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Biodiversity Journal 2012, 3 (4): 259-588

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 261-262
    Michele Bellavista
    The Galápagos Islands
  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 263-264
    Roberto Poggi
    Introduction. The importance of insularity and biodiversity
  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 265-266
    Francesco Maria Raimondo
    Preface. Flora and insular diversity
  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 267-272

    Alessandro Minelli
    Dream islands and island dreams

    ABSTRACT
    The contribution to the development of biogeography and evolutionary biology offered by investigations on insular floras and faunas is briefly reviewed. Implications of the dynamic nature of insular biota for faunistic and floristic research are stressed.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 281-296

    Giuseppe Garfì & Stéphane Buord
    Relict species and the challenges for conservation: the emblematic case of Zelkova sicula Di Pasquale, Garfi et Quézel and the efforts to save it from extinction

    ABSTRACT
    The foreseen rapid climate changes are thought to represent a major threat for many plant species. Owing to that, in the Mediterranean Basin, one the most important area worldwide for biodiversity, a number of taxa are at risk of extinction, especially the endemics and the rarest ones. Within them a particular significance is recognised to the pre-glacial relicts, that are rather conspicuous in the area and represent a valuable heritage for their biogeographical relevance and evolutionary history. Zelkova sicula is one of the most prominent plants within this flora. To date, it is a very rare species, and due to a number of threatening factors it is on the brink of extinction. In the present paper, we discuss the main topics related to its conservation criticalities and the ongoing integrated strategies to save it from extinction. Particular emphasis is addressed to assisted colonisation, a “last resort” conservation approach consisting in the establishment of pilot-planting out of the species native range.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 297-310

    Roberto A. Pantaleoni, Carlo Cesaroni, C. Simone Cossu, Salvatore Deliperi, Leonarda Fadda, Xenia Fois, Andrea Lentini, Achille Loi, Laura Loru, Alessandro Molinu, M. Tiziana Nuvoli, Wilson Ramassini, Antonio Sassu, Giuseppe Serra & Marcello Verdinelli
    Impact of alien insect pests on Sardinian landscape and culture

    ABSTRACT
    Geologically Sardinia is a raft which, for just under thirty million years, has been crossing the western Mediterranean, swaying like a pendulum from the Iberian to the Italian Peninsula. An island so large and distant from the other lands, except for its “sister” Corsica, has inevitably developed an autochthonous flora and fauna over such a long period of time. Organisms from other Mediterranean regions have added to this original contingent. These new arrivals were not randomly distributed over time but grouped into at least three great waves. The oldest two correspond with the Messinian salinity crisis about 7 million years ago and with the ice age, when, in both periods, Sardinia was linked to or near other lands due to a fall in sea level. The third, still in progress, is linked to human activity. Man has travelled since ancient times and for many centuries introduced allochthonous species to Sardinia which radically modified the native flora and fauna, but always at a very slow and almost unnoticeable rate.
    The use of sailing or rowing boats, with their low speeds, hindered the transport of living organisms from one place to another. The use of the steam boat, introduced around 1840 but widely diffuse around 1870-1880, opened the doors to more frequent arrivals and also to organisms from the American Continent. This technical innovation had an influence over the whole world economy, with its well-known grain crisis, and coincided in Sardinia with the arrival of Roman dairymen, producers of pecorino cheese and the beginning of the expansion of sheep farming which would continue uninterrupted until the present day. In this period of sudden social and environmental change, an insect was introduced which would turn out to be probably the most economically devastating agricultural pest in Europe: the Grape oxera. The vineyard and wine business collapsed first in France then in Italy. The oxera arrived in Sardinia in 1883 and wine production crashed a very short time later and only resumed after the distribution of American vine rootstock at the beginning of the 20th Century. From then, vine cultivation in Europe was modified with the essential use of this rootstock.
    Since then methods of transport have increased enormously in number and speed. The number of allochthonous and invasive species has increased proportionally: some of them along with exotic plants which are cultivated on the island, others following man in his activities. Often these new pests attack and destroy ornamental plants which have become part of the Sardinian landscape, causing it to change; just as often their presence requires methods of pest management which are different from the traditional methods on specific crops; finally in at least one case (the Asian tiger mosquito) they pose a threat to our health.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 311-330

    Pietro Lo Cascio & Salvatore Pasta
    Lampione, a paradicmatic case of Mediterranean island biodiversity

    ABSTRACT
    The papers aims at underlining the “unespected” value of Lampione’s biological heritage, as well as the fragility of its ecosystem. Despite its very little size, this islet harbours a very rich pool of plant and animal species of high biological and/or conservation interest. Special attention is paid to the biogeographic meaning of local endemics, on local extinction and turnover processes, on some ecological or biological patterns which contribute to the distinctiveness of local biota. However, further investigations are needed in order to complete the list of animals and to monitor the demographic trends of all species. In particular, it is necessary to assess if local seagull colony may represent a major threat for local diversity.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 331-336

    Gianniantonio Domina, Giuseppe Bazan & Francesco Maria Raimondo
    Vascular flora evolution in the Soqotra Archipelago (Indian Ocean)

    ABSTRACT
    The main floristic and vegetational features of the Soqotra Archipelago are outlined. The theories of vicariance and dispersal are commented with the support of examples suggesting the idea that both are complementary in the establishment and evolution of the flora of Soqotra. Finally the relation of alien vs natural elements of the flora is analyzed.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 337-342

    Gianniantonio Domina, Pasquale Marino, Vivienne Spadaro & Francesco Maria Raimondo
    Vascular flora evolution in the major Mediterranean islands

    ABSTRACT
    Characteristics of Mediterranean island floras are analyzed with stress on endemic units. On these bases the main relationships between the major Mediterranean areas and the inland territories with the strongest floristic affinities are analyzed. Finally the role of aliens in Mediterranean island floras and threats are discussed.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 343-362

    Errol Véla & Daniel Pavon
    The vascular flora of Algerian and Tunisian small islands: if not biodiversity hotspots, at least biogeographical hotchpotchs?

    ABSTRACT
    Algerian and Tunisian coasts host more than one hundred small islands and islets, but are still poorly known. We have compiled recently published and unpublished data from “PIM initiative” (Mediterranean small island initiative) and other kind of expeditions. For each small island or archipelago we seek to establish the membership to or relationship with the regional hotspots of the Mediterranean basin and the important plant areas (IPA) of Algeria and Tunisia, thanks to species-area relationships and biogeographical analyses. Nowadays, 25 small islands are considered as botanically well-known and can be analysed. Species-area relationship follows a classical linear regression model while some islands are less rich than predicted and other ones are more rich. These richest islands can be assessed as IPA following criterion B. Some of them have been yet assessed as IPA following criterion A, especially because of presence of local or regional endemism. Each main archipelago shows biogeographical links not only with neighbour continental coasts, but also with northern coasts or big islands from the western Mediterranean, especially the Tyrrhenian complex. “Grand Cavallo” and “Petit Cavallo” islands are highlighted here as the 23rd IPA from Algeria. As biodiversity hotchpotch, each small island or archipelago should play a significant role in the conservation programs although some of them are still unexplored and a deeper taxonomical knowledge is necessary in the north-African context.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 363-368

    Pietro Mazzola, Rosario Schicchi & Sebastiano Ciccarello
    Geophytes and evolution in the Sicilian Archipelago

    ABSTRACT
    Geophytes occurring in the Sicilian archipelago are examined with respect to their distribution and evolution, and also taking into account correlations with the inner parts of this territory and other regions in the central Mediterranean.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 369-374

    Angelo Troìa
    Insular endemism in the Mediterranean vascular flora: the case of the Aeolian Islands (Sicily, Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The present paper briefly provides the state of the art of the knowledge on vascular plant endemism in the oceanic (“thalassogenous”) Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily). Preliminary analysis of distribution areas and review of recent literature on biosystematics of endemic species revealed that: (a) Aeolian strictly endemic taxa are just 6, i.e. about the 0.7% of the local vascular flora; among them, just 4 can be considered (with doubt) derived from in situ evolution. (b) The other 18 endemics are taxa occurring in wider areas, so they cannot be generally considered “locally evolved” but relicts. This preliminary analysis confirms that not only continental (“chersogenous”) but all Mediterranean islands are primarily conservative rather than evolutionary active systems.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 375-384

    Vincenzo Bertolini, Anne Damon, Javier Valle Moral & Angel Natanael Rojas Velázquez
    Distribution and ecological patterns of orchids in Monte Pellegrino Reserve, Palermo (Sicily, Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Despite heavy human impact through the ages, the Monte Pellegrino Reserve maintains an interesting orchid flora currently estimated as 33 taxa, with 9 endemic elements, including Ophrys lunulata Parltore (priority species for the European Commission) and O. sphegodes panormitana (Tod.) Kreutz, which has its locus typicus in Monte Gallo, another reserve close to Monte Pellegrino. The chorological types most represented in this study were Mediterranean and Atlantic Mediterranean. The distribution of the orchids in this site was correlated to various environmental parameters, depending upon species and chorological type. The endemic species were the only chorotype that was positively correlated to two habitats that are relicts of the original Sicilian vegetation: clearings in deciduous thermophilic forest (Rhamno alaterni-Quercetum ilicis subassociation Pistacietosum terebinthi) and Ampelodesmetum meadows (Helictotrico convoluti-Ampelodesmetum mauritanici). Prevailing wind direction and seasonality were determining factors for orchid distribution. Identification of the correlation patterns between chorological types and habitats could be useful for predicting species presence within areas with similar biogeographical characteristics, facilitate species mapping and serve as a tool for the design and implementation of conservation strategies.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 385-396

    Jeffrey Sciberras, Arnold Sciberras & Luca Pisani
    Updated checklist of flora of the satellite islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago

    ABSTRACT
    The present study provides an updated list of flora species encountered in multiple visits carried out during 2010-2012 to the satellite islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 397-399

    Arnold Sciberras & Jeffrey Sciberras
    Flora of “U Briantinu”, a satellite stack of Panarea Island, Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    This present study provides a list of flora species encountered during a visit to “U Briantinu” one of the satellite stacks of Panarea Island in the Aeolian archipelago (Sicily, Italy).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 401-406

    Pasquale Marino, Giuseppe Castellano & Rosario Schicchi
    Biodiversity and evolution of the dendroflora in the main islands of Mediterranean

    ABSTRACT
    Sediment The main old representatives of the Mediterranean dendroflora, their origin and distribution are treated. Relevant threats and strategy for in situ and ex situ conservation are also discussed here.

  • 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, 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, 3 (4): 445-458

    Rinaldo Nicoli Aldini, Agostino Letardi & Roberto A. Pantaleoni
    State of the art on Neuropterida of Sicily and Malta

    ABSTRACT
    Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is surrounded by many small islands (Aeolian Islands, Ustica, Aegadian Islands, Pantelleria, Linosa, Lampedusa, Maltese Islands), some of which forming archipelagoes. The authors, after a historical sketch of the research on Neuropterida in Sicily (sensu lato), analyze the biodiversity of the area, highlighting the species richness and providing an up-to-date check-list. The lack of knowledge on some of the most paradigmatic communities of Neuropterida is discussed in relation to their various habitats. The distributional patterns of Sicilian Neuropterida are interpreted in order to obtain a biogeographical characterization of the area. It is confirmed that the location of Sicily and its surrounding islands forms a bridge between north and south and a door from the W Mediterranean region to the oriental Mediterranean basin.

  • 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): 479-486

    Ivan Rapuzzi
    Preliminary notice on the genus Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera Carabidae) of the islands of Peter the Great Gulf in the far East of Russia, Primorski province, Vladivostok area with description of a new subspecies

    ABSTRACT
    In the present paper the Fauna of Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 of some islands of the Peter the Great Gulf in the Far East of Russia (Vladivostok area) is investigated. After the study of large series of Carabus specimens from the islands and the mainland a new subspecies, Carabus (Morphocarabus) hummeli putyatini n. ssp., is described and figured; moreover, comparative notes with the closest taxa are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 487-492

    Michele Bellavista & Ignazio Sparacio
    Forest-ecological aspectsof the Allardius Ragusa, 1898 genre (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae) in Sicily and Sardinia

    ABSTRACT
    The genus Allardius Ragusa, 1898 (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae) includes only two species: Allardius oculatus (Baudi di Selve, 1876) endemic to Sicily and A. sardiniensis (Allard, 1877) endemic to Sardinia. They are infrequent species in nature with few reports in entomological bibliography. The authors describe and illustrate the larvae and the biological aspects of Allardius. In particular, it is highlighted the strong saproxylophagous activity of these beetles and the importance of their role in the ecology of a forest in relation to the presence of "dead wood".

  • 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): 501-510

    Salvatore Giacobbe
    Biodiversity loss in Sicily transitional waters: the molluscs of Faro Lake

    ABSTRACT
    Sediment samplings were carried out in six stations of Faro Lake (Sicily, Italy) during spring and autumn 1991, and spring 1993, 2006, 2010, to investigate the soft bottom mollusc assemblages. The study have provided the first quantitative data on the mollusc fauna of Faro Lake, to date known only for some dated inventories. Some differences in species composition in respect to the ancient literature were highlighted. The 1991-2010 data sets showed changes in the mollusc assemblages, which impoverished in composition and structure. Basic indices of community structure (S, d, H’, J’) indicate a marked decline in the 2006, followed by a recovery period during 2010. The multivariate analysis, based on a the Bray-Curtis similarity index, proved that mollusc assemblages sampled prior to the 2006 crisis were more structured and spatially differentiated than those settled later. The observed decline of endemic taxa and the concurrent settlement of species introduced by mussel farming, make the mollusc assemblages in the Faro Lake a case-study for the effect of species introduction in confined environments.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 511- 520

    Danilo Scuderi & Bruno Amati
    Rediscovery and re-evaluation of a “ghost” taxon: the case of Rissoa galvagni Aradas et Maggiore, 1844 (Caenogastropoda Rissoidae)

    ABSTRACT
    The taxonomy of species of the family Rissoidae has always been source of debate and only a few of rissoid genera have been recently comprehensively revised. The need of revisional work is particularly obvious in the case of the genus Crisilla Monterosato, 1917, taxon showing open nomenclatural issues along with uncertainty and difficulty in delimitation of its species. In this study we revise the status of Crisilla pseudocingulata (Nordsiek, 1972) in the light of the recent rediscovery of type material of Rissoa galvagni (Aradas et Maggiore, 1844), to which the former is here compared. Based on observations on dimensions, colour and sculpture of the teleoconch and on the distinctive protoconch characters, C. pseudocingulata is here regarded as junior synonym of C. galvagni. Additional data on the morphology and colouration of the head-foot as well as on and the variability of shell features are provided, contributing to an updated description of the taxon.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 521- 526

    Agatino Reitano & Danilo Scuderi
    New observations on the taxonomy, biology and distribution of Tricolia landinii Bogi et Campani, 2007 (Gastropoda Vetigastropoda)

    ABSTRACT
    Tricolia landinii Bogi et Campani, 2007, is here reviewed on the basis of both shell morphology and observations of the living animals. This taxon, is here ascertained, it was described on the basis of only shell characters of young specimens, without the study of external soft parts. New data about adult shell morphology, living animal and distribution of this minute species are here furnished, together with a detailed iconography. On the basis of these characters T. landinii appears more similar to the T. tingitana group, rather than to T. nordsiecki, as underlined in the original description. In the light of the adult shell morphology here reported and of the living animal’s features, a complete analysis of the entire group of this “small Tricolia”, with comparisons to the close resembling species, is here furnished.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 527-542

    Simone Cianfanelli, Gianbattista Nardi & Marco Bodon
    A new record for the Italian fauna: Plagyrona placida (Shuttleworth, 1852) from Sardinia and Southern Italy (Gastropoda Pulmonata Valloniidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Plagyrona placida (Shuttleworth, 1852) is a terrestrial minute species with a wide but fragmented distribution, known from some of the Macaronesian Islands of the Canaries and the Madeira archipelago, from Corsica Island, from some European countries (Portugal, Albania and Greece) and from Northern Africa (Algeria). This species has been recently discovered in Italy (Sardinia, Campania and Calabria) for the first time; data of sampling and the characteristics of the Italian populations are discussed in this note. P. placida lives in the Mediterranean forest or bush environments, but its specific habitat is not known because it has been found, at least in Italy, in alluvial debris collected along streams and in litter. Even if this species has not been recorded until now, the undisturbed habitat and its rarity suggest that it may be native to Italy, and not accidentally introduced by man through trees used for reforestation or through imported vegetables, as already happened for others small species.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 543-554

    David P. Cilia, Arnold Sciberras, Jeffrey Sciberras & Luca Pisani
    Terrestrial gastropods of the minor islets of the Maltese Archipelago (Mollusca Gastropoda)

    ABSTRACT
    For this study, the terrestrial malacofauna of minor islets of the Maltese archipelago was investigated. A number of new records were found and synthesized with previous records to produce a comprehensive list of species. A brief commentary on the population, environment, habitat, and morphology for most species is given.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 555-570

    Agatino Reitano, Fabio Liberto, Salvatore Giglio, Rosario Grasso & Maria Teresa Spena
    Terrestrial molluscs from the R.N.I. “Grotta Conza” (Palermo, Sicily) (Gastropoda Architaenioglossa Pulmonata)

    ABSTRACT
    The results of a study on the fauna of terrestrial molluscs from the R.N.I. "Grotta Conza" (Palermo, North-Western Sicily) are here described. Research has allowed us to compile a checklist of 41 species, 18 of which are endemic to Sicily. For each species ecological and distributional data are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 571-582

    Maria Stella Colomba, Fabio Liberto, Agatino Reitano, Walter Renda, Giuseppe Pocaterra, Armando Gregorini & Ignazio Sparacio
    Molecular studies on the genus Medora H. et A. Adams, 1855 from Italy (Gastropoda Pulmonata Clausiliidae)

    ABSTRACT
    In Italy, the genus Medora H. et A. Adams, 1855 includes two species: M. italiana (Küster, 1847) and M. dalmatina (Rossmässler, 1835). In particular, populations ascribed to M. italiana were, and still are, the focus of several works aiming at better understanding the real taxonomic value of these entities and defining their presence on the Italian territory. In order to contribute to the improvement of the current knowledge on the organization of the genus at different taxonomic levels, several populations were investigated by analysing 16S rDNA, COI and ITS2 gene partial sequences. Phylogenetic reconstructions were obtained by the Maximum Likelihood algorithm. Although further studies are needed, preliminary data suggest that the genus Medora shows a much more complex and articulate differentiation than hypothesized so far.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 583-584
    Genbank accessions and new taxa published in the Biodiversity Journal 3, 2012