{"title":"Morphological and electrophysiological analysis of tarsal sensilla in the medfly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae)","authors":"F. Loy, P. Solari, M. Isola, R. Crnjar, C. Masala","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1241830","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1241830","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a polyphagous pest in horticulture, mainly targeting pomaceous and citrus fruits. To gain better knowledge about its chemosensory system related to taste, essential for behavioural strategies and localisation of host plants, we examined the tarsal external morphology by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, focusing on sensilla. Numerous trichoid and chaetica sensilla, related to taste and mechanoreceptor systems, and other types of sensilla are present in tarsal segments. The responses of specific trichoid chemosensilla were also studied through electrophysiological experiments by stimulation with sodium chloride, fructose and four bitter stimuli. Electrophysiological data allowed us to distinguish three types of different neurons: high (“H”), middle (“M”) and small (“S”). Increasing concentrations of sodium chloride enhanced the activity of H cells, while fructose boosted M cells activity. On the contrary, S cells showed no increase in spike activity after stimulation with these substances. Bitter stimuli induced no significant response on these cells. Behavioural assays showed no statistical difference among the responses to sugars, bitter substances and citric acid. Our results on taste stimuli will be useful in increasing knowledge of Ceratitis chemoreception, fundamental in new integrated pest management.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"31 1","pages":"456 - 468"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79443273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Short-toed snake eagles Circaetus gallicus (Gmelin, 1788) (Aves: Accipitridae) approaching a water barrier show reverse direction of migration","authors":"N. Agostini, M. Gustin, M. Panuccio","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1240833","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1240833","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract We investigated the directions of migration (reversed vs. expected) of raptors approaching a geographical strait in relation to local wind conditions, time of day, flock size and location of the observation post (coastal zone vs. inland zone). Fieldwork was conducted during autumn migration in 2011, 2012 and 2013 at a migratory bottleneck located in the southernmost part of the Italian Peninsula (Calabrian Apennines), using four watch points. In this area, migrating birds face the narrowest water surface between continental Italy and Sicily, the Strait of Messina. The only species showing substantial reverse migration was the short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus). In particular, eagles, mostly first calendar year (cy) birds, showed this behavior when passing closer to the coast (5 km inland of the Strait of Messina). Our results could reflect the reluctance of these birds to head south when approaching this relatively short stretch of sea, even before reaching the coastline. This behavior could be evidence of the strong selective pressure, which would have led to the evolution of the extremely detoured flight path of birds breeding in Italy.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"45 1","pages":"543 - 548"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88558825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Brigić, S. Vujčić-Karlo, S. Slivar, A. Alegro, R. Matoničkin Kepčija, R. Peros, M. Kerovec
{"title":"Distribution and life-history traits of Calathus cinctus Motschulsky, 1850 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Croatia, with distribution of closely related species","authors":"A. Brigić, S. Vujčić-Karlo, S. Slivar, A. Alegro, R. Matoničkin Kepčija, R. Peros, M. Kerovec","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1247921","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1247921","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Calathus cinctus Motschulsky, 1850 was only recently separated from the group Calathus melanocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758). C. cinctus has now been recorded for the first time in Croatia, along the temporary Krčić River situated beneath Mt. Dinara. However, revision of museum collections revealed that this species also occurs at other localities in Croatia, in the Alpine region and along the Adriatic coast. Its sister species C. melanocephalus, as the type species of the group, is widely distributed in Croatia, whereas C. mollis Marsham, 1802 is mostly restricted to the coastal region, with a few records from Alpine and Continental Croatia. The distribution range of C. cinctus overlaps with the distribution ranges of its sister species. Life-history traits were studied using pitfall traps in a karst region of Croatia, including eu-Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean zones, in riparian and karst habitats, and on agricultural land. Based on goodness-of-fit criteria, the zero-inflated negative binomial model and negative binomial model best described the distribution of C. cinctus. For both models, there was a statistically significant difference between habitat types for activity density, indicating that C. cinctus has a preference for open habitats. It was recorded above a range of soil types (e.g. red, brown, sandy, cultivated), with sparse vegetation, suggesting that sufficient sun exposure is a more important requirement than soil type. The seasonal dynamics of C. cinctus differed between eu-Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean zones, despite the rather close proximity of the studied localities. Geographical variability of seasonal activity was most likely due to differences in climate, altitude and the vicinity of the high mountain. Calathus cinctus populations in both zones were wing-dimorphic, with brachypterous specimens prevailing in both populations, indicating population stability.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"83 1","pages":"549 - 562"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78455249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniele Paganelli, Sarah Caronni, A. Marchini, Andrea Gazzola, R. Sconfietti
{"title":"Dynamics and population structure of native Echinogammarus stammeri (Karaman, 1931) (Crustacea: Amphipoda) and non-native Gammarus roeselii Gervais, 1835 (Crustacea: Amphipoda) occurring in sympatry in Northern Italy","authors":"Daniele Paganelli, Sarah Caronni, A. Marchini, Andrea Gazzola, R. Sconfietti","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1236842","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1236842","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Gammarids are one of the most successful invaders in freshwater ecosystems due to both their diet plasticity and high reproductive capability. The Balkanic amphipod, Gammarus roeselii Gervais, 1835, has colonised a small canal in the southern part of the sub-lacustrine Ticino River basin (Northern Italy), where it lives in sympatry and shares the same habitat with the native species Echinogammarus stammeri (Karaman, 1931). We surveyed the populations of the two species over 12 months (from July 2014 to June 2015) to investigate their structure and dynamics. The overall densities of the two populations were similar in the study area, but we observed marked differences in the population structure: G. roeselii was in fact more successful than the native gammarid in achieving the adult stage, and E. stammeri exhibited a rather limited reproductive period, which does not justify the stable occurrence of juvenile individuals. We hypothesise that the population of the native gammarid in this small habitat is supported by a continuous upstream immigration of individuals from the Ticino River, while G. roeselii exhibits a well-structured and self-reproducing population.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"33 1","pages":"563 - 570"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74838657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Vitale, S. Giacobbe, A. Spinelli, S. De Matteo, J. L. Cervera
{"title":"“Opisthobranch” (mollusks) inventory of the Faro Lake: a Sicilian biodiversity hot spot","authors":"D. Vitale, S. Giacobbe, A. Spinelli, S. De Matteo, J. L. Cervera","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1236843","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1236843","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A census of the “opisthobranch” fauna in the Faro Lake and connected canals (NE Sicily) has been realized by photo documentation and specimen samplings, carried out monthly from February 2010 to the present. A total of 47 species have been reported, nine of which are cited in the historic and recent literature (from 1969 to 2016) vs. 38 first records; six were non-indigenous species. A major number of species, 16, was found exclusively in the lake with respect to the four species localized in the canals, whilst 10 were shared species. Based on the frequency of records, 24 “occasional”, 20 “settled” and three “invasive” species have been distinguished; these latter included two non-indigenous species, Aplysia dactylomela and Bursatella leachii, plus the Mediterranean Dendrodoris limbata, whose recent introduction in the Faro Lake from other Mediterranean lagoons is here postulated.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"59 1","pages":"524 - 530"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84613030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Fiocchi, A. Gustinelli, L. Gelmini, G. Rugna, M. Renzi, M. Fontana, G. Poglayen
{"title":"Helminth parasites of the red fox Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758) and the wolf Canis lupus italicus Altobello, 1921 in Emilia-Romagna, Italy","authors":"A. Fiocchi, A. Gustinelli, L. Gelmini, G. Rugna, M. Renzi, M. Fontana, G. Poglayen","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1249966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1249966","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In the period 2013–2014 a survey was carried out on the helminthic fauna of 60 wild canids, 57 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and three wolves (Canis lupus italicus), collected in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. The study focused mainly on the gastrointestinal and hepatic helminths. Parasites were recovered in 91.2% of the red foxes and in all the wolves examined. Multiple infections were found in the majority of the animals (71.9% of the foxes and 100% of the wolves). In total, 14 intestinal helminth species were identified, two trematodes (Alaria alata, Brachylaima spp.), seven cestodes (Mesocestoides spp., Taenia crassiceps, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia polyacantha, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia ovis, Taenia hydatigena) and five nematodes (Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Pterigodermatites affinis, Ancylostoma caninum). The heartworm Dirofilaria immitis was also recovered in two foxes. No Echinococcus spp. were found. Our study shows that foxes are reservoir hosts of zoonotic parasites, including A. alata, a rare digenean trematode in the Italian paeninsula. Results are compared with those of other surveys on helminths of wild canids carried out in Italy and other European countries.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"47 1","pages":"503 - 513"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88064674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Casu, F. Scarpa, P. Cossu, T. Lai, M. Curini-Galletti, A. Varcasia, D. Sanna
{"title":"First record of Esox cisalpinus (Teleostea: Esocidae) in Sardinia with insight on its mitochondrial DNA genetic variability","authors":"M. Casu, F. Scarpa, P. Cossu, T. Lai, M. Curini-Galletti, A. Varcasia, D. Sanna","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1250962","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1250962","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Esox cisalpinus (Teleostea: Esocidae) (syn. Esox flaviae) is an Italian freshwater autochthonous fish, whose originary range is limited to the Northern and Central Italy. However, this species has historically been introduced in several areas of Southern Italy, mainly for recreational purposes. In this paper we report the first record of E. cisalpinus on the Sardinia island (Western Mediterranean, Italy), where the species has been recently introduced at least in one lake. The species identification and the population dynamics analysis were performed using mitochondrial markers. The level of genetic variability, compared to those of other peninsular populations of E. cisalpinus, was surprisingly high, and several never-before-described haplotypes were found. A total of 10 mtDNA haplotypes were found. Demographic analysis is suggestive of a population expansion. We hypothesise that E. cisalpinus has been introduced in the Sardinian lake by the releasing of a conspicuous number of individuals. Given the conservational and recreational interest that E. cisalpinus arouses, it would be advisable that Sardinian government focuses in the near future also on management measures of its Sardinian population.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"8 1","pages":"514 - 523"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81544816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A reassessment of the genus Amphicteis Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta: Amphaetidae) with the description of Amphicteis teresae sp. nov. from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)","authors":"S. Schiaparelli, I. Jirkov","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1259359","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1259359","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Ampharetidae Malmgren, 1866 is a polychaete family of deposit-feeder species that flourishes in terms of individuals/m2 and species richness in areas where large quantities of food may accumulate, such as Arctic and Antarctic fjords. Despite the common occurrence of ampharetids in benthic samples and their important ecological role, the nomenclatural status of several species and subspecies is unclear and a general revision of the family is highly needed. In this contribution we focus on the ampharetid genus Amphicteis Grube, 1850, assessing the status of the species currently included in it and describing a new one, Amphicteis teresae sp. nov., collected at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). The new species has blunt and stout paleal chaetae, a feature that is known to occur only in northern hemisphere Amphicteis counterparts. The new species closely resemble the Arctic A. ninonae Jirkov, 1985, to which it could also be phylogenetically related. The morphological re-analysis of the Amphicteis taxa showed that the subspecies of the purportedly cosmopolitan A. gunneri (M. Sars, 1835), which were mainly based on a geographical criterion, represent valid species. Molecular data will indeed be needed to define phylogeographic relationships within this widespread genus. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub: 7F9E0E76-3168-439B-A45E-861F5CF77126","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"44 1","pages":"531 - 542"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79273414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Cattaneo-Vietti, M. Bo, R. Cannas, A. Cau, C. Follesa, E. Meliadò, G. Russo, R. Sandulli, G. Santangelo, G. Bavestrello
{"title":"An overexploited Italian treasure: past and present distribution and exploitation of the precious red coral Corallium rubrum (L., 1758) (Cnidaria: Anthozoa)","authors":"R. Cattaneo-Vietti, M. Bo, R. Cannas, A. Cau, C. Follesa, E. Meliadò, G. Russo, R. Sandulli, G. Santangelo, G. Bavestrello","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1255788","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1255788","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The aim of this paper is to supply an overview of all historical and recent knowledge on landings, fishing and geographic distribution of the red coral banks along the Italian coasts in order to make a contribution to the conservation and future management of this resource. Along the Italian coasts, the banks have been exploited for millennia, using non-selective trawling gear that was banned in Europe in 1994. Today, harvesting is allowed only by scuba divers and regulated by specific laws. We examined 153 years of history of coral fishing in Italy, from Unification (1861) to 2014. Data about the coralline fleets and the amount of coral landings were recorded for the considered span of time. From a quantitative point of view, the coral fishing in Italy in the last 150 years has been dominated by the sub-fossil coral reservoirs from the Sciacca Banks (Sicily Channel), where an extraordinary amount of 18,000 tons was collected in 34 years (1875–1888 and 1893–1914). This amount represents about 90% of all red coral harvested along the Italian coast in the last 150 years. Excluding this period, the average annual yield was initially around 100 tons, decreasing to 28 tons 100 years later, therefore demonstrating a severe overexploitation of the resource. The great part of the deep red coral banks was abandoned because harvesting was no longer profitable. Nevertheless, quantitative data suggest that red coral banks, even though overexploited, are still widespread along Italian coasts, mainly in shallow waters. These banks show a remarkable persistence although with a generalised shift towards smaller colony sizes and higher density. The time span necessary in recovering the pristine structure, following the end of the fishing activities, appears very long and the populations of several areas might be unable to re-colonise the old and overexploited banks.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"33 1","pages":"443 - 455"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85149819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. A. Santos-Sousa, M. Gomes, N. C. Carvalho, P. Souza-Junior, C. M. Santos, M. Abidu-Figueiredo
{"title":"Origin and antimeric distribution of brachial plexus nerves in Macaca mulatta (Zimmermann, 1780) (Primates: Cercopithecidae)","authors":"C. A. Santos-Sousa, M. Gomes, N. C. Carvalho, P. Souza-Junior, C. M. Santos, M. Abidu-Figueiredo","doi":"10.1080/11250003.2016.1258438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2016.1258438","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Morphology studies provide knowledge that allows us to understand how animals interact with their natural environment or in captivity. In this context, comparative anatomy on the formation of the brachial plexus has been a matter of interest since the 19th century, and remains one of the most intriguing topics of contemporary anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the origin and the antimeric distribution of the brachial plexus nerves in Macaca mulatta, as well as the muscles innervated by it. Ten male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were used. Animals came from the Laboratory Animals Breeding Centre (Cecal/Fiocruz), and were donated to the Animal Anatomy Department of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. Specimens were fixed in formaldehyde by infusion of a 10% solution. They were subsequently kept in low-density polythene containers with 500 L of 30% formaldehyde over a period of 12 months. In 11 plexus (55%) the resulting nerves were constituted by the connections between the ventral spinal branches C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1. In five plexus (25%), the participant roots were C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, T1 and T2. In two (10%) plexus, they were C5, C6, C7, C8, T1 and T2. In the other two (10%) plexus it was observed to be formed from C6, C7, C8, T1 and T2. The ventral branches formed three nerve trunks: cranial, middle and caudal. The suprascapular, subscapular, axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves innervated the intrinsic muscles. The subclavian, thoracodorsal, medial cutaneous nerve of the arm and forearm, long thoracic, cranial pectoral and caudal pectoral innervated extrinsic muscles. Results obtained in this study contribute to the field of comparative anatomy of primates, and provide information for applied research, serving as a basis for clinical and surgical procedures that use this species as a model animal.","PeriodicalId":14615,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Zoology","volume":"3 1","pages":"469 - 481"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72903080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}