Papers by Francesco Angelici
Oryx, 2001
The current distribution of Lepus corsicanus (recently considered to be a distinct species from L... more The current distribution of Lepus corsicanus (recently considered to be a distinct species from L. europaeus) in peninsular Italy and Sicily is presented in this paper. Our data suggest that L. corsicanus is declining markedly in mainland Italy, and perhaps also in Sicily, and that it should be categorised as Endan-gered on the IUCN Red List. Conservation recommendations for this species are presented.
Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 2003
Seventeen linear measurements (13 from the skull and 4 from the mandible) were taken on 46 skulls... more Seventeen linear measurements (13 from the skull and 4 from the mandible) were taken on 46 skulls of adult H. cristata, 24 of which originated from the Italian peninsula, 11 from North Africa, and 11 from Sicily. Based on the results from a PCA analysis, Italian H. cristata appeared on average to be grouped quite apart from conspecifics from Sicily and Africa, which were in contrast rather mixed.
Journal of Zoology, 2005
The small mammal fauna of a forest area in southern Nigeria is studied in order to understand the... more The small mammal fauna of a forest area in southern Nigeria is studied in order to understand the general patterns regulating the community composition. A set of different methods of trapping was used in order to evaluate the composition of the species at the level of both the ground-dwelling and the arboreal guilds. For the Insectivora, six shrew species were trapped, but only two (Crocidura nigeriae and C. poensis) appeared abundant and widespread in the various habitat types. No arboreal species were found. For the rodents, 17 species were captured, which were arranged by a Principal Component Analysis into four groups: (1) Rattus rattus and Anomalurus derbianus;
Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2011
The food habits of a freshwater pelomedusid turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) were studied by fecal ana... more The food habits of a freshwater pelomedusid turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) were studied by fecal analysis and stomach flushing in 2 study areas in Nigeria. Males and females were predominantly carnivorous; they fed mainly on fish, tadpoles, and aquatic invertebrates but also on terrestrial vertebrates. Sexes overlapped highly in dietary habits during both wet and dry season. Body size clearly affected diet composition of turtles but did so only during the dry season (with smaller individuals feeding primarily on invertebrates and small vertebrates, and larger individuals on homeotherm vertebrates). There was a strong effect of season on diet composition, and turtles responded to increasing dryness with a shift from a diet based on aquatic organisms during the wet season to a diet based on terrestrial organisms, including small vertebrates, during the dry season.
Amphibia-Reptilia, 2004
Snakes of the genus Psammophis are widespread in diverse habitats of west Africa, from dry savann... more Snakes of the genus Psammophis are widespread in diverse habitats of west Africa, from dry savannas to moist rainforests. In southern Nigeria, P. phillipsi occurs with two 'forms', one with a divided cloacal shield (CSD) and one with an entire cloacal shield (CSE). These 'forms' were suggested to be possibly distinct species in a recent review by . However, as no data are available on the variation in natural history, if any, between these two supposed species, we collected data on local distribution and natural history traits of these 'forms' in several localities of southern Nigeria. Out of 32 localities examined, sympatric CSD and CSE specimens occurred in 28.1% of the localities, CSD specimens alone occurred in 68.8%, and CSE specimens alone occurred in 3.1%. At five additional localities, where a higher number of specimens was examined (range 21-41 specimens), CSD specimens were clearly dominant over CSE specimens (on average 88.8% of specimens in each population), independently of the habitat types, and there was no apparent effect of longitude on the frequency of occurrence of CSD specimens. Both 'forms' proved to be habitat generalists (often inhabiting deforested areas and suburbs), and very similar in terms of type of prey eaten (mainly Agama lizards and Mabuya skinks, but also small mammals), and apparently also in terms of micro-habitats used for foraging (clearings into forested zones). Overall, there was no evident difference between these 'forms' in terms of the main ecological traits examined here.
African Journal of Ecology, 1998
Aspects of the ecology of a suburban population of rainbow lizards, Agama agama Linnaeus 1758, ha... more Aspects of the ecology of a suburban population of rainbow lizards, Agama agama Linnaeus 1758, have been studied in Malindi, a coastal locality of SE Kenya. Four different family groups were monitored on a wall transect 120 m long. Each group constituted a dominant male (i.e. a brightly coloured and aggressive individual) and three to four adult females, but in one of the studied groups a subordinate male was also seen. Both sexes were active in the morning, and peak activity fell between 10.00 and 11.30 hours. Dominant males used elevated perches significantly more often than subordinate males and females. The diet consisted of terrestrial arthropods, and most of the prey eaten were beetles (6-8 mm long). The foraging strategy used by rainbow lizards was to eat small insects at very short time intervals. The lizards used sit-and-wait foraging, remaining motionless until the prey was <5 cm away. The rainbow lizards studied did not feed upon plant material.
The lion in Ghana: its historical and current status.— Historically, the lion (Panthera leo) popu... more The lion in Ghana: its historical and current status.— Historically, the lion (Panthera leo) population in Ghana
has been little studied and its status is poorly documented. Currently, after recent unsuccessful attempts to
find signs of the presence of the species, many authors believe that the Ghanaian lion population is most likely
extinct. In an attempt to gather more data, since 2005 we have been carrying out lion surveys in the most
important parks and other protected areas of Ghana, mainly focusing on Mole National Park (MNP). We have
also been extensively reviewing the literature in an attempt to reconstruct the history of the presence of the
lion in the country. Although our research has not provided unequivocal evidence of the presence of the lion,
we have collected circumstantial evidence that suggests that a small lion population might still be present in
MNP and its surrounding areas.
Uploads
Papers by Francesco Angelici
has been little studied and its status is poorly documented. Currently, after recent unsuccessful attempts to
find signs of the presence of the species, many authors believe that the Ghanaian lion population is most likely
extinct. In an attempt to gather more data, since 2005 we have been carrying out lion surveys in the most
important parks and other protected areas of Ghana, mainly focusing on Mole National Park (MNP). We have
also been extensively reviewing the literature in an attempt to reconstruct the history of the presence of the
lion in the country. Although our research has not provided unequivocal evidence of the presence of the lion,
we have collected circumstantial evidence that suggests that a small lion population might still be present in
MNP and its surrounding areas.
has been little studied and its status is poorly documented. Currently, after recent unsuccessful attempts to
find signs of the presence of the species, many authors believe that the Ghanaian lion population is most likely
extinct. In an attempt to gather more data, since 2005 we have been carrying out lion surveys in the most
important parks and other protected areas of Ghana, mainly focusing on Mole National Park (MNP). We have
also been extensively reviewing the literature in an attempt to reconstruct the history of the presence of the
lion in the country. Although our research has not provided unequivocal evidence of the presence of the lion,
we have collected circumstantial evidence that suggests that a small lion population might still be present in
MNP and its surrounding areas.