree with Gaglini in considering this latter

species as a junior synonym of S. sciutiana.

Setia slikorum (Verduin, 1984) (Fig. 7)

Examined material, st. 6, -3 m, on Caulerpa

taxifolia, 1 liv. spec.

Remarks. This is a species of atlantic affinity

usually recorded in Western-Mediterranean coasts,

Taxonomical notes on some poorly known mollusca species from the Strait of Messina (Italy)

197

Figures 10-15. Alvania sororcula, S. Raineri, “Degassifica” station; Figs. 1 1-13: variability, same data, h 2.3; 2.2 and 1.8

mm respectively. Fig. 11: shell, lateral view. Fig. 14: drawing of the shell outline and colour pattern. Fig. 15: drawing of

the living animal. Figures 16-19. Alvania scabra, shell, same data of A. sororcula , h 1.8 mm. Fig. 17: lateral view. Fig.

18: drawing of the shell outline and colour pattern. Fig. 19: drawing of the living animal. Fig. 20. Alvania lineata. Harbor

of Messina, h 3.3 mm. Fig. 21. Alvania peloritana, same data of A. lineata, h 3.2 mm. Fig. 22. Setia slikorum, Ganzirri,

h 1.8 mm.

198

Alberto Vi llari & Danilo Scuderi

regularly found, but not common, in S-Spain. Few

scattered records along Italian coasts are reported,

which justify its presence in the Italian check-list

(Oliverio, 2006), but reportedly none is really offi-

cially published. Its finding in the Sicilian waters is

relevant because of its peculiarity as for environ-

mental condition of finding and because it enlarges

its geographical distribution to more Eastern local-

ities of the Mediterranean and represents the first

record for «zone 4» (the Messina’s Strait) of italian

checlist.

Alvania peloritana Aradas et Benoit, 1874 (Fig. 21)

Examined material, st. 1 to 6, -2/4 m depth,

among algae, 36 liv. and 41 sh.

Remarks. Numerous living specimens and

shells of what we interpreted as the problematic A.

peloritana have been found along the Messina coast

sympatric with the congener Alvania lineata (Risso,

1826) (Fig. 20). Reported as synonym of Alvania

discors (Allan, 1818), of which A. peloritana recall

the general shell outline, the straight and large axial

ribs and the tendency of spiral chords to become

faint at the top of the whorl (Scuderi & Terlizzi,

2012), it shows sufficiently marked morphological

differences to be separated (Fig. 6). But the proto-

conch is not smooth like in A. discors. Alvania

peloritana shares with A. lineata the general colour

of the shell, the protoconch sculpture and the colour

pattern of the living animal. The taxonomical prob-

lem on the correct interpretation of this species from

the original diagnosis and its validity as a good

separated species should be remanded to more ac-

curate specific studies which should take in con-

sideration the comparison with the type material.

Alvania sororcula Granata-Grillo, 1877 (Figs.

10-15)

Examined material, st. 3, -2/4 m depth, among

algae, 27 liv. and 1 1 sh.

Remarks. The A. scabra (Philippi, 1844)

“group” comprises several Mediterranean and

Atlantic species, whose differences are question-

able; the real status of single species is still debated.

Alvania sororcula is one of them, even if we feel

that among malacologists the idea of this taxon is

different from the real one. Good SEM pictures of

shell and protoconch of a specimen sent to Jeffreys

by Granata-Grillo (USNM) and some brief com-

ments were published by Gofas & Waren (1982: p.

4, see remarks under A. jeffreysi Waller, 1 864), who

considered it as valid. Our findings fit rather sat-

isfactory with this latter and we agree with him in

considering A. sororcula as a good species, which

could be distinguished from A. scabra (Figs, lb-

19), by the following differences, summarized in

the sketches of figures 14 and 18: shell higher (2.4

mm vs. 1.8 mm). Different teleoconch proportions:

h 0.83 vs. 0.61, with wider base. Different teleo-

conch sculpture: three main spirals per whorl except

for the first, which bears only two; spirals are pre-

dominant over the axial ribs, with faint or no knobs

at the intersection; wide smooth subsutural zone.

Protoconch bigger, but with similar sculpture. Col-

our pattern of the shell similar, but different in some

ways, being markedly bi-coloured in every whorl,

with chestnut brown lower half and a grayish upper

part, with characteristic dark brown subsutural

alternating and prosocline stains, instead of few

bigger and not inclined almost brown stains, even

if almost entirely brown shells are known of both

species. A wide dark band is present at the internal

side of the base, instead of some rows of little

points. A wider dark stain could be seen on the

external lip, below the suture, just near the outer

edge of the aperture. The external soft body parts

are similar, but in A. sororcula the colour pattern is

constantly less shiny, with only grayish bands,

which are almost black in A. scabra (Fig. 19).

Comparative notes. The numerous shells and

living specimens collected allowed us to confirm

the above mentioned taxonomical status of the spe-

cies and to compare it to close similar species.

Starting by saying that all these considerations are

based on morphological characters only and that the

taxonomy of this complicated group of Alvania

needs a more accurate revision with molecular ap-

proach, according to our observations A. sororcula

could be easily separated from typical A. scabra

s.s., from A. lucinae Oberling, 1970 and from A.

oranica (Pallary, 1900) by the absence of the fourth

spiral chord in the whorls preceding the last, which

leaves a wide abapical steep zone and shapes

the whorls characteristically pagoda-shaped and

not almost rounded (see for instance figures 14

and 18). In the Mediterranean only A. sculptilis

(Monterosato, 1877) resembles A. sororcula. Speak-

ing about A. sculptilis, Tringali (2001) described

Taxonomical notes on some poorly known mollusca species from the Strait of Messina (Italy)

199

Figures 23-26. Setia sciutiana, Marina del Nettuno, h 1.55 mm; Fig. 24: shell, lateral view; Fig. 25: detail of the protoconch

shape and colour of hepatopancreas; Fig. 26: drawing of the living animal. Fig. 27. “ Cingula ” kuiperi, holotype

(RMNH.MOL.55641), 1 .6 mm. Fig. 28. Setia ambigua, Marina del Nettuno, h 1 .75 mm, detail of the protoconch and colour

of hepatopancreas. Figs. 29, 30. Jujubinus curinii, Ganzirri, h 3.8 mm; Fig. 30: Taormina, h 1.4 mm (PMC). Figs. 31-34.

Tricolia deschampsi, S. Raineri, Maddalena Lo Faro wreck, h 1.2 mm; Fig. 32: upper view; Fig. 33: detail of the outer lip

and operculum. Fig. 34: drawing of the living animal. Figs. 35, 36. Tricolia landinii, S. Raineri, Maddalena Lo Faro wreck,

h 1.3 mm; Fig. 36: upper view.

200

Alberto Vi llari & Danilo Scuderi

and figured very well the shell and protoconch, di-

stinguishing it from A. s cobra. Of this latter he

showed good figures too of the shell and proto-

conch (a specimen from a submarine cave from

Capo Palinuro, Italy), which however does not per-

fectly match with our own idea and figures of A.

scabra. Tringali (2001) concludes its note to A.

sculptilis hypothesizing that the Western Mediter-

ranean form, corresponding to A. sculptilis, is sep-

arable by the Central Mediterranean one, which

corresponds to A. scabra s.s. if it will be proved the

lack of intermediate forms. He never mentions nor

compares A. sculptilis to A. sororcula. Concerning

A. oranica, therefore, Tringali (2001) seems con-

vinced that this latter species, which should bear a

spiral chord more on the penultimate whorl in some

specimens, should be the same of A. sculptilis too,

being the presence of the fourth spiral chord a rather

variable character on account of his experience. Ac-

cording to us A. sculptilis could be the same as A.

sororcula, even if some little differences could be

detected (see Gofas et al., 2011: 183). Alvania or-

anica should be a different species, which could re-

present at least a Western Mediterranean cline of A.

scabra, being intermediates maybe constituted by

a third still undescribed species.

If the identity between A. sororcula and A.

sculptilis will be demonstrated, the former should

be considered junior synonym, the description of

the taxon being published on August 1877 (see

Bertolaso & Palazzi, 1997), while that of A. sculp-

tilis was publicated on genuary of the same year

(Clemam, 2016). But this latter is a secondary hom-

onym of A. sculptilis (May, 1920), an Australian

species for which seem more useful to be employed

(see Criscione & Ponder, 2011 and comments on

Worms, 2017).

Biology and distribution. Shallow water,

among algae. The deeper findings of some collect-

ors are probably due to dead specimens falling

down from shallow waters by the strong sea cur-

rents or to misidentifications of the species.

Mathilda gemmulata Semper, 1865 (Figs. 37-40)

Examined material, st. 1, -2/4 m depth, among

algae and under stones, 14 liv. and 2 sh.

Remarks. This rather infrequent species was

taxonomically treated by Oliverio & Nofroni

(1986), who listed and critically commented a series

of synonyms. We agree with actual point of view of

modern checklists (see WoRMS, 2017) in consid-

ering M. barbadensis Dali, 1889 as a distinct spe-

cies, being more conical in general outline, with a

different proportion between the height of the last

whorl and that of the spire, more pointed, having a

proportionally smaller protoconch, and with a more

marked central chord, which excels over the others.

Specimens of M. gemmulata Semper, 1865 collec-

ted in the present paper have been recorded in shal-

low waters, on the shaphilic side of the harbor’s

piers, which lie on sandy bottom, where some sea

anemones of different species were present and

upon which it probably feeds. As additional data on

this species, here we present two photographs of the

living animal (Figs. 39, 40) since, at our knowledge,

no pictures of this species are present in literature

Chelidonura fulvipunctata Baba, 1938 (Figs.

41-43)

Examined material, st. 3, under small rocks,

-2m depth, one single specimen.

Remarks. A single specimen of an undeter-

mined Aglajdae was collected alive. The general

shape of the living specimen suggested that it be-

longs to the genus Chelidonura A. Adams, 1850.

But none of the known Mediterranean species

seemed to correspond to the characteristics of the

specimen found, for the higher dimensions, the

brown colour, mottled of small orange stains, ex-

cept for the head, which bears a marked whitish

“W” on the anterior part of the shield. Further stud-

ies allowed us to name it as C. fulvipunctata, an

alien species which entered into the Mediterranean

only in recent times and was recorded for the first

time in Turkey and reported as Chelidonura medi-

terranea (Swennen, 1961) new species.

The internal very small and fragile shell is wider

and bigger in dimension compared to that of the

other Mediterranean species, which are thinner and

very reduced. In particular it is different in colour

pattern, dimensions and internal shell from C. it-

alica Sordi, 1980, which name is to be used instead

of C. africana Pmvot-Fol, 1953 as stated in Perrone

& Sammut (1997), with whom we agree and which

we found sympatrically in the same site (Fig. 44).

Mediterranean records of this species are scanty

and regard mainly Eastern regions: see Tsiakkiros

Taxonomical notes on some poorly known mollusca species from the Strait of Messina (Italy)

201

Figures 37-40. Mathilda gemmulata, Harbor of Messina, h 5.0 mm; Fig. 38: younger specimen, h 3.5 mm; Figs. 39, 40:

living animal, h 5.3 mm. Figures 41-43. Chelidonura fulvipunctata, S. Raineri, “Degassifica” station, living animal, h 26

mm; Figs. 42, 43, upper and lower view of the internal shell, h 6 mm. Fig. 44. Chelidonura italica, S. Raineri, “Degassifica”

station, lower view of the internal shell, h 0.46 mm. Fig. 45. Gregariella semigranata, Harbor of Messina, h 2. 1x3.4 mm.

Figures 46-48. Pinctada sp. aff. radiata ; Figs. 46, 47: Playa di Catania, h 28 and 21 mm; Fig. 48: Contrada Paradiso, h 40

mm. Figure 49. Pitar mediterraneus, Ganzirri, h 13.5x15 mm.

202

Alberto Villari & Danilo Scuderi

& Zenetos (2011), who collected it at Cyprus, for

a more complete list of collecting localities. In

recent time it was found at Malta (Perrone &

Sammut, 1997).

Gregariella semigranata (Reeve, 1858) (Fig.

45)

Examined material, st. 1 , on algae of break

waves, -l/2m depth, one single specimen.

Remarks. This species too is usually recorded

in Western-Mediterranean coasts. Its scattered

records into the Mediterranean could be linked to

anthropic activities, since findings are accompanied

with other Atlantic species in localities often inter-

ested by a very busy naval traffic (personal obser-

vations).

Pinctada sp. aff. radiata (Figs. 46-48)

Examined material, st. 5, Posidonia mattes, -7

m, 15 sh.

Remarks. Pinctada radiata is one of the earli-

est introduced Indo-Pacific species in the Mediter-

ranean sea thRought the Red sea, being the first

record reported by Monterosato as Meleagrina sav-

ignyi Monterosato, 1884 from Egypt (Monterosato,

1878). Subsequently this species was regularly

found along all the Mediterranean sea and the Italian

coasts (Parenzan, 1961; Bombace, 1967; Pac-

cagnella, 1967; Spada, 1969). Nowadays the dis-

tribution of the species in this basin is rather wide

but inconsistent as for number of specimens col-

lected in single localities. Only in some North-

African sites it seems abundant. In Lampedusa

Island (Pelagie Islands) it is well established in

shallow rocky shores till today. Young specimens

of this species were found attached on the cara-

pace of the sea turtles (Oliverio et al., 1992),

though its distribution in the Mediterranean is not

proved to be linked to the movements of these

marine reptiles.

In recent times a new massive invasion of this

species seems to proceed along the Ionian coasts of

Sicily. Two years ago several thousands of living

specimens (Figs. 46-47) were beached at Playa of

Catania after a storm, where, judging by the liter-

ature data, the species was never found before since

Aradas & Benoit (1872-74) till today (personal

data), with the exception of a single record for the

external wall of the harbor of Catania (Di Geron-

imo, 1971: based on material of Priolo collection).

Specimens found in Catania are identical to those

found inside the lake of Ganzirri and just out of

there, along the Messina’s shores (Fig. 48). All this

materials is constituted by specimens, which mor-

phologically seem to differ from specimens of typ-

ical P. radiata from Southern Mediterranean

localities.

In particular specimens here reported differ for:

valves more convex; less flattened profile seen from

the umbo; shell colour tending from yellowish-

green to deep green; only 5, 6 main ribs on the right

valve, with a series of 4-6 more minute ribs on the

posterior margin of the same valve; spiny process

less numerous and more robust, even on the left

valve (Fig. 48).

One additional character could be detected ob-

serving some small differences of the hinge tooth

of both the valves, less robust and better defined in

P. radiata s.s. But these last observations need more

accurate studies to be confirmed. On the other hand,

a more accurate anatomical exam has revealed the

presence of a speare-shaped anal funnel typical of

the P imbricata Roding, 1798 group (Gervis &

Sims, 1992), to which some geographically dif-

ferent clines seem to merge. In fact P. imbricata

radiata (Leach, 1814) is the name nowadays used

for this alien species, though it is not clear whether

a single cline from a specific geographic area could

be considered a separated species or not (Temkin,

2010). Molecular data support the validity of some

groups only (Temkin, 2010), even if large reshuff-

ling of clines (or species?) happens in single

geographic regions, due to actual very intensive

ship traffic, which renders more complicated every

further investigations.

Pitar mediterraneus (Aradas & Benoit, 1872)

(Fig. 49)

Examined material, st. 4, on sandy bottom,

-7 m depth, 2 liv.

Remarks. Considered a simply chromatic vari-

ation of Pitar rudis (Poli, 1795), only in very recent

time it was considered a different species (Gofas et

al., 2011), not only on the basis of the entirely white

colour of the shell and the general more globose

outline, but even of the shell sculpture, different

Taxonomical notes on some poorly known mollusca species from the Strait of Messina (Italy)

203

arrangement of the hinge's teeth and habitat charac-

teristics.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We want to thank Ignazio Sparacio (Palermo,

Italy) for his kind assistance during all the congress

developing. Many thanks are due to Fabio Crocetta

(Napoli, Italy) and Pasquale Micali (Fano, Italy),

for the loan of biological materials and for their

interesting notices and suggestions, and Jeroen

Goud (RMNH) for realizing photographs of the

type material of S. kuiperi.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 205-210

Monograph

Description of a new species of the genus Raphitoma Bellardi,

1 847 from the Mediterranean Sea (Mollusca Neogastropoda

Conoidea Raphitomidae)

Francesco Pusateri 1 , Riccardo Giannuzzi Savelli 2 & Peter Stahl schmidt 3

'via Castellana 64, 90135 Palermo, Italy; e-mail: francesco@pusateri.it

2 via Mater Dolorosa 54, 90146 Palermo, Italy; e-mail: malakos@tin.it

3 University of Koblenz-Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, FortstraBe 7 - 76829 Landau, Germany; e-mail:

stahlschmidt@uni-landau.de

’Corresponding author

ABSTRACT The family of Raphitomidae is currently considered a well supported clade of the Conoidea.

The type genus Raphitoma Bellardi, 1 847 is well known in the mediterranen Seas with about

40 species, some of which are still undescribed. Morphological analyses carried out on the

genus Raphitoma Bellardi, 1847 (Mollusca Neogastropoda Conoidea Raphitomidae) from

Mediterranean Sea allowed to identify a new species which is described in the present paper.

KEY WORDS Raphitoma', Conoidea; new species; Mediterranean Sea.

Received 12.01.2016; accepted 28.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The Raphitomidae Bellardi, 1875 are currently

considered a well supported clade of the Conoidea

(Bouchet et al., 201 1).

The superfamily Conoidea, with over 300 gen-

era and 4,000 recognised species, but probably over

12,000 extant species (Bouchet, 1990; Tucker,

2004), represents the largest radiation of the entire

phylum Mollusca. In a work on the phylogeny of

the group based on a cladistic analysis of foregut

morphology, Taylor et al. (1993) have highlighted

the rampant homoplasy in the characters of shell

and radula in conoideans.

Accordingly, they have rearranged most of the

conoideans into two families: Conidae, comprising

Coninae and 4 subfamilies traditionally considered

as “tun-ids”, and Turridae s.s. including some of the

traditional “turrids”. More recently, Puillandre et al.

(2008) and Bouchet et al. (2011), based on DNA

phylogeny, have provided a major update of con-

oidean classification. Although a larger taxonomic

coverage would be desirable to further stabilize the

molecular phylogeny, however, the position of the

Raphitomidae as a clade of the Conoidea is suffi-

ciently supported.

The taxon Raphitomidae is based on the genus

Raphitoma Bellardi, 1847 which was introduced as

comprising 30 fossil and Recent species (Bellardi,

1847: 85), previously classified in various genera

(such as Pleurotoma Lamarck, 1799 and Cla-

thurella Carpenter, 1857).

Among the modern authors, Nordsieck (1977)

listed 30 european species of Raphitomidae plus sev-

206

Francesco Pusateri etalii

eral subspecies and varieties. In the revision of the

mediterranean Raphitomidae that we are currently

carrying out, we estimated about 40 mediterranean

species, some of which are still to be described (see

Pusateri et al., 2016).

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS. CAH:

Andre Hoarau collection (Frejus, Francia); CFP:

Francesco Pusateri collection (Palermo, Italy);

CGN: Giuseppe Notaristefano collection (Messina,

Italy); CJD: Jean Fouis Delemarre collection (Saint

Nazaire, France); CMM: Max Marrow collection

(Melbourne, Australia); CPO: Panayotis Ovalis col-

lection (Athens, Greece); CPS: Peter Stahlschmidt

collection (Fandau, Germany); CAR: Alessandro

Raveggi collection (Firenze, Italy); CRA: Roberto

Ardovini collection (Rome, Italy); CRO: Rosario

Occhipinti collection (Ragusa, Italy); MBMPRC:

Museo di Biologia Marina e Paleontologia di

Reggio Calabria; MCZR: Museo Civico Zoologia

Roma (Rome, Italy); MNHN: Museum National

d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France); h: height; sh:

shell/s; Std: standard deviation; D: diameter.

RESULTS

Systematics

Citation of unpublished names is not intended

for taxonomic purposes.

Classis GASTROPODA Cuvier, 1795

Subclassis CAENOGASTROPODA Cox, 1960

Ordo NEOGASTROPODA Wenz, 1938

Superfamilia CONOIDEA Fleming, 1822

Familia RAPHITOMIDAE Bellardi, 1875

Genus Raphitoma Bellardi, 1 847

Type species: Pleurotoma hystrix Cristofori et Jan,

1832 ( nomen nudum , validated by Bellardi, 1847

as “ Pleurotoma histrix Jan.”) by subsequent des-

ignation (Monterosato, 1872: 54).

Raphitoma ephesina n. sp.

= Raphitoma rugosissima Monterosato ms.

Examined material. Type material: Holotype

(Bozcaada Island, Turkey) -95 m, mm 5.7 x 2.7

(MNHN); paratype A (Saronic Bay, Aegean

Sea, Greece), mm 5.8 x 2.9 (CFP); paratype B

(Bozcaada Island), mm 7.2 x 3.5 (MNHN); para-

type C (Veli Rat, Dugi Otok Island, Croatia), mm

7.1 x 3.6 (CFP); paratype D (Scilla, Reggio Ca-

labria, Italy), -52 m “ alia base del Secondo Dente

di Skylla ” (38°15’25,05”N - 15°42’46,11”E), mm

5.3 x 2.7 (MBMPRC, legit A. Vazzana).

Other material examined. France. St. Raphael,

2 sh (CAH).

Italy. Porto Venere (Fa Spezia), 3 sh (CMM);

Sardegna, 1 sh (CRA); Scilla, Reggio Calabria, -52

m “ alia base del Secondo Dente di Skylla ”,

38°15’25.05”N - 15 0 42’46.11”E, 3 sh. (MBMPRC,

legit A. Vazzana); Milazzo, 1 sh (CGN); Trapani, 1

sh (CRA)

Croatia. Veli Rat - Dugi Otok Island, 6 sh

(CFP), 1 sh. coll. Monterosato lot 16468 sub

nomine R. rugosissima ms. (MCZR), sine loco, 1

sh (CJD).

Greece. Evia Island (Aegean Sea), 1 sh (CPO);

Saronic Bay, 1 sh (CPO); Kolovri Islet, Corfu, 3 sh

(CAR).

Turkey. Bozcaada Island, 1 sh (CPS); 3 sh

(CRO).

Description of holotype. Shell of small size

for the genus, height 5.7 mm, width 2.7 mm,

biconical with slender upper part, H/D 2.11. Pro-

toconch multispiral of 3.6 convex whorls, height

520 pm, width 430 pm; protoconch I of 1 whorl,

width 175 pm, with cancellate sculpture of ortho-

cline axials and spirals of equal strength; proto-

conch II of 2.6 whorls, with diagonally cancellate

sculpture on the lower two thirds, and sub sutural

orthocline axials on the upper third. Teleoconch of

4.5 sligthly convex whorls. Suture not incised,

evident. Axial sculpture of 10 slightly prosocline

elevated and strong ribs, and interspaces broad as

the ribs. Spiral sculture of 5 prominent cordlets on

the penultimate whorl, (the first, subsutural, weak)

thinner that axial ribs and interspaces four times

as broad as the cordlets. Cancellation horizontally

rectangular, deep with semitransparent back wall.

The second cordlet at the intersection with the ribs

form tubercles more acute than others with a mam-

millary appearance. Subsutural ramp very short.

Columella simple, slightly sinuous anteriorly and

gently angled posteriorly. Outer lip thickened and

crenulated externally with 7 strong inner denticles,

the most anterior larger. Anal sinus evident but not

deep, Siphonal canal long, wide, funnel like. Si-

phonal fasciole of 7 nodulose strong cordlets.

Background and cordlets color usually soft cherry

Description of a new species of the genus Raphitoma from Mediterranean Sea (Neogastropoda Raphitomidae) 207

Figures 1-7. Shells of Raphitoma ephesina n. sp. Fig. 1: holotype, Bozcaada Island, Turkey (MNHN, h: 5.7 mm); Fig. 2:

paratype A, Saronic Bay, Greece (CFP, h: 5.8 mm); Fig. 3: Saronic Bay (Greece (CPO, h: 6.7 mm); Fig. 4: paratype C,

Velirat IsL, Croatia (CFP, h: 7.1 mm); Fig. 5: paratype D, Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Italy (MBMPRC, h: 5.3 mm); Fig. 6:

Trapani, Italy (CRA, h: 6 mm); Fig. 7: St. Raphael, France (CAH, h: 7.5 mm).

208

Francesco Pusateri etalii

Figures 8-11. Particulars of cordlets of Raphitoma. Fig. 8:

R. ephesina n. sp.; Fig. 9: Raphitoma linearis (Montagu,

1803); Fig. 10: Raphitoma aequalis (Jeffreys, 1867); Fig.

11: Raphitoma bicolor ( Risso, 1826).

except the over sutural cordlet which is white. The

summit of the cordlets resumes the background

color. Many ribs are white or withish. The lower

part of the last whorl is evenly soft cherry. Soft

parts are unknown.

Variability. Height 5-7.5 mm (mean 6.2, std

0.62), width 2. 5-3. 7 mm (mean 3.06, std 0.36), H/D

1.86-2.14 (mean 2.02, std 0.08); axial sculpture

of 9-12 ribs (mean 11, std 1.27); outer lip with 7

denticles, siphonal fasciole with 7 nodulose cordlets

(exceptionally 6). The colour range from light to

dark cherry.

Etymology. Dedicated to goddess Artemis of

Ephesus, called “the polimastic” because of the four

rows of breasts that cover the bust which recall the

sculpture of this new species.

Distribution. The new species is widely dis-

tributed in the Mediterrean Sea (so far known form

France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey).

Remarks. For some of its conchological featu-

res R. ephesina n. sp. is akin to the group of R. lin-

earis (Montagu, 1803 )-R. aequalis (Jeffreys, 1867).

It shares a similar shell size, profile, the prominent

cords with the colored top, the same number of pro-

toconch whorls (3.6), and the almost equal proto-

conch dimensions.

In particular it differs from R. linearis by the

lack of microgranules in sculpture, by the number

of cordlets on the penultimate whorl (5 vs. 4). The

top of the cordlets of R. linearis is colored, some-

times strongly, only in the first two subsutural and

fourth. It also differs in the background color which

in R. linearis is generally cream or whithish with

the first whorls slightly purple and in the color of

protoconch which is white. The denticles of R. lin-

earis are barely noticeable only in gerontic speci-

mens while they are clearly visible in R. ephesina

n. sp.

It differs from R. aequalis , by the lack of micro-

granules in sculpture and by the number of cords

on the penultimate whorl (5 vs 6-7). In R. aequalis

cordlets are always brown colored except those next

to the suture which are white coloured.

Also it differs for the background color and that

of the protoconch that in R. aequalis are generally

whitish.

Raphitoma ephesina n. sp. could eventually be

confused with juveniles of R. bicolor but their pro-

toconchs are quite different (see figures 12 and 15).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Sincere thanks are due to Roberto Ardovini

(Rome, Italy), Andre Hoarau (France), Max Mar-

row (Melbourne, Australia), Andrea Nappo

Description of a new species of the genus Raphitoma from Mediterranean Sea (Neogastropoda Raphitomidae) 209

Figures 12-15. Protoconchs: 12: Raphitoma ephesina n. sp.; 13: Raphitoma linearis ; 14: Raphitoma aequalis ; 15: Raphitoma

bicolor. Figures 16-17: Particulars showing lacking (Fig. 16: R. ephesina n. sp.) and presence (Fig. 17: R. linearis) of micro-

granules on the shell surfaces

210

Francesco Pusateri etalii

(Cagliari, Italy); Rosario Occhipinti (Ragusa, Italy),

Panayotis Ovalis (Athens, Greece), Angelo Vazzana

(Reggio Calabria, Italy) for having placed materials

or photos at our disposal. We would like to express

our gratitude to Stefano Bartolini (Firenze, Italy)

for the light photographs, SEM photograph were

done by Andrea Di Giulio (Department of Biology,

“Roma Tre” University, Rome, Italy) at the “LIME”

(Interdepartmental Laboratory of Electron Micro-

scopy) and by Bruno Sabelli at Bologna University,

Giuseppe Bagnera (Palermo, Italy) for the draw-

ings, Floriana Giannuzzi Savelli (Palermo, Italy) for

computer consulting, Paolo Mariottini (Rome,

Italy), Carlo Smriglio (Rome, Italy), Danilo Scuderi

(Catania, Italy) and Marco Oliverio (Rome, Italy)

for their valuable help.

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Land mollusks of Chalki and Alimia (Dodecanese Archipelago,

Greece)

Fabio Liberto 1 *, Mauro Grano 2 , Cristina Cattaneo 3 & Salvo Giglio 4

'Via del Giubileo Magno 93, 90015 Cefalu, Italy; email: fabioliberto@yahoo.it

2 Via Val Cenischia 24, 00141 Rome, Italy; email: elaphe58@yahoo.it

3 Via Eleonora d’Arborea 12, 00162 Rome, Italy; email: cristina.cattaneo76@libero.it

4 Contrada Settefrati, 90015 Cefalu, Italy; email: hallucigenia@tiscali.it

’Corresponding author

ABSTRACT A check list of land snails of the island of Chalki and the nearby islet of Alimia (South Aegean

Greece, Dodecanese Archipelago) is given. The literature concerning the non-marine mollusks

living on the two islands is critically reviewed. New data on morphology of some snails spe-

cies are presented, with particular account to the genus Rhabdoena Kobelt et Mollendorff,

1902, Zebrinci Held, 1838 and Albinaria Vest, 1864.

KEY WORDS Land snails; endemism; Dodecanese Islands; Chalki; Alimia.

Received 16.12.2016; accepted 10.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The malacological researches on Chalki Island

and Alimia Islet began in 1887 with the naturalistic

surveys of Eberhard Von Ortzen, carried out in

the Aegean Islands and in the southwest comer of

Asia Minor with the support of the Royal Prussian

Academy of Sciences. The Von Ortzen’s collections

of terrestrial mollusks were later studied by the Ger-

man malacologists Oscar Boettger and Eberh Von

Martens.

Boettger (1889) published a monograph on

Clausiliidae describing several new species, includ-

ing a new subspecies of Albinaria brevicollis (L.

Pfeiffer, 1850) endemic to Chalki A. brevicollis

chalcidensis (O. Boettger, 1889).

In the same year Von Martens (1889) published

the first comprehensive survey of the mollusks of

the Aegean Islands and Asia Minor, reporting for

the island of Chalki nine species of terrestrial mol-

lusks: Hyalina aequata Mouss., Helix ( Pseudocam -

pylaea ) pellita Fer., Helix ( Iberus ) spiriplana Oliv.,

Helix ( Pomatia ) aperta Bom, Helix ( Xerophila )

cretica Pfr., Bulimus ( Mastus ) turgidus Kobelt,

Pupa ( Orcula ) scyphus Pfr., Clausilia ( Albinaria )

brevicollis Pf., Clausilia ( Albinaria ) teres (Oliv.)

var. extensa Pfr.

Gude (1902) published a list of the Helicoid

land snails of Asia, listing for the island of Chalki

the Von Martens ’s data for this group: Retinella

aequata Mouss., Helicella ( Heliomanes ) cretica

Pfr., Hygromia ( Metafruticicola ) pellita Fer., Helix

( Levantina ) spiriplana Oliv., Helix (Helicogena)

aperta Born.

Of particular significance is the work of Gam-

betta (1929), as this was the first comprehensive

study of the mollusks of the Dodecanese Islands as

a whole. Her research was based on material result-

212

Fabio Liberto et alii

ing from extensive samples carried out by Festa

(1913), Desio (1922-1924), Ghigi-Issel (1928—

1929). Part of the specimens collected by Ghigi

were complete with soft parts, and this material al-

lowed Gambetta to study for the first time the ana-

tomy of some species. Gambetta reviewed most of

the previous literature on the Dodecanese non-mar-

ine mollusks and listed 106 species for the Do-

decanese Islands and 1 1 species for Chalki Island:

Hyalinia (Eopolitd) aequata Mousson, Metafru-

ticicola (. Metafruticicola ) pellita Fer., Eobania ver-

miculata Mull., Levantina spiriplana var. carinata

Bgt., Helix ( Cantareus ) aperta Bom, Helicella (Xer-

ocrassa) cretica Fer. Let., Rumina decollata gracilis

Pfr. Let., Ena (Mastus) turgida Parr., Claus ilia

(Alb inaria) brevicollis Pfr., Claus ilia ( Albinaria )

unicolor Bttg. Let., Clausilia (Albinaria) extensa

Pfr.

Other two faunistic and taxonomic works on

land and freshwater mollusks of Aegean Islands

were those of Fuchs & Kaufel (1934, 1936) based

on the material collected by Franz Wemer in the

year 1932. In these works special emphasis was re-

served to the genital morphology and geographical

distribution of species.

Fuchs & Kaufel (1934) reported for Chalki Is-

land only two species: Helicella ( Xerocrassa ) cret-

ica-cauta Westerlund, and Metafruticicola (. M .)

pellita- graphicotera Bourguignat. Fuchs & Kaufel

(1936) report other three species Mastus (M.) pupa

turgidus, Albinaria ( Albinaria ) brevicollis chal-

cidensis and Retinella (Eopolita) protensa protensa.

Frank (1997) in his work on land mollusks of

Rhodes recorded Xerocrassa cretica (A. Ferussac,

1821) and Metafruticicola (M.) pellita (A. Ferussac,

1 8 1 9) on Chalki and Levantina spiriplana malziana

(L. Pfeiffer, 1861) on Alimia and Chalki.

Other data on land mollusks of Chalki and Al-

imia were published in papers concerning a single

genus or species: Pfeiffer (1949) on Levantina

Kobelt, 1871; Zilch (1977) and Nordsieck (2007)

on Albinaria ; Gittenberger & Hausdorf (2004) on

Orculella Steenberg, 1925; Bank et al. (2013) on

Metafruticicola Ihering, 1892; Neubert (2014) on

Helix Linnaeus, 1758.

Until recently a total of 14 species was reported

from Chalki and 2 from Alimia. In this paper we

present the results of a land snail survey of Chalki

and Alimia carried out in July- August 2014 and

April 2015 by M. Grano and C. Cattaneo.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study area

The Dodecanese Archipelago is a group of 12

large islands plus 150 islets. The island of Chalki is

located 13 km west of the island of Rhodes (Fig. 1),

its approximate geographical coordinates are: lat-

itude 36°13’51”N, longitude 27°34’35”E. It has an

area of 28 square km and its maximum height is

Maistros (593 m a.s.l.).

The most interesting aspect of the island is given

by vertical cliffs of massive limestone and deep

gorges along the coastline (Fig. 3). These vertical

cliffs allowed the presence of a rare and highly spe-

cialized chasmophytic flora. Several species are en-

demic with a distribution area limited to the island

and to the SE Aegean, including W Turkey (Cat-

taneo & Grano, 2015a, b). Recently was discovered

a new species for science that seems to be restricted

to Chalki and the nearby island of Tilos: Seseli

halkensis Cattaneo, Tan et Biel (Cattaneo et al.,

2016). Chalki is mostly constituted by rocky hills

characterized almost exclusively by a phryganic

vegetation with prevalence of chamaephytes and

nano-phanerophytes, as Sarcopoterium spinosum

(L.) Spach, Salvia fruticos a Mill., Origanum onites

L., Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Teucrium capitatum

L. A steppic vegetation is also present on exploited

lands and the most representative species are Hy-

parrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf), Andropogon distachyos

L., Carlina corymbosa L., Picnomon acarna (L.)

Cass., Echinops spinosissimum Turra, Asphodelus

fistulosus L. and A. ramosus L. On the hilly slopes

of the valleys of Kania, Zies, Pondamos and Ghiali

a characteristic floristic composition with Anagyris

foetida L., Euphorbia dendroides L. and E. chara-

cias L. is developed. The site of Limenari (north-

west of Chalki) is characterized by a low maquis

whose distinctive elements are Juniperus phoenicea

L. and Pistacia lentiscus L. The tree vegetation is

almost exclusively represented by Olea europaea

L. and Pistacia terebinthus L. subsp. palestina

(Boiss.) Engl., the latter restricted to Pondamos and

Ghiali bay. Pinus brutia Ten. grows in a small area

near Kania. In Chalki there are also several alien

species like Anagyris foetida (widespread), Agave

americana L., Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E. Br,

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill, and Oxalis pes-

caprae L. (Cattaneo & Grano, 2015a, b).

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

213

The study area belongs to the Thermo-Mediter-

ranean zone, with a long dry period from end of

April to early October.

Alimia is an uninhabited islet located 6 km east

of Chalki (Fig. 1). It has an area of 7.42 square

km and a maximum height of 274 m a.s.l. Its ap-

proximated geographical coordinates are: latitude

36°16’26”N, longitude 27°42’24”E. It consists of

limestone rock with steep cliffs on the northern

side, lacks superficial hydrography; there’s only a

small retrodunal pond of brackish water in the bay

of Aghios Georgios.

The islet vegetation is characterized by wide

low shrubs with Juniperus phoenicea and Pistacia

lentiscus (Fig. 2). Where shrubs become more thin

and open, thrives a phrygana almost exclusively

characterized by Thymbra capitata, to which some-

times is associated Teucrium capitatum and more

sporadically Salvia fruticos a, Origanum onites and

Sarcopoterium spinosum. Clusters of Finns brutia

are scarce and localized.

Alimia together with Chalki and the surrounding

small islands, is included in the European Network

“Natura 2000” as SPA, Special Protection Area,

with GR42 10026 code.

Sampling methods

The samples examined for this paper were col-

lected by M. Grano and C. Cattaneo, from 30th

July to 12th August 2014 and 23rd April 2015. The

names of local places mentioned in the text and in

the map (Fig. 1) follow the map of Chalki produ-

ced by Anavasi Ed. (2008). Specimens were col-

lected chronologically from the following

localities:

Chalki, Imborios, 36°13’23”N -27°36’45”E, 22 m

a.s.l., 30.VII.2014

Chalki, Kania, 36°14’02”N - 27°37’05”E, 48 m

a.s.l., 31. VIII.2014

Chalki, Chorio, 36°13’13”N - 27°35’07”E, 268 m

a.s.l., 01. VIII.2014

Figure 1. Map of Chalki Island and Alimia Islet.

214

Fabio Liberto et alii

Chalki, Pefkia, 36°14’15”N - 27°36 , 53”E, 125 m

a.s.l., 02.VIII.2014

Chalki, Ag. Ghiorgos, 36 0 14 , 21”N-27°34’43 ,, E,

108 m a.s.l., 03.VIII.2014

Chalki, Plaghia, 36°13 , 38”N- 27 0 34’45”E, 423 m

a.s.l., 03.VIII.2014

Chalki, Areta, 36°14 , 43”N-27°35 , 58 ,, E, 95 m

a.s.l., 04.VIII.2014

Chalki, Zies, 36°13 , 39 ,, N-27°36 , 57 ,, E, 54 m a.s.l.,

05.VIII.2014

Chalki, Xipei, 36°13 , 11 ,, N-27°35 , 37 ,, E, 153 m

a.s.l., 06.VIII.2014

Chalki, Xerokambos, 36°13 , 23 ,, N-27°32 , 30”E,

401 m a.s.l., 07.VIII.2014

Chalki, Adramasos, 36°13 , 32 ,, N-27°34 , 48 ,, E, 32

m a.s.l., 12.VIII.2014

Alimia, 36°16 , 5 ,, N-27°42 , 12 ,, E, 31 m a.s.l.,

09.VIII.2014

Alimia, 36°16 , 5”N-27°42 , 12 ,, E, 31 m a.s.l.,

12.VIII.2014

The land snails were collected by hand on the

soil and under the rocks. Dry shells have been stud-

ied as regards size, colour, morphology, sculpture,

aperture, plicae and lamellae, lunella and clausil-

ium. Photographs were taken with a digital camera.

The living snails were bred from September 2014

to March 2015. In the laboratory they were nor-

mally kept in plastic boxes containing damp tissue

paper, lettuce or carrot. The contents were changed

twice a week. In order to study and illustrate gen-

ital organs, the specimens were drowned in water

and fixed in 75% ethanol. Reproductive apparatus

was extracted by means of scalpel, scissors and

needles. Height and maximum diameter of the shell

along with some parts of genitalia were measured

(in millimeters) with a digital gauge. Identification

of the slug species was based on the photos, since

no live slugs were sampled. All the shell lots and

anatomical preparations are kept in the collection

of the first author. Taxonomical references are

based on the checklist of the land and freshwater

Gastropoda of Greece (Bank, 2011).

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS. D = dia-

meter; H = height; moll. = mollusk; End = En-

demic: species exclusive of Chalki Island; Dod =

Dodecanese: species distributed only on the Do-

decanese Islands; Aeg = Aegean: species which are

also present on other Aegean islands or/and nearby

coastal mainland areas of Greece and Turkey; Grek

= Greek: species distributed within the Greek main-

land or/and islands; E Med = East Mediterranean:

species which are found in the eastern part of

Mediterranean region; Med = Mediterranean: spe-

cies which are found around the Mediterranean; Eur

= European: species found in various countries of

Europe.

Anatomical acronyms: AG = albumen gland, AR

= appendicular retractor muscle, BC = bursa cop-

ulatrix, BCD = diverticulum of bursa copulatrix,

CD = copulatory duct, DBC = duct of bursa cop-

ulatrix, DE = distal epiphallus, E = epiphallus, F

= flagellum, FO = free oviduct, G = penial papilla,

GA = genital atrium, HD = hermaphrodite duct, O

= ovotestis, OV = ovispermiduct, P = penis, PA =

penial appendix, PC = penial caecum, PD = penial

diverticulum, PDP = penial diverticulum pleat, PE

= proximal epiphallus, PR = penial retractor

muscle, T = talon, V = vagina, VD = vas deferens,

VP = V-shaped pleat. Conchological acronyms:

CL = columellar lamella, L = lunella, LPP = lower

palatal plica (basal plica), PL = parietal lamella,

PP = principal plica, PUPP = posterior upper

palatal plica, SCL = subcolumellar lamella, SL =

spiral lamella.

RESULTS

The catalog lists the bibliographical references,

including incorrect determinations; notes on distri-

bution, biology, morphology and taxonomy are also

given.

SYSTEMATICS

Phylum MOLLUSCA Cuvier, 1795

Classis GASTROPODA Cuvier, 1795

Infraclassis PULMONATA Cuvier in Blainville, 1814

Ordo STYLOMMATOPHORA A. Schmidt, 1855

Familia ORCULIDAE Pilsbry, 1918

Genus Orculella Steenberg, 1983

Orculella critica (L. Pfeiffer, 1856)

Pupa ( Orcula ) scyphus - Von Martens, 1889: 200 -

Chalki

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

215

Orculella critica - Gittenberger & Hausdorf, 2004:

119-120 -Chalki islet

Distribution and Biology. Greek and Aegean

distribution, reported by Hausdorf (1996) also for

two west coast localities in Turkey. Orculella crit-

ica occurs in plant litter at the base of stones and

rocks in rocky limestone habitats.

Remarks. Orculella critica was reported by Von

Martens (1889, sub O. scypus) and Gittenberger &

Hausdorf (2004) on Chalki Island, while we were

unable to find specimens and shells. The popula-

tions of Chalki are characterized by comparatively

large, especially broad, shells (height 6.2-7. 6 mm;

width 2. 6-2. 9 mm) than those from Peloponnese,

with a parietalis still high at the ventral side, a prom-

inent subangularis and a columellaris very high in

left lateral position inside the body-whorl (Gitten-

berger & Hausdorf, 2004).

Familia PLEURODISCIDAE Wenz, 1923

Genus Pleurodiscus Wen z, 1923

Pleurodiscus balmei (Potiez et Michaud, 1835)

Examined material. Chalki, Chorio, 01.VIII.20 14,

36°13 , 13 ,, N-27°35 , 07 ,, E, 268 m a.s.l., 1 shell.

Distribution and Biology. Species with frag-

mentary East Mediterranean distribution, perhaps,

partly due to passive dispersal. This xeroresistant

species inhabits open environments, but it is fre-

quent also in ruderal habitats.

Remarks. Pleurodiscus balmei is known for

Rhodes (Paget, 1976; Maassen, 1981) and we have

found a shell on Chalki, among the ruins of the

uninhabited houses of Chorio (Fig. 5).

Familia ENIDAE B.B. Woodward, 1903 (1880)

Genus Mastus Beck, 1837

Mastus emarginatus turgidus (Kobelt, 1877)

Bulimus {Mastus) carneolus - Von Martens, 1889:

199 - Chalki

Mastus {Mastus) pupa turgidus - Fuchs & Kaufel,

1936: 561 - Charki

Examined material. Alimia, 09. VIII. 20 14,

36°16 , 5 ,, N-27°42 , 12 ,, E, 31 a.s.l., 1 shell.

Distribution and Biology. Endemic species of

the southern islands of the Dodecanese: Rhodes,

Chalki, Karpathos, Saria, Kasos, Armathia (Fuks &

Kaufel, 1936; Gambetta, 1929). It occurs in open

shrubland habitats, under stones.

Remarks. We have sampled only a shell on the

islet of Alimia (Fig. 6). Mastus turgidus is a species

recognizable for its small shell with globular aspect,

mouth square-shaped with reflexed peristome,

weak parietal callus and a tubercle in the upper,

right corner.

Mastus sp.

Examined material. Chalki, Xerokambos,

07.VIII.2014, 36 o 13 , 23”N-27°32 , 30 ,, E, 401 a.s.l.,

2 shells.

Remarks. Two shells of a second species of

Mastus were sampled by us at Xerokambos, Chalki

(Fig. 7). They are elongate-ovoid, with a spire of 7

whorls, apical whorls convex, the lower ones more

flattened; the surface is covered with irregular fine

growth lines; sutures shallow; umbilicus open,

small; thick palatal callus; a conspicuous angular

denticle present; peristome slightly reflected.

Dimensions: height 14.7 and 16.6 mm, diameter 6.5

and 6.6 mm.

It is similar to M. cretesis (L. Pfeiffer, 1846)

from the island of Crete, having slender shell, with

7 whorls and irregular growth lines, but a definitive

specific identification is impossible, due to the lack

of specimens for genital dissection.

Genus Rhabdoena Kobelt et Mollendorff, 1 902

Rhabdoena cosensis (Reeve, 1849)

Zebrina {Rhabdoena) cosensis (Reeve, 1849) -

Bank & Menkhorst, 1992: 127-133, Fig. 37 -

Insel Chalchi

Examined material. Chalki, Chorio, 01.VIII.20 14,

36°13’13 ,, N-27°35 , 07 ,, E, 268 a.s.l., 1 moll., 1 shell.

Distribution and Biology. Aegean distribu-

tion: West Turkey and East Aegean Islands from

Lesvos to Rhodes. Rhabdoena cosensis occurs on

shaded, limestone walls with low vegetation. It

seems to be obligate rock dwellers snail.

Remarks. The shells (Fig. 8) and the examined

216

Fabio Liberto et alii

genital apparatus correspond fairly well to the de-

scription and drawings of Bank & Menkhorst

(1992). The genitalia show only one retractor,

which inserts in the branching point of the appendix

from the penis, the caecum rises from the central

part of the epiphallus and the central part of the

penial appendix is relatively short (Fig. 9). The

examination of the inner structure of the penis

shows the walls with very low folds and a very

short and slightly conical penial papilla (Fig. 10).

Genus Zebrina Held, 1837

Zebrina fasciolata (Olivier, 1801)

Examined material. Chalki, Kania, 31.VIII.2014,

36°14’02”N-27°37 , 05 ,, E, 48 a.s.l., 4 moll.

Description. Shell (Figs. 11,12) dextral, ovoidal-

oblong; spire with 7 slightly convex whorls; sutures

shallow; umbilicus closed; blunt apex, white-yel-

lowish in colour; teleoconch white or white yellow-

ish, with longitudinal brown bands (one specimen

without bands), on external surface microsculpture

of fine longitudinal lines which disappear at the in-

tersection with spiral lines; aperture oblique, semi-

ovate with brown palatus; peristome interrupted,

whitish, basal and palatal margin not or just reflec-

ted. Dimensions: height 18.4 mm (15.8-24.2), dia-

meter 8.1 mm (6.3-12.7).

Genitalia (Figs. 13-17) (four specimens ex-

amined), characterized by: short vagina (2.27

mm); slightly longer copulatory duct (2.64 mm),

ending in a branched bursa copulatrix complex:

one branch consists of a long diverticulum of

bursa copulatrix (7.2 mm), the other of a thin duct

of the bursa copulatrix (2.55 mm) and oval bursa

copulatrix (1.6 mm); penial complex consists of

penis, penial appendix, epiphallus, and flagellum;

penis cylindrical (2.8 mm); the penial appendix

very long, it branches off from the proximal end

of the penis and consists of three sections: first

section short (2 mm), wide, cylindrical with a

slightly constriction in its distal end; second sec-

tion (1.9 mm) thinner, it widens slightly in its distal

end; third section veiy long (7.7 mm), slender,

slightly wider in its distal end; epiphallus cyl-

indrical (3.83 mm), in its apex there are a rounded

penial caecum and a short, conical flagellum; vas

deferens enters laterally on the apex of epiphallus;

there are two retractor muscles: a penial retractor

and an appendicular- retractor, which join shortly

before the attach to the diaphragm. Spermatophore

(Fig. 16) glossy, golden, with conical and amply

curved anterior portion, central portion regularly

tubular, posterior portion double S-shaped with a

hook and some spiral ridges, posterior apex con-

ical. The spermatophore was found with the an-

terior portion inside the diverticulum of the bursa

copulatrix, the hook at the branch of the duct of

the bursa copulatrix and the posterior portion in-

side the copulatory duct.

Distribution and Biology. Zebrina fasciolata

has NE-Mediterranean chorotype and it is wide-

spread from Greece (Rhodes, Megalo Zafrano), Cy-

prus, S-Turkey (from Izmir eastwards) to Syria and

Palestine. This species lives usually in dry shrub-

lands, and it is met under stones.

Remarks. In this paper, we report for the first

time the presence of Zebrina on Chalki Island and

this allowed us to make some taxonomic observa-

tions. Zebrina fasciolata varies in shape, size and

coloration of the shell and are known different taxo-

nomic interpretations also for the structure of the

genitalia. The genital apparatus was studied by

Gambetta (1929, 96-98, figs. 21) after specimens

from Rhodes, Hesse (1933, 183-185, figs. 22 A, D)

after specimens from Rhodes and Aleppo, Fuchs &

Kaufel (1936, 573-576, figs. 13-15) after speci-

mens from Rhodes and Tartus, Maassen (1981, 28,

PI. 14, fig. 61) and Bank & Menkhorst (1992, 122-

126, figs. 30, 31, 34, 35) after specimens from Rho-

des. From their descriptions Z. fasciolata from

Rhodes includes two well characterized forms. In

the typical form the penial appendix branches off

from the proximal end of the penis; there are two

retractor muscles: a penial retractor and an appen-

dicular-retractor, which join shortly before the at-

tach to the diaphragm. In the second form the

appendix stems from the distal end of the penis;

there is only the penial-retractor and the proximal

part of the appendix is very short.

Gambetta (1929) was the first author to identify

the second form as a distinct taxon and she names

it Z. fasciolata Candida (L. Pfeiffer, 1848), although

the description and the illustration are unclear.

Hesse (1933) and Fuchs & Kaufel (1936) note that

the variation in the reproductive system of the two

forms is not related to the variation in shell pattern

and all others the above-mentioned authors consider

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

217

fasciolata a species with extremely variable gen-

italia structure (see also Heller, 1976; Maassen,

1981). However Paget (1976) considered Candida

a valid subspecies.

Four of the five specimens of Zebrina we had

the opportunity to examine, belong to the typical

Z. fasciolata, the fifth one, without bands on the

shell, with the genital structure like that of Candida.

We have examined for the first time the internal

structure of the penis and epiphallus. Both forms

have the inner walls of the penis covered with large

papillae and those of epiphallus with small papil-

lae, plus some short folds originating from the apex

of epiphallus (Figs. 14, 17, 21). However, Z. fas-

ciolata has at the point of transition from epiphal-

lus into the penis a conical penial papilla covered

with very small tubercles (Figs. 14, 17), while our

specimen of Z. Candida has no penial papilla (Fig.

21 ).

Despite the few specimens observed, these new

data, combined with the already known literature

and the presence of two different sympatric popu-

lations in the same locality allow us to consider Z.

fasciolata and Z. Candida two distinct species.

Zebrina Candida (Westerlund, 1887)

Examined material. Chalki, Kania, 3 1 .VIII.2014,

36°14 , 02”N-27°37 , 05”E, 48 ma.s.l., 1 moll.

Description. Shell (Fig. 18) very similar to that

of the previous species, but white in colour, without

bands.

Genitalia (Figs. 19, 21) (Gambetta (1929, 96-

98), Hesse (1933, 183-185, figs. 22 B, C), Fuchs

& Kaufel (1936, 573-576, figs. 16, 17), Maassen

(1981, 28, PI. 14, fig. 62), Bank & Menkhorst

(1992, 122-126, figs. 32, 33), characterized by: a

penial appendix which stems from the distal end

of the penis; the proximal part of the appendix

very short (0.47 mm) and only a penial-retractor

(appendicular retractor absent); penial papilla ab-

sent.

Spermatophore (Fig. 20) very similar to that of

the previous species, only slightly smaller.

Distribution and Biology. At present Z. Can -

dida is known from Rhodes Island and Chalki Is-

land, where it lives in sympatry with Z. fasciolata.

Remarks. Many names were published by past

authors for Z. fasciolata: Bulimus fas ciolatus var.

maior Charpentier, 1847, locus typicus “In Syrein,

zumal zwischen Latakieh und Tripolis ”; Bulimus

hebraicus L. Pfeiffer, 1854, without locus typicus,

later used by Forcart (1940) for populations of

Z. fasciolata of Turkey; Bulimus fasciolatus var.

piochardi Heynemann, 1870; locus typicus “Cy-

pern ” [= Cyprus]; Bulimus calverti Bourguignat,

1876, locus typicus “lie de Rhodes ”; Bulimus

fasciolatus forma gracilis Westerlund, 1887, locus

typicus: Insel Rhodos (see Bank & Menkhorst,

1992); Bulimus fasciolatus forma candidus Wester-

lund, 1887, without locus typicus.

Gambetta (1929) was the first author to attribute

the name Candida Pfeiffer, 1 848 to a Zebrina from

Rhodes with white shell, characterized by a struc-

ture of the genitalia different from that of the typical

Z. fasciolata . Subsequent authors have always used

the name Candida in the sense attributed by Gam-

betta (1929), both those who considered it a valid

species (Paget, 1976) and the authors who have

considered Candida a synonym of fasciolata

(Hesse, 1933; Fuchs & Kaufel, 1936; Maassen,

1981; Bank & Menkhorst, 1992; Heller, 1976).

However it must be specified that Pfeiffer

(1848) did not published a valid description of

Candida, since he used the word “candidus” as an

adjective in the description of a variety “fi unicolor

candidus ”. Westerlund (1887) was the first author

to publish a valid description of Candida: “can-

didus Pfr., Einfarben weiss”. From the context of

the work of Westerlund (1887) it is also clear that

the name hasn’t infrasubspecific rank, because the

author uses the word “form” (Art. 45.6.4.

ICZN,1999).

Familia SUBULINIDAE P. Fischer & Crosse, 1877

Subfamilia RUMININAE Wenz, 1923

Genus Rumina Risso, 1826

Rumina cf. saharica Pallary, 1901

Rumina decollata gracilis - Gambetta, 1929: 94 -

Calchi

Examined material. Alimia, 12. VIII. 20 14,

36 0 16’5”N-27 0 42’12”E, 31 ma.s.l., 3 shells.

Chalki, Kania, 31.VIII.2014, 36°14’02”N-

27°37’05”E, 48 m a.s.l., 1 shell.

Distribution and Biology. East Mediterranean

distribution. It often occurs in dry and open habitats

218

Fabio Liberto et alii

under stones or hidden in the soil, but also in shady

habitats between plants and plant debris, and cul-

tivated areas.

Remarks. Rumina saharica is characterized by

a shell decollate (in adult specimens), slender, sub-

cylindrical (Fig. 22); animal whitish; genitalia with

vagina internally decorated with longitudinal, not

crenulate pleats (crenulate pleats in R. decollata)

and penis internally with some sparsely distributed

papillae towards the proximal end (abundant, prom-

inent papillae in R. decollata ). Prevot et al. (2013)

based on a phylogenetic study of mtDNA and ITS

sequence data, support the species level status of R.

saharica and suggest that at least six clades in R.

decollata s.l. are putative species: the dark (clade

A) and light (clade E) color phenotypes from

France and Spain, three North African species

(clades B, C and D), and an Italian- Croatian species

(Clade F). These putative species need further cor-

roboration by an integrative taxonomic approach,

combined with a more comprehensive geographic

sampling. Clades A and E are also present in north-

ern Africa, so this region shows a high degree of

genetic and also morphological differentiation

(Bourguignat, 1864).

Prevot et al. (2013) use the name “ saharica ” for

the species widespread in the Eastern Mediter-

ranean, but “ saharica ” was described by Pallary

(1901) for populations form Algeria (locus typicus:

Dans les alluvions del’oued Keroua, pres d’El

Abiod Sidi cheikh et del’oued Sefra. Dans celles de

I’oued Djelfa et del’O. Seguen ), therefore further

molecular and morphological analysis are necessary

to ascertain the conspecificity of the populations

from eastern mediterranean region with the topo-

typical R. saharica from Algeria. For these reasons

we prefer to name the Rumina from Chalki and Al-

imia R. cf. saharica.

Familia CLAUSILIIDAE J.E. Gray, 1855

Subfamilia ALOPIINAE A.J. Wagner, 1913

Tribus MEDORINII H. Nordsieck, 1997

Genus Albinaria Vest, 1867

Subgenus Albinaria Vest, 1867

Albinaria (. Albinaria ) brevicollis chalcidensis

(O. Boettger, 1889)

Clausilia ( Albinaria ) brevicollis - Von Martens,

1889: 200 - Chalki

Clausilia brevicollis var. chalcidensis - O. Boettger,

1889: 38 - insel Chalki

Clausilia brevicollis var. chalcidensis - Westerlund,

1890: 61 - ins. Chalki

Clausilia brevicollis var. chalcidensis - Westerlund,

1901:43 -1. Chalki

Albinaria ( Albinaria ) brevicollis chalcidensis -

Fuchs & Kaufel, 1936: 591 - Charki

Albinaria {Albinaria) brevicollis chalcidensis - K.L.

Pfeiffer, 1955: 127-128, PI 9, fig. 16 - Chalchi

an dem aus Kreidekalkfels

Albinaria brevicollis chalcidensis - Zilch, 1977: 326

- Insel Calchi

Albinaria brevicollis chalcidensis - Nordsieck,

2007: 45

Examined material. Chalki, Chorio, 01.VT1I.20 14,

36°13 , 13 ,, N-27°35 , 07 ,, E, 268 m a.s.l., 14 shells, 5

moll.; Chalki, Ag. Ghiorgos, 03.VIII.2014,

36 0 14 , 21 ,, N-27°34 , 43 ,, E, 108 m a.s.l., 8 shells;

Chalki, Plaghia, 03.VIII.2014, 36°13 , 38”N-

27°34’45”E, 423 m a.s.l., 3 moll., 8 shells; Chalki,

Areta, 04.VIII.2014, 36°14 , 43”N-27°35 , 58 ,, E, 95

m a.s.l., 3 moll., 11 shells; Chalki, Imborios,

30.VII.2014, 36°13 , 23”N-27°36 , 45”E, 22 m a.s.l.,

2 shells; Chalki, Xerokambos, 07.VIII.20 14,

36°13 , 23”N-27 o 32 , 30”E, 401 m a.s.l., 8 shells;

Chalki, Pefkia, 02.VIII.2014, 36°14’15”N-

27°36 , 53”E, 125 m a.s.l., 6 shells.

Type series. Lectotypus SMF 58307; Paratypes:

SMF 58308/4, 58309/4 Slg. Moellendorff, 58310/6

Slf. Naegel, 93464/5 Slf. O. Boettger.

Type locality. Greece: Chalki Islands, west of

Rhodes Island.

Description. Shell (Figs. 23, 24) sinistral, fusi-

form, slender; spire with 10-1 1 .5 whorls, last whorl

tapering downwards; apex usually black, the others

whorls white-bluish with dark spots; sutures mod-

erately deep; umbilicus closed; apical whorls (1.5)

smooth, the following striated or smooth, last whorl

ribbed, but in its first half the ribs start from the base

and do not reach the suture, then gradually lengthen

until reaching the suture; cervix with short basal

and dorsal keels, dorsal as high as basal keel or

slightly higher; aperture oval, inside brown-orange,

peristome continous, detached, thickened, slightly

reflected. Inside aperture there are 3 plicae and

lunella (on palatum) and 4 lamellae (on parietum

and columellar side). On palatum starting from

suture there are: a long and raised principal plica,

slightly wider in its posterior portion; short posterior

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

219

upper palatal plica fused to lunella apex; lunella dor-

solateral, wider to its base; a rudiment basal plica

present and fused to the base of lunella (Figs. 25,

26). On parietum starting from suture there are: non

emerged spiral lamella in the centre of parietum,

more raised in its posterior portion; (upper) parietal

lamella reaching spiral lamella; low columellar

lamella; non emergent subcolumellar lamella (Figs.

27, 28). Clausilium plugh-like, basal plate entire,

subrectangular, sutural angle slightly bent up (Figs.

29, 30). Dimensions (16 shells measured): height

16.2 mm (14-18.1), diameter 3.83 mm (3.7-4.07).

Body. Animal narrow, posteriorly pointed, white

grayish in color with darker tubercles, sole white

grayish.

Genitalia. (Fig. 31) (4 specimens examined) are

characterized by: variably long vagina (2^4. 1 mm);

short free oviduct and copulatory duct (1.6 mm),

the last ending in a branched bursa copulatrix com-

plex: one branch consists of a long diverticulum of

bursa copulatrix (4.4 mm), the other of a very short

duct of bursa copulatrix (1.3 mm) and oval bursa

copulatrix. Penial complex consists of epiphallus,

penial diverticulum and penis; epiphallus (3.4 mm)

divided, by point insertion of penial retractor

muscle, into proximal portion and very short distal

portion; penis cylindrical (2.4 mm) and wider than

epiphallus, large penial diverticulum (long and wide

as much as the penis) arising on border between

distal epiphallus and penis. Internal walls of penis

with a V-shaped pleat; internal walls of penial

diverticulum with some longitudinal pleats, one of

which surrounds the opening of the epiphallus into

the penis (Figs. 32, 33); penial retractor muscle

simple, only a specimen has penial retractor divided

into two branches shortly before the attachment on

epiphallus.

Distribution and Biology. Albinaria brevicol-

lis clialcidensis is endemic of Chalki Islands. It

lives on rocky limestone outcrops and it is wide-

spread and common all over Chalki.

Remarks. Albinaria brevicollis s.l. is spreading

in the Dodecanese Islands (Greece) and Resadiye

peninsula (Turkey), with sixteen subspecies (Bank,

2011; Nordsieck, 2013). For Chalki Island Boettger

(1889) described the subspecies clialcidensis based

only on exterior shell characters. Westerlund (1890,

1901) redescribes the shell. Fuchs & Kaufel (1936)

describe and illustrate the genitalia of four subspe-

cies: brevicollis (sub rhodia Pollonera, 1916), astro-

palia (O. Boettger, 1883), casia (O. Boettger, 1883),

and superba (O. Boettger, 1889) (sub atavirensis

Pollonera, 1916). They show a substantial uniformity

in the genital structure of these subspecies, but also

a differentiation in the form of penial diverticulm.

Pfeiffer (1955) revises the whole brevicollis group

and describes the variability of the genitalia of Al-

binaria brevicollis unia (O. Boettger, 1883).

The structure of the genitalia of Albinaria

brevicol-lis clialcidensis is similar to those of the

other subspecies illustrated by Fuchs & Kaufel

(1936) and by Pfeiffer (1955). Albinaria brevicollis

clialcidensis appears different for the larger size of

the penial diverticulum with cylindrical shape and

rounded apex. The subspecies astropalia, casia and

unio have a diverticulum significantly smaller,

while Albinaria brevicollis brevicollis and the sub-

species superba have the diverticulum proportion-

ately shorter compared to the penis, in addition

Albinaria brevicollis superba also differs for

the pointed tip. Also the recent molecular data of

Douris et al. (2007) confirm a substantial genetic

differentiation between the Albinaria of Chalki and

other subspecies of A. brevicollis.

Gambetta (1929) reports for Chalki only Clausilia

{Albinaria) unicolor Boettger, but this species later

has not been confirmed on the island.

Albinaria {Albinaria) brevicollis superba (O.

Boettger, 1889)

Albinaria {Albinaria) brevicollis superba - K.L.

Pfeiffer, 1955: 117-120, PL 8, f. 8. - insel Alinnia

Albinaria brevicollis superba - Paget, 1976: 761,

762 - Insel Alinnia

Examined material. Alimia, 09.VIII.2014,

36°16 , 5”N-27°42 , 12”E, 31 m a.s.l., 12 shells.

Distribution and Biology. Albinaria brevicol-

lis superba is endemic of Rhodes Island and the

islet of Alimia. It lives on rocky limestone outcrops.

Remarks. Boettger (1889) describes C. brevicollis

var. superba for Rhodes near Kastello village, char-

acterized by shell larger than typical brevicollis , lower

lamella more developed and weaker or obsolete ribs

on the median whorls. Pfeiffer (1955) examines both

the type series of superba , and other specimens col-

lected by himself on the Mountain Prophet Elias near

Kastello (Rhodes). He considers superba a subspecies

with larger dimensions, with lower lamella more per-

pendicular to the edge of the opening, but with vari-

220

Fabio Liberto et alii

able keel and rib. Pfeiffer (1955) reports superba for

the first time on the islet of Alinnia (Alimia) with

shells entirely ribbed, with dorsal keel and without

black spots on the surface. Paget (1976) also con-

siders superba a valid subspecies and he proposes the

taxon atavirensis as synonym.

The shells examined in this study well corres-

pond to Pfeiffer’s description in size, ribs, keels,

and lamellae (Figs. 34-36). Dimensions (7 shells

measured): height 16.2 mm (17.2-14.5), diameter

3.4 mm (3.25-3.65); 1 1 ribs per 2 mm of the penul-

timate whorl. Whorls with some dark spots on the

surface of shell. Clausilium plugh-like, basal plate

entire, subrectangular, with rounded distal edge

(Fig. 37).

Pfeiffer (1955) reports a population of Albinaria

brevicollis brevicollis on the ruins of the small castle

of Alimia, but we have not sampled this population.

Subgenus Mirabellina O. Boettger, 1878

Albinaria {Mirabellina) teres nordsiecki Zilch, 1977

Clausilia teres var. extensa - O. Boettger, 1889: 46-

47 - insel Challci

Clausilia teres var. extensa - Von Martens, 1889:

200 - Chalki

Clausilia teres - Kobelt, 1898: 313 - insel Chalki

Clausilia ( Albinaria ) teres var. extensa - Gambetta

1929: 101, 113 - Calchi

Albinaria teres nordsiecki - Nordsieck, 2013: 5 -

Chalki Island

Examined material. Chalki, Zies, near the

church Aghias Kiriakis, 05 .VIII. 20 14, 36°13’39”N

-27°36’57”E, 54 m a.s.l., 3 shells, 6 moll.

Description. Shell (Figs. 38, 39) sinistral, fusi-

form, spire with 11 whorls, last whorl tapering

downwards, apex black and smooth, the other

whorls whitish, ribbed, 6/7 ribs per 2 mm of the

penultimate whorl, with fine lines between the

ribs; cervix more coarsely ribbed than the upper

whorls, basal keel visible, dorsal keel obsolete;

umbilicus closed; aperture oval, peristome contin-

ous, detached, slightly reflected. Inside aperture

there are 2 plicae and lunella (on palatum) and 4

lamellae (on parietum and columellar side). On

platum starting from suture there are a long and

raised pincipal plica, slightly wider in its posterior

portion; short posterior upper palatal plica fused

to lunella apex; lunella obsolete in its apical por-

tion, absent in its basal portion (Figs. 40, 41);

on parietum starting from suture there are: non

emerged spiral lamella in the centre of parietum;

(upper) parietal lamella very short and toothlike,

low columellar lamella; non emerged subcolumel-

lar lamella (Figs. 42, 43). Clausilium plugh-like,

basal plate entire with slightly curved palatal edge

(Figs. 44, 45).

Dimensions (7 shells measured): height 17.4 mm

(17-18.1), diameter 3.9 mm (3.86-4).

Genitalia (Fig. 46), 3 specimens examined, con-

sisting of large ovotestis with many close acini;

long convoluted hermaphrodite duct, entering base

of small talon (Fig. 49); large albumen gland; well

developed ovispermiduct, copulatory duct and free

oviduct of the same lenght (2.4-2. 6 mm); copulat-

ory duct ending in a branched bursa copulatrix

complex: one branch consists of a long divertic-

ulum of bursa copulatrix (5.7-4. 1 mm), the other

of a very short copulatrix duct (1.1-1. 9 mm) and

oval bursa copulatrix (1.2-1. 9); medium long va-

gina (2.6-4 mm). Penial complex consists of epi-

phallus, penial diverticulum and penis; epiphallus

(2. 6-3. 8 mm) divided, by point insertion of penial

retractor muscle, into proximal portion and very

short distal portion; penis (2.5-2.85 mm) cyl-

indrical and wider than epiphallus, short and con-

ical penial diverticulum (0.8-1. 3 mm), arising on

border between distal epiphallus and penis. Internal

walls of penis with a V-shaped pleat; internal walls

of penial diverticulum with a pleat, which sur-

rounds the opening of the epiphallus into the penis

(Figs. 47, 48); in two specimens the penial retractor

muscle is divided into two branches shortly before

the attachment on epiphallus (Figs. 46-47), in the

third specimen it is undivided with large at-

tachment on epiphallus.

Distribution and Biology. Albinaria teres nord-

siecki is native of Crete Island, where it is distrib-

uted from west of Sitia to south eastern Dikti

mountains and east of Ierapetra, with region of

Goudouras and Koufonisi Island. It is a rock dwell-

ing snail, usually limestone rocks.

Remarks. The presence of A. teres nordsiecki

on Chalki Island only nearby the church of Aghias

Kiriakis (Chalki), and nowhere else in the survey

area, strongly suggests that it was introduced by

man from the island of Crete (O. Boettger, 1889;

Nordsieck, 2013).

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

221

Familia OXYCHILIDAE P. Hesse 1927 (1879)

Subfamilia OXYCHILINAE P. Hesse, 1927 (1879)

Genus Eopolita Pollonera, 1916

Eopolita protensa protensa (A. Ferussac, 1832)

Hyalina aequata - Von Martens, 1889: 190 - Chalki

Retinella aequata - Gude, 1902: 124 - Kharki

(Chalki)

Retinella ( Eopolita ) protensa protensa - Fuchs &

Kaufel, 1936: 614 - Charki

Examined material. Chalki, Chorio, 01.VHI.20 14,

36 o 13 , 13”N-27 o 35 , 07”E, 268 m a.s.l., 3 shells.

Distribution and Biology. Eopolita protensa

has an East Mediterranean distribution, from

Aegean region to South-East Turkey, North-West

Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Libya and Cyprus.

It lives under stones and in rock crevices. Eopolita

protensa is a carnivorous snail, and feeds on earth

worms and snails.

Familia MILACIDAE Ellis, 1926

Genus Tandonia Lessona et Pollonera, 1882

Tandonia cf. pageti (Forcart, 1972)

Examined material. Chalki, Chorio, 23.IV.2015,

36°13’13”N, 27°35 , 07”E, 268 m a.s.l.

Distribution and Biology. Tandonia pageti is

known from Rhodes Island and SW Turkey.

Remarks. In external appearance it resembles a

limacide for the large dimensions, the poorly arched

short keel and small skin sculpture. Through the

photos the color appears brownish gray with dense

small yellow and brown spots.

Only two photos, and size (length approxim-

ately 8 cm) were taken of this mollusk (Fig. 50).

Further researches are needed for a definitive spe-

cific identification of T. pageti and the following

species D. cf. samium on the island of Chalki.

Familia AGRIOLIMACIDAE H. Wagner, 1935

Subfamilia AGRIOLIMACINAE H. Wagner, 1935

Genus Deroceras Rafinesque, 1820

Subgenus Deroceras Rafinesque, 1 820

Deroceras {. Deroceras ) cf. samium Rahle, 1983

Examined material. Chalki, Imborios, 23.IV.20 15,

36°13 , 23 ,, N-27°36’45 ,, E. 22 m a.s.l..

Remarks. For this slug, as for the previous spe-

cies, were taken by us just a picture (Fig. 51) and

the dimensions. The dark-gray color and the size

(length approximately 40 mm) allow us to tentat-

ively classify this slug as D. cf. samium, a species

with wide distribution in the Dodecanese.

Familia COCHLICELLIDAE Schileyko, 1972

Genus Cochlicella A. Ferussac, 1821

Subgenus Cochlicella A. Ferussac, 1821

Cochlicella { Cochlicella ) acuta (O.F. Muller, 1774)

Examined material. Chalki, Imborios, 30.VII.2014,

36°13 , 23”N-27°36’45”E. 22 m a.s.l., 13 shells.

Distribution and Biology. This Holomediter-

ranean- Atlantic species lives on retro dune habitats

and internal drier biotopes. It is a very common spe-

cies, which often occurs in large aggregations on

plants and in crevices of trees. Our specimens were

found on the walls of old abandoned houses in

Imborios.

Remarks. The population of Chalki has small

dimensions like those of Rhodes (Frank, 1997): H:

9.1 mm, D: 4 mm (Fig. 52).

Familia HYGROMIIDAE Tryon, 1866

Subfamilia GEOMITRINAE C. Boettger, 1909

Tribus TROCHOIDEINI H. NORDSIECK, 1987

Genus Xerocrassa Monterosato, 1892

Subgenus Xerocrassa Monterosato, 1892

Xerocrassa {Xerocrassa) cretica (L. Pfeiffer, 1841)

Helix ( Xerophila ) cretica - Von Martens, 1889:

196 - Insel Chalki

Helicella {Heliomanes) cretica - Gude, 1902:

124 - Kharki (Chalki)

Helicella {Xerocrassa) cretica - Gambetta,

1929: 92 - isola di Calchi

Helicella {Xerocrassa) cretica cauta - Fuchs &

Kaufel, 1934: 84 - Chalki

Examined material. Chalki, Xipei, 06.VIII.20 14,

36°13’ 11”N-27°35 , 37”E, 153 m a.s.l., 16 moll,

juv.; Alimia, on limestone, 12. VIII. 2014,

36°16 , 5 ,, N-27°42’12 ,, E, 31 m a.s.l., 4 shells.

Distribution and Biology. Species with East

Mediterannean distribution: East Greece, Ae-

222

Fabio Liberto et alii

gean Islands, West coast of Asia Minor, Cyprus,

African coast from Egypt to Libya. It lives in

every kind of habitats, from beaches to high

mountains, but mainly on dry vegetation in coa-

stal habitats.

Remarks. A common species on Chalki Island.

Subgenus Xeroclausa Monterosato, 1892

Xerocrassa ( Xeroclausa ) meda (Porro, 1840)

Examined material. Chalki, Ag. Ghiorgos,

03.VIII.2014, 36°14 , 21”N-27 0 34 , 43”E, 108 m

a.s.l., 2 shells.

Distribution and Biology. It is known for

Malta, Sicily, southern Italy, Sardinia (Sassari) and

Aegean Islands: Kos and Lesvos. It is common in

anthropogenic habitat: gardens, on walls, under

stones. These habitats suggest passive introduction

by man.

Remarks. Perhaps a native species of Sicily and

Malta, where it lives in seminatural habitats, and

probably introduced in southern Italy, Sardegna

(Sassari) and Aegean Islands: Kos, Lesvos (Haus-

dorf & Sauer, 2009). In Chalki only two fresh death

shells were sampled in seminatural habitats on the

north side of the island (Fig. 53).

Subfamilia HYGROMIINAE Tryon, 1866

Tribus HYGROMIINI Tryon, 1866

Genus Metafruticicola Ihering, 1892

Metafruticicola ( Metafruticicola ) pellitus pellitus

(A. Ferussac, 1832)

Helix (Pseudocampylaed) pellita - Von Martens,

1889: 194 - insel Chalki

Hygromia (. Metafruticicola ) pellita - Gude, 1902:

124 - Kharki (Chalki)

Metafruticicola ( Metafruticicola ) pellita graph-

icotera - Fuchs & Kaufel, 1934: 87 - Chalki

Metafruticicola ( Metafruticicola ) pellita - Bank et

al., 2013: 70-76 - Island Chalki, surroundings

Chorion; monastery Agios Johannis N W Chalki

town.

Examined material. Chalki, Ag. Ghiorgos,

03.VIII.2014, 36 0 14 , 21 ,, N-27°34 , 43 ,, E. 108 m

a.s.l., 1 shell.

Distribution and Biology. Aegean Distribu-

tion: East Crete, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Northern

Sporades, Limnos and the Turkish Island of Gok-

ceada (Bank et al., 2013).

Metafruticicola pellitus lives in limestone hab-

itats.

Familia HELICIDAE Rafmesque, 1815

Subfamilia HELICINAE Rafmesque, 1815

Tribus HELICINI Rafmesque, 1815

Genus Levantina Kobelt, 1871

Subgenus Levantina Kobelt, 1871

Levantina ( Levantina ) spiriplana malziana (L.

Pfeiffer, 1861)

Helix ( Iberus ) spiriplana - Von Martens, 1889: 195 -

insel Chalki

Helix ( Levantina ) spiriplata - Gude, 1902: 124 -

Kharki (Chalki)

Levantina ( Levantina ) spiriplana var. carinata -

Gambetta, 1929: 64-72 - Chalchi

Levantina spiriplana malziana - K.L.Pfeiffer, 1949:

12-23 - Chalki, Alimia

Levantina spiriplana malziana - Frank, 1997: 113

- Alimia, Chalki

Examined material. Chalki, Chorio, 01.VIII.2014,

9 36°13 , 13 ,, N-27°35 , 07 ,, E, 268 m a.s.l., 2 shells

juv; Chalki, Adramasos, VIII. 2014, 36°13’32”N-

27°34 , 48”E, 32 m a.s.l., 2 shells; Chalki, Pefkia,

02.VIII.2014, 36 0 14 , 15”N-27°36 , 53 ,, E, 125 m

a.s.l., 4 shells (3 juvenes).

Distribution and Biology. Levantina spiri-

plana s.l. has an Eastern Mediterranean distribu-

tion: Dodecanese (from Kalimnos to Rhodes and

Karpathos), South-West Turkey, from Syria to

Palestine and Cyprus, probably dispersed also by

man. It lives mainly on rocks, but also in other

habitats.

Remarks. All the adult shells of Levantina col-

lected on Chalki had closed umbilicus, therefore we

classify them as subspecies malziana (Fig. 54), in

the nominotipycal subspecies the umbilicus is par-

tially covered.

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

223

Genus Eobania P. Hesse, 1913

Eobania vermiculata (O.F. Muller, 1774)

Eobania vermiculata - Gambetta, 1929: 57-64 -

Calchi

Eobania vermiculata - Frank, 1997: 103 - Halki

Examined material. Alimia, Vin.2014, 36° 1 6’ 5 ”N-

27°42 , 12”E, 31 ma.s.l., 3 shells; Chalki, Adramasos,

VIII.2014, 36°13 , 32 ,, N-27°34’48 ,, E, 32 m a.s.l., 3

shells.

Distribution and Biology. Eobania vermicu-

lata has Mediterranean distribution, and lives on

every island in the South Aegean (Gambetta, 1929).

It occurs in a broad variety of habitats, also anthrop-

ized sites.

Remarks. It is common on Chalki and Alimia,

on the ground among the rocks, with shells cara-

ctherized by thick and well reflected peristome.

Genus Cantareus Risso, 1 826

Cantareus apertus (Bom, 1778)

Helix ( Pomatia ) aperta - Von Martens, 1889: 196 -

insel Chalki

Helix ( Helicogena ) aperta - Gude, 1902: 124 -

Kharki (Chalki)

Examined material. Chalki, Pefkia, 02.VIII.2014,

36°14’15 ,, N-27°36 , 53 ,, E, 125 ma.s.l., 1 shell.

Distribution and Biology. Cantareus apertus

has a Mediterranean distribution, from France in the

west to Greece and Aegean islands in the east, and

from Italy in the north to the Mediterranean Africa

in the south. It is a thermophilic species more com-

mon in argillaceous and marly soils, where it estiv-

ates buried in the soil.

Remarks. A shell was sampled up by us at Pefkia

(Fig. 55) and few living specimens were observed

at Imborios.

Genus Cornu Bom, 1778

Cornu aspersum (O.F. Muller, 1774)

Examined material. Chalki, Adramasos,

VIII.2014, 36°13 , 32 ,, N-27°34 , 48 ,, E, 32 m a.s.l., 2

shells.

Distribution and Biology. West European-

Holomediterranean distribution, dispersed by man

all over the world. Cornu aspersum occurs in many

different kinds of biotopes, coastal retrodune, open

grasslands, woods, rocky ground, anthropized

sites.

Remarks. This species is probably native of the

south-western Mediterranean regions (Algeria, Tu-

nisia, Sicily). In this area populations of C. asper-

sum from different locality show differences among

the relative dimensions of some parts of the genita-

lia and also substantial genetic differences (Guiller

& Madec, 2010; Colomba et al., 2015). Such diffe-

rences point out the necessity of further taxonomic

studies.

The past authors have not reported this big He-

licidae for Chalki, therefore it is probably a recent

introduction (Fig. 56). Few living specimens were

observed at Imborios.

Genus Helix Linnaeus, 1758

Subgenus Helix Linnaeus, 1758

Helix {Helix) pronuba Westerlund et Blanc, 1879

Helix {Helix) pronuba -Neubert, 2014: 120-126 -

Chalki Island ( SMF/8, NMBE 528722/3)

Distribution and Biology. This species is

known from Crete, Karpathos, Chalki Island, and

Northern African coast, from Egypt to Tunisia (see

Neubert, 2014).

Subgenus Pelasga Hesse, 1908

Helix {Pelasga) nucula Mousson, 1854

Helix (Pelasga) nucula - Neubert 2014: 151-160 -

Chalki, 36.2234, 27.6114, 02.06.1996

Distribution and Biology. East Mediterranean

distribution: South-Eastern Aegean Islands, Medi-

terranean Turkish coast from Izmir to Manavgat,

and Cyprus (Neubert, 2014). Helix nucula is wide-

spread on the Aegean Islands, and Triantis et al.

(2004) report it also as fossil. It is report for Chalki

only by Bank (2011).

224

Fabio Liberto et alii

Figure 2. Coastal vegetation of the islet of Alimia. Figures 3, 4. limestone outcrops of Chalki Island. Figure 5. Pleurodiscus

balmei, Chalki Island, Chorio, H: 4.76 mm, D: 7.9 mm. Figure 6. Mastus emarginatus turgidus, Alimia Islet, H: 11.33 mm,

D: 5.9 mm. Figure 7. Mastus sp., Chalki Island, Xerokambos, H: 16.6 mm, D: 6.6 mm.

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

225

Figures 8-10. Rhabcloena cosensis, Greece, Dodecanese, island of Chalki, Chorio. Fig. 8: shell, H: 17.3 mm, D: 7.25 mm,

Fig. 9: genitalia, Fig. 10: internal structure of penis. Figures 11,12. Zebrinafasciolata, Greece, Dodecanese, island of Chalki,

Kania: Fig. 11: shell, H: 15.8 mm, D: 6.32 mm. Fig. 12: shell, H: 24.2 mm, D: 12.7 mm.

226

Fabio Liberto et alii

Figures 13, 14. Zebrina fasciolata, (same specimen of figure 12), Fig. 13: genitalia, Fig. 14: internal structure of penis. Fi-

gures 15-17. Zebrina fasciolata, Greece, Dodecanese, island of Chalki, Kania. Fig. 15: genitalia. Fig. 16: spermatophore.

Fig. 17: internal structure of penis.

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

227

Figures 18-21. Zebrina Candida, island of Chalki, Kania. Fig. 18: shell. H: 18.6 mm. D: 12.3 mm. Fig. 19: genitalia. Fig.

20: spermatophore. Fig. 21: internal structure of penis. Figure 22. Rumina cf. saharica, Greece, Dodecanese, Alimia Islet,

H: 24.8 mm, D: 7.7 mm.

228

Fabio Liberto et alii

Figures 23, 24. Albinaria ( Albinaria ) brevicollis chalcidensis, island of Chalki, Chorio. Fig. 23: shell, H: 17 mm, D: 4 mm.

Fig. 24: shell, H: 16 mm, D: 3.8 mm.

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

229

Figure 25-30. Albinaria (. Albinaria ) brevicollis chalcidensis, island of Chalki, Chorio. Figs. 25-26: palatum. Figs. 27, 28:

parietum. Figs. 29, 30: clausilium.

230

Fabio Liberto et alii

Figures 31-33 .Albinaria ( Albinaria ) brevicollis chalcidensis, island of Chalki, Fig. 31: Chorio, genitalia. Fig. 32: Plaghia,

internal structure of penis. Fig. 33: Chorio, internal structure of penis.

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

231

Figure 34-37. Albinaria ( Albinaria ) brevicollis superba, Alimia Islet. Fig. 34: shell, H: 17 mm, D: 3.4 mm. Fig. 35: palatum.

Fig. 36: parietum, Fig. 37: clausilium.

232

Fabio Liberto et alii

Figures 38, 39. Albinaria ( Mirabellina ) teres nordsiecki, island of Chalki, Zies, Fig. 38: shell, H: 17.03 mm, D: 3.9 mm.

Fig. 39: shell, H: 17 mm, D: 3.9 mm.

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

233

Figures 40-45. Albinaria ( Mirabellina ) teres nordsiecki, island of Chalki, Zies, Figs. 40, 41 : palatum, Figs. 42, 43: parietum,

Figs. 44, 45: clausilium.

234

Fabio Liberto et alii

Figures 46-49. Albinaria ( Mirabellina ) teres nordsiecki, island of Chalki, Zies, Fig. 46: genitalia. Fig. 47: internal structure

of penis (same specimen of figure 46), Fig. 48: internal structure of penis. Fig. 49: proximal female genitalia.

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

235

Figure 50. Tandonia cf. paged, island of Chalki, Chorio, length: 8 cm. Figure 51. Deroceras (D. ) cf. samium, island of

Chalki, Imborios, length: 40 mm. Figure 52. Cochlicella (C.) acuta, island of Chalki, Imborios, H: 8.5 mm, D: 3.8 mm. Fi-

gure 53. Xerocrassa (X.) meda (Porro, 1 840), island of Chalki, Ag. Ghiorgos, H: 5. 1 mm, D: 8.3 mm. Figure 54. Levantina

( L .) spiriplana malziana, island of Chalki, Pefkia, H: 27.5, D: 16.5 mm. Figure 55. Cantareus apertus, island of Chalki,

Pefkia, H: 25.5 mm, D: 26.3 mm. Figure. 56. Cornu aspersum, island of Chalki, Adramasos, H: 32 mm, D: 39 mm.

236

Fabio Liberto et alii

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our own findings and the results from

previous molluscan studies, the malacofauna of

Chalki comprises 23 extant taxa and that one of Al-

imia 6.

Twenty-one species of land snails were collec-

ted during our surveys in the two islands, however

three species recorded by past authors have not

been found by us ( Orculella cretica, Helix nucula

and H. pronub a).

venile shell, therefore further researches are needed

to confirm the presence of a living population. Two

shells of an unidentified Mastus are reported as

Mastus sp.

From all localities sampled in Chalki, the richest

was Chorio with five species, followed by Ad-

ramasos, Ag. Ghiorgos and Kania with three species.

As far as endemic species are concerned there’s

only a strict endemic species, Albinaria (A.) brevicol-

lis chalcidensis . Two species are endemic of Rhodes

and respectively also of Chalki: Zebrina Candida

and of Alimia Albinaria (A.) brevicollis superba.

Ten species are new records for Chalki and four

for Alimia (Table 1). Among the new records Pleur-

odiscus balmei is represented only as an empty ju-

An endemic species of the Dodecanese, Mastus

emarginatus turgidus is present both on Chalki and

Alimia. Five species are endemic for the Aegean

SPECIES

CHOROTYPE

CHALKI ALIMIA

Orculella critica

Aeg-Grek

Pleurodiscus balmei

E-Med

Mastus emarginatus turgidus

Dod

Mastus sp.

—

Rhabdoena cosens is

Aeg

Zebrina fas cio lata

E-Med

Zebrina Candida

Dod

Rumina cf. saharica

E-Med

Albinaria ( Albinaria ) brevicollis chalcidensis

End

Albinaria ( Albinaria ) brevicollis superba

Dod

Albinaria ( Mirabellina ) teres nordsiecki

Aeg

Eopolita protensa protensa

Aeg

Tandonia cf. paged

Aeg

Deroceras ( Deroceras ) cf. samium

Aeg

Cochlicella ( Cochlicella ) acuta

Eur

Xerocrassa ( Xerocrassa ) cretica

E-Med

Xerocrassa ( Xeroclausa ) me da

Med

Metafruticicola ( Metafruticicola ) pellitus pellitus

Aeg

Levantina (Levant ina) spiriplana malziana

E-Med

Eobania vermiculata

Med

Cantareus apertus

Med

Cornu aspersum

Eur-Med

Helix (Helix) pronub a

E-Med

Helix (Pelasga) nucula

E-Med

TOTAL

9 2 4

Table 1 . List of species of Chalki and Alimia and their chorotype. L = data of literature, NR = new record, X = our findings.

Land mollusks of Chalki andAlimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

237

region, and Orculella critica for the Greek- Aegean

regions. Moreover, eight species present a wide

eastern Mediterranean distribution, either Mediter-

ranean (three species), or Mediterranean European

(two species) (Table 1). Therefore the Eastern

Mediterranean elements is the most represented

chorotype in Chalki (34.8 %).

We consider Cornu aspersum to be of recent in-

troduction for Chalki, since this large Helicidae was

not sampled by past authors and it has on Chalki

limited ranges restricted to stations near present or

past human dwellings. To the list of non-native spe-

cies we tentatively added also Xerocrassa meda,

which is known in Aegean region only for Kos and

Lesvos as an introduced species.

These findings show a close relationship of the

molluscan fauna between Chalki, Alimia and that

of the nearby island of Rhodes. All sampled species

in Alimia are also present in Rhodes, while of the

twenty-three species listed for Chalki only four are

not present in Rhodes: A. brevicollis chalcidensis

endemic species of Chalki, A. teres nordsiecki spe-

cies native to the island of Crete, X. meda perhaps

introduced in Chalki, and Mastus sp. whose status

remains uncertain. We have redescribed the shell of

A. brevicollis chalcidensis and for the first time we

have described and illustrated its genitalia. For the

first time we have also described in detail the in-

ternal genitalia of R. cosensis, Z. fasciolata, Z. Can-

dida and A. (M) teres nordsiecki. Further invest-

igations are nevertheless necessary to ascertain the

specific status both of the slugs and of O. critica.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We whish to thank Andrea Corso (Siracusa,

Italy), Attila Kenez (Budapest, Hungary) and Erros

Zoltan Peter (Hungarian Natural History Museum,

Budapest, Hungary).

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 239-248

Benthos communities of Vendicari and Capo Passero,two po-

tential MPA’s in South Eastern Sicily (Italy)

Vincenzo Di Martino 1 * & Bessy Stancanelli 2

'CNR / I.S.A.Fo.M. - U.O.S. di Catania, via Empedocle 58, 95128 Catania, Italy

2 AQUA STORIES - via Vampolieri 25/31, 95022 Aci Catena, Catania, Italy

‘Corresponding author, e-mail: vincenzo.dimartino@cnr.it

ABSTRACT In the present paper a bionomic study and cartography of the benthos of two potential MPAs

in South Eastern Sicily, S.C.I. ITA 090027 “Fondali di Vendicari” and the S.C.I. ITA 090028

“Fondali dell’Isola di Capo Passero”, and surrounding areas are presented. The goals of this

particular survey can be summarized as follows: 1) to chart the benthic communities (and

the area of each one); 2) to evaluate the benthic diversity of the areas; 3) to produce visual

documentation of the distributions of the benthic organisms; 4) to identify human-induced

pressures on the benthic environment; 5) to make recommendations for future management

based on the visual assessment; and 6) to set up a new methodology for making large bio-

cenosis maps that would help to manage marine protected and non-protected areas. The

fauna and flora of the meso- and macrobenthos were studied by a triple sampling procedure:

standard, visual and photographic samples were simultaneously taken along underwater tran-

sects. These, together with the floristic and faunistic study of each algal and invertebrate

group, served as the basis for the bionomic survey of the Vendicari and Capo Passero Island

sea bottoms. In a first approach, the supra- and mediolittoral communities were studied. Fur-

ther work were focused on the infralittoral stages and their communities along representative

transects. The survey was conducted from surface (+0.50 m) to 40 metres of depth that is

the limit of the study site. During this study were found, also, 41 benthic species and many

biocoenoses of high naturalistic value protected by many international law agreements. The

study led to a comprehensive review of the main biotope systems of this coastal area, as

well as their environmental condition, and this will be an essential element for their future

management.

KEY WORDS marine protected areas; benthos communities; biocenotic map; SE Sicily; endangered species.

Received 09.12.2016; accepted 02.02.2017; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

Natural ecosystems and landscapes that

provide benefits to human society are of great

ecological, socio-cultural and economic value

(Costanza et al., 1997; de Groot et al., 2002).

All these benefits, together with their support

structure, constitute an ecosystem’s natural capital.

However, the benefits of natural capital have been

ignored in land-use and marine planning and in

decision-making processes.

Vendicari and Capo Passero are two high nat-

uralistic values areas along south eastern Sicilian

shoreline.

240

Vincenzo Di Martino & Bessy Stancanelli

Vendicari area falls within the territory of the

municipality of Noto and includes a vast wetland

separated from the sea by coastal dunes and a coast-

line characterized by sandy beaches that form rocky

shores; little off there is a small island. Throughout

this area in 1978 was declared a protected area by

the Sicilian Region Law and was called “Riserva

Naturale Orientata Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari”.

The bottom facing the coastal stretch of the protec-

ted area to a depth of 40 meters is the S.C.I.

“ITA090027”.

The Capo Passero Island is a small island loc-

ated few hundred meters from the coast in front of

the town of Porto Palo di Capo Passero (South of

Siracusa) in the extreme south east of Sicily. The

environment emerged of the Capo Passero Island is

extremely rich in botanical species endemic and/or

rarities such as the Italian Botanical Society has

placed the island in the list of botanical habitats of

particular value in Sicily. As a further demonstra-

tion of the importance of the environment emerged

of the island it must be said that the entire emerged

part of the island is the S.C.I. ITA090001. Are no

exceptions the bottoms around the island, i.e. S.C.I.

“FTA090028” characterized by the presence of large

stands of Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) and

Posidonia beds. These two sites are among those

set out in Italian Law 394/91, which contains the

list of Italian areas that could become protected

areas, marine and / or land, or national parks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Previous studies

The literature data on the marine surrounding

areas near the natural riserve of S.C.I. ITA 090027

“Fondali di Vendicari” and the S.C.I. ITA 090028

“Fondali dell’Isola di Capo Passero” are very poor

and incomplete.

In the past decades many studies were carried

out on marine environment of nearby areas but no

study was carried out, in particular, for the areas.

The first paper on the Hyblaean coast was pub-

lished by Battiato et al. (1980). In this study were

examined only the floristic aspects on this marine

environment. They founded 340 algal taxa.

Later, Giaccone et al. (1985a, 1985b; 1992) con-

ducted studies on the marine vegetation present

along coastline between Gela (South Sicily - Medi-

terranean Sea) and Capo Passero Island and between

Capo Passero Island and Ognina di Siracusa (near

Siracusa, southeastern Sicily - Ionian Sea). While

Buia et al. (1985) published a study on epiphyte ve-

getation of Posidonia leaves present in the seabed

of Capo Passero.

In the first ‘90th Scammacca et al. (1996 - in-

ternal report) conducted a research aimed at study-

ing the effects of human activities related to land

use and their effects on the coastal environments

as part of the “P.O.P. - Sicilia 1990-93” research

project.

Giaccone &Di Martino (1996) published the

results of their research as updating of knowledge

on the marine flora and vegetation along the

Hyblean coast line.

Only in the 1999, Blundo et al. (1999 a, b) and

Di Martino & Blundo (1999) published the results

of their research aimed at the knowledge of the mar-

ine flora and vegetation of the marine sea bottoms

of Vendicari.

Cantone (1997) published the first study on mar-

ine biocoenosis of the Vendicari marine sea bottoms

with the grant by Sicilian Region and two year after

Cantone et al. (1999) published the biocoenotic map

of the Gulf of Noto (S-E Sicily - Ionian Sea). But

in this map only two transects were carried out

within the Vendicari marine area. The same data

were analyzed by Cantone et al. (2000) with par-

ticular attention on muddy bottoms benthos.

Sampling methods and mapping

The benthic cartography of the two S.C.I.

ITA090027 (Fig. 1) and ITA090028 (Fig. 2) was

obtained by combining classical grabbing methods

with more recent imaging methods (Bianchi et al.,

2004). The grabbing methods were also used to col-

lect biological material that was studied thoroughly

in the laboratory to identify its components. Ima-

ging methods allowed a much larger amount of

information to be processed in the time available,

and also permitted the quantification of some key

landscape species (epibenthic organisms).

The benthic cartography presented in this paper

includes information starting with supralittoral

environments (30 cm above the mean sea level)

down to a depth of 40 m in the circalittoral environ-

ment, and provides data for the distribution of the

main benthic habitats found in the area. Additional

Benthos communities of Vendicari and Capo Passero, two potential MPA’s in South Eastern Sicily (Italy)

241

information on species composition for these com-

munities can be obtained from the cited literature.

The study of the benthos of Vendicari and of

Capo Passero Island sea bottoms was carried out by

underwater surveys. According to Tunesi & Vacchi

(1993), Tunesi et al. (2001), Tunesi & Salvati

(2002) and considering the type of coastal develop-

ment of the two sites studied, it was decided to op-

erate following the methodological approach

commonly applied in similar studies to increase the

knowledge of the sites for which it is proposed the

establishment of a marine protected area.

To characterize the benthos of “Fondali di Ven-

dicari” (S.I.C. ITA090027) were studied 20 tran-

sects orthogonal to the coastline. The spatial

distribution of transects in the the coastline-sea dir-

ection was made in accordance with the homo-

geneity of benthic site as well as in consideration

of the homogeneity of the coastline that has no

major structural eminences if not in its portion to

the north. In fact, in the most northern portion of

this site transects were nearest to one another to bet-

ter characterize the greater variety of biological sub-

merged environments falling in this portion of the

study area. Finally, to interpolate and enrich the data

obtained was earned out the study of the biological

communities present in a further 5 transects with

orientation parallel to the coastline and long enough

to intersect the largest possible number of the 20

transects orthogonal to the coast. In total for the

seabed of Vendicari 100 surveys were carried out

during the dive. 40 of these were made with the

technique of “snorkeling” to study supralittoral,

mediolittoral and fringe assemblages. The remain-

ing 60 surveys were conducted by diving.

For the S.C.I. ITA090028 (“Fondali dell’Isola

di Capo Passero”) characterization were performed

12 transects orthogonal to the Island coastline and

1 5 transects with orientation parallel to the Island

coastline to intersect the orthogonal transects. In

total were performed 95 surveys of which 15 with

the technique of “snorkeling” aimed at the study of

the supralittoral and mediolittoral, the remaining 80

surveys have been conducted by diving with air

breathing apparatus (SCUBA).

During all dives were carried out video and pho-

tographic surveys through the use of underwater

digital and / or analog cameras and videocameras.

The information collected allowed to obtain the

biocenotic map of the two S.C.I. ITA090027 and

ITA090028 based on the IGM (Istituto Geografico

Militare - Italian Army Geographical Institute)

maps, at the 1:25,000 scale, suitably modified

(Fig. 1). Similarly, it is made use of toponymy re-

ported in the same maps. Each unit was represen-

ted by a bionomic campiture that, using different

color layers defined by a code, refers to the RGB

color scale graphics as proposed by Meinesz et al.

(1983), implemented by Vaugelas et al. (1998)

and, recently, enhanced by Tunesi et al. (2002)

with those bionomic units that at the time of the

realization of the two previous papers were not

present.

The positioning of each transect in the two study

areas was obtained through a GPS and using the

geographic coordinate datum WGS 84.

RESULTS

Over the visual surveys were collected data on

the presence of protected marine species and/or as-

semblages in the studied areas. The species con-

sidered were those receiving strict protection status

according to Directive 79/409/CEE; Law 503,

5.10.81, Directive 92/43 CEE, 21.05.92, Presiden-

tial Decree 357, 8.09.1997, Law 157, 11.02.1992,

and Law 175, 27.05.99. The marine habitats con-

sidered were those identified as “ determinant ” by

UNEP (1999), which defines them as “ habitats for

which conservation is considered indispensable ”

(Amore et al., 1992; Relini, 2002; Fumari et al.,

2003; Tunesi et al., 2008).

The census of protected species present in the

studied areas was conducted by recording the pres-

ence of these species during the dives for the study

of benthos integrated with the bibliographic data. It

was also verified the presence of the species and/or

marine benthic assemblages worthy of protection

already reported in previous research (Cantone et

al., 1993; Cantone, 1996, 2001; Blundo et al.,

1999a, b; Di Martino & Blundo, 1999).

S.C.I. ITA090027 - Fondali di Vendicari

Due to the tipology of the coastal development

of this site was made a division into three sectors

(A, B and C) of the entire coastline.

The section “A” includes the northernmost por-

tion of the site where the coastline is characterized

242

Vincenzo Di Martino & Bessy Stancanelli

Biocenotic map of the S.C.I. ITA 090027

“Fondali di Vendicari”

ISPRA

Ibitutn Supcr>«pc prr b

c la Hkv'. j AmfacnUle

Eit d. FVxna

2° J7 '.»«

2 <W

Legends

Vincenzo Di Martino* & Bessy Stancanelli**

*CNR / I.S.A.Fo.M.- U.O.S. di Catania

**I.S.P.R,A. S.T.S. di Palermo

Figure 1. Biocenotic map of the SCI ITA 090027 - Fondali di Vendicari.

Benthos communities of Vendicari and Capo Passero, two potential MPA’s in South Eastern Sicily (Italy)

243

Scab I 10.000: coordinate pianc rife rite ttl sislenia mi/ioicilc Gauss - Ro ii’.a FiiSO W

Vincenzo Di Martino* & Bessy Stancanelli**

•CNR / 1 S.A.Fo M - U.O.S. di Calania

•I.S.P.R.A. S T S, di Palermo

Biocenotic map of the S.C.I. ITA 090028:

“Fondali delPIsola di Capo Passero”

ISPRA

IvlMuUv Suprrhur prr La KralciK

Figure 2. Biocenotic map of the S.C.I. ITA 090028 - Fondali dell’Isola di Capo Passero.

244

Vincenzo Di Martino & Bessy Stancanelli

TAXA

ASPIM

HABITAT

BERN

BONN

CITES

MAGN OLIOPHYTA

Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson

Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile

CHLOROPHYTA

Caulerpa ollivieri Dostal

HETEROKONTOPHYTA

Cystoseira amentacea (C. Agardh) Bory var. stricta Montagne

Cystoseira mediterranea Sauvageau

RHODOPHYTA

Lithophyllum byssoides (Lamarck) Foslie

Ptilophora mediterranea (H. Huve) Norris

Schimmelmannia schousboei (J. Agardh) J. Agardh

PORIFERA

Aplysina aerophoba Schmidt, 1 862

Ircinia foetida (Schmidt, 1862)

Sarcotragus ( Ircinia ) pipetta (Schmidt, 1868)

Spongia officinalis Linnaeus, 1759

CNIDARIA

Astroides calycularis (Pallas, 1766)

BRYOZOA

Hornera lichenoides (Linnaeus, 1758)

MOLLUSCA

Charonia nodifera (Lamarck, 1 822)

Eros aria spurca (Linnaeus, 1758)

Dendropoma petraeum (Monterosato, 1884)

Gibbula sp.

Lithophaga lithophaga (Linnaeus, 1758)

Luria lurida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Mitra zonata Marryat, 1818

Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791

Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Pinna rudis Linnaeus, 1758

Tonna galea (Linnaeus, 1758)

Zonaria pyrum (Gmelin, 1791)

CRUSTACEA

Homarus gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Maja squinado (ITerbst, 1788)

Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787)

Scyllarides latus (Latreille, 1803)

Scyllarus arctus (Linnaeus, 1758)

* Scy llarus pygmaeus (Bate, 1888)

ECHINODERMATA

Ophi di aster ophidi anus (Lamarck, 1816)

Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816)

Benthos communities of Vendicari and Capo Passero, two potential MPA’s in South Eastern Sicily (Italy)

245

TAXA

ASPIM

HABITAT

BERN

BONN

CITES

OSTEICHTHYES

Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834)

Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Hippocampus ramulosus Leach, 1814

Pomatoschistus marmoratus (Risso, 1810)

Pomatoschistus tortonesei Miller, 1968

Syngnathus abaster Risso, 1826

Sciaena umbra Linnaeus, 1758

REPTILIA

Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758)

H2, H4

Table 1. Protected species present in the study sites. Keys to abbreviations: B1 = BERN Ap. 1; B2 = BERN Ap.2; B3 =

BERN Ap.3; D2 = BONN Ap.2; CA = CITES All. A; CB = CITES All. B; CD = CITES All. D; DI = BONN Ap. 1; H2 =

HABITAT Ap. 2; H4 = HABITAT Ap. 4; H5 = HABITAT Ap. 5; P2 = Annex II by ASPIM; P3 = Annex III by ASPIM.

by rocky outcrops a few meters from the sea

surface. The northern limits of the area “A” is the

location called “Eloro”, which is the limit of the

same S.C.I. “Fondali di Vendicari” while the south-

ern boundary has been identified with the stretch of

coast where there is the building known as “Torre

Vendicari”.

The sector “B” corresponds to the seabed in

front to the long beach that characterizes the central

portion of the site. This sector also includes the

small island that rises a few meters above mean sea

level.

The sector “C” corresponds to the stretch of

rocky coastline that follows the beach and finishes

with the southern border of the S.C.I. “Fondali di

Vendicari”.

In Table 1 are reported the high naturalistic

value species found in this site.

In the seabed of the “S.C.I. ITA090027” were

identified habitats of remarkable natural value of

those listed in the document UNEP

(OCA)/MEDWG. 154/7,27 and also reported in

Relini (2002). These are all included in the ASPIM

Protocol of the Barcelona Convention and are, also,

habitat considered relevant to the choice of sites at

which to establish Marine Protected Areas.

In particular in the “A” sector was censused

Litophyllum byssoides Assemblage Giaccone 1993,

in the central area of the sector, assemblage with

Cystoseira amentacea (C. Agardh) Bory var. stricta

Montagne (as facies of Cystoseiretum stricatea

Molinier, 1958) and Posidonia oceanica meadow

(as Posidonietum oceanicae Molinier, 1958).

In the sector “B” seabottoms was censused trot-

toir at Lithophyllum byssoides (Eamark) Foslie

(Giaccone, 1993), along the coast of the Isle of

Vendicari, and Posidonia oceanica (Finnaeus)

Delile meadow. While, in the seabottoms of “C”

sector was censused assemblage with Lithophyllum

byssoides, assemblage with Cystoseira brachy-

carpa J. Agardh emend. Giaccone var. brachy-

carpa , Posidonia meadow and two facies of the

biocenoses of coral reefs: the facies at Eunicella

singularis Esper, 1791 and the facies at E. verru-

cosa Pallas, 1766.

S.C.I. ITA090028 - Fondali dell’Isola di

Capo Passero

In relation to the shape of the Capo Passero Is-

land, it was decided to divide the perimeter of the

island into two sectors. This division was made ac-

cording to a hypothetical line oriented NE - SW,

which ideally joins the northern tip and the southern

tip of the island. On the basis of this assumption

have been identified the two sectors. The area “A”,

which includes the coast of the island having west-

ern exposure and the sector “B” which includes the

coast of the island having east facing. Also, have

been investigated, as distinct, the two underwater

caves present on the Capo Passero Island, the

“Betsabea Cave” which opens along the coast of the

sector “B” and “Enfasi Cave” located at the base of

a small stack rock off the southern tip of the island.

The area “A” is placed along the side of the

island less exposed to wave action because facing

246

Vincenzo Di Martino & Bessy Stancanelli

the Sicilian coast from here is just a few hundred

meters. Under the “A” sector was made a further

division into two sub-sectors “Al” and “A2”. The

subsector “Al” is characterized by lower gradient

of depths and high geomorphological homogeneity.

The sub-sector “A2”, however, is characterized by

coasts quite high that at some point take on charac-

teristics of the cliff.

The sector “B” comprises the eastern and south-

eastern coasts of the island exposed to the open sea

and, therefore, particularly susceptible to wave mo-

tion, that at certain times of the year is very intense.

The coastline of this area of the island are charac-

terized by a wide geomorphological variability both

above and below sea level, showing a discrete he-

terogeneity of the populations living therein.

The sector “B” has been divided into a further

two sub-sectors, “Bl” and “B2”. The first is cha-

racterized by high rocky shores, with characteristics

of the cliff, and uneven along which there are a

couple of deep inlets. The sub-sector “B2” is char-

acterized by a trend of the coast line that describes

two half moons separated by a small tip that

stretches to a few tens of meters into the sea. Here

the coast, always rocky, is low and heavily eroded

by waves and atmospheric agents.

The species of high naturalistic value censused

in the S.C.I. ITA 090028 are listed in Table 1.

Also in the “S.C.I. ITA090028” have been coun-

ted several habitats of high naturalistic value and

all included in the list of Document UNEP

(OCA)/MEDWG. 1 54/7,27 and also reported in Re-

lini (2002). All Habitats mentioned by experts as re-

levant to the choice of sites worthy of being

identified as marine and coastal protected areas that

could be included in the SPAMI list (Special Pro-

tected Areas of Mediterranean Importance).

In particular the habitats of high conservation

interest, which have been recorded in the depths

of this site are Association with Lithophyllum

byssoides, Posidonia oceanica meadows, Associ-

ation with Sargassum vulgare C. Agardh, Associ-

ation with Cystoseira compressa (Esper) Gerloff et

Nizamuddin f. compressa , Association with Cysto-

seira amentacea (C. Agardh) Bory v. amentacea,

two Facies of the coralligenous biocoenoses: facies

at Eunicella singularis and the facies at E. verru-

cosa , Biocenosis of mediolittoral caves and Caves

and ducts in total darkness.

CONCLUSIONS

Research conducted during the course of this

study has allowed an initial framework for the

knowledge about the entire benthic component of

the marine environment of Vendicari and Capo

Passero Island (South Eastern Sicilian shoreline).

These bottoms, in fact, though regarded by many of

high conservation value and deserving of special

protection measures, before this study, had never

been investigated systematically and thoroughly.

For this reason it’s impossible to make a compar-

ison with previous studies in order to analyze the

changes of benthic assemblages over time.

Benthic cartography is a prerequisite for suitable

planning and management of the marine environ-

ment; allocating human activities for reaching cer-

tain objectives should be based on correct

knowledge of its structure, as well as its functions.

The main goal of the newly developed Marine

Strategy Framework Directive of the European

Union is to achieve a good environmental status

(GEnS) of the marine environment (Tunesi, 2012).

This study confirms the importance of the en-

vironment and the need to preserve these environ-

ments for the great richness of species and habitats

of high naturalistic value. The authors, in fact, ad-

vance the hypothesis of safeguarding these two,

“S.C.I.” together with the other “S.C.I.” marine life

along the south-eastern coast of Sicily by the estab-

lishment of a “multi-spot” Marine Protected Area.

The proposed framework can improve the gen-

eration and dissemination of cartographic and

visual data, and allow for management approaches

based on scientific knowledge and EBM principles,

taking into account stakeholders needs. This is in

order to achieve a unique governance capable of

managing organically all the natural emergencies

present along the southeastern Sicilian coastlines.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to express their gratitude to

the Ente Fauna Siciliana - onlus (Sicilian Wildlife

Authority - non-profit organization), Prof. Bruno

Ragonese (Noto, Italy), Mr. Corrado Bianca

(Noto, Italy) for their logistical support and Dr.

Leonardo Tunesi (Rome, Italy) for his valuable ad-

vice.

Benthos communities of Vendicari and Capo Passero, two potential MPA’s in South Eastern Sicily (Italy)

247

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 249-278

Monograph

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

Calogero Muscarella 1 & Alessandro Baragona 2

'Via D’Ondes Reggio 8 / A Scala G, 90127 Palermo, Italy; e-mail: calogero@silenecoop.org

2 Via Piersanti Mattarella 5 , 90020, Sciara, Palermo, Italy; e-mail: alessandro. baragona@gmail.com

ABSTRACT In this survey we propose an analysis of the endemic fauna (Mollusca,Arthropoda, Chordata)

present in the 14 major circum-sicilian islands and in Lampione islet (S trait of Sicily, Pelagie

Islands). Overall, 1 11 endemic taxa between species and subspecies have been identified. The

largest taxonomical groups are Tenebrionid Beetles and Curculionids (respectively 18 and 16

taxa) and Gastropods (20 taxa), due to their strong inclination to insular differentiation, which

is inversely proportional to their vagility. The number of endemic taxa per island is positively

associated to the extent of the surface but not to the distance from the closest continental mass

or altitude or geological origin. The most important connection is with the complex paleo-

geographic history pertaining the different insular complexes.

KEY WORDS Endemism; circum-sicilian islands; paleogeography.

Received 15.03.2016; accepted 11.11.2016; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

Small islands and archipelagoes have always

raised the interest of biologists, especially due to

the peculiar flora and fauna which inhabits them

(Pasta, 2008; Minelli, 2012). The M editerranean is

a sea basin gathering one of the largest insular

groups in the world with approximately 5000 is-

lands. This number raises up to approximately

1 1,879 if we consider the numerous minor islands

as well (Blondel et al., 2010). The coastline of these

islands extends for approximately 1 8,000 km, in-

cluding 39% of all the M editerranean coastal areas

(c f . AN PA , 2001). The islands of the Mediterranean

are, for the most part, strips of land above sea level

which have latterly isolated themselves from the

nearby continental masses. Other islands are of vol-

canic origin and have never had contacts with other

lands. In the first case we speak about continental

or “chersogenic” islands; in the second one, about

“talassogenic islands” (see also Troia, 2012 and cor-

responding bibliography).

The organisms actively or passively colonizing

the islands undergo a severe selective pressure

triggered by both isolation and environmental

characteristics; as an adaptative response, they

develop more or less pronounced biological pecu-

liarities, favouring the formation of endemic species

(cf. Zunino & Zullini, 1995) (Figs. 1-4).

Several factors contribuite to the birth of these

endemic species: paleogeography (a few have re-

mained isolated for a long time, others have not),

distance from the nearest continental mass (source

area), size of the island (between a few square

metres and 25,700 square km as is the case of Sicily,

for instance), height above sea level, substrate, mor-

phology. These factors, as a whole, have determined

the high rates of endemism that have been observed

250

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

in these islands (See AN PA , 2001). Endemic insular

species are usually divided into two main categor-

ies: abandoned (paleoendem ic species) or of new

formation (neoendemic species). The first ones are

formed by populations in ancient times common on

ample areas, successively relegated in confined,

separated areas detached from the original contin-

ental populations. On the contrary, neoendemic spe-

cies are relatively recent taxa, appeared as a result

of the colonisation of the islands in successive

periods (Zunino & Zullini, 1995).

In this note we propose an analysis of the en-

demic fauna, known today, present in the circum -

Sicilian islands. Field and bibliographical research

carried out have allowed us to identify as a whole

121 endemic taxa between species and subspecies

(see Figs. 5, 6). The taxonomical status of certain

entities, however, has not been confirmed by re-

cent molecular analysis, or is nevertheless con-

sidered uncertain by several researchers; for this

reason we have considered appropriate to exclude

a few taxa, considering a total of 111 entities (see

notes to Fig. 6). It is nevertheless an extremely im-

portant value considering that in Sicily, based on

the data reported by Minelli et al. (2005), integ-

rated by the contributions published until 2015

(M agrini et al., 2006; Aliquo et al., 2006; M agrini,

2007; Sparacio, 2007, 2014; Magrini et al., 2007;

Magrini et al., 2008; Svihla, 2009; Arnone &

Massa, 2010; Bonavita & Vigna Taglianti, 2010;

Baviera, 2010; Baviera & Fiberti, 2010; Baviera

& Mag nano, 2010; Hertach, 2011; lord ana et al.,

2011; Kapp, 2010 ; Kleukers et al., 2010; To

Cascio& Sparacio,2010; Malicky, 2010; M agrini

et al., 2010a; Magrini et al., 2010b; Rapuzzi &

Sama, 2010; Stuben, 2010; Bello & Baviera, 2011;

Haitlinger, 2011, 2012; Magrini & Baviera, 2011;

M agrini et al., 2011; Pagliano, 2011; Rigato, 2011;

Colomba et al., 2 0 12; Giannuzzi-Savelli et al.,

2012; Fiberto et al., 2012; Muller, 2012; Panta-

leoni& B adano , 20 1 2 ; R apuzzi & S p arac io , 2 0 1 2 ,

2015; Sabella et al., 2012; Gardini, 2 0 13;

Lou re n go & Rossi, 2013; Magrini et al., 2 0 13;

Poggi & Baviera, 2013; Pellizzari, 2013; Arnone

et al., 2014; Magrini & Paladini, 2014; Baviera,

2015; Colonnelli & Paladini, 2015; Magrini &

Degiovanni, 2015; Magrini & Paladini, 2015;

Magrini & Uliana, 2015) an overall of 850 en-

demic species are present, 13% of which is ex-

clusive of the circum -Sicilian islands.

Hints on the history of the faunistic explor-

ation of circum- Sicilian islands

C ircum -Sicilian islands have, over the centuries,

been the destination of several scientific explor-

ations, thanks to which a remarkable bulk of data

has been gathered, which has constituted the basis

for important contributions. For a detailed summary

of the naturalistic exploration of Pelagie Islands

and Pantelleria see Baccetti et al. (1995a); for the

Aeolian Islands Lo Cascio & Navarra (2003). Par-

ticularly relevant has been the research coordin-

ated by Edoardo Zavattari in 1950 in Linosa and

Lampedusa islands, whose results have flowed for

the most part in the volume “B iogeografia delle

isole Pelagie” (Zavattari, 1960), still considered a

landmark for the study of biogeography of the

circum -Sicilian islands (Baccetti et al., 1995b). In

particular, Zavattari and his partners found 415 spe-

cies of insects in the two islands. For Pantelleria a

significant push to entomological research has been

given by the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale of

Venice with three different gathering campaigns led

between 1 983 and 1986, followed by a number of

contributions published by the Museo itself (see

Ratti, 1986). Particularly important, between the

seventies and the nineties, was the research carried

out jointly by Palermo University and “Consiglio

nazionale delle Ricerche”. The results to this survey

have constituted the basis to the monograph

“Arthropoda di Lampedusa, Linosa e Pantelleria”,

reporting a whole of 17 18 species of arthropods (Lo

Valvo & Massa, 1995). In particular, to the known

85 5 species, another 863 (several of which were

new for science) are added to the checklists repor-

ted in the volume. This work makes the explorative

level of the three islands satisfactory as a whole,

even though not thorough, also due to the fact that

in the sole Lampedusa island, between 1 995 and

2012, another 71 species have been cited (Goggi,

20 0 4; Li Causi et al., 2013). Between 1994 and

today, 4 new species have been described for Pan-

telleria ( Pseudomeira cossyrica Pierotti et Bello,

19 94; Probaticus cossyrensis Sparacio, 2007; Ech-

inodera diottii stuben, 2010 ; Pseudoapterogyna eu-

phytUS lamantiai Sparacio, 2014), 4 for Lampedusa

( Torneuma clandestinum Magnano et Mifsud,

2 001; Torneuma extinguendum Magnano etMifsud,

2001 ; Physetopoda silviae Pagliano, 2011 ; Neuma-

tora annamariae Magrini, Abbazzi et Petrioli,

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

25 1

Island

ac-

ronym

Area

(km 2 )

Origin

Geographic

coordinates

m.s.l.m.

Distance to

mainland

(km)

Endemic

and suben-

demic taxa

Number of

taxa for

km 2

Eolie

S trom boli

12.2

Volcanic

Lat: 3 8.80° N ;

Long: 1 5 .25° E

924

1 1

0.9

Panarea

3 .4

Volcanic

Lat: 3 8.63° N ;

Long: 1 5 .07° E

420

4 1

2.94

Vulcano

2 1

Volcanic

Lat: 38.42° N ;

Long: 1 4.98° E

499

1 2

0.57

L ip ari

37.3

Volcanic

Lat: 38.45° N ;

Long: 14.97° E

602

0.38

S alin a

S A

26.4

Volcanic

Lat: 3 8.57° N ;

Long: 14.87° E

962

1 7

0.64

F ilicu d i

9.5

Volcanic

Lat: 3 8.5 8° N ;

Long: 1 4.5 8° E

773

1 .05

A 1 i c u d i

5.1

Volcanic

Lat: 3 8.55° N ;

Long: 1 4.3 7° E

675

1.18

Ustica

U S

8.1

Volcanic

Lat: 3 8.72° N ;

Long: 1 3 .20° E

266

5 1

0.49

Egadi

L e vanzo

5 .6

S edim entary

Lat: 37.59° N ;

Long: 12.20° E

278

1 3

1 .07

Favignana

19.5

Sedimentary

Lat: 37. 55 ° N ;

Long:12.19° E

302

0.25

M arettim o

M A

12.3

S edim entary

Lat: 3 7 ° 5 8 ° N ;

Long: 12.3° E

686

1 8

1 .46

Pantelleria

Volcanic

Lat: 36.80° N ;

Long: 1 2.00° E

836

0.24

Pelagie

Linosa

5 .4

Volcanic

Lat: 35 .88° N ;

Long: 1 2.3 8° E

195

165

1 .29

Lampione

0.036

Sedimentary

Lat: 35 .5 7° N ;

Long: 1 2.3 3° E

100

250

Lampedusa

S edim entary

Lat: 35 .52° N ;

Long: 1 2.62° E

133

120

1 .35

Table 1. Geographic coordinates of the circ um - Sicilian islands, number of known endemic taxa and density.

2013) and 1 for Lampione (OtiorhynchllS (Amm-

michnus) poggii Di M arco, O sella et Zuppa, 2002).

We also have a good overall level of the faun-

istic knowledge for the Aeolian Archipelago and for

the Island of Ustica, systematically investigated

especially from the sixties with the project “Piccole

Isole” promoted by CNR (Lo Cascio & Navarra,

2003) . The conspicuous material g a the red has been

published in the conference proceedings to the

“XVIII Convegno della Societa Italians di Biogeo-

grafia”, whose subject was “The animal and vegetal

population of circum -Sicilian islands” (AA.VV.,

1 973). In recent times several contributions have

updated the knowledge on many Aeolian popula-

tions of invertebrates (Gridelli, 1972; Ratti, 1 987;

Aliquo 1993, 1995; Lo Cascio & Magrini, 1 998;

Cecchi & Lo Cascio, 1 999, 2000; Cecchi et al.,

1999; Arnone et al., 200 1; Dapporto & Lo Cascio,

200 1; Lo Cascio et al., 2006) and vertebrates (Lo

Cascio, 1994, 200 0, 2009, 2010; Deidun et al.,

2011; Lo Cascio et al., 2001, 2005; Scalera et al.,

2004) as well as the discovery of a few new species

( Pseudomeira aeolica Bello, Pesarini et Pierotti,

1997; Ocys beatrids M agrini, C ecchi et Lo C ascio,

2 000; Nalassus pastai Aliquo, Leo et L o Cascio,

2006 ; Anthaxia ( Haplantaxia ) flaviae Lo Cascio

et Sparacio, 20 10; FirminuS mdSSCli Arnone, Lo

Cascio et Grita, 2014).

Differently from the other circum -Sicilian is-

lands, the Egadi islands have been the subject for

deeper zoological surveys only starting from the

end of the sixties; these surveys have been carried

out by CNR (project “Piccole Isole”) (Reverberi &

Riggio, 1971). The results to these surveys have

mainly pertained some groups of invertebrates

(Matic, 1 968; Focarile, 1969; Strasser, 1 969;

M arcuzzi, 1970; Magistretti, 1971; Alicata, 1 973;

Caruso, 1 973; Tamanini, 1 973), Amphibians and

Rectiles (Bruno, 1970; Lanza, 1 973). From that

moment until today other contributions have been

added, which favoured a widening of the available

knowledge, particularly for tenebrionid beetles

(Aliquo, 1993, 1995) and terrestrial molluscs

(Beckmann, 1 992; 2003; Cianfanelli et al., 2004;

252

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

Fiorentino et al., 2010; Manganelli et al., 2007;

Liberto et al., 2012; 2015), as well as the descrip-

tion of some interesting endemic species (the or-

topheran Adnipe galvcignii Cusimano et Massa,

1 977; the cole op ter a Otiorhynchus ( Arcimmich -

nus ) aegatensis Magna no, 1992; Typhloreicheia

( Typhloreicheia ) berninii Magrini, Bastianini et

Petrioli, 2003; MdlthinuS egadiensis Svihla,

2009 ; Alaocyba ientilei Baviera, 2010 ; Danacea

( Danacea ) hierena Baviera et Liberti, 20 10;

Entomoculia hieraticaPoggi et Baviera, 2013; the

Phasmatodeo Bacillus grcmdii maretimi Scaii et

Mantovani, 1990; the mollusc Schileykiella bodoni

Cianfanelli, Manganelli et Giusti, 20 0 4.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Geographical placement

The circ um -Sicilian islands are a totality of 105

(between major islands, islets, rocks and sea stacks)

detected by the Sicilian Island Award (S.I.A.) as

valid islands (Islands acknowledged by IOTA regu-

lation -www.dxawards.com/Lists/sicilianisawd.htm

[accessed 24 Agosto 2015]) which as a whole con-

stitute approximately 1.11% of all the regional sur-

face (about285.4 km 2 on a totalof25,711 km 2 ). For

the most part they are rocks or islets, generally of

scarce naturalistic interest and perimetral to the

maj or islands. In this analysis the 14 biggest islands

have been taken into consideration (Stromboli,

Panarea, Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi,

Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo, Ustica, Pantel-

leria, Lampedusa, Linosa) and the islet of Lam-

pione, while the Maltese Archipelago has been

excluded as administratively not bond to Sicily.

These islands can be gathered into three main

archipelagoes: the Aeolian Islands (Volcanic), the

Egadi (Sedimentary), the Pelagie Islands (both vol-

canic and sedimentary); the remaining two islands,

Ustica and Pantelleria (both volcanic) are rather

isolated (see Fig. 5). All of these islands are charac-

terized by an ample latitudinal extension, running

Figure 1 . Adnipe galvagnii from M arettim o; Figure 2. SiciUarid SCarificata from Marettimo.

Figura 3. Gryllotalpa cossyrensis from Pantelleria. Figure 4. Heliopates avarUS donatellae from Pantelleria.

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

253

from 35° 30'N of Lampedusa, in Pelagie islands, to

the 38° 50'N of S tro m b o lie c h io , in the Aeolian

archipelago. The strait of M essina (approximately

3 km of length in the narrowest point) currently

separates Sicily from Eurasia, while the portion

which is closest to the African Continent (Tunisia),

is about 70 km distant from the island ofPantelleria.

Data gathering and elaboration

To propose a thorough summary we have anal-

yzed the ample bibliography available today on the

cir cum - Sicilian islands. In particular, we have made

reference to the works included in Zavattari (1960),

Francini Corti & Lanza (1 973), Massa (1 995a),

Sparacio (1 995, 1997, 1999), to the management

plans of the natura 2000 sites “Isole Egadi”, “Isole

Eolie”, ’’Isole Pelagie”, “Isola Di Ustica”, “Pantel-

leria” (AAVV, 2009a, b, c, d), as well as to the

dossiers of the checklist of Fauna d’ltalia (Minelli

et al., 1 993-1995) and to the exquisite though in-

complete Ckmap 5.4.1 (Stoch, 2006) (forthe list of

the refence from which the taxa distribution has

been drawn, see Fig. 6). As long as possible, we

have consulted the original description of the con-

sidered species bearing in mind the successive chro-

nological, taxonomical and nomenclatural updates.

The reference nomenclature follows the checklist

of Fauna d’ltalia (Minelli et al., 1993-1995), up-

dated case by case. We have attempted to sum up

data related to allthe metazoans. However, only ad-

visory of endemic species referable to Arthropoda,

Mollusca and Chordata have been taken into con-

sideration. Research related to other groups are now

partial and incomplete. Some species present ex-

clusively in the small islets that are perimetral to the

major island have been included among these last

ones. In particular, Anaspis Ctkairci, known solely

for the Conigli islet, has been included among the

species ofLampedusa; PaSSalozeteS paUCeSCUlptUS ,

known for Basiluzzo, among the ones of Panarea.

The data has been organised in a database created

in a M icrosoft A ccess 2007 environment, and elab-

orated with Microsoft Excel 2007.

DISCUSSION

All the insular population, as effectively isol-

ated, may show more or less pronounced character-

istics which, in time, may lead to the formation of

endemic taxa. It is a complex process, influenced

by a multiplicity of factors, above all taxa vagility

and paleogeographic evolution of the islands.

(W hit taker, 1998). Generally, since the a drop in the

dispersive capacities raises the possibilities of ge-

netic isolation, groups of animals with scarce dis-

persive capacities show higher levels of endemism

in confrontation with others with higher dispersive

capacity (Minelli et al., 2005).

By observing figure 5, as a confirmation to this

hypothesis, we can observe the absence of Diptera,

Odonata, Neuroptera and generally of groups char-

acterized by a marked vagility among the 111 en-

demic taxa of the fauna of circum -Sicilian islands.

Well represented are the Gastropod Molluscs (20

taxa, 18%), whose scarce dispersive capacity is

well-known. As it is legitimate to expect, of the 111

taxa taken into consideration, about 50% is made

up by Coleoptera, by far the most ecologically di-

versified group on a global level, constituting alone

over 20% of Italian fauna (Ruffo & Stoch, 2005).

Among Coleoptera, as in figure 6, the largest fam-

ilies are made up by Tenebrionids (18 taxa, 33%)

and Curculionids (16 taxa, 30%), two groups char-

acterised by a strong tendency to insular differen-

tiation (Massa, 1 995b).

The level of endemism in insular populations,

furthermore, is positively correlated to surface, hab-

itat diversity, age and distance of the island from

the continent (Whittaker, 1 998).

To verify how much these factors influence the

endemic contingents in the circum -Sicilian islands,

the number of endemic taxa of every island has

been correlated to

1 ) the distance from the nearest continental mass

(S icily/N orthern Africa)

2) maximum height (indirect index of habitat

diversity)

3) surface. On the basis of the variable as in fig-

ure 6, a regression has been carried out, using the

Pearson index of correlation. From the results ob-

tained, we observe that neither the distance from the

continent (r= 0.198) nor heigh t (r= 0.235) are cor-

related to the number of endemic taxa (the Pearson

coefficient “r” is a measure of the correlation

between the two viariables: it can variate between

+ 1 or -1 and it acquires these extreme levels if the

correlation - positive or negative - is perfect, while

it acquires values close to zero if the two variables

are independent). A weak correlation has emerged

254

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

by relating the number of endemic species with the

area of the islands (Linear function model data: y

= 0.1608x + 8.9845; R = 0.3209; Pearson co rrelation

index r = 0.54, see figure 8).

Also, no relations seem to exist between the

number of endemic species and the geological struc-

ture of the islands (volcanic or sedimentary).Alicudi

and Favignana, for instance, show the same number

of endemic taxa (6) but they are characterised by a

profoundly different lithology (see figure 6).

The complex paleogeographic history (see fur-

ther on) of the circum - Sicilian islands, together w ith

the dispersive features typical of every taxa, seem

to have been the most incisive factors determining

the endemic population, and it does not seem pos-

sible to hypothesize a unique colonisation and spe-

ciation model. Quite certainly, the different islands

(or at least the different archipelagoes), have had

different population means, whose vicariantist and

dispersalist models overlap.

Considerations on the endemic populations

and p ale o geography of the circum- Sicilian

islands

Aeolian Archipelago

The Aeolian Islands are of relatively recent

formation: the most reliable radiometric dating

estimate that the archipelago formed approximately

1.3 million years ago (in reference to the disap-

peared apparatuses), while the most ancient rocks

above sea level, present in Filicudi, date back to

about 600,000 years ago (De Rosa et a 1 . , 2 0 04;

Lucchi et al., 2013). They are separate from Sicily

by a sea area which is up to 2000 m. deep and have

always been isolated, even during the marine re-

gressions in Pleistocene. Considering the relatively

young age of the archipelago, the high number of

endemic species found today (30) and its relative

faunistic richness are surprising (cf. Lo Cascio &

Navarra, 2003). Based on this interpretative model,

the entire Aeolian fauna should be of recent ac-

quisition as entirely formed by propagules of high

vagility species which rapidly differentiated on the

spot thanks to the well known phenomena of the

“bottleneck” and the “founder effect”. We should

as well consider that during the phases of marine

regression the distance between Sicily and these is-

lands was undoubtedly shorter (though not annulled

due to the sea depth in this coastal area), so that

even the colonization of scarcely vagile insects, as

the Tenebrionids, was made easier in these periods

(Fattorini, 200 1 ). This way, species belonging to

groups with a high tendency to speciation have had

the possibility to reach the Aeolian islands and

rapidly differentiate (Fattorini, 2011). This might

be the case of the disderid spiders, present in Lipari

with two endemic taxa - Harpactea aeolievisis

Aiicata, 1973 and Dysdera flagellifera aeoliensis

Alicata, 1 973 (Aiicata, 1 973); of the Curculionid

Beetles Otiorhynchus (Arammichnus) meligunensis

Magna no, 1992 and Pseudomeira aeolica B ello ,

Pesarini et Pierotti, 1997; of the Blattaria, present

with three exclusive species ( EctobiuS Cieoliensis

F a ilia et Messina, 1974, E. filicensis F a ilia et Mess-

ina, 19 74 ed E. parvosacculatus F ailla et Messina,

1974) or of the gastropods of the OxychiluS type

Fitzinger, 1 83 3, O. ( HyaloCOrnea ) alicurensis (Ben-

oit, 1 8 5 7) of Aiicudi and O. ( Oxychilus ) lagrecai

Giusti, 1 973 of Filicudi. A likely hypothesis to ex-

plain the genesis of some endemic species recon-

nects to the high degree of environmental instability

typical of the Aeolian islands: continuous eruptions

allegedly determined the nullification of the present

fauna, repeatedly causing “bottleneck” effects, trig-

gering and quickening the birth of many of the en-

demic species present on these islands (Lo Cascio

& Navarra, 2003; Fattorini, 2009; Lo Cascio &

Sparacio, 2010). This might as well be the origin of

some taxa such as Anoxia (Mesanoxia) matutinalis

moltonii S ab atinelli, 1976,exclusive ofVulcano but

present with the nominal subspecies in the nearby

Lipari and Saiina, Anthaxia ( Haplantaxia) flaviae

Lo Cascio et Sparacio, 2010 known for Panarea,

Saiina and Lipari but sympatric in the latter with the

akin A. ( Haplantaxia ) SCUtellaris Gene, 1 83 9 prob-

ably for a process of “double invasion” (Lo Cascio

& Sparacio, 2010) and especially the Lacertid Podar-

ds rajfoneae (Mertens, 1952) and its subspecies. In

particular, for P. rajfoneae, it would be otherwise

difficult to explain the supposed “antiquity”, con-

sidering that the molecular clocks that have been

used for the datations confer it an age between 2

and 13 million years, well before the formation of

the “present” Aeolian islands (see Lo Cascio &

Navarra, 2003). Its current distribution, limited to

a few peripheral islets and Vulcano, is interpreted

as relictual in the field of an original area which

probably involved the whole archipelago; the most

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

255

part of the populations have allegedly faced local

extinctions as a result of the processes of competitive

exclusion derived by the colonisation of the ar-

chipelago by the lizard P Siculus (Rafinesque-

Schmaltz, 1814) (Lo Cascio, 2010).

However, to the antique datation of the molecu-

lar clock for P. raffonecie w e need to add the diffi-

culty to explain the presence of terrestrial molluscs

with high preference for calcium. Among these

ones Hypnopllila incerta (B ourguignat, 1 85 8 ),

present in many of these islands, Oxychilus (Hyalo-

cornea ) alicurensis of Aiicudi and O. ( Oxychilus )

lagrecai of Filicudi. As such, the genesis of Hy-

grom iidae Helicotrichci CClVUSOi G iusti, M anganelli

et Crisci, 1 992, is hard to interpret as it belongs to

a genus that is endemic of the Aeolian and implies

a very long time for its differentiation.

Giusti (1 973) hypothesizes the existence of

ancient groups of territories above sea level which

left groups of p ale o -e n d e m ic species to the new

Aelioan islands of formation. These territories

might have been situated further north, and even

derived by the fault of Tyrrhenian microplates in

their shift towards their present position, or further

south, in contact with the Sicilian coast line.

A different biogeographical explanation was

proposed for OcyS bcdtvicis M agrini, C ecchi et Lo

Cascio, 2000: a small carabid, endemic in Lipari

and rather isolated in the field of its genus and only

akin to another specie, OcyS illgUSCioi M agrini et

Vann i, 1992, localised in southern Puglia. Con-

sidered that these are winged species, potentially

capable of highly dispersive capacities, it is possible

to suppose a climate or ecological change to have

caused the disappearance in the original distribution

area of a common hypothetical ancestor, and the

distance between the surviving population to have

triggered a differentiation on a species level (M ag-

rini et al., 2000; Lo Cascio & Navarra, 2003). The

endemic sub species of garden dormouse present in

Lipari, EliomyS quercinus liparensis Kahamann,

1960, differentiated, according to several authors

(see Angelici et al., 2009) starting from nuclei ori-

ginally introduced in the Roman age for dietary.

Egadi Archipelago

The three major islands of the Egadi are of sed-

imentary origin, different from the geological and

paleogeographic history. Favignana and Levanzo

are, as a matter of fact, a fragment of Sicily, to

which they alternately remained connected during

the eu static variation in Pleistocene, and from

which they are separated by a sea bed only 40 m.

deep (Ruggieri, 1973; Agnesi et al., 1993), the last

time durind W tirmian glaciation (until about 12,000

years ago) (Massa, 1973; Ruggieri, 1973). On the

contrary, Marettimo originated almost exclusively

from Triassic sediments that show no similarities to

the Sicilian territory as they are correlated to surfa-

cing present in northern Africa and Iberian Penin-

sula (Ruggieri, 1 973). Furthermore, it is separated

from the two other islands by a channel (“Maret-

timo Channel”) whose maximum depth is 350 m,

enough to prevent connections with the Sicilian

territory during Pleistocenic regressions (Agnesi et

al., 1993). These pronounced differences also

reflect, as it is right to expect, on faunistic popula-

tions of the three islands. Marettimo, as pointed out

by several authors (Alicata, 1 973; Bordoni, 1 973;

Caruso, 1 973; Lanza, 1 973; Magnano & Osella,

1 973), is characterized by a p re-q u atern ary popula-

tion with predominant similarities with the western

Mediterranean. Favignana and Levanzo show

poorer endemic populations and generally with

Sicilian affinities (Canzoneri, 1968). As a whole, 2 0

endemic entities are known in the archipelago, 18

of which are present in Marettimo alone. Levanzo

has scarcer endemic contingents (6 taxa, only one

of which - gastropod Rupestrella rupestris coloba

(Pilsbry, 1918) - exclusive of the island) and Fav-

ignana (6 taxa, all in common with the other islands

of the archipelago). Two endemic vertebrates are

present - the Soricid Crocidura sicula aegatensis

Hutterer, 1991, present in all of the three islands,

and the lacertid Podarcis wciglerianus marettimen-

SIS (Klemmer, 1956) in M arettimo alone - whose taxo-

nomic status, besides, is considered rather doubtful

(Capula, 1994; Sara, 1 995). Invertebrates make up

the largest endemic element under the biogeo-

graphical profile. In the field of the endemic fauna

of Marettimo we need to highlight the presence of

interesting paleoendemic species, such as the un-

derground c oieoptera Typhloreicheia ( Typhlor -

eicheia.) bewiiflii M agrini, B astianini et Petrioli, 2003

and Alaocyba ientdei B aviera, 2010 ; the G astropods

Oxychilus ( Hyalofusca ) denatale { Pfeiffer, 1 85 6),

Siciliaria scarificata ( p f e i f f e r , 1 8 5 6), Mannorana in-

sularis { Benoit, 1 857) and SchUeykielld bodoni Cian-

fanelli, M anganelli et Giusti, 2004; the Tenebrionid

256

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

C oleoptera Odocnemis ruffoi ruffoi (Canzoneri,

1970). This last species belongs to a sub family of

Tenebrionidae, the Elopinae, which in the Mediter-

ranean area enumerate several elements with a cir-

cumscribed geonemy and numerous endemic

species. OdoCYieiYlis Yllffoi has an exclusively insular

Tyrrhenian distribution: nominal form is found in

Marettimo, while another subspecies (ssp. OSelloi

Gardini, 1979) was described for the Island of

M ontecristo, in the Tuscan Archipelago. This fact,

together with the peculiar, systematic position of

the species, inspires the hypothesis of an area of

relictual distribution, which might have shrunk in

comparison to the original one for unspecified

(maybe ecological) reasons. Both the islands were

allegedly refuge-posts for O. Yujfoi, while the isol-

ation might have determined a successive differen-

tiation in the two sub-specific forms presently

known (AA.VV. 2009a; Aliquo & Soldati, 2010).

The case of Allophylax costatipennis godenigoi

Canzoneri, 1970 is different. The species has a

northern-african type of distribution and it is present

on the island of Lampedusa (see Aliquo& Soldati,

2010) while it seems to be lacking in Sicily. The dif-

ferentiation of the population of M arettimo at an in-

fraspecific level seems to be due to its geographical

isolation in comparison to the ones of the rest of the

area of distribution of the species (AA.VV., 2009a).

Other important paleoendemic species of Maret-

timo are the Isopod Crustaceans Bothytropo ruffoi

Caruso, 1 973 and SpelaeonisCUS IdgreCCli C aruso ,

1973. The genus Bcithytwpci Budde-Lund, 1885 en-

compasses 8 species diffused in different point

areas in the Mediterranean water basin: a distribu-

tion which, according to Caruso (1 973), suggests a

pre-Pliocenic origin. To the hypothetical fragment-

ation of the Tyrrhenid of the tertiary period is to be

connected the origin of S pelaeoniscidae RdCOVitZCl,

1907 (Caruso, 1973), a family present, for Italy in

the sole Sicily with 5 endemic species, 3 of which

in the circum -Sicilian islands (Argano et al., 1995;

Caruso & Lombardo, 1995 ). Other entities which

are exclusive of the archipelago belong to genera

which are rich in point-schizo-endemic species,

such as the Coieoptera Otiorhynchus ( Aram -

michnus) aegatensis M agnano, 1992 (present in all

of the three islands), EntOmOCUlia hieratica Poggi

et Baviera, 2013 (Marettimo), the C h ry so m elid ae

C oleoptera Po.chybrQ.chis osellai D accord i et Ruffo,

1975 (presentin Levanzo and Marettimo).The ap -

parently disassociated distribution of the Issid Ho-

moptera ConosimUS molfanus Dlabola, 1987, until

now known only forMarettimo and Salina.A future

deeper look of the research might reveal the pres-

ence of this species also alongside the northern Si-

cilian coastlines.

Island of Ustica

The Island ofUstica, as the Aeolian Island, is a

talassogenic island. It is the highest tip of a vast un-

dersea volcanic apparatus, whose base is over 2000

meters below the sea level. The intense volcanic

explosive activity that took place starting from

Pliocene is accountable for the continuous accumu-

lation of igneous and pyroclastic material on the sea

bed which, in medium Pleistocene (approximately

350 million years ago) led to the emersion of the is-

land (AA.VV., 2009a; Bonomo & Ricci, 2010).

Ustica is separated from Sicily by a wide and deep

sea area and it has probably always remained isol-

ated, even during pleistocenic regressions. The

young geological age of Ustica, together with its

isolation, are the main conditions making its faun-

istic populations (prevalently of a Sicilian or south-

ern Italian type) not particularly relevant, (cf.

Francino Corti & Lanza, 1 973). Only 5 endemic

species, probably all of new formation, are pointed

out for the island. The most interesting element is

the Cave Isopod SpelaeonisCUS VOYldeli Caruso,

1974, apparently well differentiated by the congen-

eric species (Caruso & Lombardo, 1 995). Inter-

esting is the presence of Oxychilus {Hyalocorneo)

nortoni (C alcara, 1 843), a specie belonging to the

subgenus Hyalocorneo M onterosato , 1 892 , in a par-

ticolar distribution with O. ( H .) olicurensis typical

of A lieu di, O. ( H .) CQnini (Benoit, 1843) of north-

western Sicily, O. ( H .) egodiensis Riedel, 1 973 of

Favignana and Levanzo and probably also O. (//.?)

pOlTielioriUS B ourguignat, 1 867 of NW -Algeria and

the G alite Island in Tunisia (Riedel, 1 980). The

B lattaria EctobiuS USticaensis Failla et Messina,

1974, according to Failla et al. (1973) and Failla &

Messina (1974) who minutely studied the anatomy

of the glandular dimples, allegedly belongs to a dif-

ferent evolutionary line if compared to EctobiliS

Stephens, 1 8 3 5 Sicilian and Aeolian. OpatrUM

( Colpophorus ) validum marcuzzii Canzoneri, 1972

is part of a Northern African chorotype present,

other than in insular Sicily with the nominal sub-

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

257

species, in the islet of Lampione (ssp. WtteJflbcfgi

Canzoneri, 1 972) and in Tunisia, Pantelleria and

Sardegna (ssp. Schlicki Gebien, 1906).

Pelagie Islands

The Pelagie Islands are connected to each other

only from a geographical (and not geological) point

of view. Lampedusa and Lampione are two contin-

ental carbonate (Agnesi & Federico, 1995). Differ-

ently, Linosa formed between one million and

500,000 years ago during three different stages of

volcanic activity (see Tranne, 2002). The difference

in their birth reflects also on the size of their popu-

lations and on the level of endemism. While Linosa

has only 8 endemic species, Lampedusa has 25; 9

are found on Lampione. Lampedusa and Lampione

are the last emerged outpost of the African plate and

until the last glaciation they have been connected

to continental Africa. They therefore own a rich

amount of species revolving around northern

Africa, arrived via land during this period which,

with the sea level rise, have successively remained

trapped in the two islands. Here they have under-

gone more or less marked speciations. Linosa,

moreover, has never had contact with other land,

therefore the origin of its population is to be

searched only on active or passive colonisations

that happened during some hundreds of thousands

of years. This partially explains the scarcity of spe-

cies in Linosa in confrontation to Lampedusa (1021

species, between Molluscs e Arthropods, were

found in Lampedusa, only 349 in Linosa: AA.VV.,

2009d). This faunistic poverty is attributable not

only to the different origin of the islands, but also

to their different extension (Lampedusa is 20.2

QribatUa, 1

JK+v'Ja, 5, "a

.toitnbda 5. S',

SiStVi-X -M*.

.Ortti optics; 4.

1, JL

St, bnnat+pltsri, .

KeiHritaU I*,

hwttuMs, 1, 1%

1, I**

Figure 5. Number of endemic taxa per island. Figura 6. Number of endemic species

Some taxa are present in more than one island. per Coleoptera family

Figure 7. Number of endemic taxa per island. Figure 8. Regression curve for the relationship Island area

Some taxa are present in more than one island. in km 2 (A)-number of endemic taxa present (E) (see text).

258

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

square km wide, while Linosa is only 5.43) whose

calcareous nature seems to offer higher colonization

possibilities to several species of Arthropods

(M assa, 1995b) and land Molluscs. This last point

is evident if we consider that on 5 endemic taxa

present on the Italian island in the Strait of Sicily -

Lampedusa lopadusae lopadusae (Calcara, 1846)

[Lampedusa], L. lopadusae Tiodulosa M o n tero sa to ,

1 8 92 [Lampione], OxychUuS ( OxychUuS) diduCtUS

(Westerlund, 1 886) [Lampedusa], Twchoidea CUlTliae

(Calcara, 1 847) [Lampedusa and Linosa], Cernuella

metabola (Westerlund, 1 889) [Lampedusa] - none

is present in Linosa and Pantelleria. The paleogeo-

graphic vicissitudes lead to the inevitable conclu-

sion that the endemic fauna of Lampedusa and

Lampione is prevalently relictual, while that of

Linosa is invasive. In both cases, they are neo-

endemic species of recent formation, evolved from

species characterized by a high colonizing capa-

city and a marked evolutionary speed. This phe-

nomenon is observed, as formerly said, in Tenebri-

onids, present in the islands with 9 endemic species

(see figure 5) on 37 known ones, with a rate of

endemism of 24.3% (Lo Cascio, 2002). In particu-

lar, the presence in Lampione of 4 endemic taxa,

with 2 exclusive subspecies Opatrum ( ColpO -

phorus) validum rottenbergi Canzone ri, 1972 ,

Alphasida puncticollis moltonii Canzoneri, 1972 -

and a species being described ( Tentyria n . sp., see

Lo Cascio & Pasta, 2012), is symptomatic both of

the differentiation speed of some species of this

family from the founding population and of their

capacity to colonise isolated and insular territories

(Aliquo, 1995). The insular differentiation is

certainly a rather quick phenomenon also among

C urculionoidea if, as Osella & Riti (1995) have ob-

served, they are present in Pelagie with 9 endemic

species. Of these, 1 species from Lampedusa

( Torneuma clandestinum ) and 1 of Linosa ( Otio -

rhynchus (. Arammichnus ) linussae a. So lari et f.

Solari, 1922) have connections with Tyrrhenian

species, while 4 of Lampedusa ( AlaOCybtt lampedu-

sae d odero , 1916 ; Neumatora annamariae (m ag-

rini et ai., 2013; Torneuma extinguendunv,

Otiorhynchus ( Arammichnus ) lopadusae a. So lari

et F. Solari, 1922), 1 of Linosa ( ChiloneUS ( Chi -

loneUS) Solarii Pe sarin i, 1970) and 1 of Lampione,

Otiorhynchus ( Arammichnus ) poggii Di Marco,

Osella et Zuppa, 2002, show northern African af-

finities. From relictual populations witnessing the

ancient connection between Lampedusa and N orth -

ern Africa, too, derive the Orthoptera Brachyptera

Omocestus lopadusae (La Greca, 1973) and

Pamphagus ortolaniae Cusimano & Massa, 1977

(M assa, 1 995b; Massa, 2011) and the Buprestid

Beetle Julodis onopordi lampedusanus t a s s i , 19 6 6.

Particularly interesting under the biogeographical

profile is LeptOtyphlopsis lopadusae B ordoni, 1973,

an underground S tap h y lin id ae belonging to a group

revolving around the Northern Mediterranean but

also present is Tunisia, and well differentiated both

from African and Italian congeners. According to

Bordoni (1 973) it is a species belonging to a very

old phyletic lineage, which differentiated after the

climate changes of the Quaternary.

For the terrestrial molluscs, it is of particular

biogeographical importance the presence of the

genus Lampedusa Boettger, 1 877 including L.

lopadusae (Calcara, 1846) endemic of Lampedusa

island, L. lopadusae nodulosa Mon ter os a to, 1892

endemic of Lampione island, L. imitatrix B 0 e ttg er,

1 877 e L. melitensis (C aruana-G atto, 1 892) en-

demic of Maltese Island. Lampedusa is akin to

Muticaria Lindhol, 1925 of South-eastern Sicily

and Maltese Islands. Both these genera have affin-

ities with species of groups which are originated in

the Balkans and in north-eastern Mediterranean,

and colonized these more western territories prob-

ably during Messinian Age (Giusti et al., 1995).

Here, the only endemic vertebrate is Podarcis

filfolensis laurentiimulleri (Bedriaga, 1876) which,

according to recent molecular and biochemical

survey, differentiated from stocks of populations of

Podarcis sicula which colonised Pelagie Islands

and M altese Islands during pleistocenic regressions

(see La M antia & Lo Cascio, 2008; Sciberras &

Schembri, 2008 - see also note 16 of figure 6)

Island of Pantelleria

Pantelleria is a volcanic island, emerged approx-

imately 324,000 years ago, and since then it has

never had contacts with emerged land (Agnesi &

Federico, 1995). The most re levant event, which de-

term ined the actual faunistic composition, was the

eruption that about 45 thousand years ago entirely

covered the island with a layer of stone 5 metres

thick (“green ignim brite”). It is highly likely that

this destroyed the most part of the existent flora and

fauna. Most of the endemic species of Pantelleria

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

259

(20 taxa pointed out) are then neoendemic species,

which differentiated in relatively recent times start-

ing from some founding propagules that re-coloni-

zed the island following two main lines: from Sicily

and Northern Africa (cf. Francini Corti & Lanza,

1 973; Massa, 1995b). Endemic species akin to

Northern African species are allegedly the Isopod

Spelaeoniscus vandeli Caruso, 1974, the Orthoptera

Gryllotalpa cossyrensis Baccetti et Capra, 1978

(Baccetti et al., 1995a), the Buprestid Beetle

Acmaeodera bipunctata romanoi Sparacio, 1992

(Sparacio, 1 992; Sparacio & Ratti, 1 995 ), the

Curculionid Beetle AldOCybci Sepcirandci Dodero,

1916 (cf. Massa, 1995b) and Echinodem diottU

(Stuben, 2010), and Melolonthid Coleoptera

Pseudoapterogyna euphytus lamantiai (Sparacio,

20 14). The Curculionid Beetles OtiorhyncHliS

( Arammichnus ) cossyrensis Magnano, 1992 e

Pseudomeira cossyrica (O sella & Riti, 1995) have

uniquely Tyrrhenian affinities. The Pselaphid

Tychomorphus cossyrensis (Dodero, 1 9 1 9 ) is part

of a genus of strictly West-Mediterranean diffusion

(Poggi, 1 995), while to a species with Mediter-

ranean Geonemy belongs the only heteropter ende-

mic of p anteiieria, Apterola ( Apterola ) kuenckeli

foCdrilei Tam anini, 1964. The biogeographical in-

terpretation of the Oedemerid Coleoptera Sten-

ostoma cossyrense Bologna, 1995. This species

belongs to a genus that includes 3 endemic species

found, other than in Pantelleria, in Madera and

Maltese Islands, as we 11 as a very diffused Western-

M editerranean-A tlantic species. It is likely, then,

that it belongs to a very ancient genus, with paleo-

m editerranean distribution, whose original area

fragmented more recently in the present islands

where it rapidly evolved for the founder principle

(Bologna, 1995; Massa, 1995b). Hardly explainable

is also the presence of LeptCinillci pOggiiM ei, 1995,

a hymenoptera formicidae included in a genus with

scarce dispersive capacities. The most likely hypo-

thesis is, according to M ei (1995), the introduction

for anthropic cause from Northern Africa in an un-

specified moment of the re cent history of the island.

To anthropic reasons, too, is connected the presence

of the M uridae mammal ApodemuS SylVdticUS

hermani Feiten et s torch, 197 0 and of Crocidura

pachyura cossyrensis Contoli, 1990 (Sara & Zanca,

200 8; Angelici et al., 2 0 09).

Figure 1. Aeolian Archipelago: Panarea Island.

260

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

Figure 2. Aeolian Archipelago: Salina Island, Pollara.

Figure 3. Egadi Archipelago: Favignana Island with Levanzo Island in the background.

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

261

Figure 4. Egadi Archipelago: Levanzo Island, Cala Minnola.

Figure 5. Island of Ustica, Mount Guardia dei Turchi.

262

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

Figure 6. Island ofUstica, Cala Sidoti and Punta Spalmatore.

Figure 7. Island of Pantelleria, Montagna Grande.

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

263

Figure 8. Island of Pantelleria, Lake of Venus.

Figure 9. Island of Pantelleria.

264

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

TAXON

REFERENCES

ARTHROPODA

ARACHNIDA ARANEAE

DYSDERIDAE

Dysdera flag el lata

Grasshoff, 195 9

Grasshoff, 1 959*;

P e sarin i, 1 9 9 5;

Pantini& Isaia,2015

Dysclera flagellifera

aeoliensis Aiicata, 1973

A licata, 1 9 7 3 *;

Pantini& Isaia,2015

Harpactea aeoliensis

A lie ata, 19 7 3

A licata, 1 9 7 3 *;

Pantini & Isaia, 2015

SALTICIDAE

Aelurillus lopadusae

C antarella, 1 983 *

C antarella T., 1 9 8 3 *;

Azarkina & Loguov, 2 006;

Pantini & Isaia, 2015

ORIBATIDA

PASSALOZETIDAE

Passalozetes paucesculptus

B ern in i, 19 7 3

Bernini, 1973*

PSEUDOSCORPIONIDA

CHTHONIDAE

Chthonius

( Ephippio chthonius)

aegatensis c aiiaini, 1 9 8 9 *

Callaini, 1 989*;

Stoch, 2006;

Gardini, 2013

HEXAPODA BLATTARIA

ECTOBIDAE

Ectobius aeoliensis

Failla et M essina, 1974

F ailla et al., 1 9 7 3 *;

Failla & Messina, 1 974;

Stoch, 2006

Ectobi us filicens is

Failla et Messina, 1974

Failla & Messina, 1 974*;

Stoch, 2006

Ectobius parvosacculatus

Failla et Messina, 1974

F ailla et al., 1 9 7 3 *;

Failla & Messina, 1 974;

Stoch, 2006

Ectobius usticaensis

Failla et M essina, 1974

F ailla et al., 1 973 *;

Failla & Messina, 1 974;

Stoch, 2006

COLEOPTERA

BUPRESTIDAE

Acmaeodera bipunctata

romanoi Sparacio, 1992

Sparacio & Ratti*, 1 995;

Stoch, 2006

Anthaxia ( Haplantaxia )

flaviae Lo Cascio et

S p arac io ,2010

Lo Cascio et al., 2006*;

Lo Cascio & Sparacio,

2010

Julodis onopordi

lampeduscmus t a s s i , 19 6 6

Tassi, 1966*; Sparacio &

Ratti, 1 995; Stoch, 2006

CANTHARIDAE

Malthinus egadiensis

S vihla, 2009

S vihla, 2009*

CARABIDAE

Carabus morbillosus

lampeclusae Born, 1925

Rapuzzi & Sparacio,

2015

Ocys beatricis m agrini,

Cecchi et Lo Cascio, 2000

Magrini et al., 2000*; Lo

Cascio & Navarra, 2003

Typhloreicheia berninii

Magrini, Bastianini et

P e trio li, 2 0 0 3

Magrini et al., 2003 *

Table 1/1. Endemic taxa of circum -Sicilian island listed by alphabetic order and relative distribution. For the abbreviation of

the islands see Table 2. The species followed by * have not been taken into consideration for the elaboration of the Tables.

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

265

TAXON

REFERENCES

CHRYSOMELIDAE

Pachybrachis osellai

D accordi et R uffo, 1975

Daccordi & Ruffo,

1975*; Stoch, 2006

COCCINELLIDAE

Scymnus ( Scymnus ) caprai

C anepari, 19 8 3

Canepari, 1 983 *, 1 995

CURCULIONIDAE

Alaocyba ientilei

B aviera, 20 10

Baviera, 2010*

Alaocyba lampedusae

Dodero, 1916

Dodero, 1916*; Osella &

Riti, 1 995; Stoch, 2006;

Alaocyba separanda

Dodero, 1916

Dodero 1916*; Osella &

Riti, 1 995; Stoch, 2006

Chiloneus ( Chiloneus )

solarii Pe sarin i, 19 70

Pesarini, 1970a, b*;

Osella & Riti, 1995

Echinodera diottii

St u ben, 2010

Stuben, 2010*

Neumatora annamariae m a-

grini, A bb azzi et Petrioli, 2013

Magrini et al., 2013*

Otiorhynchus ( A ramm ichnus )

aegatensis Magnano, 1992

Magnano, 1992*;

Baviera & Magnano,

2010; Stoch, 2006

Otiorhynchus ( Arammichnus )

COS syrens is Magnano, 1992

Solari & Solari, 1 922a*;

Magnano, 1992;

Stoch, 2006

Otio rhynch us ( A ramm ichnus )

linussae Solari et S o lari, 1922

Solari & Solari, 1922b*;

Magnano 1992; Baviera

& Magnano, 2010

Otiorhynchus ( Arammichnus )

lopadusae Solari et Solari,

1922

Solari & Solari, 1922a*;

Magnano, 1992;

Stoch, 2006

O ti o rhyn ch us ( A ramm ichn us)

meligunensis Magnano, 1992

Solari & Solari, 1922a*;

M agnano, 1992;

Stoch, 2006

Otiorhynchus ( Arammichnus )

poggii D i M arco, O sella et

Zuppa, 2002

Di Marco et al., 2002*;

Lo Cascio & Pasta, 2012

Pseudomeira cossyrica

Pierotti et Bello, 1994

Pierotti & Bello, 1994*;

O sella & R iti, 1 9 9 5;

Stoch, 2006

Pseudomeira aeolica b eiio ,

Pesarini et Pierotti, 1997

Bello et al., 1 997*;

Stoch, 2006; B ello &

Baviera, 2011

Torneuma clandestinum

Magnano etMifsud,2001

Osella & Riti, 1 995;

Magnano & Mifsud,

2001 ; Stoch, 2006

Torneuma extinguendum

Magnano etMifsud,2001

O sella & Riti, 1 995;

Magnano & Mifsud,

200 1; Stoch, 2006

MELOLONTHIDAE

Anoxia (Mesanoxia) matutina-

lis moltonii Sabatinelli, 197 6

Sabatinelli, 1 976; Lo

Cascio & Navarra, 2003

Firminus massai Amone,

Lo Cascio et Grita 2014

Arnone et al., 2014*

Pseudoapterogyna euphytus

lamantiai Sparacio, 2014

Ragusa, 1875*;

Sparacio, 2014

Table 1/2. Endemic taxa of circum -Sicilian island listed by alphabetic order and relative distribution. For the abbreviation of

the islands see Table 2. The species followed by * have not been taken into consideration for the elaboration of the Tables.

266

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

TAXON

REFERENCES

MELYRIDAE

Danacea ( Allodanacaea )

Caneparii Liberti, 1985

Liberti, 1995

Danacea ( Danacea ) hierena

Baviera et Liberti, 2010

Baviera & Liberti, 2010*

MORDELLIDAE

MordeUistena ( Mordellistena )

irritans Franciscolo, 1991

Franciscolo, 1991*;

M assa, 1995

SCRAPTIIDAE

Anaspis ( Larisia ) akaira

Franciscolo, 1991

Franciscolo, 1991*;

Lo Cascio et al., 2002;

Massa, 1995a, b

SCYDMAENIDAE

Pseucloeudesis sulcipennis

lampedlisae Binaghi, 1948

M assa, 1 995a, b;

Sparacio, 1 995

STAPHYLINIDAE

Entomoculia hieratica

Poggi et Baviera, 2013

Poggi & B aviera, 20 1 3 *

Leptotyphlopsis lopadusae

Bordoni, 1973

Bordoni, 1973*; Massa,

1995a, b; Sparacio, 1995

Tychomorphus cossyrensis

(Dodero, 1919)

S paracio ,1995

TENEBRIONIDAE

Alphasida ( Glabrasida)

puncticollis moltonii

Canzoneri, 1972

Canzone ri, 1972*;

Aliquo & Soldati, 2010;

Stoch, 2006

Alphasida ( Glabrasida)

puncticollis tirellii

Leoni, 1929

Canzoneri, 1972;

Aliquo & Soldati, 2010;

Stoch, 2006

Allophylax costatipennis

godenigoi C anzoneri, 1970

Canzone ri, 1970*;

Aliquo & Soldati, 2010

Asida ( Asida ) minima

R eitter, 19 17

Aliquo & Aliquo 2000;

Stoch, 2006

Erodius ( Erodius ) audouini

destefanii Failla Tedaldi, 188 7

Aliquo & Soldati, 2010

Heliopathes avarus

donatellae C anzoneri, 1970

Ragusa, 1 897; Canzoneri,

1 968;Aliquo & Soldati,

2010

Machlopsis doderoi

G ridelli, 19 30

G ridelli, 1960;

Aliquo & Aliquo, 2000;

O sella & Riti, 1995

Nalassus pastai a liq u 6 ,

Leo et Lo Cascio, 2006

Aliquo et al., 2006*

Oclocnemis ruffoi ruffoi

(Canzone ri, 1 9 7 0)

Canzoneri, 1970*;

Aliquo, 2010

Opatrum ( Colpophorus )

validum marcuzzii

Canzoneri, 1972

Riggio, 1 885 *; G ridelli,

1960, Aliquo & Soldati,

2010

Opatrum ( Colpophorus)

validum rottenbergi

Canzoneri, 1972

Canzoneri, 1972;

Goggi, 2004

Pachychila ( Pachychilina)

dejeani doderoi p e y e r im h o ff ,

1927

Canzoneri, 1 972;Aliquo,

2010; Stoch, 2006

Table 1/3. Endemic taxa of circum -Sicilian island listed by alphabetic order and relative distribution. For the abbreviation of

the islands see Table 2. The species followed by * have not been taken into consideration for the elaboration of the Tables.

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

267

TAXON

REFERENCES

TENEBRIONIDAE

Phaleria ( Phaleria ) bimacu-

lata marcuzzii A liqud , 19 9 3

Aliquo, 1993; Marcuzzi,

1996; Aliquo, 2010

Probaticus ( Pelorinus )

COSSyremis Sparacio, 2007

Sparacio, 2007

Stenosis brignonei

Koch, 1935

Aliquo & Soldati, 2010;

Stoch, 2006;

Tentyria grossa

sommieri b au d i, 18 7 4

Canzoneri, 1 972; Aliquo,

2010; Stoch, 2006;

Tentyria grossa

angustata (Kraatz, 1896)

Canzoneri, 1 9 7 2;

A liq u 6 , 2 010

Trachyscelis aphodioides

lopadusae Koch, 1935

Failla, 1 886*; Luigioni,

1929; Goggi, 2004

COLLEMBOLA

ENTOBRYIDAE

Pseudosinella aeolica

Dallai, 1973

Dallai, 1 973 *

Seim dagamae d aiiai, 1973

Dallai, 1 973 *

ISOTOMIDAE

Folsomides meridionalis

Dallai, 1973

D aiiai, 1 973 *

NEANURIDAE

Friesea lagrecai d aiiai, 1973

Dallai, 1 973 *

ONY CHIURID AE

Ony chin ms lampedusae

Dallai, 1978

Dallai, 1 973 *

HETEROPTERA

LYGEIDAE

Apterola ( Apterola ) kuenckeli

focarilei T a m a n i n i , 19 64

Tamanini, 1964*;

C arapezza, 1995

Plinthisus (Isioscytus )

minutissimus meridionalis

Mancini, 1935*

C arapezza, 1995

MIRIDAE

Tuponia ( Chlorotuponia )

hippophaes liparensis

Tam an in i, 1 9 7 3 *

Tamanini, 1973*;

Ippolito, 1986

Phytocoris ( Ktenocoris )

cossyrensis Carapezza, 1995

C arapezza, 1 995 *

HOMOPTERA

CICADELLIDAE

Adarrus aeolianus

D ’ U rso , 1984

D ’Urso, 1984*;

Stoch, 2006

ISSIDAE

Conosimus malfanus

Dlabola, 1987

Lo Cascio & Pasta, 2004

HYMENOPTERA

FORMICIDAE

Leptanilla poggii m ei, 1995

M ei, 1 995 *

Tetramorium pelagium

Poldi in M ei, 1995

M ei, 1 995 *

Table 1/4. Endemic taxa of circum -Sicilian island listed by alphabetic order and relative distribution. For the abbreviation of

the islands see Table 2. The species followed by * have not been taken into consideration for the elaboration of the Tables.

268

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

TAXON

REFERENCES

MUTILLIDAE

Physetopoda silviae

P ag lian o , 2 011

Pagliano, 2003*, 201 1

LEPIDOPTERA

SATYRIDAE

Hipparchia leighebi

Kudrna, 1976

Kudrna, 1 9 7 6*;

Kudrna & Leigheb, 1988;

Stoch, 2006

ORTHOPTERA

ACRIDIDAE

Omocestus lopadusae

(La G reca, 1 973)

Baccetti et al., 1 995a, b;

Stoch, 2006; Massa, 2011

GRYLLOTALPIDAE

Gryllotalpa cossyrensis

BaccettietCapra, 1978

Baccetti & Capra, 1 978;

Baccetti et al., 1 995a, b;

Stoch, 2006; Massa, 2011

PAMPHAGIDAE

Acinipe galvagnii

Cusimano et Massa, 1977

Cusimano & Massa,

1 977*; Stoch, 2006;

Massa, 20 11

Pamphagus ortolaniae

Cusimano et Massa, 1977

Cusimano & Massa,

1 977; Stoch, 2006;

M assa, 20 11

PHASMIDA

BACILLIDAE

Bacillus grandii maretimi

S c ali e t M an to v an i, 1990

B ern i, 19 9 6

MALACOSTRACA ISO-

PODA ARMADILLIDAE

A rrnadi 1 1 idium h i rtum

pelagicum Arcan g eli, 19 5 5

Caruso & Lombardo,

1995

BATHYTROPIDAE

Bathytropa ruffoi

Caruso, 1973

Schm alfu s s , 2 0 0 3

SPELAEONISCIDAE

Spelaeoniscus costai

Caruso et Lombardo, 1976

Caruso & Lombardo,

1995

Spelaeoniscus lagrecai

C aru so , 19 7 3

Caruso & Lombardo,

1995

Spelaeoniscus vandeli

C aru so , 19 7 4

Caruso & Lombardo,

1995

CHORDATA

MAMMALIA INSECTI-

VORA SORICIDAE

Crociclura sicula aegatensis

H utterer, 1 99 1 *

Hutterer, 1 99 1 ; A ngelici

et al„ 2009; Sara, 1 995;

Stoch, 2006

Crociclura pachyura

cossyrensis Contoli, 1990

Angelici et al., 2009;

Stoch, 2006

RODENTIA GLIRIDAE

Eliomys quercinus liparensis

Kahamann, 1960

Angelici et al., 2009;

Stoch, 2006

MURID AE

Apodemus sylvaticus hermani

Felten et Storch, 1970

A ngelici et al., 2009 ;

Stoch, 2006

Table 1/5. Endemic taxa of circum -Sicilian island listed by alphabetic order and relative distribution. For the abbreviation of

the islands see Table 2. The species followed by * have not been taken into consideration for the elaboration of the Tables.

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

269

TAXON

REFERENCES

REPTILIA SQUAMATA

LACERTIDAE

Podarcis filfolensis laurent-

mulleri Fejerv a ri, 1924

Capula,1994; Sindaco

et al., 2006; Stoch, 2006

Podarcis raffoneae alvearioi

(M erten s, 1 9 5 5)

Capula, 2006; Sindaco

etal.,2006; Stoch, 2006

Podarcis raffoneae

antonilioi (Mertens, 1952)*

Capula, 2006; Sindaco

etal.,2006; Stoch, 2006

Podarcis raffoneae

raffoneae (Mertens, 1 952)

Capula, 2006; Sindaco

etal.,2006; Stoch, 2006

Podarcis raffoneae

cucch Wra/Di Palma, 1 9 8 0 *

Capula, 2006; Sindaco

etal.,2006; Stoch, 2006

Podarcis sicula liscabiancae

(M e rten s , 1 9 5 2)*

Corti & Lo Cascio, 1 999;

Sindaco et al., 2006;

Stoch, 2006

Podarcis sicula trischittai

(M erte ns, 1952)*

Corti & Lo Cascio, 1999;

Sindaco et al., 2006;

Stoch, 2006

Podarcis waglerianus maret-

timensis (Kle mm er, 1 956)*

Lo Cascio & Pasta, 2008;

Sindaco et al., 2006;

Stoch, 2006

SQUAMATA SCINCIDAE

Chalcides ocellatus

linosae B o u le n g e r, 1920*

Corti & Lo Cascio, 2002;

Sindaco et al., 2006;

Stoch, 2006

Chalcides ocellatus

zavattarii Lanza, 1954*

Corti & Lo Cascio, 2002;

Sindaco et al., 2006;

Stoch, 2006

MOLLUSCA

GASTROPODA

ARCHITAENIOGLOSSA

COCHLOSTOMATIDAE

Cochlostoma paladilhianum

pirajnaea (Benoit, 1878)

M anganelli et al.,

1995; B ank, 201 1

STYLOMMATOPHORA

CLAUSIILIDAE

Lampedusa lopadusae

lopadusae ( Calcara, 1 846)

C alcara, 1 846*;

L ib e rto e t al., 2 010

Lampedusa lopadusae

noclulosa Monterosato, 1892

L ib erto et al., 2010;

Lo Cascio & Pasta, 2012

Siciliaria ( Siciliaria )

SCarificata ( P f e iff e r, 1 8 5 7)

Liberto et al., 2015

CHONDRINIDAE

Rupestrella rupestris coloba

(Pilsbry, 1918)

Beckmann, 2002

COCHLICOPIDAE

Hypnophila emi liana

(B o urg uignat, 1 8 5 8)

Liberto et al., 2010

Hypnophila incerta

(B ourguignat, 1 85 8)

Giusti, 1 9 73;

Liberto et al., 2010

HELICIDAE

Marmorana ( Murella ) muralis

frivaldszkyi ( C a 1 c a r a , 1846)

C alcara, 1846

Marmorana ( Murella ) muralis

insularis (Benoit, 1857)

Fiorentino et al., 2008a, b

Table 1/6. Endemic taxa of circum -Sicilian island listed by alphabetic order and relative distribution. For the abbreviation of

the islands see Table 2. The species followed by * have not been taken into consideration for the elaboration of the Tables.

270

Calogero Muscarella & Alessandro Baragona

TAXON

REFERENCES

HY GROMIID AE

Cemuella metabola

( W esterlu n d , 1 889)

Bank, 2011; Manganelli

et al., 1995

Helicotricha carusoi g iusti,

Manganelli et Crisci, 1992

G iusti et al., 1992

Schileykiella bodoni

Cianfanelli, Manganelli

et G iusti, 2004

Cianfanelli et al, 2004

Trochoidea cumiae

(C alcara, 1 847)

C ianfanelli, 2002

LIMACIDAE

Umax aeolianus g iu s ti, 1973

Giusti, 1 973; Lo Cascio

& N avarra, 2003

ZONITIDAE

Oxychilus ( Hyalocornea )

dlicurensis { Benoit, 1 85 7)

Benoit, 1 857-1 862*;

Giusti, 1973

Oxychilus (Hyalocornea)

egadiensis Riedel, 1973

Manganelli et al., 1995

Oxychilus (Hyalocornea)

nortoni (C alcara, 1 843)

C alcara, 1 843;

Liberto et al., 2010

Oxychilus ( Hyalofusca)

dehatale ( P f e iff e r, 1 8 5 6)

Manganelli et al., 2007

Oxychilus (Oxychilus)

diaUCtUS ( Westerlund, 1 886)

Giusti, 1 973;

C orti et al., 2002

Oxychilus (Oxychilus)

lagrecai g iusti, 1973

Giusti, 1 973 *

Table 1/7. Endemic taxa of circum -Sicilian island listed by alphabetic order and relative distribution. For the abbreviation of

the islands see Table 2. The species followed by * have not been taken into consideration for the elaboration of the Tables.

CONCLUSIONS

The study of the populations of the circum -

Sicilian islands, as we have seen, is particularly

complex (see also Francini Corti & Lanza, 1973

and M assa et al., 2011), as these islands vary sub-

stantially for their origin (volcanic or sedimentary),

p ale o g e o g rap h y (some have been connected to

Sicily or the African continent during pleistocenic

regressions, other have remained isolated), distance

from the main source of colonisation (Sicily or

Africa), surface (Malta, the biggest island, has a

surface of 245.7 km 2 but most of the islands are

smallerthan 30 km 2 ) and environm ental conditions.

Besides, their position at the border be tween Europe

and Africa makes their faunistic composition a mo-

saic of European and African elements (Francini

Corti& Lanza, 1973;Massa 1995b, 2011) with im -

portant implications of preservation (Fattorini,

2 0 0 8,20 1 1 ).

The conclusions that we draw by analysing as a

whole the endemic contingents of circum -Sicilian

islands and the main factors that have determined

the insular differentiation are similar to those pro-

posed by Fattorini (2 0 11) who to ok in to considera-

tion only Te n eb rio n id s :

- in the case of the Aeolian Islands, the new en-

demic species might have originated by propagules

arrived from Sicily especially during the periods of

marine regression, when the distance between these

islands and Sicily reduced but not annulled; these

propagules might have rapidly differentiated due to

a marked “bottleneck”, accentuated by the volcanic

instability of the area. The origin of paleoendemic

species is more complex: their genesis is allegedly

to be found in the complex geological history or

“paleo-A eolian islands”

- for the Egads we can suppose a substantial col-

onisation via land for Levanzo and Favignana,

while the populations of Marettimo have a preval-

ently relictual connotation.

- Ustica, Linosa and Pantelleria, of volcanic ori-

gin, are very distant from continental areas, with

which they would never have gotten into contact,

which can explain the fact that they show, almost

exclusively, endemic species of new formation.

-Lampedusa and Lampione are very isolated and

of ancient origin; we can therefore presume that

The endemic fauna of the Sicilian islands

27 1

their endemic contingent derives substantially from

a relictual population, above all for the endemic

genera (as in Lampedusa), and the oldest species to

which other ones (arrived during quaternary

contacts with Northern Africa and differentiated

during more recent times) have added.

Lastly, we need to consider that all of the cir-

cum-sicilian islands have, more or less intensely,

undergone profound changes in their natural asset

due to anthropic impact, particularly with the de-

struction of most of their original woods. This, p re -

sumably, has led to the extinction of some taxa and

to the high rarefaction of others.

The ecological and biogeographical importance

of point endemic species is proportional to their fra-

gility, therefore we believe that it is particularly im-

portant and urgent to adopt specific protection

measures such as the already mentioned Direttiva

92/43 CEE (“Direttiva habitat”): “ they are endemic

and need particular attention, considered the spe-

cificity of their habitat and/or the potential incid-

ence of its exploitment on their state of

conservation ’ .

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Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 279-310

Monograph

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the ma

lacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo (Sicily, Italy)

Ignazio Sparacio',Tommaso La Mantia 2 *, Maria Stella Colomba 3 , Fabio Liberto 4 ,Agatino Reitano 5 & Salvo Giglio 6

'Via Principe di Patemo 3, 90144 Palermo, Italy; e-mail: edizionidanaus@gmail.com

2 Universita degli Studi di Palermo Dip. SAAF, Viale delle Scienze ed. 4 , 90128 Palermo, Italy; email: tommaso.lamantia@unipa.it

3 Universita di Urbino, Dept, of Biomolecular Sciences, via Maggetti 22, 61029 Urbino, Italy; email: mariastella.colomba@uniurb.it

4 Via del Giubileo Magno 93, 90015 Cefalii, Italy; email: fabioliberto@yahoo.it

5 Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Comiso, via degli Studi 9, 97013 Comiso, Italy; e-mail: tinohawk@yahoo.it

6 Contrada Settefrati, 90015 Cefalii, Italy; email: hallucigenia@tiscali.it

’Corresponding author

ABSTRACT The surroundings of Palermo were characterized, over the centuries, by the presence of many

natural environments of great ecological and faunal importance. These environments were

placed in a context characterized by minimal and sustainable urban development and large

agriculture areas, dedicated to the development of tree crops such as citrus and orchards. These

crops were supported by an imposing irrigation system that, using natural resources such as

watercourses, wells and springs, collected and distributed water in soils through tanks, gebbie,

qanat, irrigation channels (saje), etc. Fresh water mollusks, like many other animal and veget-

able organisms, spread from the natural freshwater environments in this artificial water system,

thus creating a unique and varied ecosystem. The subsequent urban development of the city of

Palermo and the destruction of many of those natural environments has further enhanced the

ecological role of the artificial freshwater systems as an important refuge for the native fauna

and flora. In the present study, we report on freshwater molluscs observed in the territory of

Micciulla, a large relict area occupied almost entirely by an old citrus, now located inside the

city of Palermo. In this area there are some springs, an extensive array of artificial freshwater

to irrigate the crops, and the qanat Savagnone located in the “Camera dello Scirocco”. The

results obtained by census of different populations of freshwater mollusks confirm the im-

portance of these environments and the growing role they play as the last refuges for fauna

and flora originally linked to natural humid environments.

KEY WORDS Palermo Plain; agroecology; orchards; ecology; freshwater mollusks.

Received 21.12.2016; accepted 02.03.2017; printed 30.03.2017

Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto-

Vendicari (Italy)

INTRODUCTION

The Palermo Plain is about 130 sqkm wide,

with NW-SE direction and an average slope of 10-

15%. It is bordered to the West by the mountains

of Palermo, to SE by the Eleuterio river, to NE by

the Tyrrhenian Sea. The mountains of Palermo

reach an average height of 900 m a.s.l., with very

steep slopes and consist of limestones and dolo-

mites with high degree of fracturing and permeab-

ility. The main peaks are Mount Gallo, Mount

Pellegrino, Belmonte-Pizzo Mirabella, Mount

280

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

Grifone, Orecchiuta, Pizzo Valle Fico, Costa

Lunga, Gibilmesi, Busilmeri, Mount Caputo,

Mount Cuccio, Cozzo Di Lupo, Mount Gibilforni,

Mount Castellaccio.

The Palermo Plain consists of Pleistocene de-

posits (Calcarenites and sandy clays of Ficarazzi)

that lie on waterproof soils of clay and mame of the

Numidic Flysch (Oligo-Miocene), beneath these

latters there are meso-cenozoic limestones (Abate

et al., 1978; Catalano et al., 1979).

Two aquifers are recognized, the superficial

one into Pleistocene sandy-clay and calcarenites,

and the deep one (below 100 m deep) into Meso-

zoic limestones. The two aquifers are discon-

tinuously separated by the waterproof Flysch

(Calvi et al., 1998).

The waters that leak in carbonate rocks of

Palermo Mountains supply the deep aquifer and

in part the superficial one. Where they encounter

waterproof soils emerge suppling superficial

springs. The waters of Mount Cuccio and Mount

Gibilmesi, for example, emerge in the Gabriele

spring group and are employed, ever since, for ir-

rigation or drinking-water use.

The waterways and main canals were (and still

partly are) part of the Oreto River, including the Pa-

pireto River, the Kemonia Stream and the Passo di

Rigano Canal (cfr. Cusimano et al., 1989). The

Oreto River originates from Portella di Renda,

south of Palermo, at 786 m a.s.l. and flows toward

the sea, always on the eastern side of the Palermo

Plain. It was and is, despite centuries of deep alter-

ations by Man, an important natural environment.

At its mounths there were coastal wetlands called

the Pantani dell'Oreto or Pantani di Cascino, finally

dried up around 1750. The Papireto (or Conceria)

River flowed northwest of the ancient Palermo

town and originated from the Danisinni Depression;

it was about 3 km long and was transformed into an

underground sewer in 1591. The Kemonia torrent

(also known as “river of bad weather”) flowed

southwest of the old city of Palermo, forming the

mid-terminal stretch of Sambucia-Cannizzaro,

below Monreale and, after receiving several tribu-

taries, continued its path through the Fossa della

Garofala, Ballard and Albergheria; it was trans-

formed into a sewerage system around 1700. In

1560 part of its waters (i.e. Cannizzaro’s ones) were

diverted to the Oreto River through the so-called

Badami canal. The Passo di Rigano canal, built in

1856, collects the streams of water upstream of

the city, but also streams such as the Bellolampo

watercourse which until the 1800s crossed the city

up to the S. Lucia pier.

Numerous wetlands surrounded the Palermo

Plain thanks to some favorable ecological and

topographic conditions. At the base of Mount

Grifone, locality San Ciro, there was a large water

reservoir, so-called “Favara”, Arabic name bearing

witness of abundant waters. This “Favara” received

the water from a spring at the base of the mountain

and it is so large to be deserved the name “Mare-

dolce” (= Fresh Sea). On the shores of this lake was

the Castle of Jafar, the summer residence of the

regal emirs during the Arab domination (see

Barbera et al., 2015; Pasta, 2015). Another im-

port-ant coastal wetland was the “Pantano of

Mondello”, inserted into a natural coastal dune

system, which throughout the 1800s was gradually

dried up to the definitive disappearance around

1890. Even the surrounding dune system was, in

the same period, profoundly altered and completely

destroyed in the early 1900s.

There are numerous reports on the presence in

these places of plant and animal species of particu-

lar naturalistic value (see Calcara, 1841; 1845;

Doderlein, 1869; Ragusa, 1874, 1883, 1892-1893,

1896-1897, 1919; De Stefani Perez & Riggio,

1882; Lapiana & Sparacio, 2008).

This freshwater abundance, but also the need to

census them for use, determined a huge and detailed

amount of information on the item since the Arab

period (Gaetani, 1777-1789; cfr. La Duca, 1986;

Lo Piccolo, 1994).

The history of Palermo is intimately linked to

the spread of irrigation techniques (Bresc, 1972)

which, initially introduced by the Arabs, have for

centuries had a development that has conditioned

the choice of crops and ultimately the landscape of

the Palermo Plain, and, especially, that part of citrus

groves closest to Palermo, called Conca d’Oro (La

Mantia, 2006, 2007).

The superficial acquifer of the Palermo Plain

has was so pick up with vertical shafts and hori-

zontal tunnels, called “qanaf ’, where the water

flows through gravity on a slight slope; this system

has a persian origin (Laureano, 1995; Biancone &

Tusa, 1997; Todaro, 2002). The water was estracted

by means of water wheels (“senie” or “norie”)

driven by mules or horses (See Pizzuto Antinoro,

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

281

2003), then replaced in the second half of the nine-

teenth century by steam engines. The freshwater

was accumulated in artificial basins (“gebbie”),

finally distributed by means of irrigation canals

(“saje”) or with castles-water it was divided and

distributed in pottery pipes (“catusi”) to private

house. Almost all of these terms used in water

processing are of Arab origin.

This system works for simple gravity providing

water without pauperizing the acquifer, without

causing evaporation losses and with low pollution

risks. During the 1800s, the city had at least 70

castles-water and the water flowed into three canals

of sources: Gesuitico, Campofranco and Gabriele.

The oldest qanats were built during the Arab

domination of Sicily, but they had the greatest de-

velopment between the 1 6th and the 1 9th centur-

ies. Their length ranges from a few hundred meters

to about two kilometers. Once the aquifer was

identified, the tunnel was dug starting from its

outlet in the direction of the aquifer. The gallery

could reach 20 meters deep; connecting wells with

the outer surface were made to allow the extrac-

tion of the debris and the air entry. When the

acquifer was reached, lateral drainage tunnels

were dug.

The system, synthetically described, included

the presence of other artefacts related to water,

mills, watering canines. It began in Roman times

and developed especially during the Arab domina-

tion. This system has also ecologically shaped the

environment as masterly explained by the ecologist

Riggio (1976) and many of these structures have

carried water for many thousand years. Throughout

this long period, the natural-freshwater/ artificial -

freshwater system represented, therefore, a unique

and well structured ecosystem where most living

organisms developed in the direct presence of

water, or in any wetlands of the whole Palermo

plain.

Moreover, especially in the last two centuries,

the progressive alteration and destruction of almost

all the main natural wetlands of this territory and

progressive abandonment and reduction of agrarian

environments has make this system the last refuge

for the existence and preservation of the igrophilous

and freshwater fauna.

For example, the presence of small arthropods

is documented in the groundwater and in the net-

work of qanat (Lofrano et al., 2013).

The freshwater molluscs living in the Palermo

Plain are among the animal groups those that have

most benefited from this context. Throughout the

1800s numerous malachologists and naturalists

documented the wealth and peculiarities of these

populations around Palermo that lived and de-

veloped in a harmonious system of natural and ar-

tificial freshwater (Power, 1 842 but see also Spara-

cio, 2012, 2015; Calcara, 1841, 1845; Benoit, 1875,

1882; De Gregorio, 1895). From 1900 onwards, in

conjunction with the almost complete destruction

of many natural environments, the bibliographic

sources on the freshwater molluscs living in the

Palermo Plain drastically reduced; nevertheless we

can obtain useful indications, at least until 1950,

from the works of Cassara (1948, 1951, 1958). In

recent times updated knowledge is contained in the

works of Riggio (1976), in the check map of the

species of Italian fauna (Bodon et al., 2005), in Lo

Brano & Sparacio (2006), Lapiana & Sparacio

(2010) and Liberto et al. (2010).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study area

The study area is located in the western out-

skirts of Palermo, enclosed in the city streets

Corso Calatafimi, Viale Regione Siciliana, Via G.

Pitre, and Via Altarello di Baida. At the base of

Monte Caputo there is the complex of Gabriele’s

springs, whose waters once reached the Favorita

Park (La Mantia, 2004). The complex of Gab-

riele’s springs consists of many sources (see

Lo Piccolo, 1993, 1994), some of which were

sampled during this survey. The spring water is

now partly employed for civil uses; on the other

hand, irrigation is made up by using also the

waters from the basin of Piana degli Albanesi (15

km south of Palermo), which through surface

pipes (saje) or underground canals (catusi) flow

to the study area.

Fondo Micciulla is an agricoltural territory

which develops around the homonymous Baglio

and, at present, is still entirely surrounded by

walls. In Sicily the “baglio” is a fortified farm with

a large courtyard. Historical information dates

back to the end of the 1 900s and the use of water

for irrigation is a constant in the history of this

282

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

ground. Next to it is the Santacolomba estate with,

in the center, the Villa Belvedere, since 1300.

Within the original walls of the Santacolomba

estate lies the socalled “room of the sirocco”

belonging to Villa Savagnone. This area and in

particular Fondo Micciulla is one of the few still

cultivated in the western portion of the Conca

D’Oro and where water plays an important role in

the conservation of the agroecosystem; there are

citrus trees ( Citrus spp.), mixed with loquat trees,

Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl., but also

there are numerous walnut trees, Juglans regia L.,

honeyberry trees, Celtis australis L., and other

fruit trees (La Mantia, 2007, 2016). At the same

time, unfortunately, in other areas of the Palermo

Plain can be observed obvious phenomena of

abandonment with serious repercussions on the

agroecosystem not least of which the spread of

invasive alien species (La Mantia, 2006; Badala-

menti & La Mantia, 2013).

Gabriele’s springs. Altarello di Baida Dis-

trict. Oreto hydrographic basin.

Resource Code: 19PA00G2001 S0004

Aqueduct Complex “Agro Palermitano”, Inter-

comunal Aqueducts

Average capacity 1/s: 180

Annual volume used for civil use [m 3 ]:

5.676.480 n.d.

Water features: temperature 16.5 °C, calcareous,

average capacity estimated at 180 liters per second.

Gabriele’s springs, located at the base of Monte

Caputo, originate from the cracked mesozoic lime-

stone; they are the sources for which there are the

oldest references and a rich iconography available

(see Lo Piccolo, 1993). The sources despite the

presence of ancient channels aimed at their exploit-

ation since a very long time, have maintained a high

level of naturalness with luxuriant vegetation (see

Carapelle, 1914; Lo Piccolo, 1993). In particular,

Carapelle (1923) writes about the sources that were

“ covered with lush vegetation” .

Gabriele’s springs have been closed and

covered by some concrete structures today, losing

their naturalness. The fauna and flora that lived

here are found in the nearby Source of Fontane,

destined for irrigation of the Fontane Consortium

(Lo Piccolo, 1994), and in other small and similar

neighboring springs. The Source of Fontane

shows the most natural features as fully covered

by vegetation, particularly Arundo donax L., that

reduces the brightness, which in some periods is

lightly photic. The substrate of the bottom is

sandy, fine, with many decomposing plant debris.

Other vegetation that grows at the edges of the

spring includes: Equisetum ramosissimum Desf.,

Adiantum capillus -veneris L., Rubus ulmifolius

Schott.

Qanat Gesuitico Alto. The Qanat under in-

vestigation, located at Fondo Micciulla, was built

at the beginning of the 16th century (Lo Piccolo,

1994). Sampling took place in a Qanat airship shaft,

a few hundred meters from where water flows in

the direction of the city center.

This qanat is aphotic.

Water features: temperature 12 °C, calcarenite,

average capacity estimated at 40 liters per second.

Qanat Scibene. The source of Uscibene or

Scibene is born from an underground cave in the

Altarello Baida district and feeds a system of

qanat; this source has been used for the water sup-

ply and irrigation of the fields of Palermo since the

15th century (Todaro et al., 2006). It is so called

because it is thought to be used to bring water to

the renowned Scibene building, dating back to the

Norman period, located a few hundred meters

from Villa Savagnone (Lo Piccolo, 1993; Bi-

ancone & Tusa, 1997; Todaro, 2002).

In its middle course, the qanat crosses the Villa

Savagnone’s “Camera dello Scirocco” (Room of

Sirocco), another sampling site. The name “Cam-

era dello Scirocco” is used to indicate the environ-

ments that guaranteed, thanks to its freshness,

shelter in the warm days of the sirocco. Although

of earlier origin, spread mainly in the seventeenth

century particularly in the villas that, at that time,

developed on the plain of Palermo (Todaro, 2002).

These were “ underground environments capable of

producing fresh ... through the presence of three

fundamental elements: an artificial cave, a spring

or stream of water and a ventilation well ” (Todaro,

2002). The peculiarity of the room of sirocco at

Villa Savagnone is that it was obtained within a

quarry of limestone and then cooled by a licking

“Qanat” (Todaro, 2002). The vegetation includes

Adiantum capillus-veneris L., Hedera helix L.,

Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth, and Acanthus mol-

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

283

lis L. that grow above the walls; there are also

Parietaria judaica L., Rubus ulmifolius Schott and

Ulmus minor Mill., and, in the water, there is the

green alga Pithophora sp.

The Villa Savagnone’s Qanat is fed also by the

source of Scibene, which originates just upstream

of the Camera dello Scirocco.

The Scibene and Villa Savagnone Qanat are

lightly photic in the beginning to become aphotics.

Water features: temperature 12 °C, calcarenite,

average capacity estimated at 4 liters per second.

Gebbie. Several gebbie were sampled: Gebbia

Fratelli La Mantia into Fondo Micciulla, and

other three in Fondo Santacolomba; the first is the

smollest under the walls of Villa Belvedere, the

second at the boundary wall of the Fondo Santa-

colomba, the third called “Ru gebbi” (two gebbie )

as formed by two intercommunicating tanks.

Almost always the gebbie are placed in full

light, covered only in part by the surrounding fruit

trees. They are surrounded by a rich vegetation

that the presence of water contributes to increas-

ing: Arundo donax L., Adiantum capillus-veneris

L., Plantago major L., Marchantia sp., Hedera

helix L., Parietaria judaica L., Tradescantia flu-

minensis L., Rubus ulmifolius Schott. The waters,

rich in filamentous algae and Pithophora sp., are

subject to severe overheating during the summer-

time days.

Saja.The Saja sampled is located in Fondo

Micciulla and it is the main saja from where the

water from Gabriele’s springs flows to Micciulla.

The water is distributed also in the lands contiguous

to the Sicilian region road (Chiusa Uscibene) and

this determined the almost continuous presence of

the water in the summer and partly even in the

winter period.

The sources, compared to the gebbies from

which saje originate, exhibit greater diversifica-

tion both in brightness and in water temperature.

In fact, in relation to their path, they can slide al-

most into the darkness between the vegetation or

in full light. The waters are cooler and running,

but there are also long periods of stagnation with

drying.

The vegetation is the same of the gebbie but the

saje can also cross natural areas where there are

other tree and herbaceous species such as Ulmus

minor Mill., Fraxinus, Smilax aspera L., Rubia

peregrina L., etc.

Water tanks. Various small tanks are present

throughout the territory of Micciulla, used for or-

namental purposes, one of which had a populations

of freshwater mollusks (Table 1).

Sampling methods

The samples have been collected by I. Sparacio

and T. La Mantia from 2009 to 2016 during several

excursions carried out in the study area every

three months (see Figs. 1, 2; Table 1). Live speci-

mens for taxonomic studies were collected

only in 29.X.2009, 9.XII.2009, 18.IV.2012 and

20.VIII.20 14. The other samplings were of empty

shells and with the direct observation for census of

living populations in order not to harm these envir-

onments. All the lots are kept in the authors collec-

tions and, some samples, in M. Bodon collection

(Genova, Italy) and R. Viviano collection (Palermo,

Italy).

Freshwater snails, shells and live specimens,

were sampled on sight in the natural and artificial

waters of the study area and by using little nets and

sorting variable amount of sediment.

Unrelaxed material preserved in 75% ethanol,

was studied by Optika light microscope. Soft parts

were isolated and dissected using very fine, pointed

watchmaker’s forceps. Images of the body and the

genitalia were drawn using a camera lucida. Hab-

itat, shells and live specimens were photographed

by using a Canon EOS 100D.

The main morphological and anatomical charac-

ters have been described to document these popu-

lations living in a relict and threatened area.

Taxonomical references are based on the chec-

klist of the fauna europea (Bank, 2011) and other

cited papers.

Anatomical acronyms: BC: bursa copulatrix;

DBC: duct of the bursa copulatrix; MP: muscle

plica; P: penis; PA: penial apex; PAD: penial

accessory duct; PG: preputial gland; PL: penial

lobe; PR: prostate; PRM: penial retractor muscle;

PRP: preputium; PS: penial sheath; SLS: sucker-

like structure; SM: supporting muscles; VD: vas

deferent.

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Ignazio Sparacio et alii

Figure 1. Freshwater environment in the Palermo surrondings (by Cusimano et al., 1989 modified). Figure 2. Study area. 1:

Gabriele’s springs; 2: Gebbia Fratelli La Mantia; 3: Saje Fondo Micciulla; 4: Gebbia under the walls of Villa Belvedere; 5:

Gebbia at the boundary wall of the Santacolomba fund; 6: “Due gebbie” the Santacolomba fund; 7: Camera dello Scirocco

(Room of Sirocco): Qanat Scibene e Qanat Savagnone; 8: Qanat Gesuitico Alto.

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

285

Figure 3. Oreto River near Palermo (by Lojacono, 1931 modified).

Figures 4-7 (by Carapelle, 1914). Gabriele’s springs around 1900. Figs. 4, 5: Nixio springs. Fig. 6: the aqueduct

for the Palermo city (Nixio springs). Fig. 7: Connection of the freshwaters of Cuba spring with those of Gabriele spring.

286

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

Figure 8. Gabriele’s springs, to our day (2015).

Figure 9. Detail of the Gabriele springs,

now covered by an ancient structure.

Figure 10. Detail of the Gabriele springs,

now covered by an ancient structure.

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

287

Figures 11-15. Villa Savagnone’s “Camera dello Scirocco” (Room of Sirocco). In figure 13 it can be seen the entrance

of the Qanat Scibene to the right (see also Fig. 14) and the entrance of the Qanat Villa Savagnone (Fig. 15).

288

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

Figure 16. Ecological scheme of a Gebbia in the Palermo Plain (by Riggio, 1976 modified).

Figure 17. “Ru gebbi” (two gebbie) at Fondo Santacolomba formed by two intercommunicating water tanks.

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

289

Figure 18. Gebbia under the walls of Villa Belvedere (Fondo Santacolomba).

Figure 19. Gebbia at the boundary wall of the Fondo Santacolomba.

290

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

Figure 20. Saja located in Fondo Micciulla.

Figure 21. Detail of the saja located in Fondo Micciulla

with the continuous presence of water.

Figure 22. The Source of “Fontane’

overgrown by Arundo donax.

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

291

RESULTS

Systematics

Class GASTROPODA Cuvier, 1795

Subclass ORTHOGASTROPODA Ponder et Lin-

dberg, 1995

Superordo CAENOGASTROPODA Cox, 1960

Ordo NEOTAENIOGLOSSA Haller, 1882

Superfamilia RISSOOIDEA Gray, 1847

Familia BITHYNIIDAE Gray, 1857

Genus Bithynia Leach, 1818

Bithynia cf. leachii (Sheppard, 1823)

Description. Shell dextral (Fig. 35), conical,

elongated, moderatly robust, gray-blackish-gray in

colour; height 4. 9-5. 7 mm, maximum diameter

3. 5-4. 2 mm, aperture height 2.4-3 .2 mm, aperture

diameter 2. 2-2. 9 mm; external surface with thin

growth lines, spire formed by 4-5 convex whorls

with a deep sutures; apex rounded; aperture sub-

circular, little elongated; peristome simple and con-

tinuous; operculum with thin growth lines and nuc-

leus eccentric.

Distribution and Biology. Paleartic. Bithynia

leachii is widespread through Italy (Girod et al.,

1980; Bodon et al., 1995, 2005) and lives in dif-

ferent habitats, such as rivers, streams, etc.

Status and Conservation. Bithynia leachii is

classified Least Concern (LC) by Cuttelod et al.

(2011) and in IUCN Red List (Vavrova et al.,

2010 ).

Remarks. This species was reported for this

study area by Calcara (1845 sub Paludina rubens :

“ alle sorgive del Gabriele”), see also Bodon et al.

(2005).

Sicilian populations need a systematic reassess-

ment (Bodon et al., 1995) but in sampling for this

work we did not find live specimens. Some pre-

liminary data for a population from south-eastern

Sicily (Irminio River) seem to show a morpholo-

gical and anatomical difference (flagellum very

short) by comparition with other Italian populations

(Bodon in litteris).

Many taxa have been described for the popula-

tions of Sicilian Bithynia, that, currently, are con-

sidered synonyms of B. leachii (Alzona, 1971).

Familia HYDROBIIDAE Stimpson, 1865

Subfamilia BELGRANDIINAE De Stefani, 1877

Tribus ISLAMIINI Radoman, 1983

Genus Islamia Radoman, 1973

Islamia pusilla (Piersanti, 1952)

Description. Shell dextral (Fig. 23), valvatoid,

not depressed, transparent and whitish- waxen when

fresh, sometimes encrusted; height 0.8-1. 5 mm,

maximum diameter 0.9-1. 2 mm, aperture height

0.57-0.7 mm, aperture diameter 0.6-0. 8 mm;

external surface of shell with thin growth lines;

spire little pointed, raised, with 2.5-3 1/4 convex

and rapidly expanding whorls; last whorl very wide,

little descending near aperture; suture deep; umbil-

icus open, wide 1/7- 1/8 of maximum shell dia-

meter; aperture large and sub-circular; peristome

continuous, juxtaposed to the last whorl wall,

slightly thickened, slightly reflected at its inferior

margin, not sinuous at its external margin. Opercu-

lum paucispiral, thin, yellow-orange pale.

Body (Fig. 24): mantle more or less pigmented,

blackish; the head is little pigmented; penis non pig-

mented.

Genitalia. Islamia pusilla investigated are char-

acterized by: apical portion of penis more or less

markledy bilobate (Fig. 25); right portion, more

slender, obtuse and projecting further forward, con-

stituting tip of penis; left portion forms the so-called

penial lobe; penial lobe slightly protruding to apical

portion of penis; muscle plica on the ventral surface

of the penis well developed but not projecting on

the left side. Female genitalia with two seminal re-

ceptacles.

Distribution and Biology. Islamia pusilla is

endemic to Italy, specifically found in the appen-

ninic regions (Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Puglia,

Molise, Abmzzo) and in Sicily, but localised (Giusti

& Pezzoli, 1980; Bodon et al., 2005; Bodon &

Cianfanelli, 2012).

This species lives in springs.

Status and Conservation. Islamia pusilla is

classified as “Least Concern” in IUCN Red List

(Cianfanelli et al., 2010a) and by Cuttelod et al.

( 2011 ).

Remarks. The two populations of I. pusilla

found in the study area (Table 1) do not show sub-

292

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

stantial morphological differences between them,

except for a darker pigmentation of the body and

shell more encrusted than those living in a more

open environment such as the water tank at the

Gabriele Spring.

Subfamilia HYDROBIINAE Stimpson, 1865

Genus Pseudamnicola Paulucci, 1878

Pseudamnicola ( Pseudamnicola ) moussonii

moussonii (Calcara, 1841)

Description. Shell dextral, conical-ovoidal but

very variable in height and roundness, brownish or

black-greyish in colour, often encrusted and cor-

roded; height 3-5.1 mm, maximum diameter 2.5—

3.2 mm, aperture height 1.8-2. 6 mm, aperture

diameter 1. 4-2.1 mm; external surface smooth with

thin growth lines; spire formed by 3.5-4 convex

whorls; last whorl 3/4— 4/5 of shell height; sutures

deep; umbiculus open; aperture oval; peristome

continuous, non thickened, slightly reflected at

lower and columellar margins. Operculum with t hin

growth lines and nucleus eccentric.

Body (Fig. 26) well pigmented in black; pallial

cavity open, gill present; lobes present.

Male genitalia with penis cilindrical, elongated

(Fig. 27), black pigmented; penis tip blunt with a

few wide folds on side and vas deferens opening at

apex. Female genitalia with renal oviduct pigmen-

ted black; gonopericardial duct present; seminal re-

ceptacle variably elongated; bursa copulatrix duct

long and slender and straight to twisted; bursa cop-

ulatrix large, triangular; pallial oviduct with albu-

men gland runned ventrally by sperm channel and

capsule gland.

Distribution and Biology. The genus Pseu-

damnicola has a Mediterranean distribution. To P.

moussonii refer different and distinct populations

widespread on the Western Mediterranean (see also

Giusti & Pezzoli, 1980; Bodon et al., 1995; Giusti

et al., 1995). This freshwater snail is found in

springs, water trough, rivers and running fresh-

water, on rocky and sandy substrata, often aggreg-

ating on plants.

Status and Conservation. This species is clas-

sified as “Least Concern” in IUCN Red List (Cian-

fanelli et al., 2010b) and by Cuttelod et al. (2011).

Remarks. Pseudamnicola moussonii is very fre-

quent in Sicily, and it varies in the shape and size

of the shell (Fig. 28, 29) and in some anatomical

characters such as the length of the seminal recept-

acle.

In the study area the population of the tank near

the Gabriele Spring has the seminal receptacle

longer than that of the population from the spring

of the Room of Sirocco.

Pseudamnicola moussonii was described by

Calcara (1841) from Sicily (locus typicus: “ Trovasi

nelle vicinanze della Piana dei Greci ... Lago di

Dingoir ); for the proper placement of the locus

typicus see Liberto et al. (2010).

Other species of Sicilian Pseudamnicola are P.

sciaccaensis Gloer et Beckmann, 2007, which is at

the time endemic (Gloer & Beckmann, 2007, locus

typycus: “ Brunnentrog an der Strafie von Menfi

nach Sciacca, Sizilien, It alien”) and P. orsinii

(Kiister, 1852) probably endemic to Italy (Bodon et

al., 2005).

Subfamilia TATEINAE Thiele, 1925

Genus Potamopyrgus Stimpson, 1865

Potamopyrgus antipodarum (J.E. Gray, 1843)

Description. Shell dextral (Fig. 36), elongated,

grayish, yellowish, dark-brownish in colour, often

encrusted; height 4. 2-5. 3 mm, maximum diameter

2.2-3 mm, aperture height 2. 1-2.5 mm, aperture

diameter 1.8-2 mm; external surface with thin

growth lines; spire formed by 5-7 convex whorls;

last whorl 2/3 of shell height, a specimen with a thin

and interrupted keel; sutures little deep; umbilicus

closed; aperture oval; peristome continuous, non

thickened, detached from the last whorl; operculum

paucispiral, thin and corneus.

Body black in colour, particularly head, tentacles,

and mantle; pallial cavity open, gill present; oper-

culigerous lobes present.

Female genitalia with bursa copulatrix small and

oval; seminal receptacle small with long and

slender duct; pallial oviduct with albumen gland,

sperm channel and capsule gland.

Distribution and Biology. Potamopyrgus an-

tipodarum (New Zealand mud snail, Jenkins’ Spire

Snail) is native to New Zealand and adjacent is-

lands and it has been introduced to Europe, Iraq,

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

293

Turkey, Japan, the Americas and Australia (Pon-

der, 1988; Kerans et al., 2005). It is present also

in Italy, including Sicily (Berner, 1963; Favilli et

al., 1998; Cianfanelli et al., 2007; Colomba et al.,

2013).

It is a species with great ecological value, which

lives in both sweet and brackish waters, lotic and

lentic environments, on rocks, gravel, mud, organic

debris and vegetation. This allochthonous species

has a fast spread, tolerates discrete pollution and

is often present with numerous populations. In

Europe, P. antipodarum causes declines in species

richness and abundance of native snails in construc-

ted ponds (Strzelec, 2005).

Status and Conservation. This species is clas-

sified as “Not Applicable” by Cuttelod et al. (2011)

and as “Least Concern” in I.U.C.N. Red List (Van

Damme, 2013).

Remarks. Potamopyrgus antipodarum is vari-

able in the shell morphology, with a keel in the

middle of each whorl that may be completely ab-

sent, periostracal ornamentation, umbilicus some-

times little open, etc. (Favilli et al., 1998; Hosea &

Finlay son, 2005).

Normally, both sexual and asexual reproduc-

tion coexists but non-native populations of this

species are parthenogenetic and consist almost ex-

clusively of females (Jokela et al., 1997; Alonso

& Castro-Diez, 2008). Potamopyrgus antipoda-

rum is ovoviviparous, and females brood their off-

spring in a brood pouch until they reach the

“crawl-away” developmental stage (Jokela et al.,

1997).

Only two living females and eight shells were

observed; they were found in the Qanat “Ge-

suitico Alto” completely underground and aphotic

(Table 1).

This allochthonous and invasive species is rap-

idly increasing in Sicilian natural waters and is

already present with numerous populations in sev-

eral natural localities such as the Belice River and

Ciane River.

Superordo HETEROBRANCHIA J.E. Gray, 1840

Ordo PULMON ATA Cuvier in Blainville, 1814

Subordo BASOMMATOPHORA Keferstein in

Bronn, 1864

Superfamilia LYMNAEOIDEA Rafmesque, 1815

Familia LYMNAEIDAE Rafmesque, 1815

Subfamilia LYMNAEINAE Rafmesque, 1815

Genus Galba Schrank, 1803

Galba truncatula (O.F. Muller, 1774)

Description. Shell dextral (Figs. 42, 43), con-

ical, oblong, rounded apex; brown or reddish-brown

in colour, often encmsted and corroded; height 6.5-

8.3 mm, maximum diameter 4-5.8 mm, aperture

height 4. 4-6. 2 mm, aperture diameter 3-4.6 mm;

external surface with thin growth lines, spire with

4-6 convex and regular whorls; last whorl large,

3/3 of shell height; sutures deep; umbilicus little

open partially covered by columellar margin of

peristome; aperture oval and oblique; peristome

simple, interrupted.

Body yellow-greyish, tentacles triangular with

eyes on internal basal vertex, mantle surface with

very little light spots.

Genitalia characterized by preputium 3 times as

long as penis sheath; penis short and slender; long

and slender bursa copulatrix duct; seminal vesicles

consisting of many long, slender, digit-like diver-

ticula on both sides of first hermaphrodite duct.

Distribution and Biology. Holarctic. This spe-

cies is reported throughout Italy (Girod et al., 1980;

Manganelli et al., 1995).

Galba truncatula is found in stagnant or slow-

moving freshwaters, natural and artificial. It is also

tolerant of poor water quality, polluted or muddy

waters, and it is able to colonize temporary ponds.

It is common in Sicily.

Status and Conservation. It is classified as

“Least Concern” by Cuttelod et al. (2011) and in

I.U.C.N. Red List (Seddon et al., 2015).

Remarks. Galba truncatula is not common in

the examined territory, and it is found with sev-

eral living specimens in some Micciulla irrigation

canals and in the Gebbia Santacolomba

Genus Radix Montfort, 1810

Radix auricularia (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description. Shell dextral (Figs. 37, 38), in-

flated, subtransparent, yellowish-brown in colour

with sometimes encrusted; height 16-23.2 mm,

maximum diameter 11.5-17.5 mm, aperture height

294

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

12-18 mm, aperture diameter 8-13 mm; external

surface with thin growth lines; apex pointed; spire

with 4 convex whorls, the last very large and con-

vex, inflated, equal to 5/6 of shell height; sutures

are shallow, only in the last whorl deep; aperture

very large, ear-shaped; peristome thin, reflected;

columellar margin folded on the umbilicus which

is little visible.

Distribution and Biology. This species is a

widespread palearctic species present through much

of Europe and into north Asia, introduced through-

out the United States. Radix auricularia is reported

throughout Italy by Girod et al. (1980) but not in

Sicily (Cossignani & Cossignani, 1995; Manganelli

et al.,1995).

It is found in stagnant or slow-moving fresh-

waters, even artificial, as reservoirs, fountains, ir-

rigation canals, “gebbie”.

Status and Conservation. This species is con-

sidered “Least Concern” by Cuttelod et al. (2011)

and in IUCN Red List (Seddon et al., 2014).

Remarks. Only a few shells referred to R. auri-

cularia have been found in the territory of Mic-

ciulla, near “Ru gebbie” and Gebbia Villa

Belvedere (Table 1).

Genus Stagnicola Jeffreys, 1830

Stagnicola fuscus (C. Pfeiffer, 1821)

Description. Shell dextral (Pigs. 40, 41), elong-

ated, relatively robust, with pointed apex; brown-

reddish in colour; height 11.8-17.8 mm, maximum

diameter 6-9.8 mm, aperture height 7-10 mm,

aperture diameter 4.5-7 mm; external surface with

spiral striae which cross-cut the radial growth striae

that form a square ornamentation, whorls 6-7 not

very convex, sutures little deep, umbilicus closed,

aperture oval, elongated, height about 1/3 of shell

height.

Body grey-dark in colour with very little and

yellowish spots (Pig. 39); tentacles short and sub-

triangular, wide at the base and rounded to the apex,

and with eyes at base; foot long, rounded anteriorly

and pointed posteriorly.

Genitalia characterized by a short praeputium

(slightly shorter than the penis) and two prostate

folds (in the internal lume of the prostate) (Pig.

30).

Distribution and Biology. Distribution to be

reviewed, because many reports for S. fuscus were

attributed to S. palustris (O.F. Muller, 1774) (Girod

et al., 1980; Manganelli et al., 1995). In Sicily S.

fuscus is reported by Beckmann & Falkner (2003)

on anatomically determined specimens from

Palermo, Anapo River at Floridia and Siracusa.

This species is also reported in the British Isles by

Carr & Killeen (2003) and Gloer & Yildinm (2006)

assume that all Southern European Stagnicola

probably belong to S. fuscus; on this wiev, see also

Pavon & Bertrand (2005) for southern France and

Soriano et al. (2006) for Catalonia.

Stagnicola fuscus is common in Sicily in run-

ning and slow-moving waters, even artificial,

usually with rich vegetation.

Status and Conservation. It is considered

“Least Concern” by Cuttelod et al. (2011) and in

IUCN Red List (Seddon, 2011).

Remarks. Stagnicola fuscus is found at Mic-

ciulla in some irrigation canals rich in vegetation

fed by a “gebbia” inside an old citrus grove. Calcara

(1845) reports “ Limnaeus palustris ” from Boccadi-

falco, a neighboring area at Micciulla.

Correa et al. (2010) proposed that species of

clade C2 of their paper, including S. fuscus , S.

palustris (type species of Stagnicola ) and L. stag-

nalis Linnaeus, 1758 (type species of Lymnaea )

should all be called Lymnaea , according to the prin-

ciple of priority of the International Code of Zo-

ological Nomenclature (ICZN). Stagnicola fuscus

would be named Lymnaea fusca C. Pfeiffer, 1821.

Superfamilia PLANORBOIDEA Rafmesque, 1815

Familia Physidae Fitzinger, 1833

Genus Phy sella Haldeman, 1 842

Phy sella acuta (Drapamaud, 1805)

Description. Shell sinistral, ovoidal-fusiform,

glossy, sub-transparent, with pointed apex, pale yel-

lowish-brown or reddish-brown in colour; height

8.2-1 1 mm, maximum diameter 5-10 mm, aperture

height 6. 7-7. 6 mm, aperture diameter 3. 8-4. 8 mm;

external surface with very thin growth lines; spire

with 5-6 regularly growing whorls; last whorl large,

about 2/3 of shell height; the sutures are shallow,

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

295

oily in the last whorl deep; umbilicus closed; aper-

ture ovoidal- elongated, slightly oblique, angled

above and rounded below; peristome slightly

thickened, sometimes with internal whitish or pink-

ish lip, lower and columellar margins of which are

reflected, columellar margin twisted, upper and

lower vertices joined by parietal callosity.

Body (Figs. 44, 45) yellowish-grey in colour

with irregular and pale-yellowish spots; tentacles

long and slender with little eyes at base; mantle

margin with 7-1 1 long, tentacle-like appendages on

right side and 4-6 similar ones on left side, folded

on the shell; foot long, rounded anteriorly and poin-

ted posteriorly.

Genitalia: general scheme of diaulic ditrematic

type (see Giusti et al., 1995 and cited references);

distal male genitalia (Figs. 31, 32) with two re-

tractor muscles, one at base of penial sheath and one

at base of preputium; penial sheath slender and

long, containing penis and long and wide prepu-

tium, inside preputium is located a large sucker-like

structure; the penial sheath is about half the prepu-

tium long.

Distribution and Biology. Allochthonous spe-

cies, it was introduced into Europe from North

America (Taylor, 2003) and it is diffused through-

out Italy (Girod et al., 1980; Manganelli et al., 1995;

Cianfanelli et al., 2007). Its first report in Italy dates

back to Issel (1866, sub Physa piscina); the spread

of P. acuta was one of the causes of the gradual rar-

efaction of the indigenous P fontinalis (Linnaeus,

1758) (Manganelli et al., 2000).

Physella acuta lives in all freshwater systems,

lotic and lentic, on rocks, water weeds and other

vegetation in rivers, streams, ponds, swamps,

drains, water tanks, fountains and similar habitats.

Species of great ecological value, it also resists in

urbanized and polluted environments and at short

periods of drying.

Status and Conservation. This species is

classified as “Least Concern” by Cuttelod et al.

(2011) and in IUCN Red List (Van Damme et al.,

2012 ).

Remarks. Physella acuta is common in the

study area (Table 1), living with stable and numer-

ous populations in natural and artificial waters of

the Palermo surroundings, where it is found mainly

in the gardens water tanks of the city center and in

the “gebbie”, still remaining, in the citrus groves of

the plain of Palermo and the valley of the Oreto

River.

Familia PLANORBIDAE Rafinesque, 1815

Subfamilia PLANORBINAE Rafinesque, 1815

Genus Ancylus O.F. Muller, 1773

Ancylus prope fluviatilis O.F. Muller, 1774

Description. Shell conical (aperture oval) (Figs.

46, 47), convex anteriorly and concave posteriorly

in section, slight blackish in colour when fresh be-

cause it is almost always incrusted, really it is yel-

low-whitish, sub-transparent; height 4-5.1 mm,

maximum diameter 6. 6-7. 8 mm, some specimens

are encrusted; external surface with distinct longit-

udinal ridges starting from apex and crossed by thin

concentric growth lines; apex subobtuse curving

backwards; aperture oval.

Body: mantle, head and foot blackish irregularly

pigmented; tentacles short and triangular with ob-

tuse apex and little eyes at base; foot smaller than

shell opening.

Genitalia not examined in this population; for

general features see Girod et al. (1980) and Giusti

etal. (1995).

Distribution and Biology. Pfenninger et al.

(2003) and Albrecht et al. (2006, 2007), with mo-

lecular genetic studies, subdivide the populations

of Ancylus fluviatilis, which were attributed to al-

most all the Euro-Mediterranean populations in-

cluding Italy and Sicily, in four clades (Albrecht

et al., 2007): A. fluviatilis mainly in Northern

Europe, but reaching southern limits in Spain,

France, Northern Italy and Slovenia, Ancylus sp.

A from S -Portugal, Ancylus sp. B mainly found

in the Mediterranean region, from the Canary

Islands, Morocco, Italy, through to Greece and

Turkey, Ancylus sp. C mainly found in the western

Mediterranean region, from Portugal and Spain to

Italy. Ancylus sp. B and Ancylus sp. C are also

known from Sicily.

The Ancylus live in well oxygenated and run-

ning freshwater, natural and artificial as springs,

lake margins, river, fountains, and irrigation canals,

crawling on rocks, stones, and plants; they feed on

vegetal debris, algae and periphyton.

296

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

Status and Conservation. Ancylus fluviatilis

sensu lato is classified Least Concern (LC) by

Cuttelod et al. (2011). In IUCN Red List the four

species referable to A. fluviatilis have been assessed

as Least Concern (LC) except Ancylus sp. A wich

is considerable as Data Deficient (DD) (Seddon et

al., 2012).

The Sicilian populations of Ancylus , widespread

throughout the region, have been steadily declining

in the last few years.

Remarks. The specific attribution of the dif-

ferent populations of Ancylus is currently prob-

lematic, considering the many taxa described in

the past years in almost all distribution areas. In

particular, Benoit (1875) cites for Sicily ten dif-

ferent species, including A. rtnei Bivona, 1839 de-

scribed for Palermo surrondings (Bivona, 1839:

“... Le strie longitudinali, di cui e munita, sono

piu o meno notevoli... maggiore spessezza ... mag-

giore incavamento della conchiglia medesima”).

This description refers to the samples from Mic-

ciulla, where few live specimens were found in the

Source of Fontane, in the Micciulla irrigation

canals and other shells were found in almost all

the sampled sites (Table 1). For areas very close

to our study area are reported populations of

Ancylus by Bivona (1839 sub A. finer. “ Trovasi

comunissimo nel beveratojo sopra il convento di

Baida ”), Calcara (1845 sub A. fluviatilis: “ bever-

atojo sopra il convento di Baida”), and by Benoit

(1875, sub A. tinei: “ nelle sorgive delle montagne

di Boida [Baida]”).

Genus Planorbis O.F. Muller, 1774

Planorbis planorbis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description. Shell sinistral, planispiral, discoidal

(Figs. 48-50), with upper border flattened and

lower border slightly concave; brown or reddish-

brown, often encrusted, height 1.6-2. 8 mm, max-

imum diameter 5.5-9 mm; external surface with

thin growth lines; spire 5-6, last whorl slightly

dilatated toward the end with rounded upper keel;

sutures deep; aperture oval, transverse, angled in

corrispondence with upper keel, peristome simple.

Body is black in colour; foot elongated pos-

teriorly; tentacles long and slender with small eyes

at base; the mantle pigmentation and foot are dark-

grey.

Genitalia characterized by the prostate whit

35-57 digit-like diverticula; preputium moderatly

elongate (1.6 to 2.2 mm).

Distribution and Biology. Holopalaearctic. It

is present and diffused throughout Italy (Girod et

al., 1980; Manganelli et al., 1995).

Planorbis planorbis lives between the aquatic

vegetation of natural or artificial freshwaters, stag-

nant or slow-moving.

Status and Conservation. This species is clas-

sified as “Least Concern” by Cuttelod et al. (2011)

and in I.U.C.N. Red List (Seddon & Van Damme,

2014).

Remarks. In the Micciulla territory there are

some small living populations of P planorbis : in

the spring of the Scirocco House, in the Source of

Fontane, in the irrigation canals and “gebbie” of the

citrus grove (Table 1).

It is diffused but localized in Sicily. This species

was common in the artificial water system of Pa-

lermo surrondings (Lo Brano & Sparacio, 2006) but

now is in decline.

Planorbis moquini Requien, 1848

Description. Shell sinistral, planispiral, concave

on both sides (with upper side more concave than

lower) (Figs. 51-53), subtransparent, finely striated,

widely umbilicated; height 1.2-1. 6 mm; maximum

diameter 2. 8-3. 4 mm; reddish-brown in colour,

with some specimens encrusted and corroded; spire

with 3-4 regularly growing whorls, which are con-

vex above and below; last whorl dilatated; su-

tures deep; aperture oval and transverse; peristome

simple, interrupted.

Body is black in colour; foot elongated, an-

teriorly rounded, posteriorly pointed; tentacles very

long and slender with small eyes at base; the mantle

pigmentation is dark-grey.

Genitalia (Fig. 33). The preputium is on the

dorsal side darkly pigmentated, 3 times penial

sheath lenght, from the penis sheath starts a longer

and slender vas deferens The prostate gland bears

10-12 diverticules. The bursa is oval with a short

and thin bursa duct.

Status and Conservation. This species is clas-

sified as “Least Concern” by Cuttelod et al. (2011)

and in I.U.C.N. Red List (Prie, 2010).

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

297

Distribution and Biology. Planorbis moquini

is reported in various regions of central-southern

Italy, Sicily, Sardinia (Girod et al., 1980; Man-

ganelli et al., 1995) and Maltese Islands (Giusti et

al., 1995).

However, P. moquini has uncertain distribution

because has been confused for a long time with

other Planorbid species, requiring new anatomical

data for confirmed records.

Particularly, anatomical study of the small pla-

norbids from Tuscan Archipelago, Sardinia, Cor-

sica, Sicily and Maltese Islands showed similar

structure of genitalia and was determined as P.

moquini (Giusti, 1976; Giusti & Castagnolo, 1983;

Sparacio, 1992; Giusti et al., 1995).

Gloer & Zettler (2009) redescribe the concho-

logical and anatomical characters of the topotypes

of P moquini from Corsica and they confirmed that

it is a valid species. Gloer & Zettler (2009) report,

also, that P. moquini and P. agraulus Bourguignat,

1864, redescribed by Gloer & Bouzid (2008) locus

typicus: Algeria, are two distinct species and they

are distinct from Planorbis sp. of Sardinia and from

P. cf. atticus Bourguignat, 1852 of Crete. They con-

clude that “... the Planorbidae of the Mediterranean

are poorly known and more diverse than is cur-

rently understood and their remains a number of

taxonomic problems to be resolved”.

Planorbis moquini is found in stagnant or slow-

moving freshwaters, natural and artificial, usually

oxygenated and with rich vegetation.

Remarks. Planorbis moquini is a rare species in

the study area; it found only in a few living samples

at Qanat Savagnone (Table 1).

They showed similar structure of genitalia of P.

moquini (Giusti, 1976; Giusti et al., 1995; Gloer &

Zettler, 2009) but this samples have the concho-

logical difference from other populations, well de-

scribed, of Corsica (see Gloer & Zettler, 2009) and

of Maltese Islands (see Giusti et al., 1995).

Particularly, P moquini from Micciulla shows

more robust shell, the most oval aperture and the

last whorl higher than in P. moquini from Corsica;

from the specimens of Malta they differ for smaller

size and higher and convex whorls.

Also from these short observations, and from

what Gloer & Zettler (2009) reported above, it ap-

pears clear that the true identity of the different pop-

ulations currently attributed to P. moquini has not

yet been clarified.

Genus Planorbella Haldeman, 1 843

Planorbella duryi (Wetherby, 1879)

Description. Shell sinistral, planispiral, robust,

concave on both side (lower side more concave than

upper) (Figs. 54-57), reddish or yellowish-brown

in colour; height 7.2-1 1 .8 mm; maximum diameter

15.1-2.1 mm; external surface with thin and irreg-

ular striae; spire with 4-5 regularly and rapidly

growing convex whorls; last whorl dilated

slightly angled above; sutures deep; aperture oval,

peristome simple.

Body reddish-brown in colour with multiple and

very small white-yellowish spots; tentacles mod-

erately elongated, robust, with eyes at base; foot

wide anteriorly and pointed posteriorly.

Male genitalia consisting of penial sheath, pre-

putium, lateral accessoiy duct and vas deferent (Fig.

34). Penial sheath, inserted laterally and inferiorly

of preputium, is narrower to the base and larger and

rounded to apex where an elongated vas deferent is

inserted; preputium is wide and rounded with a

penial accessory duct. Proximal internal cavity of

penial sheath with the penis well developed, con-

ical, corrugated; a muscular ring separates this cav-

ity from distal cavity which coincides with the

preputium lumen where there is an elongated pre-

putial organ.

Distribution and Biology. Originally from

Florida, USA (Wetherby, 1879), P. duryi was in-

troduced to different parts of the world, including

Europe (see also Welter-Schultes, 2012: range map

Europe). In Italy it was reported by Giusti et al.

(1995) and Manganelli et al. (1995) from Latium

and Sicily, Alexandrowicz (2003) and Mienis

(2004) from Albano Lake, Cianfanelli et al. (2007)

from Liguria, Tuscany, Puglia and Sicily, Reitano

et al. (2007) from Sicily.

Another similar North American planorbid, P.

anceps (Menke, 1830), has been reported in Italy

(Tuscany, River Frigido) by Henrard (1968 sub

Helisoma anceps ). Planorbella anceps reported by

Zettler & Richard (2003) from Sicily (Siracusa) is

actually P. duryi (see Cianfanelli et al., 2007).

Planorbella duryi is sold for aquaria in Europe

and its presence is caused by the release of aquar-

ium specimens or introduction of fish (see quoted

bibliography). It feed on plants, detritus, dead an-

imals, algae and vegetables. Animals can survive

298

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

short periods of drought staying deeply inside the

shell.

Status and Conservation. Classified as “Least

Concern” by Cuttelod et al. (2011) and in I.U.C.N.

Red List (Seddon & Van Damme, 2014).

Remarks. Allochthonous species, widespread in

Sicily and in the Palermo surroundings (Reitano et

al., 2007), where it is now present in water tanks

and fountains of the city gardens (Orto Botanico,

Parco della Favorita, Villa Tasca, University Poly-

clinic, Giardino Rosa Balistreri).

In Micciulla, some living specimens were found

in a small water tank.

Superordo NERITAEMORPHI Koken, 1896

Ordo NERITOPSINA Cox et Knight, 1960

Superfamilia NERITOIDEA Lamarck, 1809

FamiliaNeritidae Lamarck, 1809

Sub familia Neritinae Lamarck, 1809

Genus Theodoxus Montfort, 1810

Theodoxus meridionalis (Philippi, 1836)

Description. Shell semi-globose (Figs. 58-60),

robust, with 214-3 spires separated by shallow su-

tures, often encrusted and corroded specially at

apex; height 3-4.2 mm; maximum shell diameter

3. 8-5. 8 mm; aperture height 2. 9-4.0 mm; aperture

diameter 3-4.5 mm; it is almost always completely

black in colour with irregular lines yellowish-brown

almost always broken in small spots; the operculum

is yellow-orange on the outside face, whitish inside;

the last whorl is very developed and represents al-

most all the shell; the aperture is large, semi-ellipt-

ical, with an extensive, white and shiny columellar

callus, obliterating the umbilicus; apex rounded;

operculum with a large knob at the base of the oper-

cular ridge, connected to the callosity underlying

it, and with the absence of the lamella (Vitturi &

Catalano, 1988; Bodon & Giovannelli, 1995;

Bandel, 2001).

Body blackish-gray in colour, tentacles short

and thin; eyes pedunculated; foot oval, yellowish,

with small black spots.

Genitalia with penis located on the right side of

the head; females have two genital orifices: an ovi-

duct and a vaginal orifice; the escretor apparatus

has only one functional nerve (the left).

Distribution and Biology. Sicily and Tunisia

(Girodetal., 1980; Kristensen, 1986; Bodon et al.,

1995; Zettler & Richard, 2003; Bodon et al., 2005).

Theodoxus meridionalis in Sicily is found in cold

and oxygenated waters of rivers, streams and

springs and close canals and water tanks.

Status and Conservation. This species is clas-

sified as “Least Concern” in IUCN Red List (Zettler

& Van Damme, 2010) and by Cuttelod et al. (201 1).

In Tunisia it was considered “Not Evaluated” (Van

Damme et al., 2010).

Theodoxus species are in decline due to human

alteration of natural habitat.

Remarks. In the study area there are two popu-

lations: one, small, living in the spring of the Room

of Sirocco and another, more numerous, living in

the Source of Fontana. Also reported by Pirajno

(1840 sub Nerita fluviatilis var. nigra ) from “Boc-

cadifalco ” very close to Micciulla and by Calcara

(1845: sub Nerita baetica ) from the “ sorgive del

Gabriele ”.

It is uncommon throughout the Sicilian territory,

disappeared from many localities also in the sur-

roundings of Palermo (Pirajno, 1840; Benoit, 1875,

1882; De Gregorio, 1895; Cassara, 1951; Bodon et

al., 2005).

Populations of this species from Siracusa province

(Anapo, Asinaro and Lato rivers ) were examined

with a cariological study by Vitturi & Catalano

(1988) who demonstrated the haploid number of

chromosomes n=12+h and the diploid values 2n=25

in males (X0) and 2n=26 (XX) in females.

Bunje & Lindenberg (2007) studied by molecu-

lar genetics numerous Theodoxus populations identi-

fying six major clades. The clade D, where T.

meridionalis falls, is distributed throughout the

Mediterranean area. According to these authors, the

current specific differentiation seems to be related

to the Pliocene’s geo-climatic events.

Classis BIVALVI A Linnaeus, 1758

Subclassis Eulamellibranchia Blainville, 1 824

Superordo Fleterodonta Neumayr, 1884

Ordo Veneroidea Rafmesque, 1815

Superfamilia Sphaerioidea Deshayes, 1855 (1820)

Familia Sphaeriidae

Genus Pisidium Pfeiffer, 1821

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

299

Figures 23-25. Islamia pusilla. Fig. 23: shell. Fig. 24: body. Fig. 25: dorsal surface of penis. Figures 26-29. Pseudamnicola

moussonii. Fig. 26: body; Fig. 27: penis; Figs. 28, 29: shells. Figure 30. Stagnicolafuscus, penial complex. Figures 31, 32.

Physella acuta: penis with open preputium. Figure 33. Planorbis moquini, penial complex. Figure 34. Planorbella duryi,

penial complex. All scale bars equal 1 mm except for the bars in figures 23-25 which equals 0.5 mm.

300

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

Figure 35. Bythinia leachii, Qanat Scibene, shell, height 5.4 mm. Figure 36. Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Qanat Gesuitico

Alto, shell, height 5 mm. Figures 37, 38. Radix auricularia, Ru Gebbi, shells, height 20.1 mm. Figures 39-41. Stagnicola

fuscus, Gebbia Villa Belvedere, live specimen and shells, height 16.3 mm.

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

301

Figures 42, 43. Galba truncatula, Gebbia Santacolomba, shells, height 8 mm. Figures 44, 45. Physella acuta, Micciulla,

live specimens, shells, height 10 mm. Figures 46, 47. Ancylus prop efluviatilis, Source of Fontane, shells, height 5 mm. Fi-

gures 48-50. Planorbis planorbis, Gebbia La Mantia, shells, maximum diameter 8.4 mm.

302

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

Figures 51-53. Planorbis moquini, Qanat Savagnone, shells, maximum diameter 3 mm. Figures 54-57. Planorbella duryi,

Micciulla, shells and live specimen, height 10.2 mm. Figures 58-60. Theodoxus meridionalis, Source of Fontane, live spe-

cimens (Fig. 58), shell with operculum, height 3.8 mm (Fig. 59) and honed shell, height 3.5 mm (Fig. 60).

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

303

Pisidium personatum Malm, 1855

Description. Shell bivalve, oval in outline, little

convex, lower edge well arched, pale yellow in col-

our, white or grayish post mortem, subtransparent;

length 2. 2-4. 4 mm, height 1.9-3. 3 mm, width 1.7-

3.2 mm; external surface with thin and irregular

striae, anterior half slightly longer than posterior,

umbones only just posterior, broad, but not prom-

inent; hinge plate of both valves robust charac-

terized by the presence of a “callus” between the

ligament pit and the base of 1 and 3 posterior lateral

teeth (PI and P3), more evident on the right valve

close to or fused to the base of P3. Three anterior

lateral teeth (A3) and P3 moved at the margin of the

shell.

Animal with small and pointed foot, yellowish

in colour.

Distribution and Biology. Holopalaearctic-

Ethiopian, including all Italy (Kuiper, 1964;

Castagnolo et al., 1980; Castagnolo, 1995; Bodon

et al., 2005; Pezzoli & Giusti, 2006).

Pisidium personatum lives in all stagnant and

slow moving waters, also in subterranean waters. It

is frequent in low and medium altitudes but it

occurs at higher altitudes in the Alps (Nardi &

Castagnolo, 2009).

Status and Conservation. Classified as “Least

Concern” by Cuttelod et al. (2011).

Remarks. Pisidium personatum is present in

this study area with several small but stable popu-

lations (Table 1). It is a common species in Sicily,

where it is found in different environments, includ-

ing canals, drinking water, wells or small cavities

even with little light or almost darkness.

CONCLUSIONS

The Palermo Plain is now almost completely

urbanized as includes, in addition to the city of

Palermo, many other neighboring towns with a total

of about 1,000,000 people. Particularly in the

second half of 1900, there was an uncontrolled

development of buildings, without the construction

of adequate networks and aqueducts, causing the

spread of cesspools and the transformation into

sewers of many streams and artificial canals, in-

cluding the Oreto River.

All these waterways are in communication with

the underground aquifers of the Plain and even the

old sewerage system of Palermo’s urban center is

subject to frequent sewers breakage and discharge

of slurry. In addition, numerous wells for drawing

water from the aquifer were made without proper

controls. All this resulted in over-exploitation of the

underground water with consequent drainage of

some springs and increased intrusion of sea water

into the aquifer itself.

At the same time, occurred the disappearance of

almost all the natural freshwater environments of

the Palermo Plain and the strong reduction of agri-

cultural land including its complex water-catching

and distribution systems (gebbie, saje, etc.) which

contributed to the creation of a complex ecosystem

with articulated trophic networks (Riggio, 1976; La

Mantia, 2004).

In this environmental degradation the territory

of Micciulla, now completely inside the city of

Palermo, witnesses a perfect integration of natural

environments and agro-systems of the Palermo

Plain, representing the perfect metaphor for sus-

tainable development.

In the Palermo Plain, it is already documented

for various other groups of animals a passage from

the original natural habitats to the agrarian ones

with biodiversity conservation.

This is the case of the loquat, Eryobothria ja-

ponica (Thumb.), an allochthonous species long

cultivated in Sicily and, in particular, in the Conca

d’Oro. Many loquat orchards contribute to creating

new ecological niches for different bird species (see

La Mantia, 2016) and insects xylophages, in par-

ticular Coleoptera Cerambycidae (Bellavista et al.,

2015).

Lourteen (14) species of freshwater molluscs

have been surveyed (Table 1). Of particular import-

ance are the populations of Islamia pusilla, species

bound to water springs and Theodoxus meridi-

onals, Sicilian endemism restricted to well-oxy-

genated waters, which has disappeared from nu-

merous places in the Palermo area. The consistency

of the Pseudamnicola moussoni and Pisidium per-

sonatum populations is good, both species linked to

clean and oxygenated waters, with wide diffusion

and great ecological value. Stagnicola fuscus. Radix

auricularia, Galba truncatula, and Planorbis pla-

norbis are present with small populations but still

found in Palermo area, while no data is available on

304

Ignazio Sparacio et alii

the consistency of the populations of Bythinia

leachii, Planorbis moquini and Ancylus prope f lu-

x’ iatilis.

It is worth noting the presence of three al-

lochthonous species: Phy sella acuta, widespread

and common since 1900 throughout Sicily, Pot-

amopyrgus antipodarum and Planorbella duryi, spe-

cies introduced recently but continually expanding.

The largest number of living populations are

found in the Fontane Spring (6) thanks also to the

good natural conditions of these environments. This

is also the case of the Qanat Scibene (5) and Qanat

Savagnone (4), which receives clean and oxygen-

ated waters from the Scibene Spring, despite the

small area useful for malacological researchs, re-

stricted to the qanat entrance from the “Camera

dello Scirocco” (scirocco room) (see Fig 15).

The Qanat “Gesuitico Alto”, however, flows

completely underground and is aphotic (i.e. having

no sunlight): we found empty shells and some liv-

ing specimens of Potamopyrgus antipodarum, an

allochthonous species which, throughout the entire

territory studied, at the moment, was found only in

this particular environment.

Within the gebbie examined we found, in the

whole, a few living species, probably due to either

the fast water supply they are characterized by, as

being used for irrigation, and the homogeneous eco-

Species

Source

Fontane

Qanat

Scibene

Qanat

Sava-

gnone

Qanat

Gesuitico

Alto

Gebbia

Mantia

Gebbia

Villa

Belvedere

Gebbia

Santaco-

lomba

Gebbi

Saje

Fondo

Micciulla

Water

tank

Micciulla

Bithynia leachii

Islamia pusilla

Pseudamnicola

m. moussonii

Potamopyrgus

antipodarum

Phy sella acuta

Galba truncatula

Radix auricularia

Stagnicola juscus

Ancylus prope

fluviatilis

Planorbis

moquini

Planorbis

planorbis

Planorbella

duryi

Theodoxus

meridionalis

Pisidium

personation

Table 1. Freshwater snails found in Micciulla territory (2009-2016). L: live specimens, S: shell/s.

Qanat, gebbie and water sources: the last refuge for the malacologican freshwater fauna in Palermo

305

logical conditions typical of this environment; in ad-

dition, periodically, gebbies are emptied and cleaned.

Many more species can be found, on the other

hand, in the saje of Fondo Micciulla, which have a

considerable territorial extension, a good diversi-

fication of ecological niches and are nearly always

fed by running waters.

Quite predictable was the presence of Planor-

bella duryi within an ornamental tank.

The multiple connections between all these nat-

ural and artificial systems allow to find, almost eve-

rywhere, empty shells transported remotely from

the original places.

Some species have high colonization capacity

and ecological adaptability to moving easily within

the study area as Stagnicolafuscus, Galba trunca-

tula , Radix auricularia, Physella acuta.

It is essential to plan conservation, recovery and

enhancement programs for both natural environ-

ments and farmlands occurring within the Palermo

Plain (see La Mantia, 2006, 2007). It would be

necessary, therefore, to re-evaluate the role played

by water throughout this entire system and to ensure

its constant availability to farmers in order to slow

down the processes of land abandonment (La

Mantia & Rotondo, 2014).

The ecological value of these agro-ecosystems

is mostly linked to the permanence of water in the

irrigation system and soil and its absence for many

months in the distribution channels results in disap-

pearance of entire communities of plants and an-

imals, not least that of freshwater molluscs object

of this work.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to express their gratitude to

the Scout-Agesci (Palermo, Italy) to which was

assigned Villa Savagnone confiscated to the mafia

and in particular to A. Di Marco, V. Passer! and D.

Carella and A.M.A.P. (Azienda Municipalizzata

Acquedotto of Palermo) who manages the sources

of Gabriele. We also thank to G. Fontana (Palermo,

Italy) for allowing to study some of the gebbie ex-

amined in the presen work; Marco Bodon (Genova,

Italy), Roberto Viviano (Palermo, Italy), A. La Rosa

(Palermo, Italy), and Daniela Patti of the SAAF

Library (Palermo, Italy) for help in bibliographic

research.

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