Phytogeography of Italian deciduous oak woods based on numerical classification of plant distribution ranges

Abstract. 358 vascular plant species occurring in the deciduous oak woods of Italy were subdivided into 18 phytogeographical groups (chorotypes) through a numerical classification of their total ranges. The distribution patterns of the chorotypes are illustrated by chorograms, i.e. isopleth maps showing the joint distribution of species in Europe and surroundings regions. Except for Mediterranean species, which occur only occasionally in deciduous forests, the oak-wood flora of Italy consists of four main phytogeographical elements, which have a similar incidence (ca. 25 % each): (a) narrow-ranging, southern European species, (b) southeastern European species of submediterranean woodlands, (c) central-European species, (d) widely distributed European species. The oak woods of Italy differ from their central-European counterparts as to the relatively high floristic diversity, and in the presence of several narrow-ranging taxa, centred in different refugial areas for forest vegetation during the glacial period. There is a relation between the distribution patterns of the chorotypes and their relative frequencies in different communities; the latitudinal and longitudinal extensions of the ranges reflect the thermic and hygric conditions of the communities. The oak woods of northern and southern Italy are phytogeographically well-characterized; the former have a maximum of wide-ranging, central European species, the latter host several narrow-ranging taxa. The woodlands of central Italy have intermediate phytogeographical features, which is one of the main reasons for the difficulties in their syntaxonomical arrangement.     

A Microbiological Study of Pneumonic Calf Lungs

BITSCH, V., N. F. FRIIS and H. V. KROGH: A microbiological study of pneumonic calf lungs. Acta vet. scand. 1976, 17, 32–42.–Fifty pneumonic calf lungs were subjected to microbiologic screening with regard to bacteria, mycoplasmas, and viruses. Of bacteria the species most commonly found were Pasteurella multocida (eight lungs), Pasteurella hemolytica (eight lungs), and Corynebacterium pyogenes (13 lungs). Of special interest was the demonstration of Neisseria spp. in five lungs. Mycoplasma dispar was found in 31 lungs, Mycoplasma bovirhinis in 16 lungs, and Urea-plasma in 26 lungs. Cytopathogenic agents were demonstrated in 14 lungs. Four isolates were found to be bovine respiratory syncytial virus, three were bovine viral diarrhea virus, and two were bovine parainfluenza 3 virus. The remaining five cytopathogenic agents were not identified.     

Molecular species profiles of acidic phospholipids in lung fractions of adult and perinatal rabbits

The molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) in pulmonary surfactant and membrane fractions of adult and perinatal rabbit lungs were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography of the dinitrobenzoyl derivatives of the diacylglycerols (DGs), derived from the two acidic phospholipids. The PG in both surfactant and membrane fractions of adult lungs consisted mainly of the 16:0/16:0 species, followed in order by 16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2 species. In contrast, the prominent molecular species of PI in the membrane fractions were 18:0/20:4 and 16:0/18:1, while surfactant PI consisted mainly of 16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2, containing only 3% of 16:0/16:0. In the perinatal rabbit lungs, a compositional change between surfactant PG and PI was found, i.e., an increase in PG and a decrease in PI. The molecular species compositions of PG and PI in the perinatal lungs were generally the same as those observed in the adult lungs. It should, therefore, be noted that the species profiles of surfactant PG and PI, particularly in the content of 16:0/16:0 and 18:0/20:4, are not similar, but distinctly different from each other in both adult and developing lungs. Therefore, the present results strongly suggest two possibilities; (1) both acidic phospholipids which appear in pulmonary surfactant may originate from different pools of CDP-DGs having different molecular species; and/or (2) surfactant PG and PI may be synthesized by individual enzymes having different substrate specificities for different CDP-DGs in alveolar type II cells.     

Cysticercus tenuicollis infection in a goat farm

An outbreak of acute cysticercosis occurred in six female goats 2-4 years old and three 50 days old kids from a goat farm in northern Italy. Goats were usually recovered in stable with an outdoor paddock. Post-mortem examination showed a massive infection of Taenia hydatigena larvae in the liver, lungs and on the peritoneum. All recovered Cysticercus tenuicollis were at immature stage.     

Detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) from wild boars in central Italy

The lesions observed in 16 wild boars, hunted in central Italy, led to the suspect that could be related to the infection by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). The animals had macroscopic and histological lesions in the lungs, tonsils, and bronchial lymph nodes. PCV2 was detected in tissue samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry and it was isolated in newborn swine kidney cell cultures. From the infected cell culture supernatant, the presence of PCV2 DNA was confirmed by real-time PCR whereas virus particles were observed by electron microscopy. These diagnostic data indicate that PCV2 can infect and cause disease in Sus scrofa subspecies other than domestic swine and it is present in the wild boar population in central Italy.     

Evaluating the conservation status of epiphytic lichens of Italy: A red list

Despite the fact that Italy is among the lichenologically best known areas worldwide, a national red list of lichens is still lacking. The aim of this work was to provide a red list of the epiphytic lichens of Italy which could facilitate the inclusion of lichens in national conservation plans. The evaluation of the species against International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria was based on data from multiple sources which represent the best available information on the epiphytic lichens of Italy. The species were assigned to the IUCN categories mainly using criteria D and B. A total of 368 species were evaluated: for 23 species, information is missing from more than 50 years and they were listed as regionally extinct, 64 as critically endangered, 75 as endangered, 74 as vulnerable, 58 as near threatened, 20 as least concern and 54 species as data deficient. Our results indicate that more than one-fourth of the epiphytic lichens of Italy are likely to be threatened, so that further research and effort are needed to include lichens in the main national conservation plans. Our results also highlight the lack of information that still hampers the rigorous evaluation of Italian lichens against IUCN criteria.     

Recent findings of Phlebotomus neglectus Tonnoir, 1921 in Italy and its western limit of distribution

During the sand fly season of 2001, sand flies were collected in two different regions of Italy to investigate the northern distribution of Phlebotomus neglectus. The study areas were two provinces of northern Italy, Ivrea and Verona, in Piedmont and Veneto regions respectively. Sticky traps and CDC miniature light traps were used both inside and outside domestic and peri-domestic environments. Sand flies were also collected in domestic resting sites with mouth and electric aspirators. Of 1,295 sand fly specimens collected, 855 were from the Veneto region and 440 were from the Piedmont region. Five species of the genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia were identified. S. minuta (66.3%) was the most abundant sand fly followed by P. perniciosus (22.2%), P. neglectus (10.3%) and P. papatasi (1.2%). Only one specimen of P. mascittii was caught in Piedmont region. P. neglectus was found in 9 out of 15 (60%) of the sites where sand flies were found with a prevalence of 1.5% to 45.8%; the highest value was recorded in Piedmont region. P. neglectus was mostly associated with peridomestic and domestic sites. The results confirm previous observations on the presence of P. neglectus in northern Italy and suggest that this species is probably widespread in the area. From a review of all previous published and unpublished records of P. neglectus, it appears that this species is present in only two areas of the country, namely in the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Piedmont in northern Italy and the regions of Calabria, Apulia and Sicily in southern Italy. The apparent absence of P. neglectus in Central Italy is discussed and the resulting settlement through two probable migration routes from the East is analysed.     

Comparing naturalized alien plants and recipient habitats across an east–west gradient in the Mediterranean Basin

Aim To investigate alien plant species invasion levels in different habitats and alien species traits by comparing the naturalized flora in different areas of the same biogeographical region. Location Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. Methods Comparison of floristic composition, species traits and recipient habitats of naturalized alien neophytes across an east–west gradient comprising four countries in the European Mediterranean basin. Results A total of 782 naturalized neophytes were recorded; only 30 species were present in all four countries. Although floristic similarity is low, the four alien floras share the same patterns of growth form (mostly herbs), life cycle (mostly perennials) and life form (mostly therophytes, hemicryptophytes and phanerophytes). The majority of the recipient habitats were artificial. Wetlands were the natural habitats, with the highest numbers of naturalized species. Floristic similarity analyses revealed: (1) the highest floristic similarity between Italy and Spain, both of which were more similar to Greece than to Cyprus; (2) two groups of floristic similarity between habitat categories in each country (Greece–Cyprus and Italy–Spain); (3) a higher degree of homogenization in the plant assemblages in different habitats in Greece and Cyprus and a lower degree of homogenization in those in Italy and Spain; and (4) a higher degree of homogenization in artificial and natural fresh‐water habitats than in the other natural habitats. Main conclusions The floristic similarity of naturalized neophytes between the four countries is low, although the overall analysis indicates that the western group (Italy–Spain) is separated from the eastern group (Greece–Cyprus). Similar patterns emerged regarding the life‐history traits and recipient habitats. The artificial habitats and the natural wet habitats are those that are invaded most and display the greatest homogenization in all four countries. Coastal habitats display a lower degree of homogenization but a high frequency of aliens. Dry shrubs and rocky habitats display a lower degree of homogenization and a low frequency of aliens.     

A survey of the socially parasitic ant generaEpimyrma Emery, 1915 andChalepoxenus Menozzi, 1922 in Italy (Hymenoptera,Formicidae, Myrmicinae)

Summary An up-to-date synthesis is presented of the available faunistic and biological data concerning the Italian species belonging to the socially parasitic ant generaEpimyrma Emery andChalepoxenus Menozzi.The first known populations ofE. corsica (Emery) andE. stumperi (Kutter) in Italy were discovered in the Lucretili mountains (Latium) and in Alto Adige, the former species being previously recorded only in Corsica and Dalmatia (Yugoslavia), the latter in the French and Swiss Alps.The first records ofE. ravouxi (André),E. kraussei (Emery) andC. muellerianus (Finzi) in central Italy are presented. Since no species of either genera has ever been collected in Italy in the area between the Po valley and Calabria, these new records are of great interest.Maps, showing the currently known distribution of each taxon in Italy, are provided.     

Testing Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. as an indicator of lichen conservation importance of Italian forests

In Italy, many lichen species rare at the national level share their ecological requirements with Lobaria pulmonaria. The aim of this work is to test this lichen as a potential indicator for assessing forest sites which are worthy of conservation for lichens in Italy. The hypothesis to be tested is that stands hosting large and viable populations of this lichen also host nationally rare and sensitive lichen species. The study was carried out in two large forested areas of Italy under different bioclimatic conditions and with different forest types: Cansiglio Forest, in NE Italy, and Cilento in SW Italy. Three types of stands characterized by different abundance levels of L. pulmonaria were identified in each site. Ten plots for each type of stand were surveyed in each site. Macrolichens were surveyed on a total of 180 trees. The abundance of L. pulmonaria proved to be a valuable indicator of forest stands hosting nationally rare lichen species and cyanolichens in different forest types and in different bioclimatic conditions. Significant differences in species richness, in the occurrence and abundance of nationally rare lichen species and cyanolichens, and in species composition were found in both sites among stands with different levels of L. pulmonaria. Results are expected to contribute to the development of more lichen-oriented criteria in nature protection policies.     

A note on the feeding ofAmphichaeta leydigii (Oligochaeta,Naididae) in lacustrine sandy shores

The analysis of gut contents ofAmphichaeta leydigii, found for the first time in Italy in sandy shores of Lake Vico (Central Italy), proved grazing of the species on diatoms (Centrales and Pennales). Detritus and organic particles, abundant in the substratum, were observed only in small amounts.     

The Tardigrades of Emilia (Italy). III. Piane di Mocogno (Northern Apennines)

Samples of leaf litter, mosses and lichens were collected in a beech forest at Piane di Mocogno (Emilia, Italy), 1200 m asl. The tardigrade community of the leaf litter was similar to that found in this substrate in Italy and in the U.S.A. At Piane di Mocogno the species association within the leaf litter was different from that in mosses and lichens (which have similar fauna), confirming that very different communities characterise different substrates such as leaf litter and mosses. During this faunal analysis, six species of tardigrades were found for the first time in this area. The presence of Microhypsibius bertolanii (first record in leaf litter and in Italy) and Eohypsibius nadjae are note worthy. Ornamented eggs in an exuvium of Hypsibius cf.scabropygus were also recorded for the first time.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Can Ellenberg's indicator values for Mediterranean plants be used outside their region of definition?

Aim The aims of this study are: (1) to explore the relationships between the Ellenberg indicator values (light, temperature and moisture) recently developed for two Mediterranean regions (Italy and Greece); and (2) to evaluate the possibility of using these values in other Mediterranean areas. Location Southern Greece and the Mediterranean part of Italy. Methods A global matrix containing 966 items of information (161 species × 3 indicator variables × 2 values assigned in each study, one in Italy and one in Greece) was constructed. A test of the accuracy of the values in predicting actual environmental conditions was provided using a detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) on published vegetation relevés from the Mediterranean region. The gamma statistic was used to express relationships of ecological indicator values between the two regions, and pairs of indicator values calculated for each species were compared using Wilcoxon matched pairs tests. Results The results showed that indices developed for Greece and Italy were not similarly correlated to sample scores along DCA axis 1. Species’ indicator values for Italy and for Greece were highly significantly correlated for light and moisture and significantly correlated for temperature, but the correlations were weak (0.20 ≤ gamma ≤ 0.31). Pairwise testing gave significantly different indicator values for the two regions. Discrepancies below or equal to 2 units on 9‐point scales (12 points for moisture) were found for 88%, 70% and 54% of the species respectively for light, temperature and moisture indices. A substantial number of species showed higher discrepancies, from 3 up to 6 units. Main conclusions In the light of the present work, it seems clear that the indicator values developed for Italy and for Greece should not be used outside the region for which they were defined. This constitutes additional evidence that indicator values can be influenced by the identity of potential competitors. It also underlines the need to use standardized methods for calibrating indicator values against measured variables in such a way that indicator systems can serve as general reference systems.     

Giardia microti in pet Microtus guentheri: Evidence of a parasite never detected in Italy

The genus Giardia includes several species distinguished by morphological, biological and molecular features. Currently, eight species within the genus are retained as valid. In Italy no identification of Giardia species other than Giardia duodenalis has been so far reported. Fecal samples were collected from two Günther's Voles (Microtus guentheri) positive to Giardia cysts by microscopic investigation and immunofluorescence. The voles were born in Milan (Northern Italy) from two gravid females imported from the Netherlands and kept for sale in a pet shop in Varese (Northern Italy). Positive feces were subjected to a nested PCR to amplify a 18S rRNA fragment for molecular characterization. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted to compare the obtained sequence with those of all other Giardia species available in GenBank for the 18S locus, using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method by R software. Sequence analyses unambiguously identified the isolates as belonging to G. microti, showing 99% of identity with those of its isolates available in GenBank. A well-defined cluster, supported by significant bootstrap values and corresponding to the G. microti cluster, including sequences obtained from M. guentheri, was evidenced in the ML tree, confirming species assignment. The present finding represents the first report of G. microti from pet animals in Italy.     

Comparative evaluation of sequestration of polyamines by perfused rabbit and rat lungs

Differences were observed in the sequestration of polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine by isolated, ventilated, perfused rat and rabbit lungs, former being able to accumulate more polyamines compared to the latter. Steady state equilibrium was reached earlier for spermine in rat. Isolated ventilated lungs were perfused with harmaline and ouabain, inhibitors known to inhibit the sodium pump at a maximum concentration of 1 mM for rabbit lungs and 0.4 and 0.2 mM for rat lungs, respectively. They did not affect the uptake of polyamines by rat lung but decreased the uptake of putrescine by rabbit lung. Decreased sodium (50 meq/L) in the perfusate increased the uptake of spermine and spermidine by rabbit lung but again showed no effect with rat lung. However, the uptake of polyamines by isolated ventilated rat and rabbit lungs perfused for 60 min with these compounds was linear over the entire range of high concentrations studied. These results suggest that the major uptake process of polyamines by intact lungs of both animal species is primarily by simple diffusion. HPLC analysis of the perfusate and lungs from both animal species post-perfusion indicated no detectable metabolites of the polyamines.     

Observations on subgenus Aedes (genus Aedes, Diptera, Culicidae) in northeast Italy and first italian report of Aedes geminus Peus]

The paper reports some observations on the subgenus Aedes (genus Aedes, Diptera, Culicidae) in northeast Italy. Two species were collected: Ae. cinereus and Ae. geminus, the latter recorded for the first time in Italy. Morphological, ecological and biological data of the two species are presented. The identification is possible only on the male hypopigium; larvae, pupae and adult females show no differential characters. For both species, the larval breeding sites were fresh water marshes mainly within woods; preimaginal development took place twice a year, in Spring and Autumn. The females were strongly anthropophilic. No biological differences between the two species were noticed, but more data are needed to ascertain their relationships and the presence of subtle biological divergences.     

Larvae of Elaphostrongylus cervi in a population of free-living red deer in Italy

Hunter-killed red deer (n = 68; Cervus elaphus) harvested from the Italian provinces of Bologna (Emilia Romagna) and Pistoia (Tuscany) (44 degrees 00'N 11 degrees 00'E) from October 2001 to January 2002 were examined for protostrongylid larvae. Twenty-eight animals (41%) had protostrongylid larvae in feces, lungs, and inguinal and iliac lymph nodes. Of these 28 animals, 20 were adults (71%), four were yearlings (14%), and four were calves (14%). Shape, length, width, and the location to the nematodes were consistent with Elaphostrongylus cervi, which has not been previously reported in Italy.     

Mycoplasma species isolated from harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and a Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) stranded in Scottish waters

Mycoplasma species were recovered from 10 cetacean carcasses that stranded around Scotland. Mycoplasma phocicerebrale was isolated from the lungs of three harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) as well as from the liver of one of these animals. Novel Mycoplasma spp. were isolated from the lungs of five additional harbor porpoises and the kidney of another. In addition an isolate closely related to Mycoplasma species 13CL was obtained from the kidney of a Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens). The role of these Mycoplasma species in the disease of cetaceans, their host specificity, diversity, and any relation to cetacean strandings are unknown.     

Aquatic Hyphomycetes of a mountain stream in Valsesia (Piemonte)

The conidia of aquatic Hyphomycetes in a mountain stream in Italy were studied. Thirteen species previously unknown from Italy were recorded. The concentration of conidia in the waters of the stream reached a maximum from October to December, and a minimum in August.