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Ettore Petralia

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 059-064 - MONOGRAPH

    Ettore Petralia, Massimo Berico, Teresa La Torretta, Antonella Malaguti, Milena Stracquadanio & Chiara Telloli
    Identification of emission sources from data of PM2.5 chemical speciation measured with automatic monitors: application in a coastal site of the Mediterranean basin

    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 PM2.5 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, 24h-cycle and percentage contribution to measured PM2.5, also emphasizing the relationship between factors and different wind conditions.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 323-326 - MONOGRAPH

    Alfredo Petralia, Ettore Petralia, Giorgio Sabella, Filadelfo Brogna & Corrado Bianca
    Presence's mapping of Brachytrupes megacephalus (Lefebvre, 1827) (Orthoptera Gryllidae) within the Natural Reserve of Vendicari (Noto, Siracusa, Italy)
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Brachytrupes megacephalus (Lefebvre, 1827) (Orthoptera Gryllidae) is a species included in the Annexes II and IV of EU Directive 92/43 as taxon requiring strict protection. The authors summarize the researches aimed to recognize the localization of this species within the natural reserve of Vendicari, protected area along the south eastern Sicilian coast in the territory of Noto (province of Siracusa). The presence of the specimens was ascertained by detecting its holes on the soil surface. The holes position was recorded using GPS and utilized for mapping the presence of the species as tool for its protection management in the reserve territory.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 4 (4): 557-564

    Agatino Maurizio Siracusa & Ettore Petralia
    Trend of a population of Wild Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) in relation to Domestic Sheep Ovis aries aries (Linnaeus, 1758) grazing within a small insular protected area

    ABSTRACT
    The wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Leporidae) if present at high density can cause significant damages to crops and natural vegetation. The aim of this study, carried out from 2002 to 2008 in the Natural Reserve “Complesso Immacolatelle e Micio Conti”, in the foothills of Mount Etna, was to investigate the relationship between the wild rabbit and the presence of grazing domestic sheep Ovis aries aries (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Bovidae), considering also the possible synergistic effect of these two herbivores on the natural vegetation in a small protected area. Precipitation during the month of September correlated statistically significantly with the density of rabbits. A comparison between the density values obtained during the period under study did not show statistically significant differences with the exception of 2006 and 2007 when, within the area, was present a flock of sheep (200–250 individuals), free to graze in the reserve. The abundance of rabbits in 2002–2005 and 2008 is equal to 6.97% more than the expected value; in the absence of the grazing sheep flock (2006–2007) instead the population assumed density values significantly higher than expected. Since grazing of rabbits, especially in summer, is critical for the subsequent composition of herbaceous vegetation, for the purposes of conservation and protection of natural or semi natural environments, especially with a small extension, it is desirable to properly assess and manage the presence of the wild rabbit, especially in areas where it is not original, for the effects it may have on plant communities and populations of arthropods, and to control sheep grazing as well to contain the caused damages.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 493-500

    Agatino M. Siracusa, Veronica Larosa & Ettore Petralia
    Presence of black rat Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Rodentia) and possible extinction risk for micro insular populations of Podarcis sicula (Rafinesque, 1810) (Reptilia Lacertidae): the example of Lachea islet (Sicily, Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The black rat Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) in insular environments represents a threat for many species of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants, especially in equatorial islands. In the Mediterranean Basin as regards the herpetofauna, and lizards of the genus Podarcis in particular, the information available are still few. Since 2006, a study was initiated to verify the possible impact of the black rat on the micro-insular population of Podarcis sicula (Rafinesque, 1810) living in Lachea island, a natural reserve. During 2011 were collected and analyzed 2873 excrements of rats and in no case were found remains attributable to Podarcis sicula. The density of lizards, observed with the technique of the transept, was 0.3 ind./10 m2. During the period 2006-2011 were analyzed (also by molecular type investigation) a total of 4696 excrements of rat, with no confirmation of predation against Podarcis sicula. However the rat predation on insects may cause an indirect effect like competition and have negative effects on populations of invertebrates and therefore also on Podarcis sicula. Moreover the Lachea island is affected by a moderate tourism. The lizards, in those very frequented areas, show lower values of the body condition index and a decrease of cells responsible for immune response. Although is not documented any form of predation by the black rat, that species is a potential source of threat and a combined action of the factors mentioned with accidental events, makes this small micro-insular population of Podarcis sicula as vulnerable to sudden decreases in numbers.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 429-444

    Giorgio Sabella, Fabio M. Viglianisi & Ettore Petralia
    Catalogue of malgasy genera of Pselaphinae Latreille, 1802 and first data on the diversity of Pselaphid beetles population in the Amber Mountain National Park, Northern Madagascar (Coleoptera Staphylinidae)

    ABSTRACT
    The catalogue of the genera of Pselaphinae Latreille, 1802 from Madagascar is here presented. For each genus is given the bibliographic reference relative to the original description, its synonyms and the number of total known species. A review of current knowledge about Pselaphinae from the National Park of Amber Mountain (Northern Madagascar) shows that for this area are at present known 16 genera (14 endemic to Madagascar and one of Amber Mountain) and 23 species, all malgasy endemic, 19 of which are known only for the Amber Mountain area. During faunistic researchs carried out in this district, from 18 to 31 March 2011, were collected seven genera (Faronitopsis, Trissemus, Leichotrella, Ctnenistes, Acylotyrus, Eichiella and Rhynchoclaviger) reported for the first time for Amber Mountain area. The research confirms the high biodiversity of malgasy Pselaphid fauna and some of its characteristics as the coexistence in the same area of more congeners species, sometimes very similar to each other, contrary to what occurs in temperate regions. Besides the classic environment of the soil, in Madagascar there are many species that live on herbaceous vegetation or on the branches of trees, in particular those belonging to the tribe of Brachyglutini and Ctenistini.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (2): 159-162 - MONOGRAPH

    Ettore Petralia, Teresa La Torretta, Milena Stracquadanio, Antonella Malaguti, Giuseppe Cremona, Giancarlo Papitto, Cristiana Cocciufa, Maurizio Gualtieri & Antonio Piersanti
    “Visibility” at Italian natural parks: preliminary data from the first-ever pilot project by ENEA and CUFAA
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.2.159.162

    ABSTRACT
    “Visibility” is meant as the greatest distance at which an observer can see a distant object in contrast with the horizon and, when referred to a landscape, it depends on the optical characteristics of the atmosphere, somehow linked to the presence of air pollutants. Visibility can hence become a useful indicator of air quality and the project Visibility, representing the first case of visibility monitoring in Europe, aims to apply this approach within the Italian National Parks as natural areas with a significant fruition vocation. The goal is to test the U.S. National Park Service protocol I.M.PRO.V.E. (Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environment) for the quantification of a coefficient that describes the light extinction (Bext) as a function of different chemical-physical parameters associated with molecules dispersed in the air, and the Circeo National Park (LT) was selected for the “pilot” action, with the positioning of the measuring instruments for atmospheric pollution evaluation at the Lago dei Monaci site. 24-hours samplings were performed in spring-summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022, to measure the air concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, sulfates and nitrates, elemental carbon and organic carbon, metals and trace elements and the gaseous species nitrogen dioxide, with the consequential calculation of the Bext. The visual detection of the degree of air transparency was performed by a panoramic camera pointed in the direction of the “landmark” Monte Circeo, taken as a reference for the definition of long-distance visibility.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (4): 0977-0992

    Alfredo Petralia, Pietro Fiandaca, Ettore Petralia, Giorgio Sabella, Gaetano Torrisi, Corrado Bianca, Francesco Lamanna & Caterina Dima
    On the presence and localization of Brachytrupes megacephalus (Lefebvre, 1827) (Orthoptera Gryllidae) in the “Oriented Natural Reserve Simeto Oasis” (Sicily, Italy)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.4.977.992

    ABSTRACT
    The authors present the results of an investigation aimed to ascertaining the presence of the Gryllidae Brachytrupes megacephalus Lefebvre, 1827, Orthopter of UE interest, in the “Oriented Natural Reserve of Simeto Oasis”, located near Catania along the eastern coast of Sicily (Italy). The species is noticeably widespread in the reserve despite of the alterations and disturbance of anthropogenic origin that have affected the entire coastal dune belt of the Catania Gulf. Management measures aimed to the protection the species are also suggested, as well as protocols for its monitoring in the medium-long term in order to keep under control the consolidation and further diffusion of the species in the territory of the reserve.