Biodiversity Journal - For wildlife research and environmental studies

Andrea Corso

Biodiversity Journal, 9 (1): 035-044

Andrea Corso
Updated status of European Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus feldeggii (Schlegel, 1843) (Aves Falconiformes): a taxon on the verge of extinction, with brief comments on the North African Lanner, F. biarmicus erlangeri (Kleinschimdt, 1901)

ABSTRACT
Information on the breeding population size of European Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus feldeggii Schlegel, 1843 (Aves Falconiformes), up to the breeding season 2017 are here given, showing how this peculiar and distinctive taxon is now threatened. A brief overview of the most relevant past and recent information available for the main breeding strongholds is reported, with a more circumstanced status for Turkey and other countries for which the data so far published were either out of date or misleading. The general figure is at no more than ca. 200 breeding pairs worldwide, with slightly more known nesting territories so far remaining. Some comments for the North African subspecies F. biarmicus erlangeri (Schlegel, 1843) are also concisely reported, showing how also this taxon is steadily declining.
Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 927-936

Fabio Liberto, Andrea Corso, Roberto Viviano, Maria Stella Colomba & Ignazio Sparacio
A new species of the genus Milax Ellis, 1926 (Gastropoda Pulmonata Milacidae) from Lampedusa Island (Sicilian Channel, Italy)

ABSTRACT
Milax lopadusanus n. sp. (Gastropoda Pulmonata Milacidae) is described from Lampedusa Island, the biggest of the islands of the Pelagie Archipelago (Sicilian Channel, Italy). The new species is characterized by: greyish-brown body, with distinct yellowish keel; conical, smooth stimulator, with a raised crest along one side and spermatophore characterized by conic anterior part, covered on one side by bifurcated spines with the two apexes thorny; posterior part cylindrical, covered by smaller and most dense spines on all sides. Additional faunistic, biological and taxonomical notes are provided.
Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 039-044

Roberto Casalini, Enzo Colonnelli, Andrea Corso & David Mifsud
Chiloneus hoffmanni (Gonzáles, 1970) (Coleoptera Curculionidae) new to Italy, with a checklist of the species of the genus and ecological notes

ABSTRACT
Chiloneus hoffmanni (González, 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 Charybdis pancration (Asparagaceae). These observations constitute the first data on the ecology of these species. An updated checklist of Chiloneus Schoenherr, 1842 is also provided.
Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 033-038

Andrea Corso, Ottavio Janni, Maurizio Pavesi & Michele Viganò
Update to the status of Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) and Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1891 for Italy and Central Mediterranean basin (Odonata Libellulidae)

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 studied 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.
Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 019-020

Arnaldo Camilloni, Raffaele Luca, Roberto Casalini & Andrea Corso
Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta spinoletta (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves Motacillidae) actively feeding on small fishes

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 dell’Inferno, Circeo National Park (Lazio, Italy).
Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 285-296 - MONOGRAPH

Andrea Corso, Lorenzo Starnini, Michele Viganò & Justin J.F.J. Jansen
A quantitative morphological geographical study from a widely distributed raptor: the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Fleischer, 1818 (Falconiformes Falconidae)
Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

ABSTRACT
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Fleischer, 1818 (Falconiformes Falconidae) is considered a monotypic species. F. naumanni pekinensis Swinhoe, 1870 was described from Beijing, China. Although considered valid for most of the 20th century, some authors treated F. naumanni pekinensis as a synonym of F. naumanni naumanni, and subsequent authors have since regarded “pekinensis” as an invalid taxon. Recent field observations in Asia and Europe and museum studies have confirmed diagnosable differences in (fresh) adult males. Comparing morphology between nominate “naumanni ” and “pekinensis”, with the latter invariably showing more extensive grey on the wing coverts and darker and more saturated colours on both the underparts and upperparts, with all grey areas, including the hood, being a darker, deeper lead-grey. Females often have more extensive dark markings and a better-defined dark eye-line but apparently are indistinguishable in most cases. This study aims to re-evaluate F. naumanni pekinensis and to discuss geographic variation in the subspecies in a widely distributed raptor.
Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 271-284 - MONOGRAPH

Michele Viganò & Andrea Corso
Morphological differences between two subspecies of Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata (Pallas, 1764) (Passeriformes Muscicapidae)
Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

ABSTRACT
Four subspecies of Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata Pallas, 1764) (Passeriformes Muscicapidae) are usually recognized within the Western Palaearctic. We carefully analysed two of these in order to determine and quantify their morphological differences: M. striata striata (inhabiting most of continental Europe east to the Ural mountains and a small portion of north-western Africa) and M. striata tyrrhenica Schiebel, 1910 (breeding on the Tyrrhenian islands of Corsica, Sardinia and the Tuscan Archipelago). We examined total of 58 Spotted Flycatcher specimens from Italian museums (of which 18 M. striata tyrrhenica) and obtained data about morphological features such as wing point, length and formula, and bill length, width and depth; furthermore, we investigated plumage colour using a spectrometer. Biometric measurements and an analysis of plumage streaking confirmed the presence of important differences between the two taxa; the colorimetric analysis did not produce the expected results, although it had some interesting implications concerning the preservation of museum specimens and their use in studies of plumage colour.
Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 459-478

Andrea Corso, Ottavio Janni, Maurizio Pavesi, Michael Sammut, Arnold Sciberras & Michele Viganò
Annotated checklist of the dragonflies (Insecta Odonata) of the islands of the Sicilian Channel, including the first records of Sympetrum sinaiticum Dumont, 1977 and Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) for Italy

ABSTRACT
In this paper we report data on the historical and recent status of all dragonfly species (Insecta, Odonata) recorded for the Sicilian Channel islands: the Pelagie islands and Pantelleria, politically belonging to Italy, and Maltese Archipelago islands. The number of species known for the former group of islands raises from 7 to 20. Of these, 2 are new for the Italian fauna, namely the Desert Darter Sympetrum sinaiticum, noticed through likely sightings starting from 2010 on Lampedusa, and confirmed through voucher specimens collected in April 2012, and the Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens, first noticed in October 2012 on Lampedusa and Linosa; while Calopteryx sp. cf. haemorrhoidalis, Ischnura genei, Aeshna mixta, Orthetrum nitidinerve, Orthetrum coerulescens anceps, Crocothemis erythraea, Sympetrum striolatum, S. meridionale, Brachythemis impartita, Trithemis annulata and T. kirbyi, already known for Italy, are new for the Italian islands of the Sicilian channel. The Maltese fauna includes at present 18 recorded species; the previously reported Trithemis arteriosa is to be deleted from the list, since the concerned specimen upon re-examination proved to be T. annulata.
Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 407-428

Andrea Corso, Marco Gustin & Piero Ferrandes
Annotated checklist of the birds from Pantelleria Island (Sicilian Channel, Italy): a summary of the most relevant data, with new species for the site and for Italy

ABSTRACT
The updated annoted checklist of all the bird species recorded at Pantelleria island (Trapani, Sicily, Sicilian Channel) up to May 2012 along with data on the status of the birds are reported. The total number of species recorded is 261, 43 of which are new for the islands compared to the previous checklist. During our study, very rare species for the Italian fauna were recorded including Semi-collared Flycatcher, Citrine Wagtail, Steppe Eagle, Daurian Shrike, Desert Wheatear, Trumpeter Finch, Black Wheatear and Rufous Bush-Chat. Detailed data and available documentation are reported for the most relevant records.
Biodiversity Journal, 13 (1): 0137-0140

Andrea Corso
First record of living Conomurex persicus (Swainson, 1821) (Gastropoda Strombidae) for Italian waters
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.1.137.140

ABSTRACT
The first record of live collected Conomurex persicus (Swainson, 1821) (Gastropoda Cymbuliidae) for Italy is reported, on account of six live specimens found in November 2021 at Linosa Island, Pelagie Archipelago (Agrigento, Sicily, Italy).
Biodiversity Journal, 11 (2): 359-362

Andrea Corso & Verena Penna
Orthetrum chrysostigma (Burmeister, 1839): new for the Italian fauna (Odonata Libellulidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.2.359.362

ABSTRACT
Details about the first Italian record of Orthetrum chrysostigma (Burmeister, 1839) (Odonata Libellulidae), obtained in south-western Sicily, are reported. One mature male was collected in the province of Agrigento in August 2014.
Biodiversity Journal, 11 (1): 065-068

Ottavio Janni, Michele Viganò & Andrea Corso
First records of Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842) for Sicily and additional record of Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1891(Odonata Libellulidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.1.65.68

ABSTRACT
We report the first records (three specimens on two dates) of Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842) (Odonata Libellulidae) for Sicily, obtained during October 2019 at the island of Linosa, Pelagie Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). Additional record of Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1891 (Odonata Libellulidae), already known for the region, are provided.
Biodiversity Journal, 11 (1): 057-064

Paolo Galasso, Alessandro Marletta & Andrea Corso
Odonata of Sicilian southeast swamp lakes “Pantano Cuba” and “Pantano Longarini” (SE-Sicily, Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.1.57.64

ABSTRACT
From March 2015 to December 2019 a focused study on Odonata, funded by the German foundation “Stiftung Pro Artenvielfalt ®” (Foundation Pro Biodiversity), was conducted at the swamp lakes named “Pantano Cuba” and “Pantano Longarini”, in the southeast coast of Sicily (Italy), near Pachino, Siracusa. A total of 27 different species were recorded in Pantano Cuba and Longarini, including Brachytron pratense (Müller, 1764), found for the first time in Sicily during this study and Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798), never seen before in Italy excluding the islands of Linosa and Lampedusa, Sicilian Channel.
Biodiversity Journal, 10 (3): 195-200

Andrea Corso, Ottavio Janni, Carlo Fracasso, Alessandro Biscaccianti & Lorenzo De Lisio
New data on the distribution of the endangered dragonflies Oxygastra curtisii (Dale, 1834), Somatochlora meridionalis (Vander Linden, 1825) and S. flavomaculata Nielsen, 1935 in Central-Southern Italy (Odonata Cordulidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.3.195.200

ABSTRACT
New data on distribution in central-southern Italy of three species of dragonflies (Odonata Cordulidae) are here reported: Oxygastra curtisii (Dale, 1834), Somatochlora meridionalis Nielsen, 1935 and S. flavomaculata (Vander Linden, 1825). The first one it is included in Annex II of Habitat directive of the Europe. For S. curtisi we reports for the first time its presence in Abruzzo and Molise regions, while for meridionalis we report the national south most known sites, while for flavomaculata a range extension of more than 200 km south.
Biodiversity Journal, 10 (1): 007-012

Andrea Corso, Ottavio Janni, Lorenzo De Lisio & Carlo Fracasso
Update to the status of Lindeni tetraphylla (Vander Linden, 1825) (Odonata Gomphidae) in Italy, with special reference to the Molise regions
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.1.7.12

ABSTRACT
Data concerning a new reproductive population of Lindenia tetraphylla (Vander Linden, 1825 (Odonata Gomphidae), found by the authors in Molise, Central Italy, between 2012 and 2018, are here reported. The species was recorded in some artificial farm ponds of the inland agricultural area, where localized but conspicuous reproductive populations are annually found. A single sighting from 2017 is also reported from the Abruzzo region, where the species has never been recorded before. The data here discussed update the status for Italy and enlarge the known distribution area. All the sites where the species is found in Molise are listed and mapped, brief data concerning habitat used are also reported.

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Andrea Corso