Abstract: The ecological status of 203 amphibian aquatic breeding sites, selected from the national database of the Societas Herpetologica Italica (SHI), was surveyed in the period 2008-2009 to assess their ecological status. Sites were randomly extracted, after stratification by the three biogeographical regions present in Italy, besides Sardinia and Sicily. The field surveys, conducted by professionals, amateurs and volunteers, showed that since 1979 about 11% of the sites were destroyed or no more suitable for the reproduction of amphibians that bred in the same site in the past. The percentage of destroyed or altered sites was 8%, both in the Mediterranean and Alpine biogeographical regions, and 15% in the Continental one. However, there were no statistical significant differences among the regions, suggesting that the rate of amphibian site loss was similar in different parts of Italy. This nation-wide monitoring project demonstrated that in Italy, during the last thirty years, a relevant proportion of amphibian breeding habitats has been destroyed or altered. The main cause of site alteration were land reclamation and water extraction.
Abstract: The tadpoles of Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) can be easily recognized from other Italian anuran species, except those of B. pachypus (though the two congeneric species are allopatric). In this paper we report morphometric data on B. variegata tadpoles from a Lombard population living near a torrent at 450 m a.s.l. On a sample of 264 tadpoles (stages 19-44, according to Gosner, 1960) we measured the following five variables: snout-vent length, tail length, maximum tail height, total length and weight. We found a slight allometric relationship between snout-vent length and tail length, while, as expectes,.the weight is nearly proportional to the cube of linear measures. According to literature data, our results point to highly constant proportions during the development phases up to prometamorphic stages. The ratio between snout-vent length and tail length was about 0.75 during the whole growing phase, while from stage 42 the proportion increases as the resorption of the tail starts.
Abstract: The ecological researches on Bombina v. variegata (Linnaeus, 1758) carried out in Lombardy beginning from 1994 are still in progress. Here, attention is focused on the seasonal pattern from 1994 to 2001 and thermal ecology of a population living at 450 m a.s.l.; these data were compared with other Bombina populations present at higher altitudes. The activity cycle of yellow-bellied toads started in April or May and lasted for 4-5 months. Breeding occurred from the end of May to early August (mean = 60.33 days, SD = 7.03). Females laid eggs on 50 - 71 days, while larval development was completed in 28-107 days (mean = 54.83; SD = 35.12). Yellow-bellied toads left the aquatic site from August to September, although in 1996 one specimen was captured in November (TH2O - 7.3 °C TAIR = 6.9 °C). During different years (1994-2001), the number of adult specimens captured (NTOT = 673) varied significantly between the two sexes (G = 23.185; df = 7; P = 0.002). Also the analysis of individual annual phases (beginning of activity, reproduction, pre-hibernation) revealed significant differences in sex-ratio (G = 14.309; df = 5; P = 0.014). The M/F ratio was 1/1 at the beginning of the season, skewed to males during the breeding season (May-July), but was in favour of females before hibernation (August-October). Concerning thermobiology, the beginning of activity started with mean temperatures above 10 °C. Analysis of thermal data showed that the breeding period was not correlated with mean air temperature (Spearman, rs = 0.081; df = 4; P = 0.8), while a weak negative correlation was found between the duration of reproduction and mean water temperature (Spearman, rs = -0.531; df = 4; P = 0.1). Water temperatures proved also negatively correlated with the length of larval development (Spearman, rs = -0.69; df = 3; P = 0.05).
Abstract: The use of camera traps to survey and detect animal species is not real news. However, the recent progresses of digital photography and the availability of budget equipment determined a dramatic increase in the use of this technique. Camera trapping has been generally applied to the survey of big or medium size mammals. We present a case study where camera trapping has been applied to the survey of arboreal rodents, in particular squirrels. The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is declining in Lombardy due to the expansion of the invasive alien grey squirrel (S. carolinensis). Therefore, efficient monitoring programs of these species are of particular importance for conservation.
The study was carried out in the Site of Community Importance Oasi Le Foppe di Trezzo (SCI IT2050011), located in the territory of Parco Adda Nord (Lombardy, Italy), in the high Po plain. The area has a surface of 9.67 hectares and it is characterized by the presence of 9 artificial water basins in plain woodland with black locust, oaks, European hornbeam, poplars, hazelnuts and willows, surrounded by an agricultural and urbanized landscape. The main objective of our survey was the production of a check-list of mammal species. Besides camera trapping, we applied other traditional survey methodologies for terrestrial and arboreal mammals: trapping (Sherman live-traps), detection of sign and tracks, hair-tubes, periodical check of artificial nests.
For camera trapping survey, we used 3 infra-red camera units (Model Keep-Guard KG560) that were set to record 10 to 30 seconds video clips 24h per day. Cameras have been operated since January 2010 and they were periodically moved in 9 sites. In each trapping site the camera was blocked on tree trunks at variable height (from 30 to 180 cm). The camera objective was directed to an open area or animal path (3 sites), to the underwood (4 sites) or to a horizontal tree branch (2 sites). Sites were baited with different kind of food. Branches in particular were baited with hazel nuts, peanuts and fruits. A total of 822 video clips have been recorded in 326 camera trap-days. Percentage of failure (empty videos) was 27.7%, therefore the average capture efficiency was 1.5 animals per trap per day.
Red squirrel was considered only a potential, never observed, species. It was first detected on March 30 by a camera trap pointed to underwood. A second event was recorded on July 21 in a different underwood place, 15 days after the displacement of the camera trap. From that day, the red squirrels, at least two animals, have been constantly recorded by the device. In total 270 events of red squirrel have been recorded in 255 trapping day (1.1 squirrels / trap-day). Success ratio was 270/534 clips (50.6%). Grey squirrel has never been observed in the protected area, before. Its first detection occurred on August 7. This species has been recorded 8 times from August to the beginning of October, in the same site. A baited hair tube was put in front of the camera trap, and the behaviour of both red and grey squirrel was recorded.
Pointing the camera trap on baited horizontal branches, we obtained an even better efficiency. The first detection of a red squirrel was recorded after only 1 day (29 h) from the displacement of the camera trap in that position. In the same period we only collected from hair tubes 2 samples of red squirrel hairs and none of grey squirrel. Only 12 hair tubes were put in place in the study area. However, comparing the efficiency of hair tubes from literature data with that of camera trapping in our study, the latter seems to prevail. The added values of camera trap data are the possibility of individual recognition (for capture/recapture protocols) and to collect data about activity patterns of animals. The majority of the records was collected in autumn. In that period squirrels were active from 7:28 to 19:30, with three main activity peaks: morning (9 to 10); midday (12 to 13) and afternoon (17 to 18). The main observed activities, of course, were the search and collection of food (181 events), but also movements (86) and interactions with birds (3).
We would recommend the use of camera traps also for arboreal and low density species, as an enforcement of traditional methodologies. Spread control and monitoring programs of problematic species, like the alien and invasive grey squirrel, could be strongly improved applying this methodology.
Abstract: To our knowledge, there are no specific studies on herpetofauna of Fiemme Valley (province of Trento), and the existing data appear to be dated and incompletes. Aim of this work is to deliver an updated check-list of the amphibian and reptiles species living in this area and in few adjoining territories in the province of Bolzano.
Nineteen species have been detected in Fiemme Valley area: 7 belonging to amphibians (Salamandra atra, S. salamandra, Mesotriton alpestris, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria, Pelophylax kl. esculentus) and 12 to reptiles (Anguis fragilis, Podarcis muralis, Zootoca vivipara, Lacerta bilineata, Hierophis viridiflavus, Zamenis longissimus, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Vipera aspis, V. berus, Trachemys scripta).
Z. longissimus was recently observed in Fiemme Valley for the first time. For almost all the other species, previous observations (before 1990) were reconfirmed and new sites were recorded along the valley. In some cases their distribution areas were enlarged. The inspections made did not reconfirm S. atra, however the species is likely to be present in the mountain area of the Lagorai range. A small population of B. variegata, which appears to be missing in its historic site (Castello di Fiemme), has been observed in a territory bordering on the Fiemme Valley (Aldino, BZ). In the same area P. kl. esculentus can be found up to an altitude of 1100 m a.s.l. . On the other hand, T. scripta, which was observed in a lake at 978 m a.s.l. during 2000, has not been found afterwards. The site was probably not suitable for this allochthonous species.
Abstract: Quantitative pattern analysis, according to a new protocol based on literature review and new methodologies, has been applied to a sample of 268 fire and yellow-bellied toads ventral pattern digital images. Animals, belonging to four taxa (B. bombina, B. pachypus, B. v. variegata e B. v. scabra), have been collected from four Museum collections, except for a small sample of wild specimen images taken in field. Area ratio (AR) between the dark patches area and the yellow-orange background was significantly different among the four taxa, with a clear trend to decrease the dark part of the belly from Bb (AR = 70.3%) to Bv (AR = 49.3%), Bp (AR = 44.7%) and finally Bvs (AR = 22.7%). In paired comparisons the differences remained significant (ANOVA with Bonferroni: p < 0.001). Circularity (CI: p < 0.001), Heywood (HI: p < 0.001) and Elongation (EI: p < 0.05) indices gave significantly different results in Bv and Bp. They differed in shape of the dark particles, being more regular and circular-like in the latter species. These results, together with the multivariate analysis and the cross-correlation of the patterns underline a clear separation of Bb from the other taxa, a high intraspecific variability among Bv and a trend Bv, Bp, Bvs in several characters, with the Balkan subspecies more correlated to the Appennine species.
Abstract: Quantitative pattern analysis is a widespread method applied to individual identification as well as to population and species as diagnostic character. Pattern analysis bases on different scores assigned to different size and position of the pattern elements. The subjective manual score tables have been substitutes by the tools provided by digital images technology. Current methodologies are reviewed and a new method based on the cross-correlation formula, accounting for the relative position of the particles, is presented. The experimental test has been carried out on a sample of ventral pattern of Bombina variegata, B. pachypus and B. bombina. Based on our results, the following rules are proposed:
i) Standardization of the image acquisition, using one digital camera mounted on a stand, fixed settings (e.g. pixels, light, sensitivity) or use a standard distance and shot angle (90°). Put the specimen on a plain terrain or in a box, with ruler and colour checker.
ii) Choose an appropriate Region of Interest (ROI) and cut the image following fixed landmarks. Distorted images should be discarted or reshaped with specific tools (e.g. softwares designed for geometric morphometry).
iii) Particle analysis is based on the calculation of coloured areas ratio, particle perimeters and sizes. A series of standard calculated variables is proposed, namely: area ratio (AR), mean patch area and mean patch perimeter ratio (RMPA), circularity indices (CI, HI) and elongation index (EI).
iv) Several species of Amphibians do not change significantly colour pattern during their life. Hovewer, others could change it over time. In this case, it could be better select samples with similar size (age). Anyway, we suggest to photograph the single animal peridiocally when pattern analysis is applied to individual identification in longer-term studies.
