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Alessandro Salemi

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (2): 399-405 - MONOGRAPH

    Calogero Muscarella, Simone Costa, Francesco Paolo Faraone, Giuseppe Mascarello, Alessandro Salemi, Daniele Sechi & Gabriele Giacalone
    Isidus moreli Mulsant et Rey, 1874 in Sicily (Elateridae Pomachiliini): regional distribution and threat factors
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.2.399.405

    ABSTRACT
    The distribution of Isidus moreli Mulsant et Rey, 1874 (Elateridae Pomachiliini) in Sicily is updated, a saproxylophagous species linked to dune environments and considered “Vulnerable” in the national red lists and “Near Threatened” in the European ones. For this species, the ecological peculiarities are also highlighted and the main threat factors are discussed, underlining the importance of protected areas for its conservation.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (2): 355-361 - MONOGRAPH

    Laura Genco, Giovanni Callea, Calogero Muscarella, Alessandro Salemi & Bruno Massa
    Presence of Brachytrupes megacephalus (Lefebvre, 1827) (Orthoptera Gryllidae) in the Oriented Nature Reserves “Capo Rama” (Terrasini, Palermo, Sicily) and “Torre Salsa” (Siculiana, Agrigento, Sicily)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.2.355.361

    ABSTRACT
    The authors present preliminary findings regarding the distribution and habitat selection of Brachytrupes megacephalus (Lefebvre, 1927) (Orthoptera Gryllidae) within the “Capo Rama” and “Torre Salsa” Nature Reserves (Sicily, Italy). This elusive species is closely associated with undamaged coastal ecosystems and appears to be in decline in Italy. It has been listed in the European Union’s Habitat Directive 92/43/EEC and the European Red List. Consequently, a monitoring plan was initiated in March 2021 and continued into 2022. The monitoring involved identifying signs of presence (burrows, sand cones, and song) using zig-zag transects in sample areas, with the aim of collecting both presence/absence data and density information. The presence of the species has been confirmed at various sites within the two study areas and on the beach in Balestrate (Palermo). The data obtained are crucial for planning effective conservation initiatives for both the species itself and the ecosystems inhabited by it.