Biodiversity Journal - For wildlife research and environmental studies

Mauro Grano

Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 885-887

Mauro Grano & Francesco M. Angelici
Discovery of some white quills of the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Rodentia)

ABSTRACT
In this note, we report the discovery of some white quills belonging to the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia Rodentia) from Sabini Mountains (Central Italy). We hypothesize the leucism of the individual.
Biodiversity Journal, 8 (3): 851-854

Mauro Grano & Cristina Cattaneo
The Balkan Terrapin Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes in Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1833) (Testudines Geoemydidae) in the Aegean island of Chalki: native or introduced?

ABSTRACT
The presence of the Balkan Terrapin Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes in Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1833) (Testudines Geoemydidae) for the Aegean island of Chalki (Dodecanese, Greece), is here recorded for the first time. Mauremys rivulata is common in continental Greece and quite widespread in many Aegean islands, however, its presence in Chalki, extremely dry island and poor of water resources, leads to important thoughts and questions.
Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 211-238 - MONOGRAPH

Fabio Liberto, Mauro Grano, Cristina Cattaneo & Salvo Giglio
Land mollusks of Chalki and Alimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

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 species are presented, with particular account to the genus Rhabdoena Kobelt et Mollendorff, 1902, Zebrina Held, 1838 and Albinaria Vest, 1864.
Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 011-014

Riccardo Di Giuseppe & Mauro Grano
Sightings of Red Squirrels Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia Rodentia) in the Monumento Naturale “Pineta di Fregene” and in the Castel di Guido Oasis (Latium, Italy)

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.
Biodiversity Journal, 7 (3): 345-346

Mauro Grano
An unusual urban refuge for the crested porcupine, Hystrix cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Rodentia): the ancient Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome (Italy)

ABSTRACT
In this note the author reports the unusual use of ancient catacombs as a daytime refuge for some specimens of crested porcupine Hystrix cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Rodentia) belonging to the population of the Villa Ada urban park in Rome.
Biodiversity Journal, 7 (3): 295-296

Mauro Grano
Cerastes cerastes (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia Serpentes)
Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 803-804

Mauro Grano & Cristina Cattaneo
A new record of the red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1838) (Testudines Emydidae), in Latium (Italy)

ABSTRACT
In this work we report for the first time the presence of non-native invasive turtle Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1838) (Testudines Emydidae) in the lake of Nemi in the province of Rome (central Latium, Italy).
Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 773-788

Cristina Cattaneo & Mauro Grano
New contribution on the vascular flora of the Aegean Island of Chalki (Archipelago of Rhodes, Aegean Sea)

ABSTRACT
This note is an integration to the study, started in August 2014, of the vascular flora of the Island of Chalki. Special emphasis has been done on the chasmophytic flora which has shown a remarkable richness in terms of endemic species, common to the island and to the SE Aegean Sea, including the west coast of Turkey. Some limestone north-facing cliffs, located on the northern and southern sides of Chalki, have been investigated. It has been tried to develop a reasoned reading on the micro-distribution of the chasmophytic flora of Chalki, taking into account parameters such as morphology of the cliffs, altitude, solar radiance, grazing. Grazing has especially proved a substantial factor, that has affected on confinement of some species in inaccessible sites such Erica manipuliflora Salisb. (Ericaceae) and Medicago arborea L. (Fabaceae), which are not necessarily chasmophytic species. The almost exclusive finding of chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes in these types of habitats characterized by extreme edaphoclimatic conditions, showed the remarkable specialization as well as the rarity of these species.
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, 5 (2): 213-216

Mauro Grano & Cristina Cattaneo
A new record for the American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802) (Amphibia Anura Ranidae), near Rome (Latium, Italy)

ABSTRACT
The American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802) (Amphibia Anura Ranidae) is native to North America. In Italy the introduction of this species dates back to the thirties of last century and in few years the bullfrog expanded to the point that, at the end of the eighties the species was known in more than 160 sites. In this paper, a new site of presence in Italy of the L. catesbeianus is recorded in some ponds at Monterotondo Scalo, a locality near Rome.
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 (2): 271-276 - MONOGRAPH

Mauro Grano
Peristeriones (Περιστεριώνες), the typical pigeon houses in Sifnos Island (Cyclades, Greece)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.2.271.276

ABSTRACT
This work takes into consideration the characteristic dovecotes of the Cycladic island of Sifnos. Their great importance that they had in the past for the agriculture of the island and the current architectural feature are analyzed.
Biodiversity Journal, 15 (2): 199-203 - MONOGRAPH

Mauro Grano
Cats versus rats in the Eternal City (Rome, Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.2.199.203

ABSTRACT
Since ancient Rome (Italy), cats have lived together with man in a marked commensalism. The story of a great Mayor and a candidate for Mayor for this city in the last years has characterized the marriage between cats and rats in the streets of the Eternal City.
Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 053-057

Emiliano Mori, Raffaella Scotti & Mauro Grano
First record of the hammer-headed garden worm Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878 (Tricladida Geoplanidae) in Ischia (Campania, Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.53.57

ABSTRACT
The land planarian Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878 (Tricladida Geoplanidae) is a native flatworm species from Southeast Asia, but it has been introduced to about 50 countries, where it represents a dangerous alien organism. In this note, we report the first record of this species for the island of Ischia (Campania, Italy).
Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 019-026

Mauro Grano
The non-indigenous freshwater molluscs of Lake Monterosi (Latium, central Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.19.26

ABSTRACT
In this work, the freshwater molluscs of Lake Monterosi (Latium, central Italy) are examined with the first report of the allochthonous bivalve Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) from the province of Viterbo (Latium, central Italy). Particular attention is paid to the problem of the introduction of alien organisms due to fish restocking for sporting purposes.
Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0585-0613

Mauro Grano
The Unionidae (Bivalvia) of Latium (Italy), past and present in a historical survey
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.585.613

ABSTRACT
The recent Checklist of the Fauna of Italy reports for Latium only five species of bivalve molluscs belonging to the Unionidae family. In this work we take into considerations the current species and all the taxa reported in the historical bibliography, no longer present or no longer recognized as valid at the taxonomic level.
Biodiversity Journal, 14 (1): 0199-0206

Mauro Grano
The story of Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) (Mollusca Bivalvia) in Europe and Italy and observations on the origin of these populations
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.1.199.206

ABSTRACT
Currently the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) is considered an allochthonous species in Italy with a great potential for invasiveness. However, archaeological studies show that this species was present in our territory since ancient times.
Biodiversity Journal, 13 (4): 0755-0759

Mauro Grano & Riccardo Di Giuseppe
Survey of a leucistic Fallow deer Dama dama Linnaeus, 1758 at Macchiagrande WWF Oasis and surrounding areas (Latium, Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.4.755.759

ABSTRACT
In this note we report the observation over two years of a leucistic individual of the Fallow deer Dama dama Linnaeus, 1758 at Macchiagrande WWF Oasis and surrounding areas (Latium, Italy).
Biodiversity Journal, 13 (1): 0281-0291 - MONOGRAPH

Mauro Grano
The non-indigenous freshwater molluscs, and particularly Helisoma scalare (Jay, 1839) (Gastropoda Planorbidae), of Lake Albano (Rome, Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.1.281.291

ABSTRACT
In this work, the allochthonous freshwater molluscs of Lake Albano are examined. Particular attention is paid to the history of the planorbids of this lake and to its recent taxonomic attribution as Helisoma scalare (Jay, 1839).
Biodiversity Journal, 12 (2): 0467-0474

Mauro Grano & Cristina Cattaneo
Rediscovery of Assyriella rechingeri (Fuchs et Käufel, 1936) (Gastropoda Helicidae) in Karpathos Island (Dodecanese, Greece)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.2.467.474

ABSTRACT
The aim of this work is to confirm the occurrence of several living populations of Assyriella rechingeri (Fuchs et Käufel, 1936) (Gastropoda Helicidae) in Karpathos Island (Dodecanese, Greece) since the species was believed to be extinct in the past by some authors due to the discovery of only subfossils specimens. Its systematic status and the sympatry with Levantina spiriplana (Glaubrecht, 1993) and L. malziana (L. Pfeiffer, 1861) are discussed.
Biodiversity Journal, 12 (2): 0435-0440

Antonino Sciortino & Mauro Grano
New reporting of a residual population of Italian crested newt Triturus carnifex (Laurenti, 1768) (Amphibia Caudata) within the city of Rome (Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.2.435.440

ABSTRACT
In this paper, the news is given of a residual population of Italian crested newt Triturus carnifex (Laurenti, 1768) Amphibia Caudata) in a residential area within the city of Rome. The serious environmental threats for this small population are highlighted.
Biodiversity Journal, 12 (1): 0201-0204

Armando Nappi, Cristina Cattaneo & Mauro Grano
A new mammal species from Kasos Island (Dodecanese, Greece): Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia Soricomorpha Soricidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.1.201.204

ABSTRACT
The presence of Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia Soricomorpha Soricidae) is reported for the first time on the island of Kasos (Aegean Sea). The distribution of shrews on the islands raises interesting biogeographical questions. On the basis of a recent research carried out by analysing mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, around the Mediterranean basin, the insular occurrence of C. suaveolens is a result of Pleistocene survivors as well as human introductions.
Biodiversity Journal, 12 (1): 0171-0178

Fabio Liberto, Mauro Grano, Cristina Cattaneo & Ignazio Sparacio
On Deroceras (Deroceras) ikaria P.L. Reischütz, 1983 (Gastropoda Stylommatophora Agriolimacidae) from Ikaria Island (Aegean Sea, Greece)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.1.171.178

ABSTRACT
This paper shows new morphological data on Deroceras ikaria P.L. Reischütz, 1983 (Gastropoda Stylommatophora Agriolimacidae) an endemic species from Ikaria Island (Aegean Sea, Greece), known only for the type serie. This species is similar to D. samium Rähle, 1983 and more informations for a better understanding of both species are provided.
Biodiversity Journal, 11 (4): 0913-0916

Mauro Grano
First record of the Northern white-breasted hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus Barrett-Hamilton, 1900 (Mammalia Erinaceidae) in the Aegean island of Chalki (Dodecanese, Greece)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.4.913.916

ABSTRACT
The presence of the Northern white-breasted hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus Barrett-Hamilton, 1900 (Mammalia Erinaceidae) for the Aegean island of Chalki (Dodecanese, Greece), is here recorded for the first time. E. roumanicus is common in many Aegean islands, however, his presence in Chalki had never been reported.
Biodiversity Journal, 11 (2): 647-650

Mauro Grano, Riccardo Di Giuseppe, Miriam Paraboschi & Ilaria Campana
Stranding of Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacépède, 1804 (Mammalia Cetacea) on the coast of Fregene (Rome, Latium, Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.2.647.650

ABSTRACT
The stranding of a juvenile of Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacépède, 1804) on the coast of Fregene, near Rome (Latium, Central Italy) is here reported. Historical and recent data suggest the possibility that the Mediterranean Sea could be a potential birth or nursery area for this species.
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.
Biodiversity Journal, 11 (1): 041-043

Mauro Grano, Raffaella Scotti & Giovanni Paolino
First record of Zamenis lineatus (Camerano, 1891) (Serpentes Colubridae) in Ischia Island (Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.1.41.43

ABSTRACT
With this work, we report for the first time the presence of the Italian Aesculapian snake Zamenis lineatus (Camerano, 1891) in Ischia island (Italy). Up to date, in this Mediterranean island, among ophidic species the presence of only Hierophis carbonarius (Bonaparte, 1833) has been reported; although, recently, the invasive species Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) has been also detected. Further studies will be necessary to clarify whether the presence of Zamenis lineatus in Ischia island is autochthonous or whether is just an accidental observation due to a passive transport from the nearby coast of the Gulf of Naples.
Biodiversity Journal, 10 (4): 321-324

Giovanni Paolino, Raffaella Scotti & Mauro Grano
First detection of the “flowerpot snake” Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) (Serpentes Typhlopidae) in Ischia (Italy): a new possible invasive species
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.4.321.324

ABSTRACT
Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) (Serpentes Typhlopidae), also known as “flowerpot snake”, is a small subterranean blind snake, which holds the widest distribution on the globe. This species, by taking usually refuge in pot plants, has been indirectly transported by humans via the main trade routes. Close to Europe, I. braminus has been reported in Macronesia (Canary Islands and Madeira) and Northern Africa; while in Europe it has been detected in the Balearic Islands (specifically in Mallorca) and one population was also found in the Province of Almería, in the southern Iberian peninsula. Up to date, no further reports were made in Europe. With this note, we report the first Italian observation of I. braminus, specifically in Ischia Island. As for other alien species, an early detection of allochthonous populations plays a pivotal role to activate specific and useful management strategies.
Biodiversity Journal, 10 (1): 003-006

Mauro Grano & Cristina Cattaneo
First evidence for the snake-eyed skink Ablepharus kitaibelii (Bibron et Bory de Sant-Vincent, 1833) (Sauria Scincidae) in Astypalea Island (Dodecanese, Greece)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.1.3.6

ABSTRACT
The first documentation (also with photos) on the presence of the snake-eyed skink Ablepharus kitaibelii (Bibron et Bory de Saint-Vincet, 1833) (Sauria Scincidae) in Astypalea Island (Dodecanese, Greece) is provided here. Until now, only five specimens in the Natural History Museum of Crete were known.

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Mauro Grano