The flora of the island Piana (Sardinia,Italy)

Abstract

The author reports the results of the herborizations carried out on the island Piana (northeastern Sardinia) located between Cape Ceraso and Cape Coda Cavallo. The flora consists of 250 entities distributed in 154 genera, inclusive of 54 families. The author gives information regarding the mail features of the vegetal coverage, and points out the presence of two species: Limonistrum monopetalum (L.) Boiss. and Omithoga-lum arabicum L., which are extremely rare in the little islands.     

An updated inventory of the non-native flora of Sardinia (Italy)

We provide an updated inventory of the non-native flora of the Italian island of Sardinia, including accepted names, family, synonyms, biological form, fruit type, introduction pathway and native origin. This inventory was performed by reviewing the available literature and conducting dedicated field surveys across the entire island. The inventory catalogues 931 non-native taxa, including 31 cryptogenic species, 901 species, 14 subspecies, 13 varieties, two forms and one cultivar. We utilised the position on the introduction–invasion continuum concept and meta-population criterion to further label each species. Based on these frameworks, the non-native flora of Sardinia can be divided into 274 casual, 169 naturalised, 19 invasive, 440 exclusively planted and 29 unobserved after 1950. There are 204 archaeophytes and 727 neophytes. The majority of the non-native species (791) were introduced to the island voluntarily, and 140 species were introduced accidentally. The present inventory identifies 72 additional non-native taxa not previously reported in the literature.     

Flora of the Isle su Cardulinu (Southern Sardinia)

Abstract

The results of two years of collection in a small isle in the southern Sardinia are reported, consisting in a floristic list of 116 entities distributed in 96 genera and 41 families. The biological spectrum of this flora puts in evidence a typical Mediterranean environment, characterized by a marked summer dryness. The ratio: number of entities/surface of the studied site has been compared with that of other small southern Sardinian islands, resulting the highest value. This floristic aspect, as well as differences in the biological spectrum, is interpreted as the result of the presence in the area under study of a desultory link with the mainland, in form of a sandy isthmus. This seems important in breaking the biological balance of the small island.     

The peopling of Sardinia (Italy): history and effects

Over the last ten years the population of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has been object of numerous studies in the fields of anthropology and population genetics. Its insularity, central position in the Mediterranean area and rich historical past have made the island a veritable laboratory for the study and understanding of those interacting evolutionary mechanisms which determine a population's genetic structure. Indeed, from work performed at different levels on genetic structure analysis there emerges an extremely complex picture of the relationships between Sardinian and other Italian and Mediterranean populations, but also of relationships within the Sardinian population itself The diversification from Mediterranean and Italian populations can be explained by Sardinia's historical and demographic past. Internal heterogeneity can be attributed, in part, to strict isolation and the accompanying high levels of endogamy and inbreeding, and in part to the endemic presence of malaria which exerted a strong selective pressure on some characteristics; determining, for example, the differentiation between the plains and the mountain areas. Finally, an influence on Sardinia's biological history not to be neglected could be attributed to the demographic events, which triggered off phenomena of genetic drift and to cultural factors.     

The phytoplankton of S'Ena Arrubia Lagoon (Centre-Western Sardinia) between 1990 and 1995

Abstract

The phytoplankton study on the S'Ena Arrubia Lagoon started in 1990, after dystrophic events, leading to high fish mortality and consequently great economic losses. This study presents a general picture of the conditions of the lagoon between 1990 and 1995, and reports on the quali-quantitative changes in the phytoplanktonic populations, as well as the trends of temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, algal nutrients and chlorophyll a. The lagoon was characterized by great changes in salinity between years and within the same year, by high nutrient contents and by a phytoplankton trend characterized by sudden intense blooms mostly due to the Chlorophyceae and the Bacillariophyceae. The number of species found, decreased from 1990 to 1994, followed by a slight increase in 1995. The same trend was also found for total density and chlorophyll a.     

The phytoplankton of the internal Gulf of Olbia (North-East Sardinia) between July 1992 and July 1993

Abstract

The density variations and phytoplankton structure of the internal Gulf of Olbia (north-east Sardinia) from July 1992 to July 1993 are described.

The most important class was the Bacillariophyceae, because it accounted for the maximum values and because it dominated over about one-third of the study cycle. The picoplankton was present practically all the year round with the greatest development from September to March. Prymnesiophyceae, Dinophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae were found more numerously in summer and autumn 1992 than in the rest of the year, while Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Chrysophyceae were mostly found in spring and summer 1993.

Among the 16 species that expressed the highest mean yearly density values (greater than 1×10⁴ cell I^-1), 10 were Bacillariophyceae, 2 Dinophyceae, 3 Chrysophyceae and 1 Chlorophycea. The Bacillariophyceae have also been the dominant class in floristic terms (49 taxa on 95 total), followed by the Dinophyceae (26), the Chlorophyceae (5), the Chrysophyceae (5), the Prymnesiophyceae (4), the Prasinophyceae (2), the Euglenophyceae (2) and the Cyanophyceae (2).     

Lichen diversity on dolmen and menhir in the Megalithic complex of Sa Coveccada (Mores,Sardinia)

This work describes the lichen diversity found on the megalithic Dolmen of Sa Coveccada (Mores, Sardinia) until 2010. After that year, a restoration with chemical removal of lichen crusts took place, which destroyed a great part of the lichen communities. These were studied again after removal and lichen communities occurring on rock outcrops in the surroundings of the Dolmen and on a contiguous menhir were investigated as well for comparison. Before the restoration, 33 species had been recorded on the Dolmen, most being crustose, followed by foliose and fruticose forms. Among these, eight species are regarded as rare in Sardinia and five rare at lower elevations. Most of the recorded species are typical for eutrophic substrates and for meso- to xerophytic conditions. Studies on lichen diversity on archaeological monuments in Sardinia are limited. This is the first report on the lichens of a Sardinian dolmen. This paper questions whether the lichen diversity of such monuments should be preserved as lichens have been an important part of the monument ecosystem and of the landscape for many centuries. This work also aims to improve collaboration among lichen and monument experts, in order to avoid hasty restoration decisions.     

Analysis of 31 STR loci in the genetic isolate of Carloforte (Sardinia, Italy)

The genotypes of 31 autosomal short tandem repeat loci in the population of Carloforte were analyzed, these representing a linguistic and genetic isolate located on the island of Sardinia (Italy). The markers span the entire length of chromosomes 19, 20, 21 and 22. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters were presented for all loci. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.279 to 0.884, and polymorphism information content from 0.552 to 0.886. All but two loci showed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. The 31 short tandem repeat loci examined in the present work provide additional data on the genetic structure of the Carloforte population.     

Miocene carbonate factories in the syn-rift Sardinia Graben Subbasins (Italy)

Summary Miocene syn-rift carbonate production areas are exposed in south-eastern Sardinia (Italy) along the eastern side of the Plio-Pleistocene Campidano Graben. Here the downfaulted margins of the Oligo-Miocene Sardinia rift-basin crop out with a complex alignment of smaller subbasins. Carbonate factories developed during the Aquitanian times in these tectonically controlled small depositional subbasins, where terrigenous input might be high due to the erosion of the uplifted pre-Neogene substrata. Terrigenous deposits generally acted as passive substratum for pioneer communities of rhodalgal-type (red algae, ostreids, bryozoans) and locally evolved into coral-dominated assemblages. Carbonate production areas occur on tilted, uplifted blocks as well as along basement margins. These have varying organic communities and facies characteristics strongly dependent on different environmental conditions. In footwall areas, devoid of (or with a very reduced) terrigenous supply, open foramol carbonate factories occur with aggradational-progradational stratigraphic geometries. The resulting pure calcareous successions are organized in sequences, bounded by tectonically driven discontinuity surfaces. In sectors close to the hinterland area, with a higher freshwater input and a consequent significant clastic input, coral-dominated assemblages grew during long periods of quiescence between flash floods. Repeated coral-rich communities developed on thick wedges of terrigenous debris. Carbonate facies composition and distribution were mainly controlled by local syn-sedimentary tectonics and eustasy as well as by climate. However, although the inception of the carbonate factories was presumably not synchronous, their growth represented the response to a relative regional sea level rise subsequent to episodes of significant clastic supply: the expression of an early syn-rift stage. During the Burdigalian (N6 zone) a hemipelagic cover uniformly sealed the neritic successions. This basin wide drowning event appears to correspond to the transgressive system tract of the TB2.1 cycle ofHaq et al. (1987) but it can also be interpreted as the expression of an evolved syn-rift stage passing to late syn-rift and quiescence stages. Beneath the hemipelagic cover in some areas, ?late Aquitanian-early Burdigalian deep erosive surfaces, terrigenous clastics and paleosoils have been recognized. These suggest a relative sea level fall and may relate to the global sea level drop at the TB1-TB2 boundary (seeHaq et al., 1987) or to diacronous uplift of different fault blocks.     

Predation on mammals by the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

With respect to prey selectivity and predation frequency, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) show local differences as well as diachronic variability within the same population. When data on predation from three long-term studies at Mahale, Gombe, and Tai are compared, some differences and similarities emerge; Mahale is more like Gombe than Tai in regard of prey selection but features of hunting at Tai with respect to predation frequency are not conspicuous. The most responsible factor for diversity in prey selectivity is a distinct “prey image” maintained by chimpanzees of different populations, although it is necessary to clarify in future studies why and how such tradition develops. Relative body size of chimpanzees to prey species and/or the degree of cooperation among members of a hunting party may explain the variability in prey size selected at each site, the latter influencing the frequency of successful hunts at the same time. Although various degrees of habituation and different sampling methods including artificial feeding might have obscured the real differences, recent data from the three populations do not seem to be biased greatly by such factors. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to make strict comparisons due to the lack of sufficient standardized data across the three populations on the frequency of hunting and predation. It is suggested that the size or demographic trend of a chimpanzee unit-group, especially the number of adult males included, necessarily influences its hunting frequency as well as its prey profile. It is also suggested that factors which bring these males together into a party (e.g. fruit abundance, swollen females, conflict between unit-groups etc.) strongly affect theactual hunting and kill rates. Other possible factors responsible for the local differences are forest structure (e.g. tree height), skilful “hero” chimpanzees, and competition with sympatric carnivorous animals. A total of at least 32 species have been recorded as prey mammals of chimpanzees from 12 study sites and the most common prey mammals are primates (18 species), of which 13 species are forest monkeys. Forest monkeys, colobine species in particular, are often the most common victims of the predation by chimpanzees at each site. We may point out a tendency toward selective hunting for the forest monkeys in terms of the selectivity of prey fauna among all three subspecies of chimpanzees, including populations living in drier environment. The mode of chimpanzee hunting seems to correspond to the highest available biomass of gregarious, arboreal monkeys in the forest, colobine species in particular. In contrast, bonobos (P. paniscus) are less carnivorous than chimpanzees, only rarely preying on a few species of small mammals. The sharp contrast of the two allied species in their predatory tendencies appears to have something to do with the differences in the structure of primary production between their habitats.     

Population structure in Sardinia on the basis of quantitative palmar dermatoglyphic traits

We describe the genetic structure of twenty Sardinian subpopulations using quantitative palmar dermatoglyphic traits (a-b, and A-d counts, atd angle value, coefficient of Turpin and Lejeune, main line index, mean of A-, B-, C, and D-line terminations) of 3777 subjects (2043 males and 1734 females). The twenty subdivisions represent sixteen historical-geographic areas of the island in which people speaks Sardinian language, Sassarese and Gallura areas in which people speaks two Italian dialects, and the two communities of Alghero (Catalan speaking) and Carloforte (Ligurian speaking). Analysis was carried out for both hands and both sexes combined and using R-matrix technique and the extension of the Harpending-Ward model to quantitative traits according to Relethford & Blangero (1990). Multivariate minimum F_st value (0.0127) is higher than that of most. Mediterranean populations and shows the importance of isolation and genetic drift as evolutive forces at the basis of microdifferentiation among the Sardinian subpopulations considered. However, when the four populations not speaking Sardinian language are removed from the analysis, the value of F_st decreases to 0.008. The regression of mean genetic variance on distances from the centroid (r_ii values) states the marked effect of the genetic drift for Nuorese and Barbagia di Ollolai subdivisions (placed in the inner and mountainous areas of Sardinia) and reveals considerable levels of admixture for Carloforte subdivision. The contemporary genetic structure of these groups reflects their historical, linguistic and geographic characteristics. On the whole, our analysis confirms the usefulness of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits in studying genetic population structure.     

A survey of genetic polymorphisms in Sardinia

A sample of unrelated individuals coming from Sardinia has been typed for AB0, Rhesus, Kell, 6-PGD, G-6-PD, PGM₁, AK polymorphisms. The gene frequencies are compared with the published data from other Italian population samples. With regard to these polymorphisms a considerable heterogeneity appears among the Sardinians and the Italian of mainland populations. This work was partially supported by M.P.I. (40%, 1983) and Assessorato P.I. Regione Autonoma Sardegna and was presented at the 4^th Congress of the European Anthropology Association (Florence, Sept. 1984).     

Fecal bacterial diversity of human‐habituated wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Mahale Mountains National Park,Western Tanzania

Although the intestinal flora of chimpanzees has not been studied, insight into this dynamic environment can be obtained through studies on their feces. We analyzed fecal samples from human‐habituated, wild chimpanzees at Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania, and compared microbial community profiles to determine if members of the same social group were similar. Between July and December 2007, we collected fresh fecal samples from 12 individuals: four juveniles, four adolescents, and four adults, including three parent–offspring pairs. Each sample was analyzed using Terminal‐Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism of amplified 16S rRNA genes. Twelve different profiles were generated, having between 1 and 15 Terminal‐Restriction Fragments (T‐RFs). Overall, a total of 23 different T‐RFs were produced. Putative assignments of T‐RFs corresponded to the phyla Firmicutes (Clostridia, Bacilli, and Lactobacilli), Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes (Mollicutes Class), Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria, as well as to uncultured or unidentified organisms. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla and Mollicutes Class were the most commonly assigned in 11, 8, and 8 of the samples, respectively, with this being the first report of Mollicutes in wild chimpanzees. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) revealed clustering of nine samples, and 80.5% of the diversity was accounted for by three samples. Morisita indices of community similarity ranged between 0.00 and 0.89, with dissimiliarity (<0.5) between most samples when compared two at a time. Our findings suggest that, although phylotypes are common among individuals, profiles among members of the same social group are host‐specific. We conclude that factors other than social group, such as kinship and age, may influence fecal bacterial profiles of wild chimpanzees, and recommend that additional studies be conducted. Am. J. Primatol. 72:566–574, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Comparing infant and juvenile behavior in bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): a preliminary study

The dichotomy between the two Pan species, the bonobo (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) has been strongly emphasized until very recently. Given that most studies were primarily based on adult individuals, we shifted the “continuity versus discontinuity” discussion to the infant and juvenile stage. Our aim was to test quantitatively, some conflicting statements made in literature considering species differences between immature bonobos and chimpanzees. On one hand it is suggested that infant bonobos show retardation in motor and social development when compared with chimpanzees. Additionally it is expected that the weaning process is more traumatic to chimpanzee than bonobo infants. But on the other hand the development of behaviors is expected to be very similar in both species. We observed eight mother–infant pairs of each species in several European zoos. Our preliminary research partially confirms that immature chimpanzees seem spatially more independent, spending more time at a larger distance from their mother than immature bonobos. However, the other data do not seem to support the hypothesis that bonobo infants show retardation of motor or social development. The development of solitary play, environmental exploration, social play, non-copulatory mounts and aggressive interactions do not differ between the species. Bonobo infants in general even groom other group members more than chimpanzee infants. We also found that older bonobo infants have more nipple contact than same aged chimpanzees and that the weaning process seems to end later for bonobos than for immature chimpanzee. Additionally, although immature bonobos show in general more signs of distress, our data suggest that the weaning period itself is more traumatic for chimpanzees.     

Familial incidence of multiple births in a colony of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

This paper describes the incidence of multiple births in the Yerkes Chimpanzee colony for a period of about 63 years. Pedigrees are presented for all multiple births. They demonstrate the recurrence of twins in relatively few family lines which can be traced back to a small number of ancestors. The findings suggest that twinning is a family trait in chimpanzees and they support the hypothesis that the incidence of multiple births is genetically influenced in this colony. In addition, a relatively high level of inbreeding may have enhanced the incidence of multiple births in these family lines. Similar findings are known from human populations.     

Deciduous dentition eruption sequence of the laboratory-reared chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

Eruption sequence and age ranges for the maxillary and mandibular deciduous dentition were generated from serial dental study models from 28 laboratory-reared chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). These data can serve as additional normative, baseline information for the evaluation of fetal insults on neonatal growth and development in the laboratory-reared chimpanzee.     

Developing classification in action: II. Young chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

The development of spontaneous object manipulation in 5 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) from ages 15 to 54 months was investigated, focusing on formal properties of subjects’ acts and the objects they manipulated. Young chimpanzees’ manipulation progress from serial one-at-a-time acts on one object to parallel two-at-a-time acts on two or more objects. With age, simultaneous acts become increasingly transformational and identical or reciprocal to each other. Moreover, the class properties of objects manipulated simultaneously change. When presented with objects belonging to two different classes, subjects shift, with age, from manipulating different objects to manipulating identical or similar objects. In all these respects young chimpanzee’ development is similar to human infants’. In others it differs. Most especially, the onset age is later and the development is slower as well as less structurally complex.     

Reconciliation and consolation in captive bonobos (Pan paniscus)

Although reconciliation in bonobos (Pan paniscus) has previously been described, it has not been analyzed heretofore by the postconflict (PC) match-control (MC) method. Furthermore, although reconciliation has been investigated before in this species, consolation has not. In this study we analyzed agonistic and affiliative contacts in all sex-class combinations to clarify and reevaluate the occurrence of reconciliation in bonobos via the PC-MC method. We also investigated the occurrence of consolation by analyzing the victims' triadic contact tendency (TCT), the influence of the sex of victims, and the relative occurrence of consolation and reconciliation. We collected 167 pairs of PC-MC observations in a captive group of bonobos (in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands). The conciliatory tendency (CCT) we obtained was tendentially lower than the mean value previously found for Yerkes captive chimpanzees. Close relationships, which were present in all female-female (FF) and some male-female (MF) dyads, positively affected reconciliation rates. When only adult PC-MC pairs (157) were considered, the mean TCTs and CCTs did not differ significantly. When we focused on types of PC affiliative contact, in the case of consolation we found a striking preference for sociosexual patterns. As to the relative occurrence of consolation and reconciliation, the highest level of the former was found in the absence of the latter. When reconciliation took place, consolation generally preceded it, suggesting that consolation may be a substitutive behavior. Our findings suggest that even if reconciliation remains the best option, consolation may be an alternative substitute for reconciliation that is used to buffer the tension originating from an unresolved conflict. Reconciliation and consolation are complex phenomena that are probably related to the life history of a group. Given that few studies have been conducted on this subject, we can not at this time make any generalizations regarding conflict resolution in certain species by comparing results among studies.     

Foreign body urethral obstruction in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

Background  A 34-year-old, captive-born, vasectomized male chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ) presented with lethargy and scrotal swelling.
Methods  Urethral obstruction was diagnosed via urethroscopy.
Results  Removal of the grass stem foreign body resolved the obstruction. Scrotal and preputial ulceration developed from urine scald, which was managed with surgical debridement and antibiotics.
Conclusions  After 7 weeks, the animal was reintroduced to its troup and has been healthy for 11 months.