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Augusto Cattaneo

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 073-078

    Mauro Grano, Cristina Cattaneo & Augusto Cattaneo
    First observations on the herpetological and theriological fauna of Alimia Island (Rhodes Archipelago, Aegean Sea)

    ABSTRACT
    This note is a preliminary study on the herpetological and theriological fauna of Alimia Island (Rhodes Archipelago, Aegean Sea). Are described seven species of reptiles and three of micromammals. Is also provided a short botanical characterization of the island.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 4 (4): 553-556

    Mauro Grano, Cristina Cattaneo & Augusto Cattaneo
    First record of Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia Serpentes Colubridae) in the Aegean island of Tsougriá, Northern Sporades, Greece

    ABSTRACT
    The presence of Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia Serpentes Colubridae) in Tsougriá, a small island of the Northern Sporades, Greece, is here recorded for the first time.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 2 (3): 151-152

    Mauro Grano, Cristina Cattaneo & Augusto Cattaneo
    A case of cannibalism in Podarcis siculus campestris De Betta, 1857 (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

    ABSTRACT
    A case-report of cannibalistic behaviour in Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus campestris De Betta, 1857 is described here along with the first photographic record.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (3): 630-648

    Augusto Cattaneo
    Eco-morphological notes on the sarmatian rat snake, Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814) (Reptilia Serpentes Colubridae), from Greek Thrace
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.3.630.648

    ABSTRACT
    This paper aims to provide original information on the eco-morphology of Sarmatian rat snake, Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814) (Reptilia Serpentes Colubridae), which inhabits Greek Thrace. To this end, research was conducted in May, from 2013 to 2017, along the coastline of north-eastern Greece. Regarding morphology, numerous data on size (of both juveniles and adults), pholidosis (head, trunk and tail) and color development are provided. The absence of E. sauromates on the arid Aegean Islands underscores its reliance on high humidity conditions for survival, a trait further evident in the various environments it frequents on the continent. The trophic spectrum of E. sauromates primarily consists of birds (mostly nestlings) and their eggs, as also evidenced by the structure of its cervical tract; similar dietary tendencies appear to be present in its sister species, E. quatuorlineata. As for its reproductive cycle, three females were followed from copulation to oviposition; four of the offspring (2 males, 2 females) were reared until sexual maturity, and variations in length, weight and habitus were recorded annually. Information is also provided on behavior, predators, parasites and conservation problems. Finally, the three species of the group E. sauromates (s.l.), E. sauromates, E. urartica, E. druzei are compared, with comments on cryptic species.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (2): 0325-0327

    Augusto Cattaneo
    New considerations on the systematics of the genus Montivipera Nilson, Tuniyev, Andrén, Orlov, Joger et Herrmann, 1999 (Serpentes Viperidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.2.325.327
    https://www.zoobank.org/253592E4-A26E-4983-92A5-DD469B412515

    ABSTRACT
    Within the genus Montivipera Nilson, Tuniyev, Andrén, Orlov, Joger et Herrmann, 1999 (Serpentes Viperidae), the raddei complex shows deep genetic and morphological differences with respect to the xanthina complex. On this ground, it is proposed to consider it as belonging to the new subgenus Oculocircumcincta.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (4): 0785-0798

    Augusto Cattaneo
    Effects of ecological divergence in the westernmost Anatolian populations of Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849) (Serpentes Viperidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.4.785.798

    ABSTRACT
    The Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849) complex (Serpentes Viperidae) consists of two divergent species groups, the xanthina group with a western distribution (Western Turkey, Northeastern Greece), and the bornmuelleri group (albizona, bornmuelleri, bulgardaghica, wagneri) with a more eastern distribution (Central-eastern Turkey, Syria, Lebanon). New evidence suggests that the xanthina group’s well-documented search for coastal habitats is dictated by intrinsic factors. Therefore, the author deems it appropriate to distinguish these western Anatolian populations of Montivipera xanthina with the subgeneric name Planivipera n. subgen., which would separate this group of vipers with their different ecology from the true mountain vipers of the Turkish inland (bornmuelleri group).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (1): 069-084

    Augusto Cattaneo, Cristina Cattaneo & Mauro Grano
    Update on the herpetofauna of the Dodecanese Archipelago (Greece)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.1.69.84

    ABSTRACT
    In this paper, an update on the Dodecanese (Greece) herpetofauna is provided. In this Archipelago, 8 Amphibians (2 Salamandrididae, 1 Pelobatidae, 2 Bufonidae, 1 Hylidae, 2 Ranidae) and 31 Reptiles (1 Testudinidae, 1 Emydidae, 1 Geoemydidae, 1 Trionychidae, 1 Cheloniidae, 1 Agamidae, 2 Gekkonidae, 4 Lacertidae, 4 Scincidae, 1 Anguidae, 1 Blanidae, 1 Typhlopidae, 1 Boidae, 10 Colubridae, 1 Viperidae) occur. Notes relating to animals’ ecology and to critical habitats are also given.