Recent reports of Eucoleus garfiai in wild boars in southern Italy have highlighted the need for ... more Recent reports of Eucoleus garfiai in wild boars in southern Italy have highlighted the need for collecting epidemiological data on the presence of this parasite and understanding the role of possible interactions between wild boars, E. garfiai, and the environment. This study analyses, using histopathological and biomolecular techniques, the presence of E. garfiai in tongue samples of wild boars hunted in four provinces of the Campania and Latium regions (Italy), in areas located above and below 900 m above sea level (asl). Histopathological examinations revealed the presence of adults and eggs of nematodes, which were subsequently identified as E. garfiai by biomolecular analysis, in the tongue epithelium. The detection of the parasite was more frequent in samples collected from hunting areas located above 900 m asl than in those collected from areas located below 900 m asl (66.67% vs. 38.09%; p < 0.01). Some species of earthworms are intermediate hosts of E. garfiai and it is ...
The knowledge of how wolves’ movement patterns and habitat selection are affected by habituation ... more The knowledge of how wolves’ movement patterns and habitat selection are affected by habituation to persons after a period of veterinary isolation, treatment and non-agonistic experience with humans is scarce. Unnatural behaviours could be transferred by imitation to members of the pack and to subsequent generations, increasing direct interaction risks. We used GPS data from a rescued radio-collared female wolf after an 11-day rehabilitation to estimate home range, movement patterns, circadian rhythms, and habitat selection, searching for signals of eventual behavioural distortions. In the period 1 August–26 November 2013, 870 valid locations were acquired. The wolf moved within a minimum convex polygon (95%) of 6541.1 ha (79% wooded), avoiding anthropized areas. Nocturnal and diurnal displacements were significantly different (p < 0.01). Nocturnal displacements were 4409.4 ± 617.5 m during summer and 3684.8 ± 468.1 m during autumn, without differences between seasons. Diurnal mo...
Translocations and releases of farm-reared birds are considered among the major drivers of geneti... more Translocations and releases of farm-reared birds are considered among the major drivers of genetic pollution with consequent loss of genetic diversity in wild populations. In this study, we aimed to assess the extent of hybridization and introgression in the Italian partridges as a consequence of translocation. We surveyed two mitochondrial markers and one nuclear marker of Alectoris and Perdix from collections (museums and private collections), extant wild populations and farms. Consistent with previous studies, we found haplotypes of allochthonous species within the same genus, likely due to introductions for hunting activities. In addition, we found hybrids between Perdix and Alectoris species with genetic markers from both genera in single individuals. Such introgression was bidirectional and in both mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Counterintuitively, most of the hybrid samples came from collections before the 1950s, when large-scale translocations started, from wild populati...
The recent record of the number of wild ungulates in Italy shows that in some areas there is a de... more The recent record of the number of wild ungulates in Italy shows that in some areas there is a deleterious animal density. Among the ungulates, the number of wild boars has been increasing considerably, during past decades in Italy as well as in many European countries; somewhere the number has reached the overabundance level, causing conflict between wild fauna and human activities. The implications of wild game overpopulation are manifold and mainly related to the sanitary risk and to the intensification of conflicts between agricultural practices and humans activities. As a consequence an increased compensation budget has to be allocated by local public authorities. Damages to agriculture, livestock and other economic activities catch the farmers' attention and that of the local communities. Management authorities, however lack of an integrated approach, and often tend to adopt ex post reimbursement schemes without appropriate management plans. The wild boar population growth...
We report for the first time the occurrence of heteroplasmy in Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) rev... more We report for the first time the occurrence of heteroplasmy in Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) revealed by means of two mitochondrial fragments. The possible serious biological and management implications of this exception to unilateral inheritance of mtDNA were underlined.
The 1st International Electronic Conference on Forests—Forests for a Better Future: Sustainability, Innovation, Interdisciplinarity, 2020
Several studies have focused on the impact of ungulates on agricultural systems, but the magnitud... more Several studies have focused on the impact of ungulates on agricultural systems, but the magnitude of their antagonistic role in forest renovation dynamics has long been underestimated and is rarely considered. The abundance of ungulate species is susceptible to seasonal variations according to their autecology, human management choices, and territorial planning. Therefore, the appropriate choice of counting period is crucial. In this case study, we used camera traps to assess the seasonal abundance variations of wild boar and roe deer in a 560-hectares hunting-ban beech forest (95.48%) in southern Tuscany managed for timber production. Camera-trapping sessions were performed in both early summer and autumn. The roe deer abundance index is higher in early summer, although statistically not significant, potentially affecting seedling survival. Inversely, wild boars significantly (F = 79.125; p = 0.001) increase their abundance at the local scale in autumn when probably, according to ...
ANDrEA AMICI (*) (°)-FIOrAvANtE SErrANI (*)-SEttIMIO ADrIANI (*)-MArCO BONANNI (**) PAOLO vIOLA (... more ANDrEA AMICI (*) (°)-FIOrAvANtE SErrANI (*)-SEttIMIO ADrIANI (*)-MArCO BONANNI (**) PAOLO vIOLA (*)-rICCArDO PrIMI (*)-BruNO rONChI (*) StAtuS DELLA COturNICE (ALeCtoris grAeCA) IN ALCuNE ArEE DELL'APPENNINO CENtrALE (*) università degli Studi della tuscia, Dip. di Produzioni Animali, via S.C. de Lellis snc, viterbo;
This study examines the influence of hunting methods on the colour and lipid oxidation state of m... more This study examines the influence of hunting methods on the colour and lipid oxidation state of meat from wild boar (Sus scrofa) and fallow deer (Dama dama). In addition, the feasibility of using visible reflectance spectra (360 to 740 nm) to predict the lipid oxidation of meat was evaluated. A total of 25 wild boars and 14 fallow deer were hunted with two different methods, dog-driven hunting (DH) and harvest culling (HC), that imply different animal stresses before shooting. Lipid oxidation increased in the meat from both species, which had been frozen for 3 months. The increase was higher in the DH group than the HC group (P<0.05). Our results confirm the importance of hunting stress on meat quality and lipid stability. The multivariate regression analysis showed a high correlation (R 2 =0.968) between the predicted and measured thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values, suggesting that visible spectroscopy should prove useful for predicting meat oxidation.
We report an updated and expanded list of Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) haplotypes found in w... more We report an updated and expanded list of Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) haplotypes found in wild animals throughout the Apennines of central Italy. Samples were collected and identified during a monitoring program of autochthonous Galliformes and from a private collection. The haplotypes were identified on a longer fragment of the mitochondrial control region (D-loop) based on previously reported haplotypes. This novel evidence, based on a wider sampling area and a higher number of analyzed specimens, will be of relevance in both conservation projects and gamebird breeding for restock, as imposed by the Italian Action Plan. Studying longer fragments can also be useful for phylogeographic analysis.
Winter resources are crucial for wildlife, and, at a local scale, some anthropogenic and environm... more Winter resources are crucial for wildlife, and, at a local scale, some anthropogenic and environmental factors could affect their availability. In the case of wolves, it is known that vocalisations in response to unfamiliar howls are issued to defend their territory and the important resources within it. Then, we studied the characteristics of winter response sites (WRS) during the cold season, aiming to assess their eventual ability to provide insights into the distribution of valuable resources within their territories. Within this scope, we planned a wolf-howling survey following a standardised approach. The study covered an Apennine (Central Italy) area of 500 km2. A hexagonal mesh was imposed on the area, in order to determine the values of different variables at the local scale. A logistic LASSO regression was performed. WRS were positively related to the presence of thermal refuges (odds = 114.485), to patch richness (odds = 1.153), wild boar drive hunting areas (odds = 1.015...
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
This study examines the influence of hunting methods on the colour and lipid oxidation state of m... more This study examines the influence of hunting methods on the colour and lipid oxidation state of meat from wild boar (Sus scrofa) and fallow deer (Dama dama). In addition, the feasibility of using visible reflectance spectra (360 to 740 nm) to predict the lipid oxidation of meat was evaluated. A total of 25 wild boars and 14 fallow deer were hunted with two different methods, dog-driven hunting (DH) and harvest culling (HC), that imply different animal stresses before shooting. Lipid oxidation increased in the meat from both species, which had been frozen for 3 months. The increase was higher in the DH group than the HC group (P<0.05). Our results confirm the importance of hunting stress on meat quality and lipid stability. The multivariate regression analysis showed a high correlation (R 2 =0.968) between the predicted and measured thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values, suggesting that visible spectroscopy should prove useful for predicting meat oxidation.
We report for the first time the occurrence of heteroplasmy in Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) rev... more We report for the first time the occurrence of heteroplasmy in Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) revealed by means of two mitochondrial fragments. The possible serious biological and management implications of this exception to unilateral inheritance of mtDNA were underlined.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) is included in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive as Species of ... more Rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) is included in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive as Species of Conservation Concern (SPEC 1), because of the continuing decline in the area of occupancy. In this context, ex situ conservation programs and production systems of captive Rock partridges suited to the wild are necessary to ensure that insurance, reintroduction or restocking goals are met. Anyway, morphological changes occurring in captive-reared animals indicate the loss of animal's ability to survive in natural environment. In this study, we used the offspring of wild Apennine rock partridges (Alectoris graeca graeca). The young birds were divided into two groups, the first (G1) was housed in enriched and wild-like environment, the second (G2) was subjected to intensive-rearing conditions. Starting at 14 days post-hatching (DPH) and continuing up to 98 DPH, body mass (BM), tarsus length (TL), tarsus depth (TD), tarsus width (TW), head width (HW), head length (HL), wing length (WL) and beak length (BL), were measured fortnightly. Birds in G1 showed shorter heads (F = 10.50, p = 0.000) and thinner tarsi (F = 9.80, p = 0.000) at 84 DPH. At 98 DPH also the TD measurement (F = 8.71, p = 0.001) became significantly lower in G1 then in G2. Birds in G1 showed morphological disadvantages (shorter heads and less developed limbs) as a possible result of limited physical and cognitive exercise in simple artificial environment. Our results suggest that intensive rearing does not contribute to relevant morphological disadvantages within 70 DPH. Accordingly, birds for restocking or reintroduction should be translocated within this time limit into enriched and wild-like environment where they can exercise before the release into the wild. A first figure of morphological measurements for Apennine Rock partridge is reported.
CISO-Centro Italiano Studi Ornitologici tridge Perdix perdix in Italy is still critical after man... more CISO-Centro Italiano Studi Ornitologici tridge Perdix perdix in Italy is still critical after many years of massive reintroduction (Simonetta & Dessì Fulgheri 1998), the red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa, a species more adapted to dry hilly land with small bushes, has extended its areal distribution without management intervention, exploiting the abandoned marginal landscape and the transition habitat (Spanò 2010). The red-legged partridge is currently classified in the Data Deficient (DD) category by the Italian Red List 2011, because there was not enough data to analyze the degree of genetic pollution and how the sub-populations are dependent on restocking for hunting purposes (Peronace et al. 2012). The species is listed in Annexes 2 and 3 of 2009/147/ CE Directive, in Annex 3 of the Berne Convention, as it is considered to be at low risk (Least Concern) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2011) and category 2 of SPEC (species with unfavourable conservation status in Europe) (Primack & Carotenuto 2003).
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Several studies have focused on the impact of ungulates on agricultural systems, but the magnitud... more Several studies have focused on the impact of ungulates on agricultural systems, but the magnitude of their antagonistic role in forest renovation dynamics has long been underestimated and is rarely considered. The abundance of ungulate species is susceptible to seasonal variations according to their autecology, human management choices, and territorial planning. Therefore, the appropriate choice of counting period is crucial. In this case study, we used camera traps to assess the seasonal abundance variations of wild boar and roe deer in a 560-hectares hunting-ban beech forest (95.48%) in southern Tuscany managed for timber production. Camera-trapping sessions were performed in both early summer and autumn. The roe deer abundance index is higher in early summer, although statistically not significant, potentially affecting seedling survival. Inversely, wild boars significantly (F = 79.125; p = 0.001) increase their abundance at the local scale in autumn when probably, according to the ecology of fear, they shift their home range toward refuge areas temporary. In autumn, the high density of wild boars can reduce seed availability at the local scale. Further analyses assessing the correlation between seasonal wild ungulate abundance and forest regeneration rates are in progress, based on data recorded within and around three fenced sample plots.
in which species mentioned in Annex I (including the rock partridge) live through the establishme... more in which species mentioned in Annex I (including the rock partridge) live through the establishment of Special Protection Areas. Additionally, the rock partridge is listed in the National Red List (Peronace et al. 2012), but it is included in the list of hunting species both in Law 157/92 as well as Law 17/95 of Lazio Region. Previously, the rock partridge had a wider distribution range and higher population density compared to the present time (Spanò et al. 1985, Brichetti & Massa 1998). Today, the Italian population represents approximately 30% of the world patridge population (Brichetti & Fracasso 2004). Land cover data indicate that during the last century, the Apennines habitat for the species has been progressively reduced and fragmented (Pelorosso et al. 2007a, 2007b, Rippa et al. 2011). The species is composed of small and locally isolated nuclei (
Recent reports of Eucoleus garfiai in wild boars in southern Italy have highlighted the need for ... more Recent reports of Eucoleus garfiai in wild boars in southern Italy have highlighted the need for collecting epidemiological data on the presence of this parasite and understanding the role of possible interactions between wild boars, E. garfiai, and the environment. This study analyses, using histopathological and biomolecular techniques, the presence of E. garfiai in tongue samples of wild boars hunted in four provinces of the Campania and Latium regions (Italy), in areas located above and below 900 m above sea level (asl). Histopathological examinations revealed the presence of adults and eggs of nematodes, which were subsequently identified as E. garfiai by biomolecular analysis, in the tongue epithelium. The detection of the parasite was more frequent in samples collected from hunting areas located above 900 m asl than in those collected from areas located below 900 m asl (66.67% vs. 38.09%; p < 0.01). Some species of earthworms are intermediate hosts of E. garfiai and it is ...
The knowledge of how wolves’ movement patterns and habitat selection are affected by habituation ... more The knowledge of how wolves’ movement patterns and habitat selection are affected by habituation to persons after a period of veterinary isolation, treatment and non-agonistic experience with humans is scarce. Unnatural behaviours could be transferred by imitation to members of the pack and to subsequent generations, increasing direct interaction risks. We used GPS data from a rescued radio-collared female wolf after an 11-day rehabilitation to estimate home range, movement patterns, circadian rhythms, and habitat selection, searching for signals of eventual behavioural distortions. In the period 1 August–26 November 2013, 870 valid locations were acquired. The wolf moved within a minimum convex polygon (95%) of 6541.1 ha (79% wooded), avoiding anthropized areas. Nocturnal and diurnal displacements were significantly different (p < 0.01). Nocturnal displacements were 4409.4 ± 617.5 m during summer and 3684.8 ± 468.1 m during autumn, without differences between seasons. Diurnal mo...
Translocations and releases of farm-reared birds are considered among the major drivers of geneti... more Translocations and releases of farm-reared birds are considered among the major drivers of genetic pollution with consequent loss of genetic diversity in wild populations. In this study, we aimed to assess the extent of hybridization and introgression in the Italian partridges as a consequence of translocation. We surveyed two mitochondrial markers and one nuclear marker of Alectoris and Perdix from collections (museums and private collections), extant wild populations and farms. Consistent with previous studies, we found haplotypes of allochthonous species within the same genus, likely due to introductions for hunting activities. In addition, we found hybrids between Perdix and Alectoris species with genetic markers from both genera in single individuals. Such introgression was bidirectional and in both mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Counterintuitively, most of the hybrid samples came from collections before the 1950s, when large-scale translocations started, from wild populati...
The recent record of the number of wild ungulates in Italy shows that in some areas there is a de... more The recent record of the number of wild ungulates in Italy shows that in some areas there is a deleterious animal density. Among the ungulates, the number of wild boars has been increasing considerably, during past decades in Italy as well as in many European countries; somewhere the number has reached the overabundance level, causing conflict between wild fauna and human activities. The implications of wild game overpopulation are manifold and mainly related to the sanitary risk and to the intensification of conflicts between agricultural practices and humans activities. As a consequence an increased compensation budget has to be allocated by local public authorities. Damages to agriculture, livestock and other economic activities catch the farmers' attention and that of the local communities. Management authorities, however lack of an integrated approach, and often tend to adopt ex post reimbursement schemes without appropriate management plans. The wild boar population growth...
We report for the first time the occurrence of heteroplasmy in Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) rev... more We report for the first time the occurrence of heteroplasmy in Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) revealed by means of two mitochondrial fragments. The possible serious biological and management implications of this exception to unilateral inheritance of mtDNA were underlined.
The 1st International Electronic Conference on Forests—Forests for a Better Future: Sustainability, Innovation, Interdisciplinarity, 2020
Several studies have focused on the impact of ungulates on agricultural systems, but the magnitud... more Several studies have focused on the impact of ungulates on agricultural systems, but the magnitude of their antagonistic role in forest renovation dynamics has long been underestimated and is rarely considered. The abundance of ungulate species is susceptible to seasonal variations according to their autecology, human management choices, and territorial planning. Therefore, the appropriate choice of counting period is crucial. In this case study, we used camera traps to assess the seasonal abundance variations of wild boar and roe deer in a 560-hectares hunting-ban beech forest (95.48%) in southern Tuscany managed for timber production. Camera-trapping sessions were performed in both early summer and autumn. The roe deer abundance index is higher in early summer, although statistically not significant, potentially affecting seedling survival. Inversely, wild boars significantly (F = 79.125; p = 0.001) increase their abundance at the local scale in autumn when probably, according to ...
ANDrEA AMICI (*) (°)-FIOrAvANtE SErrANI (*)-SEttIMIO ADrIANI (*)-MArCO BONANNI (**) PAOLO vIOLA (... more ANDrEA AMICI (*) (°)-FIOrAvANtE SErrANI (*)-SEttIMIO ADrIANI (*)-MArCO BONANNI (**) PAOLO vIOLA (*)-rICCArDO PrIMI (*)-BruNO rONChI (*) StAtuS DELLA COturNICE (ALeCtoris grAeCA) IN ALCuNE ArEE DELL'APPENNINO CENtrALE (*) università degli Studi della tuscia, Dip. di Produzioni Animali, via S.C. de Lellis snc, viterbo;
This study examines the influence of hunting methods on the colour and lipid oxidation state of m... more This study examines the influence of hunting methods on the colour and lipid oxidation state of meat from wild boar (Sus scrofa) and fallow deer (Dama dama). In addition, the feasibility of using visible reflectance spectra (360 to 740 nm) to predict the lipid oxidation of meat was evaluated. A total of 25 wild boars and 14 fallow deer were hunted with two different methods, dog-driven hunting (DH) and harvest culling (HC), that imply different animal stresses before shooting. Lipid oxidation increased in the meat from both species, which had been frozen for 3 months. The increase was higher in the DH group than the HC group (P<0.05). Our results confirm the importance of hunting stress on meat quality and lipid stability. The multivariate regression analysis showed a high correlation (R 2 =0.968) between the predicted and measured thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values, suggesting that visible spectroscopy should prove useful for predicting meat oxidation.
We report an updated and expanded list of Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) haplotypes found in w... more We report an updated and expanded list of Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) haplotypes found in wild animals throughout the Apennines of central Italy. Samples were collected and identified during a monitoring program of autochthonous Galliformes and from a private collection. The haplotypes were identified on a longer fragment of the mitochondrial control region (D-loop) based on previously reported haplotypes. This novel evidence, based on a wider sampling area and a higher number of analyzed specimens, will be of relevance in both conservation projects and gamebird breeding for restock, as imposed by the Italian Action Plan. Studying longer fragments can also be useful for phylogeographic analysis.
Winter resources are crucial for wildlife, and, at a local scale, some anthropogenic and environm... more Winter resources are crucial for wildlife, and, at a local scale, some anthropogenic and environmental factors could affect their availability. In the case of wolves, it is known that vocalisations in response to unfamiliar howls are issued to defend their territory and the important resources within it. Then, we studied the characteristics of winter response sites (WRS) during the cold season, aiming to assess their eventual ability to provide insights into the distribution of valuable resources within their territories. Within this scope, we planned a wolf-howling survey following a standardised approach. The study covered an Apennine (Central Italy) area of 500 km2. A hexagonal mesh was imposed on the area, in order to determine the values of different variables at the local scale. A logistic LASSO regression was performed. WRS were positively related to the presence of thermal refuges (odds = 114.485), to patch richness (odds = 1.153), wild boar drive hunting areas (odds = 1.015...
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
This study examines the influence of hunting methods on the colour and lipid oxidation state of m... more This study examines the influence of hunting methods on the colour and lipid oxidation state of meat from wild boar (Sus scrofa) and fallow deer (Dama dama). In addition, the feasibility of using visible reflectance spectra (360 to 740 nm) to predict the lipid oxidation of meat was evaluated. A total of 25 wild boars and 14 fallow deer were hunted with two different methods, dog-driven hunting (DH) and harvest culling (HC), that imply different animal stresses before shooting. Lipid oxidation increased in the meat from both species, which had been frozen for 3 months. The increase was higher in the DH group than the HC group (P<0.05). Our results confirm the importance of hunting stress on meat quality and lipid stability. The multivariate regression analysis showed a high correlation (R 2 =0.968) between the predicted and measured thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values, suggesting that visible spectroscopy should prove useful for predicting meat oxidation.
We report for the first time the occurrence of heteroplasmy in Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) rev... more We report for the first time the occurrence of heteroplasmy in Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) revealed by means of two mitochondrial fragments. The possible serious biological and management implications of this exception to unilateral inheritance of mtDNA were underlined.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) is included in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive as Species of ... more Rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) is included in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive as Species of Conservation Concern (SPEC 1), because of the continuing decline in the area of occupancy. In this context, ex situ conservation programs and production systems of captive Rock partridges suited to the wild are necessary to ensure that insurance, reintroduction or restocking goals are met. Anyway, morphological changes occurring in captive-reared animals indicate the loss of animal's ability to survive in natural environment. In this study, we used the offspring of wild Apennine rock partridges (Alectoris graeca graeca). The young birds were divided into two groups, the first (G1) was housed in enriched and wild-like environment, the second (G2) was subjected to intensive-rearing conditions. Starting at 14 days post-hatching (DPH) and continuing up to 98 DPH, body mass (BM), tarsus length (TL), tarsus depth (TD), tarsus width (TW), head width (HW), head length (HL), wing length (WL) and beak length (BL), were measured fortnightly. Birds in G1 showed shorter heads (F = 10.50, p = 0.000) and thinner tarsi (F = 9.80, p = 0.000) at 84 DPH. At 98 DPH also the TD measurement (F = 8.71, p = 0.001) became significantly lower in G1 then in G2. Birds in G1 showed morphological disadvantages (shorter heads and less developed limbs) as a possible result of limited physical and cognitive exercise in simple artificial environment. Our results suggest that intensive rearing does not contribute to relevant morphological disadvantages within 70 DPH. Accordingly, birds for restocking or reintroduction should be translocated within this time limit into enriched and wild-like environment where they can exercise before the release into the wild. A first figure of morphological measurements for Apennine Rock partridge is reported.
CISO-Centro Italiano Studi Ornitologici tridge Perdix perdix in Italy is still critical after man... more CISO-Centro Italiano Studi Ornitologici tridge Perdix perdix in Italy is still critical after many years of massive reintroduction (Simonetta & Dessì Fulgheri 1998), the red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa, a species more adapted to dry hilly land with small bushes, has extended its areal distribution without management intervention, exploiting the abandoned marginal landscape and the transition habitat (Spanò 2010). The red-legged partridge is currently classified in the Data Deficient (DD) category by the Italian Red List 2011, because there was not enough data to analyze the degree of genetic pollution and how the sub-populations are dependent on restocking for hunting purposes (Peronace et al. 2012). The species is listed in Annexes 2 and 3 of 2009/147/ CE Directive, in Annex 3 of the Berne Convention, as it is considered to be at low risk (Least Concern) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2011) and category 2 of SPEC (species with unfavourable conservation status in Europe) (Primack & Carotenuto 2003).
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Several studies have focused on the impact of ungulates on agricultural systems, but the magnitud... more Several studies have focused on the impact of ungulates on agricultural systems, but the magnitude of their antagonistic role in forest renovation dynamics has long been underestimated and is rarely considered. The abundance of ungulate species is susceptible to seasonal variations according to their autecology, human management choices, and territorial planning. Therefore, the appropriate choice of counting period is crucial. In this case study, we used camera traps to assess the seasonal abundance variations of wild boar and roe deer in a 560-hectares hunting-ban beech forest (95.48%) in southern Tuscany managed for timber production. Camera-trapping sessions were performed in both early summer and autumn. The roe deer abundance index is higher in early summer, although statistically not significant, potentially affecting seedling survival. Inversely, wild boars significantly (F = 79.125; p = 0.001) increase their abundance at the local scale in autumn when probably, according to the ecology of fear, they shift their home range toward refuge areas temporary. In autumn, the high density of wild boars can reduce seed availability at the local scale. Further analyses assessing the correlation between seasonal wild ungulate abundance and forest regeneration rates are in progress, based on data recorded within and around three fenced sample plots.
in which species mentioned in Annex I (including the rock partridge) live through the establishme... more in which species mentioned in Annex I (including the rock partridge) live through the establishment of Special Protection Areas. Additionally, the rock partridge is listed in the National Red List (Peronace et al. 2012), but it is included in the list of hunting species both in Law 157/92 as well as Law 17/95 of Lazio Region. Previously, the rock partridge had a wider distribution range and higher population density compared to the present time (Spanò et al. 1985, Brichetti & Massa 1998). Today, the Italian population represents approximately 30% of the world patridge population (Brichetti & Fracasso 2004). Land cover data indicate that during the last century, the Apennines habitat for the species has been progressively reduced and fragmented (Pelorosso et al. 2007a, 2007b, Rippa et al. 2011). The species is composed of small and locally isolated nuclei (
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