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Biodiversity Journal 2015, 6 (1): 1-494

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 001-002
    Ivan Rapuzzi
    The genus Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera Carabidae)
  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 003-006

    Halil Ibrahimi, Agim Gashi, Linda Grapci-Kotori, Astrit Bilalli, Milaim Musliu & Ferdije Zhushi-Etemi
    First record of Mesophylax aspersus (Rambur, 1842) from the Republic of Kosovo (Trichoptera Limnephilidae)

    ABSTRACT
    The distribution of Mesophylax aspersus Curtis, 1834 (Trichoptera Limnephilidae) ranges from Western Europe, Mediterranean region, Madeira, Canary Islands and up to South-western Asia. According to the present knowledge it is however almost absent from South-eastern Europe. In this paper we present first record of M. aspersus from the Republic of Kosovo. This is at the same time first country record of the genus. Unlike many countries where this species is present abundantly in our case it is extremely rare. A single adult male specimen of M. aspersus was found in an ultraviolet light trap at the Blinajë Hunting Reserve on August 23rd 2013. This has been a single specimen of this species caught at this locality during a one year monthly sampling of caddisflies with UV light traps and entomological net. Another male specimen has been caught on September 24th 2014 at the same locality. Streams and rivers in all parts of Kosovo were surveyed during the period 2009-2014 for Trichoptera species and currently the Blinajë Hunting Reserve is the only locality where this species has been found. The distributional area of this species has been considerably expanded by this record. The closest country where this species has been recorded is Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 007-010

    Armando Nappi & Gaetano Aloise
    About the presence of the snow vole, Chionomys nivalis (Martins, 1842), in Calabria, Southern Italy (Mammalia Rodentia Cricetidae): data review and critical considerations

    ABSTRACT
    The presence of Chionomys nivalis (Martins, 1842) (Mammalia Rodentia Cricetidae) in Calabria, the southern tip of the Italian peninsula, is reported in different literature sources, but the only Calabrian specimen, from Lago Cecita, Cosenza district, is preserved into Museo Zoologico “La Specola”, Firenze. A recent examination of this specimen, moreover, has shown that it is an Arvicola amphibius (Linnaeus, 1758) juvenile. The distribution of C. nivalis along the Apennines, requires adequate insights and critical reviews.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 011-016

    Agostino Letardi, Silvia Arnone, Massimo Cristofaro & Paola Nobili
    Species composition of carabid (Coleoptera Carabidae) communities in apple orchards and vineyards in Val d’Agri (Basilicata, Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    An entomological investigation was carried out in an agricultural area, mainly apple orchards, of the Agri river plain, located in some municipalities of Basilicata, Italy. Between 2012 and 2014, species richness and composition of carabid assemblages were investigated on the ground surface of differently managed (abandoned, organic, commercial and IPM) apple orchards and vineyards. Ground beetles (Coleoptera Carabidae) were sampled by means of pitfall traps. 1288 individuals belonging to 40 species were collected, representing two-thirds of the carabid fauna of this area found in our and earlier studies. The species richness varied between 4 and 20 in the different orchards. The common species, occurring with high relative abundance in the individual orchards in decreasing order were: Pterostichus (Feronidius) melas (Creutzer, 1799), Pseudoophonus (Pseudoophonus) rufipes (De Geer, 1774), Brachinus crepitans (Linnaeus, 1758), Harpalus (Harpalus) dimidiatus (P. Rossi, 1790) and Poecilus (Poecilus) cupreus (Linnaeus, 1758). Most of the collected ground beetles were species with a wide distribution in the Paleartic region, eurytopic and common in European agroecosystems. The assemblages were dominated by small-medium, macropterous species, with summer larvae. No endemic species were found.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 017-026

    Andrea Guerrini, Alessandro Ciampalini, Simone Da Prato, Franco Sammartino & Maurizio Forli
    Paleontologic and stratigraphic data from Quaternary deposits of Leghorn subsoil (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The Authors describe two malacofauna fossils attributable, on biostratigraphic and stratigraphic base, to Pleistocene and Late Pleistocene, observed by a drilling carried out in the east of the city of Leghorn, Italy. The malacological fossil association of Pleistocene was low in number of individuals but well characterized in the number of species; the one attributable to the Upper Pleistocene is related to contemporary associations already known in literature for Leghorn subsoil, and shows two species not previously reported. The malacofauna of the Lower Pleistocene is characteristic of the current coastal muddy debris; Tyrrhenian malacofauna mainly consists of allochthonous elements, from a “Posidonia meadows” and the depositional environment is attributable to the Mediterranean current seabeds. The stratigraphy of the subsoil of the area differs from that known in literature, as it shows a single level of "Panchina" that rests directly above clay sediments of the Lower Pleistocene.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 027-040

    Siméon Tchakonté, Gideon A. Ajeagah, Nectaire Lié Nyamsi Tchatcho, Adama Idrissa Camara, Dramane Diomandé & Pierre Ngassam
    Stream’s water quality and description of some aquatic species of Coleoptera and Hemiptera (Insecta) in Littoral Region of Cameroon

    ABSTRACT
    Aquatic insects are the dominant taxon group in most freshwater ecosystems and are particularly suitable for large scale and comparative studies of freshwater community responses to human-induced perturbations. Understanding these responses is crucial for establishing conservation goals. In this study, we used three families of aquatic insects (Coleoptera Gyrinidae, Hemiptera Gerridae and Veliidae) as surrogates to measure the aquatic health of urban streams in the city of Douala, and we described eight characteristic species. Aquatic insects were sampled monthly over a 13-month period in two forested sites and ten urbanized sites. Meanwhile, measurements of the environmental variables were taken. Overall, 20 species were identified; the family Gerridae was the most diversified with 11 species, followed by Veliidae (5 species), and Gyrinidae (4 species). All these species were present only at the two forested sites; no species was found in the urbanized area all over the study period. Morphological description of the eight best indicator species (Orectogyrus specularis Aubé, 1838, Orectogyrus sp.1, Orectogyrus sp. 2, Eurymetra manengolensis Hoberlandt, 1952, Eurymetra sp. 1, Eurymetra sp. 2, Rhagovelia reitteri Reuter, 1884 and Rhagovelia sp.) revealed not described characteristic features and potentially new species. This testified that in Cameroon, biodiversity of aquatic insects is yet entirely to be investigated, and that there is an urgent need in their taxonomic revision. Physicochemical analyses revealed the very poor health status of urban streams with highly polluted water, while suburban streams have unpolluted water. The results of redundancy analysis revealed that the presence of Gyrinidae, Gerridae and Veliidae species is undoubtedly favored by the high rate of dissolved oxygen, important canopy coverage and very low organic matter input. It is thus clear that polluted status of urban streams due to human activities is the primary cause of the extinction of aquatic insect species.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 041-052

    Cesare Brizio
    High frequency components of the songs of two Cicadas (Hemiptera Cicadidae) from Sardinia (Italy) investigated by a low-cost USB microphone

    ABSTRACT
    During August 2013, a low-cost ultrasonic USB microphone (Ultramic 250 by Dodotronic), was field-tested for its first application ever in Cicadomorphan bioacoustics studies. Two different species were recorded in the ultrasonic domain, with 250 kHz sampling frequency, one of them also with 96kHz audio recordings for comparison purposes. Ultramic 250 proved suitable for field use, while the recording campaign provided the opportunity to confirm the presence in South-Western Sardinia of two species (Hemiptera Cicadidae), Tibicina corsica corsica Boulard, 1983, endemic to Sardinia and Corse, and the widespread Cicada orni Linnaeus, 1758. To the best knowledge of the author, those reported are the first field recordings of Cicadidae songs encompassing the ultrasonic domain up to 125 kHz and, in particular for C. orni, display sound emissions at frequencies above those previously reported in literature. Even though conceived for the study of Chiropterans, self-contained, low-cost USB ultrasonic microphones proved useful in insect bioacoustics investigations.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 053-072

    Peter F. McGrath
    A multi-year survey of the butterflies (Lepidoptera Rhopalocera) of a defined area of the Triestine karst, Italy

    ABSTRACT
    A photographic survey of butterflies (Lepidoptera Rhopalocera) was carried out over a period of three years (2011, 2012 and 2013) in an area around the villages of Malchina, Ceroglie and Slivia, the municipality of Duino-Aurisina near Trieste, in the Friuli Venezia-Giulia region, northeast Italy. Historically, this area of the Triestine karst has been influenced by human activities. Grazing intensity, however, has declined over the past 50-100 years, leading to encroachment of the forested areas over previously more open grasslands. During the three-year survey period, sampling intensity, measured as the number of days during which butterflies were observed and/or photographed, increased from year to year. In 2012 and 2013, especially surveys began in February and continued into December. During the three years, a total of 79 species (Papilionidae, 3; Pieridae, 11; Lycaenidae, 17, Riodinidae, 1; Nymphalidae, 37, including 15 Satyrinae; and Hesperiidae, 10), including seven listed as either endangered or near-threatened in Europe, were identified. Among the species of European conservation value recorded were: Scolitantides orion, Melitaea aurelia, Melitaea trivia, Argynnis niobe, Hipparchia statilinus, Coenonympha oedippus and Carcharodus floccifera. Strong local populations of the following regionally threatened, declining and/or protected species were also recorded: Euphydryas aurinia, Brintesia circe, Arethusana arethusa, Hipparchia fagi, Pyronia tithonus and Coenonympha arcania. Such intensive surveys covering several months of each year provide in-depth knowledge of butterfly fauna in an area of changing land use, and can provide a benchmark for future surveys against a background of continued land-use change, as well as other pressures such as climate change.

  • 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, 6 (1): 079-082

    Francesco Giusti, Carlo Sbrana & Luigi Romani
    First record of Rugulina fragilis (Sars G.O., 1878) from the Mediterranean Sea (Mollusca Gastropoda Pendromidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Several shells of Rugulina fragilis (Sars G.O., 1878) (Mollusca Gastropoda Pendromidae) are reported from the Tuscan Archipelago. This is the first record of the species from the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 083-086

    Luigi Romani, Stefano Bartolini & Alessandro Raveggi
    Colinatys Ortea, Moro et Espinosa, 2013 from Eastern Mediterranean Sea (Opisthobranchia Haminoeidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Two shells of the genus Colinatys Ortea, Moro et Espinosa, 2013 (Opistobranchia Haminoeidae), similar to Colinatys alayoi (Espinosa et Ortea, 2004), type species of the genus, are reported from Larnaca, Cyprus. The presence of the species in the Mediterranean Sea is discussed.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 087-094

    Maurizio Forli, Alexander Stalennuy & Bruno Dell’Angelo
    Reports of Haliotis Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca Vetigastropoda) from the Middle Miocene of Ukraine

    ABSTRACT
    Two species of Haliotidae are described and illustrated from the Maksymivka quarry near Ternopil (Ukraine), a site characterized by its peculiar Middle Miocene (Badenian) coralgal facies. The first species, Haliotis volhynica Eichwald, 1829, has a wide geographical distribution that extends from the Paratethys of Central Europe to the Ukraine, and is quite common in the Maksymivka site. Another different species of Haliotis Linnaeus, 1758 was recently found at Maksymivka, only two specimens in several years of research. This species was already reported by Krach (1981) from Poland as Haliotis tuberculata tauroplanata Sacco, 1897, a species from the Burdigalian of Piedmont that differs from the Maksymivka species by several characters. We leave this rare species indeterminate at specific level because of the scarcity of material known to date.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 095-104

    Mujibu Nkambo, Fredrick W. Bugenyi, Janet Naluwayiro, Sauda Nayiga, Vicent Kiggundu, Godfrey Magezi & Waswa Leonard
    Planktonic and Fisheries biodiversity of Alkaline Saline crater lakes of Western Uganda

    ABSTRACT
    Eight (8) selected saline crater lakes in Western Uganda were sampled for fish biodiversity. Water samples collected from each of these lakes were analysed for zoo- and phyto-planktonic composition and abundance. In situ, physico-chemical parameters including average depth, salinity, temperature, conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen and pH were taken at each sample collection point. The Mean ± SD of the different parameters ranged between 0.2±0.0 m and 2.3±0.3 m for average depth, 0.0±0.0 mgl-1 and 205.0±15.3 mgl-1 for salinity, 27.9±0.3°C and 34.4±2.4°C for temperature, 18.6±0.1 mscm-1 and 106.3±3.5 mscm-1 for conductivity, 1.7±0.4 mgl-1 and 6.0±1.0 mgl-1 for Dissolved Oxygen and 9.6±0.1 and 11.5±1.0 for pH. With the exception of the Lakes Bagusa, where Anabaena circinalis Rabenhorst ex Bornet et Flahaulwas found to dominate the algal biomass, and Bunyampaka and Nyamunuka where no Spirulina platensis (Nordstedt) Gomont was found, the rest of the studied lakes had S. platensis dominating their algal biomass. All lakes showed very low zooplankton abundances and biodiversity, with Lake Kikorongo (the one with the highest zooplankton biodiversity) having Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas, 1766 as the most abundant, only ranging between 50 to 100 individuals/litre. None of the lakes had fish at the time of sampling.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 105-106

    Ivan Perugia
    New species of the genus Cyclostremiscus Pilsbry et Olsson, 1945 from Central Philippines (Gastropoda Tornidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Cyclostremiscus Pilsbry et Olsson, 1945 is a genus of the family Tornidae (Gastropoda Rissooidea) established for very small shells of prosobranch molluscs generally living in tropical seas. The new species here described was found in Cebu, Philippine, locatity Tongo Point near Moalboal, in a modest quantity of seagrass beached after a windy day.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 107-114

    Ivan Rapuzzi & Ignazio Sparacio
    New taxonomic data on some populations of Carabus (Macrothorax) morbillosus Fabricius, 1792 (Coleoptera Carabidae)

    ABSTRACT
    In this work we give new taxonomic data on some, little known, populations of Carabus (Macrothorax) morbillosus Fabricius, 1792 (Coleoptera Carabidae). In particular, C. morbillosus lampedusae Born,1925 described from Lampedusa Island (Sicilian Channel, Italy) is reconsidered a valid subspecies and are designated the lectotype and paralectotypes. Similarly, Carabus morbillosus bruttianus Born, 1906 described from Southern Calabria is considered a distinct subspecies, including the populations of C. morbillosus from North-Eastern Sicily.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 115-117

    Rosi Barbagallo, Francesco Turano & Riccardo Delle Fratte
    About the presence of the Haifa Groupers Hyporthodus haifensis (Ben-Tuvia, 1953) (Perciformes Serranidae) in the Strait of Messina, Italy, Mediterranea Sea

    ABSTRACT
    In this paper is reported for the first time the presence of the Haifa Grouper, Hyporthodus haifensis (Ben-Tuvia, 1953) (Perciformes Serranidae) in the waters of the Strait of Messina, Italy which confirms the expansion process of the species toward the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 119-120 - MONOGRAPH
    Marc Van Roosmalen & Mason Fisher
    Speciation and Taxonomy: Neotropical Primate diversity
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)
  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 121-122 - MONOGRAPH
    Pietro Alicata
    Speciation and Taxonomy: digressions at the edge of a meeting
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)
  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 123-138 - MONOGRAPH

    Alessandro Minelli
    Taxonomy faces speciation: the origin of species or the fading out of the species?
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Efficient field sampling and new investigation tools, including barcoding and other molecular techniques, are bringing to light an unexpected wealth of new species, including sets of morphologically quite uniform, but genetically distinct cryptic species. On the other hand, increasing appreciation of the dynamic nature of the species and a better knowledge of speciation processes and introgression phenomena challenges the taxonomists’ efforts to shoehorn all diversity of life into a formal classification of which the species would be the basic unit. Unfortunately, there is probably not a single best notion of species, either in theory or in practice.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 139-146 - MONOGRAPH

    Salvatore Nicosia
    The town as a concentrated source of reclaimable water and materials. Opportunities for an engineered conservation strategy
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    A fierce theoretical debate is ongoing about the human species’ existence itself being sustainable for Earth and for living world. In the meanwhile cities, which are considered to concentrate the mankind’s ecological footprints, are steadily growing and gathering huge populations worldwide. This paper assumes that margins do exist to relieve man’s burden on Nature to some extent, and that, regardless of our general concept of the matter, these margins should be exploited. The focus of this note is on beneficial use of waste water and waste to spare new resources and to create filter areas close to towns or belts around them. A brief reference is made to some official declarations and indices published on biodiversity in anthropic environments, such as the one from UNEP.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 147-160 - MONOGRAPH

    Giuseppe Greco
    Pest management of citrus fruits in Sicily (Italy) through interventions of biological control. The example of the biofactory of Ramacca, Catania
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Since 2007, in Sicily, plant health protection against citrus mealybugs is taking place through the Biofactory of Ramacca, in the Plain of Catania, a property of the Institute for Agricultural Development of the Sicilian Region (i.e. Ente per lo Sviluppo Agricolo, E.S.A.). The Biofactory is unique being aimed to produce industrial quantities of auxiliary insects and is a center of European interest because it is fully organized to provide means of biological fight imposed by the Directive 128/2009/EC, which requires, from 1 January 2014, farms to comply with the application of general principles of integrated pest management. In this paper we examine structural features of the Biofactory, breeding techniques empoyed and results obtained in the period 2007–2013, which allowed many companies, from 200 to 360 (i.e. 20% –35% of the regional surface operating in organic citrus production) to be able to employ biological weapons against pest insects. We analyze dynamics and results of production deriving from the approval and adoption, by the owner (E.S.A.), of a new "discipline" that governs the assignment of insects to farmers at a very low price to balance E.S.A.'s purposes, which is both to ensure adequate performance in order to pursue institutional support to agriculture and, considering the Insitute’s economic nature, to partially cover the production costs incurred to ensure the service. The continuity of the project is assured by the ongoing program for the period 2013–2020 with an enlargement of the array of entomological production aimed at intercepting the needs of new productions (i.e. greenhouse horticulture, vines, ornamental and fruit trees).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 161-164 - MONOGRAPH

    Giulio Cuccodoro & Mickael Blanc
    Implantation of Stagg beetles hostels in the city of Geneva, Switzerland
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Brief presentation of our ongoing project of implementation of a network of “Stagg beetles hostels” in the city of Geneva (Switzerland) aiming at consolidating the last large populations of big woodboring beetles Cerambyx cerdo Linnaues, 1758 (Coleoptera Cerambycidae) and Lucanus cervus Linnaues, 1758 (Coleoptera Lucanidae) in Switzerland.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 165-170 - MONOGRAPH

    Angelo Zimmitti, Rosaria Mangiafico & Pietro Pitruzzello
    Requalification of coastal plant landscape of South-Eastern Sicily, Italy: the case of Marina di Priolo
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    In this paper the Authors examine the psammophilous vegetation and the degrees of naturalness of the coastal plant landscape of a part of the South-Eastern littoral in Sicily. This area is characterized by considerable human pressure due to the presence of a large industrial center and beach tourism. The recent construction of the garden next to the beach, made mainly with ornamental plants has contributed to further amend the original physiognomy of the coastal landscape. Were analyzed, with phytosociological method, psammophilous plant communities and zonation of vegetation. The results of the analysis show a impoverishment of flora and a progressive decline in the psammophilous communities mainly due to the constant leveling the beach in summer. The authors propose a series of actions aimed at the requalification and conservation of coastal vegetation landscape of the investigated area.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 171-174 - MONOGRAPH

    Pietro Minissale
    The use of flora, vegetation and habitats in the studies of Environmental Impact Assessment
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The paper examines local flora, vegetation and habitats in order to highlight the plant component’s role as not only an indicator of the quality and state of the environment, but also as an extremely useful element in restoration activities required by environmental impact studies. Some methodological proposals have been done as objective criteria in the assessment procedures.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 175-184 - MONOGRAPH

    Giorgio Sabella, Oscar Lisi & Fabio Massimo Viglianisi
    The use of the entomofauna in the studies of the Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.) and Assessment of Impact (A.I.)
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The paper highlights the entofauna’s role as not only as an indicator of the environmental quality, but also as an useful component in the studies of the Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.) and Assessment of Impact (A.I.). Some approaches and tools, with particular emphasis on Sicily, are proposed in regards to the use of the entomofauna in the assessment procedures.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 185-192 - MONOGRAPH

    Giorgio Sabella, Antonio Alicata & Fabio Massimo Viglianisi
    A study case of Assessment of Impact using the invertebrates
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    A study case of Assessment of Impact (A.I.) in regards to the project of achieving diaphragm containment for homogeneous areas T and V of the Gela Refinery is explained. The invertebrates were used to evaluate the environmental quality and also to identify appropriate and effective mitigation measures and for preparing a post-operam monitoring. Some methodological proposals and an index of faunistic habitat value have been proposed.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 193-196 - MONOGRAPH

    Francesco Maria Raimondo & Vivienne Spadaro
    Diversity in the population of Brassica incana Ten. (Cruciferae) in Sicily
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Phenotipic diversity in Sicilian populations of Brassica incana Ten. (Cruciferae) is here analyzed in comparison with the only one known population of B. raimondoi Sciandrello et al., taxonomic close species recently described from the coastal relief of eastern Sicily. The analysis of diagnostic characters of these two taxa does not reveal significant differences that justify a treatment at species level of the population of B. raimondoi. On this base, the authors deemed to include this taxon in the infraspecific variability of B. incana and consider most appropriate the rank of subspecies. Therefore is here proposed the establishment of the trinomial combination B. incana subsp. raimondoi.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 197-204 - MONOGRAPH

    Gianniantonio Domina, Giuseppe Bazan, Patrizia Campisi & Werner Greuter
    Taxonomy and conservation in Higher Plants and Bryophytes in the Mediterranean Area
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The Mediterranean Region is among the areas of the world richest in wild and cultivated taxa. Extinctions in the Mediterranean area are bound to have occurred in historical times but they are not documented. The probable and documented cases of plant extinction in specific areas within the Mediterranean are equivalent to 0.25% of total species-by-area records. Species with a large range are more prone to local population size fluctuations and eventual extinction than species with a reduced population. Small islands floras are more prone to extinction than those on large islands and on the mainland. Reliability of our data on Mediterranean plant extinctions is poor. New emphasis on floristic research is needed to boost our deficient knowledge of the Mediterranean flora. A closer collaboration between scholars and amateurs can increase floristic knowledge and also help unravel taxonomic problems.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 205-214 - MONOGRAPH

    Emilio Di Gristina, Francesco Maria Raimondo & Pietro Mazzola
    Diversity in the genus Hieracium Linnaeus s. str. (Asteraceae) in Sicily
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The present taxonomic and floristic knowledges on Hieracium L. s. str. in Sicily are commented. In total, 11 taxa occur in this island, 10 of which are endemic and 1 has a wider range. For each of these taxa, biological form, phenology, distribution, ecology, chromosome number, conservation, and taxonomy are taken in consideration. A key to the taxa is also provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 215-218 - MONOGRAPH

    Angelo Troìa, Francesco Maria Raimondo & Werner Greuter
    Lycopodiidae for the “Flora Critica d’Italia”: material and methods
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Procedures are presented that were followed during the preparation of the first pteridophyte family treatments for the “Flora Critica d’Italia”: Lycopodiaceae, Isoetaceae, Selaginellaceae. The work was mainly based on the study of literature and herbarium specimens. In some cases SEM observation of spores has proved useful. Data collected from herbarium specimens and other verified sources were loaded into a database, from which a distribution map was prepared for each taxon. Several preliminary papers have been published, and for each family a taxonomic conspectus, with type designations, maps and an identification key, has been prepared. The treatment of these three families for the “Flora Critica d’Italia” (in Italian) is about to be published or (Isoetaceae) has already been published.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 219-244 - MONOGRAPH

    Marc G.M. van Roosmalen
    Hotspot of new megafauna found in the Central Amazon: the lower Rio Aripuanã Basin
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Here I announce the discovery of a whole new ecosystem in the central-southern part of the Brazilian Amazon: the Rio Aripuanã Basin. Overall, it seems to have created more ecological niches than any other river basin in the Amazon, in particular so to aquatic and non-volant terrestrial mammals. This is plausibly explained for by the unique geo-morphological history of the region. During the Pliocene and Early Pleistocene the entire area to the southeast of the Rio Madeira contained one huge clear-water system that was drained toward the south into the Atlantic Ocean. In the course of several million years a biome quite different from the rest of Amazonia could evolve in this drainage system. Living relicts from ancient times that happened to survive in isolation here, are: a dwarf manatee here described as Trichechus pygmaeus n. sp., a dolphin locally called “boto roxo” that is suspected to be closer related to marine Rio Plata dolphins Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais et d'Orbigny, 1844) than to Amazonian dolphins of the genus Inia (d'Orbigny, 1834), a black dwarf tapir (Tapirus pygmaeus Van Roosmalen, 2013, with T. kabomani Cozzuol et al., 2013 as junior name), a dwarf marmoset Callibella humilis Van Roosmalen et Van Roosmalen, 2003, a new mono-specific genus of Callitrichidae that stands at the base of the phylogenetic tree of all extant marmosets (i.e., Cebuella Gray, 1866, Mico Lesson, 1840, and Callithrix Erxleben, 1777), a giant striped paca here described as Agouti silvagarciae n. sp., and an arboreal giant anteater spotted in the wild but remains to be collected and described (Myrmecophaga n. sp.). A number of other, more advanced mammalian species discovered in the Rio Aripuanã Basin, among which a third species of brocket here described as Mazama tienhoveni n. sp., evolved after a dramatic vicariance took place about 1-1.8 MYA (million years ago), the break-through of the continental watershed by the proto-Madeira River during one of the glacial epochs of the Middle Pleistocene. It marked the birth of the modern fast-flowing Rio Madeira, in terms of total discharge the biggest tributary of the Amazon proper and the second strongest river barrier in the entire Amazon Basin. Furthermore, current threats to the environment in this sparsely inhabited and poorly explored river basin will be addressed. We intend to have this ‘lost world’ preserved as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Reserve through the divulgation of new, hitherto not yet identified mammals that it appears to harbor.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 245-252 - MONOGRAPH

    Mohamed Faisel Ashour Essghaier, Ibrahim Moftah Taboni & Khaled Salem Etayeb
    The diversity of wild animals at Fezzan Province (Libya)
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Fezzan province (Libya) is a segment of true Sahara, is characterized by diverse habitats that are utilized as shelters and feeding ground for many desert wildlife species. Oases with water table near the surface are the most prominent feature in the Libyan desert. The diversity in habitats resulted in diversity in wildlife, as well as the plant cover (trees and bushes) is the most effective factor for the existence and the abundance of wild animals, in particular bird species. This study observed many species of reptiles, birds and mammals. In the study is also reported the rock hyrax Procavia capensis Pallas, 1766 (Hyracoidea Procaviidae) a rare and endemic species at the area.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 253-262 - MONOGRAPH

    Khaled Salem Etayeb, Ali Berbash, Wajeeh Bashimam, Mohamed Bouzainen, Ashrof Galidana, Mokhtar Saied, Jaber Yahia & Essam Bourass
    Results of the eighth winter waterbird census in Libya in January 2012
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    After sporadic observations and reports on Libyan birds during the last century, a regular census of wintering birds at Libyan coastal wetlands started in January 2005. Results of each winter census till 2011 have been published. The survey of 2012 was carried out by the authors of the present paper. The general aim was to continue the census of wintering waterbirds in Libya, despite the difficulties that faced the team after the War of Liberation, and the fact that certain areas, very important for birds, have been declared military areas. A total of 29,314 individuals belonging to 69 waterbird species was counted. Comparatively, the number of sites covered in 2012 was less than that in previous years of the survey. The majority of individuals counted belong to seven gull species. This survey also observed a total of 56 individuals of Aythya nyroca Guldenstadt, 1770, a Near Threatened species, as well as, for the first time, a single individual of Canada Goose Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) in eastern Libya.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 263-270 - MONOGRAPH

    Agatino Maurizio Siracusa, Elisa Musumeci, Vera D’Urso & Giorgio Sabella
    New knowledge on diet and monitoring of a roost of the long-eared owl, Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Strigiformes Strigidae) on Mount Etna, Sicily
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    A study during autumn and winter in Monte Serra area (Mount Etna) was performed on the pellets of a roost of long-eared owl, Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Strigiformes Strigidae). Besides, in order to better understand the feeding habits of this species on Mount Etna, the data from Monte Serra were integrated with those from Linguaglossa Pineta (breeding period). The study was performed through the analysis of 1,724 preys. The species most preyed was the Mammalia Microtidae Microtus savii (de Selys-Longchamps, 1838). The average weight of the preys was 23.48 g, while the average meal was 36.63 g. Besides, the results of the yearly monitoring of the roost studied are given.

  • 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, 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): 297-304 - MONOGRAPH

    Oscar Lisi
    Current knowledge on the Sicilian tardigrade fauna
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Based on the literature, and adding personal contribution, the author takes stock of the knowledge about the species of limno-terrestrial tardigrades present in Sicily and the main small islands around it (Aeolian Islands, Ustica, Egadi Islands). In total 111 species are reported: 108 from Sicily (main island), 35 from the Aeolian Islands, 17 from Ustica and 11 from the Egadi Islands. Two species are new records only for the respective islands, 13 are new records for the whole studied area, four of which are new also for the Italian fauna. A good 13 species (11.7%) are at present endemic for the studied area. The zoogeographic spread of the 111 Sicilian tardigrade species confirms the modern ideas about tardigrade zoogeography.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 305-308 - MONOGRAPH

    Alessandro Marletta, Giuseppe Nicolosi & Tiziana Grech
    On the presence of Campodea majorica sicula Condé, 1957 (Diplura Campodeidae) in the "Abisso della Pietra Selvaggia" cave (Mount Pellegrino, Palermo, Italy)
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    We report for the first time the presence of Campodea majorica sicula Condé, 1957 (Insecta, Diplura, Campodeidae) in the "Abisso della Pietra Selvaggia", a vertical karst cave situated in the southern slope of Mount Pellegrino, adjacent to the city of Palermo (Sicily). This hypogean subspecies is considered endemic of Sicily and up to now it was known only for the “Addaura Caprara” cave, located at the opposite slope (north-east) of Mount Pellegrino. During a speleological excursion in the "Abisso della Pietra Selvaggia" cave, organized by “Centro Speleologico Etneo” (Catania, Italy), 14 specimens of this subspecies were collected in the bottom of the cave, at -170 m. The bottom is one of the few humid areas of the cave, whereas the rest is very dry, dusty and apparently without Diplura. In addition to C. majorica sicula, currently are known the following C. majorica subspecies, all hypogean: C. majorica majorica Condé, 1955, C. majorica interjecta Condé, 1955, both endemic of some caves of Majorca Island (Balearic Islands, Spain) and C. majorica valentina Sendra et Moreno, 2004, found inside 7 caves located in the karstic area of Mount Mondúver and Sierra de Corbera (SE of Valencia, Spain).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 309-322 - MONOGRAPH

    Adalgisa Guglielmino & Christoph Bückle
    Remarks on the composition of the Auchenorrhyncha fauna in some moist areas in Southern Apulia (Italy)
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    A list of 84 Auchenorrhyncha species collected from field excursions in the province of Lecce (Southern Apulia) in June 2011 and April 2012 is given. Prevalently three areas were studied: the Regional Natural Park “Bosco e Paludi di Rauccio”, the Protected Oasis “Laghi Alimini” and the State Natural Reserve “Le Cesine”. Four species (Delphax meridionalis (Haupt, 1924), Delphacodes capnodes (Scott, 1870), Parapotes reticulatus (Horváth, 1897) and Calamotettix taeniatus (Horváth, 1911) are recorded for the first time for Italy, five (Stenokelisia angusta Ribaut, 1934, Euides basilinea (Germar, 1821), Chloriona glaucescens Fieber, 1866, Hecalus storai (Lindberg, 1936) and Melillaia desbrochersi (Lethierry, 1899) are new records for the Apennine Peninsula (“S” in the checklist of the Italian fauna) and 26 new for Apulia. For some species of special interest their ecology and distribution is discussed. The investigated areas are of high relevance for nature conservation as they constitute small relics of formerly vastly extended coastal marshes, where several stenotopic Auchenorrhyncha species occur, associated particularly with moist vegetation. Interesting is a group of taxa that are known only from the Balkan region and South Italy. Possibly the isolated occurrence of some other Auchenorrhyncha taxa in Apulia is connected rather with the Balkan Peninsula than with Central Europe.

  • 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, 6 (1): 327-340 - MONOGRAPH

    Rostislav Bekchiev & Borislav Guéorguiev
    First purposive study of beetles (Coleoptera) from endogean environments in Bulgaria: collection sites and preliminary results
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    So far, special attention to the endogean and MSS (Mesovoid Shallow Substratum) fauna was not paid in Bulgaria, though typical subterranean species of the Coleoptera have been described. The aim of present study is to put on record the results of a broad-scale study of the coleopteran fauna from the MSS and lower (euedaphic) soil horizons in the country. We carried out investigations in the period April 2006–July 2014, manly in the Vitosha Mt., Pirin Mt., Stara Planina Mts., Slavyanka Mt., Belasitsa Mt., Erma and Kresna Gorge, Western Rhodopes Mts., and Srednagora Mts. For the time being, material from the following families was identified to the genus and species levels: Anobiidae, Aphodiidae, Carabidae, Clambidae, Corylophidae, Curculionidae, Endomychidae, Histeridae, Leiodidae, Monotomidae, Scyrtidae, Silvanidae, Silphidae, Staphylinidae (Pselaphinae) and Zopheridae. We report for the first time the subgenus Antisphodrus Schaufuss, 1865 (Carabidae) and Zustalestus Reitter, 1912 (Curculionidae) from Bulgaria. Blemus discus discus (Fabricius, 1792) is recorded for the second time from the country.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 341-352 - MONOGRAPH

    Rumyana Kostova
    Ground beetles (Coleoptera Carabidae) diversity patterns in forest habitats of high conservation value, Southern Bulgaria
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The study presents a comparison between the diversity of the carabid beetles taxocoenoses and their spatial distribution in different forest types of high conservation value in Strandzha (8 sites), the Rhodopes (4 sites) and Belasitsa (6 sites) mountains. The diversity indices have demonstrated the highest species richness and the highest diversity values in the riverside sites of Strandzha Mountain. The lowest species richness has been found in the tertiary relict forest of oriental beech with undergrowth of rhododendron (Strandzha Mountain) and in the century-old sweet chestnut forest (Belasitsa Mountain). The lowest values of diversity and evenness have been found in the beech forest sites in Strandzha and the Rhodopes due to the prevalence of the Aptinus species. This low diversity is a natural condition for the studied sites. The classification of the ground beetles complexes from the studied sites by similarity indices and TWINSPAN has been made. A high level of dissimilarity among the sites has been found, showing unique species composition and abundance models in each site. Carabid beetles taxocoenoses in the forests of Strandzha Mountain have shown a low similarity level by species composition and abundance even in the range of the same mountain. Indicator species have been shown. The ordination of the carabid complexes has showed that the sites have been distributed continuously along two significant gradients. The first gradient has been found to be the altitude (probably due to the temperature conditions) in a combination with the hydrological regime. The second significant gradient probably has been under the complex influence of the climate conditions and vegetation type.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 353-364 - MONOGRAPH

    Andrea Cosentino & Salvatore Giacobbe
    Mollusc assemblages of hard bottom subtidal fringe: a comparison between two coastal typologies
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The mollusc assemblages of subtidal fringe from two different coastal typologies are described in their qualitative and quantitative features. The large-scale spatial investigation has been carried out in the lava cliffs of Catania and the conglomerate “beach-rocks” of Capo Peloro (Messina), whose assemblages have been compared by fourteen shallow sampling stations, spaced out hundred/thousand meters apart. The similarity/dissimilarity levels of the two assemblages have been evaluated throughout a set of eighty-six species, exclusive or common between the two areas. Both the assemblages were characteristic of an impoverished and highly variable photophilic taxocoenosis. The area was the main discriminating factor that determined the highest richness and abundance in the rough lava surface. The Catania assemblage was more constant in species composition, with presence of exclusive bivalves, cue of a micro-sedimentary environment. The Messina assemblage was very variable in species composition, and its structure, dominated by motile gastropods, was evidence of a high energy environment. Differences in the structure and micro-topography of the natural substratum from the two areas, besides possible secondary influence of freshwater inputs and wave exposure, were factors mainly responsible for the observed patterns. The whole data set, with dominant and accessory taxa, involves a relevant contribution from the deeper subtidal assemblage; despite of their ephemeral character, these assemblages contribute to maintain the local biodiversity on a broader spatial scale.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 365-370 - MONOGRAPH

    Danilo Scuderi
    On the rediscovery of the vermetid “Siphonium” gaederopi Mörch, 1861 (Gastropoda Vermetidæ) with systematic and ecological observations on the early juveniles stages
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Some specimens of a not identified Dendropoma Mörch, 1862 were collected in the Mediterranean. Further taxonomical studies allowed to identify this material as “Siphonium” gaederopi (Mörch, 1861), a species never recorded again after its first description. It is here redescribed and figured on the basis of the mentioned collected material and after the study of the type material of Mörch’s collection, among which the syntype is here selected. This species is assigned to Dendropoma, according to the morphological characters of the shell, radula, external soft parts and operculum. The shell, the soft parts and the juvenile stage of D. gaederopi are here figured for the first time and compared to congeners and to Vermetus granulatus (Gravenhorst, 1831), similar only in shell morphology. The new findings of this species represent the first certain record, after the doubtful locality of the original description.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 371-376 - MONOGRAPH

    Paolo Balistreri, Renato Chemello & Anna Maria Mannino
    First assessment of the vermetid reefs along the coasts of Favignana Island (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea)
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Intertidal vermetid reefs, particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities, are now experiencing high mortality in several areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Since the increase of knowledge on this habitat is important for conservation purposes, we provide a first baseline assessment of the vermetid reefs along the coasts of the Favignana Island (Marine Protected Area “Egadi Islands”). Preliminary results showed the presence of a true reef, similar to a fringing reef, displaying at least three local patterns, distinguishable for width (from 2.3 to 15.5 m), height of the outer and of the inner margin (from 5.6 to 18 cm and from 8.3 to 26 cm, respectively) and number, width and depth of cuvettes. Moreover, significant differences in topographic complexity among the areas were evidenced whereas no correlation between coastal exposure and topographic complexity was found.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 377-392 - MONOGRAPH

    Agnese Petraccioli, Paolo Crovato, Ivano Niero, Laura De Riso, Camillo Pignataro, Gaetano Odierna & Nicola Maio
    A preliminary checklist of the species of non-marine molluscs (Mollusca Gastropoda Bivalvia) from the Alburni Mountains (Campania, Southern Italy)
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    An annotated checklist of the species of non-marine molluscs from the Alburni Mountains (Salerno Province, Campania, Southern Italy) is reported. The research was carried out from 2010 to 2013 inside a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA), of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The non-marine molluscs sampled on the field were compared with data available from the literature and malacological collections. Up to now, only 12 non-marine Mollusc species were known from the Alburni Mountains through bibliographical data. In all, the malacofauna of Alburni Mountains is composed by 83 non-marine Mollusc species (73 species of land snails, and 10 species of freshwater molluscs). The presence of nine species (six species of land snails and three species of freshwater snails) was confirmed by our field investigation, four species (3 species of land snails and 1 species of allochthonous freshwater snails) were recorded only by bibliographical data and were not yet found. Our analysis identifies 70 species of non-marine Molluscs (64 species of land snails, 6 species of freshwater molluscs) recorded on the basis of field data which were not previously recorded from the study area. At least 11 species are new records for the Campania Region. Extremely interesting is the record of Vertigo angustior Jeffreys, 1830 a species protected in European Union by the Annex II of the “Habitats Directive” and listed as “Vulnerable” at the European level. A Red List of Threatened Species is proposed and the species were classified with the code of I.U.C.N. (Version 2014.3). Five allochthonous species were surveyed for the first time in the study area: 3 land snails: Lucilla scintilla (Lowe, 1852), Lucilla singleyana (Pilsbry, 1829) and Paralaoma servilis (Shuttleworth, 1852), and 2 freshwater snails: Potamopyrgus antipodarum (J.E. Gray, 1843) and Ferrissia fragilis (Tryon, 1863). Four species are known exclusively from the literature: Vertigo (Vertigo) moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849), Macrogastra (Pyrostoma) plicatula (Draparnaud, 1801), Cernuella virgata (Da Costa, 1778), and Haitia acuta (Draparnaud, 1805).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 393-400 - MONOGRAPH

    Paolo Stara, Federico Marini, Giuseppe Carone & Enrico Borghi
    Distribution of two Amphiope L. Agassiz, 1840 (Echinoidea Clypeasteroida) morphotypes in the Western-Proto-Mediterranean Sea
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Several species belonging to the genus Amphiope L. Agassiz, 1840 (Echinoidea Astriclypeidae) from the Mediterranean Oligo-Miocene have been synonymised with A. bioculata (Des Moulins, 1835), the type-species of the genus, based on the interpretation given by Philippe (1998) as a taxon characterized by a large amount of morphological variability. A recent study introduced the characters of the internal test structure and the plating patterns as taxonomic tools in this genus. That paper indicated the occurrence of at least five different species in the examined sample from the Oligo-Miocene of Sardinia, thus pointing to a previous overestimation of the variability-range of the type-species and to the need of a review of the largely unresolved taxonomy of Amphiope. According to a recent study, Amphiope is considered as a shallow-water echinoid, inhabiting sandy bottoms with high hydrodynamic energy; so it represents a coastline marker, useful for the study of the paleo-geographic changes occurred in the Proto-Western-Mediterranean during the Miocene. The diffusion and speciation of Amphiope were highly influenced by those changes. In particular, the speciation rate of this genus was likely favored by the occurrence of isolated populations created when islands (e.g.: Baleares, Calabria, Corse, Kabylies, Sardinia) separate from the mainland, above all in the western part of that Basin, because of the opening of the Balearic Basin during the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene and of the Tyrrhenian Sea during the Burdigalian-Tortonian (references in this work). Two main morphotypes of Amphiope sensu Stara & Sanciu (2014), developed in the Western Mediterranean from the late Oligocene to the late Miocene. They are herein called the “bioculata” group, characterized by roundish to broad elliptical lunules with major diameter/minor diameter ratio (SI) < 1.59, and the "nuragica" group, with more or less narrow lunules and SI > 1.6. According to this authors, most Miocene forms with narrow elliptical lunules would derive from A. nuragica (Comaschi Caria, 1955), late Oligocene-early Miocene of Sardinia, the most archaic form so far known of this genus. The forms belonging to the “bioculata” group likely derived from a different common ancestor bearing round to broad ovoidal lunules. “A. bioculata” described by Cottreau (1914), from the Burdigalian (Philippe, 1998) of Saint Cristol (Nissan, Herault, France), is so far the most ancient known form belonging to this group. This work proposes a possible speciation sequence of the “nuragica” group.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 401-411 - MONOGRAPH

    Maria Stella Colomba, Armando Gregorini, Fabio Liberto, Agatino Reitano, Salvatore Giglio & Ignazio Sparacio
    The genus Erctella Monterosato, 1894: new molecular evidence
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    In this paper we report on new molecular data (COI sequences) of different and representative populations of Erctella mazzullii (De Cristofori et Jan, 1832), E. cephalaeditana Giannuzzi-Savelli, Oliva et Sparacio, 2012 and E. insolida (Monterosato, 1892) (Pulmonata, Stylommatophora, Helicidae). Present results are compared with those from recent literature and the current knowledge on phylogenetic relationships among Helicidae pulmonate gastropods is reviewed. Obtained results suggest that: i) Cornu Born, 1778 and Cantareus Risso, 1826 are separate and well distinct from Helix Linnaeus, 1758; ii) Erctella Monterosato, 1894 is a valid and independent genus rather than a subgenus of Cornu; iii) Cornu aspersum (O.F. Müller, 1774) is a group of species (i.e. "aspersum" group) whose taxonomic status needs to be defin further studies; iv) Cornu, Cantareus and Erctella might belong to the same tribe that, still, remains to be defined.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 415-430 - MONOGRAPH

    Pasquale Micali, Italo Nofroni, Riccardo Giannuzzi Savelli, Francesco Pusateri & Stefano Bartolini
    Coen’s Pyramidellidae (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia): a revision of types
    Proceedings of the Eighth Malacological Pontine Meeting, October 4th-5th, 2014 - San Felice Circeo, Italy

    ABSTRACT
    Coen introduced several new nominal taxa in the Pyramidellidae and in most Mollusca families. The Coen types, now at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, have been examined; most of them are holotypes or lectotypes. Some lectotypes were already selected by van Aartsen, as stated in the label, therefore we have not done any further selection of types. The new pyramidellid species have been practically identified and named by Monterosato, and were all found in shell grit collected on the beach of Lido (a small island in front of Venice). None of the Coen’s new species seems to be valid.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 431-440 - MONOGRAPH

    Paolo Mariottini, Andrea Di Giulio, Carlo Smriglio & Marco Oliverio
    Additional notes on the systematics and new records of East Atlantic species of the genus Sorgenfreispira Moroni, 1979 (Gastropoda Mangeliidae)
    Proceedings of the Eighth Malacological Pontine Meeting, October 4th-5th, 2014 - San Felice Circeo, Italy

    ABSTRACT
    The Recent species currently ascribed to the Bela brachystoma-complex, Gastropoda Mangeliidae, (i.e.: Bela brachystoma (Philippi, 1844); Bela africana Ardovini, 2004; Bela ardovinii Mariottini et Oliverio, 2008; Bela exilis (Ardovini, 2004) should better be allocated in the genus Sorgenfreispira Moroni, 1979. Based on numerous samples, the distribution of the Recent species is summarised. Sorgenfreispira brachystoma (Philippi, 1844) comb. nov. ranges from Scandinavia to southern Morocco. Sorgenfreispira africana (Ardovini, 2004) comb. nov. is first recorded from Western Sahara, Ivory Coast, Angola and Ghana; Sorgenfreispira ardovinii (Mariottini et Oliverio, 2008) comb. nov. is first recorded from Ivory Coast; S. exilis (Ardovini, 2004) comb. nov. is first recorded from Mauritania, Western Sahara, Ivory Coast, Angola. Based on the study of the type material, Bela brachystoma apicalis Nordsieck, 1977, was actually based on specimens of B. taprurensis Pallary, 1904. Bela taprurensis is here first recorded from Libya.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 441-448 - MONOGRAPH

    Carlo Smriglio, Paolo Mariottini & Andrea Di Giulio
    Description of a new species of the genus Trophonopsis Bucquoy et Dautzenberg, 1882 (Gastropoda Muricidae Pagodulinae) from the Mediterranean Sea
    Proceedings of the Eighth Malacological Pontine Meeting, October 4th-5th, 2014 - San Felice Circeo, Italy

    ABSTRACT
    Based on shell characters, a new species of the gastropod family Muricidae, Trophonopsis sparacioi n. sp., from Mediterranean Sea is described. Shells of the new taxon were collected from bathyal bottoms, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The new taxon is compared with others species of the genus Trophonopsis Bucquoy et Dautzenberg, 1882, occurring in northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 449-466 - MONOGRAPH

    Marco Passamonti
    The family Cypraeaidae (Gastropoda Cypraeoidea): an unexpected case of neglected animals
    Proceedings of the Eighth Malacological Pontine Meeting, October 4th-5th, 2014 - San Felice Circeo, Italy

    ABSTRACT
    The family Cypraeidae Rafinesque, 1815 (Gastropoda Cypraeoidea), commonly called Cowries, are particularly well-known among shell collectors, because of their beauty and relative availability. While most species are common in shallow reef environments, some other are quite hard to find, because they may come from remote or hardly accessible habitats, or they are in fact just rarely found. Because of this rarity and beauty, several cowries get high market values among collectable shells. This relevant economic interest produced two kind of outcomes: a proliferation of taxonomic complexity, and a very detailed knowledge of every variation of a given species, making cowries collection one of the most specialized ones. Notwithstanding this, it is quite remarkable that cowries had attracted very little interest by biologists and professional malacologists. Few scientific studies are available to date. This review attempts to overview some of the major biological highlights of the Family, to promote future researches in this diverse group of gastropods.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 467-480 - MONOGRAPH

    Bruno Amati & Italo Nofroni
    The Recent Rissoidae of the Mediterranean Sea. Notes on the genus Onoba s.s. H. Adams et A. Adams, 1852 (Gastropoda Prosobranchia)
    Proceedings of the Eighth Malacological Pontine Meeting, October 4th-5th, 2014 - San Felice Circeo, Italy

    ABSTRACT
    The Mediterranean species belonging to the genus Onoba H. Adams et A. Adams, 1852 as currently conceived, are reviewed. With the exception of O. semicostata (Montagu, 1803) and O. aculeus (Gould, 1841) that range mostly in the European North-Eastern Atlantic and are rarely found in the Western Mediterranean, this genus is represented by six species with rather limited ranges: O. dimassai Amati et Nofroni, 1991; O. josae Moolenbeek et Hoenselaar, 1987; O. guzmani Hoenselaar et Moolenbeek, 1987; O. tarifensis Hoenselaar et Moolenbeek, 1987; O. gianninii (Nordsieck, 1974) and O. oliverioi Smriglio et Mariottini, 2000. A further possibly undescribed species is figured. For all species comparative morphometrics are provided. Onoba josae Moolenbeek et Hoenselaar, 1987 is here recorded for the first time in Italy, with the easternmost locality in this range.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 481-490 - MONOGRAPH

    Fabio Liberto, Maria Stella Colomba, Agatino Reitano, Salvatore Giglio & Ignazio Sparacio
    The endemic door snail of Marettimo (Egadi Islands, Sicily, Italy): Siciliaria (Siciliaria) scarificata (Pfeiffer, 1857) (Pulmonata, Clausiliidae)
    Proceedings of the Eighth Malacological Pontine Meeting, October 4th-5th, 2014 - San Felice Circeo, Italy

    ABSTRACT
    The door snail Siciliaria (Siciliaria) scarificata (L. Pfeiffer, 1856) (Pulmonata Clausiliidae) is redescribed. The species is endemic to Marettimo (Egadi Islands, Sicily, Italy) and it is the only one of the genus Siciliaria Vest, 1867 living in this island. Siciliaria scarificata can be morphologically identified by the presence of a high columellar lamella, ascending in a double “S” curve, a wide anterior upper palatal plica, long basal plica, sulcalis present; clausilium plate distally less narrowed; genitalia are characterized by very short bursa copulatrix duct; short diverticulum of bursa copulatrix; penial papilla conic and short. Notes about its taxonomy, biology and conservation status are also provided.