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Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives

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A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 32362

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Dr. Luisa Garofalo

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Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, via Appia nuova 1411, 00178 Roma, Italy
Interests: biodiversity; molecular ecology; conservation genetics; conservation biology; zoology; population genetics; molecular biology; ecology; evolution; genotyping and sequencing; phylogeny; phylogeography; biogeography; genetic diversity; molecular markers; animal forensics

Dr. Michela Ingrassia

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C.N.R.—Istituto di Geologia Ambientale e Geoingegneria, Sede di Roma, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy
Interests: benthic habitat mapping; vulnerable marine ecosystems; hydrothermal vents and cold seeps; humane pressures; biodiversity monitoring
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Italian peninsula represents a biodiversity hotspot for both terrestrial and marine environments. For its central position in the Mediterranean basin, the Italian peninsula is a crucial crossroad in the migration pathways of several migratory animals (both marine and avian species)., In fact, Italy represents an important biodiversity hotspot for many terrestrial and aquatic species (vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, fungi and microorganisms), spread from glacial to deep marine refugia and differentiated during past geological eras. The variety of biogeographical conditions that can be found throughout Italy continually lead populations and species to differentiate. In the country, there are numerous endemism, and occurrence of several vulnerable habitats, which characterize the regions and habitats of mountainous, coastal landscapes, until the marine realm (pelagic, intertidal, subtidal, deep, and submerged cave environments).

In recent decades, research concerning Italian biodiversity has flourished but has sometimes been limited to niche fields. This Special Issue aims to collect studies on a wide area of interest, inviting manuscripts focused on systematic, ecological, genetic, conservation aspects, terrestrial and marine habitats distribution, and humane pressures affecting biodiversity. The collected research will contribute to linking information on different aspects of Italian biodiversity in order to obtain a past picture of its richness and a summary of the current knowledge highlighting the urgent need for conservation strategies for biodiversity protection.

Dr. Luisa Garofalo
Dr. Michela Ingrassia
Guest Editors

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Keywords

species diversity
genetic diversity
ecosystems
endemism
biological invasions
biogeography
phylogeography
population dynamics
animal forensics
management and conservation
marine environment
habitats distribution
vulnerable ecosystems
humane pressures

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3022 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Contribution of a Generalist Citizen Science Project for Alien Species Detection and Monitoring in Coastal Areas. A Case Study on the Adriatic of Central Italy

by Federica Compagnone, Marco Varricchione, Angela Stanisci, Giorgio Matteucci and Maria Laura Carranza

Diversity 2024, 16(12), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16120746 - 5 Dec 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1309

Abstract

Coastal areas are biodiversity hotspots, providing essential ecosystem services, yet they are among the most threatened systems, particularly by alien species invasion. The European regulation on invasive alien species (IAS) highlights early detection as a key prerequisite for effective containment or eradication strategies. Traditional monitoring methods are costly and time-consuming, and Citizen Science (CS) may be a promising alternative. We assessed the contribution of the generalist CS project “Wild Coast Adriatic” (WCA) developed on the iNaturalist platform to the detection of alien species (AS) along the Central Adriatic coast. Using WCA, we extracted alien occurrences and explored AS seasonal patterns, geographic origins, dangers (EU regulation), and distributions inside protected areas (Natura 2000 and LTER sites). Between 2020 and 2023, WCA gathered 2194 research-grade observations of 687 species, including 139 records of 50 AS, five of which are of European concern. Asteraceae and Fabaceae (plants) as well as insects and mollusks (fauna) were the most abundant aliens. The observations increased over time, with more records concentrated in autumn and summer. Most AS come from the Americas and occurred outside the protected areas. Our results underline the contribution of CS data for detecting AS in coastal ecosystems, offering a valid support for early warning, monitoring, and management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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18 pages, 1369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Multidisciplinary Approach for the Assessment of the Last Surviving ‘Marrone di Chiusa Pesio’ Chestnut Trees in the Piemonte Region (Italy)

by Giovanna Neirotti, Alessandro Tomatis, Federica Germanà, Alessia Imparato, Andrea Valisena, Maria Gabriella Mellano, Paola Ruffa, Dario Donno, Daniela Torello Marinoni, Gabriele Loris Beccaro and Giovanni Gamba

Diversity 2024, 16(12), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16120711 - 21 Nov 2024

Viewed by 788

Abstract

Chestnut orchards are a multifunctional resource, providing not only fruit or wood but also playing a role in the conservation of mountain and hillside landscapes. In the Piemonte Region, Italy, a rich genetic heritage of chestnut genotypes has contributed to considerable biodiversity and environmental value. The study aimed to valorize an important example of the chestnut agrobiodiversity in the Piemonte Region by focusing on the ‘Marrone di Chiusa Pesio’ (MCP) cultivar (cv). A multidisciplinary approach was applied, involving genetic and morphological analyses, Visual Tree Assessment (VTA), and phytochemical and nutritional profiling. The plant census provided identification and geolocation of 187 MCP specimens; the 20 most representative trees were genetically analyzed, and then, through the VTA, their morpho-functional status was evaluated. The nutraceutical properties and phytochemical composition were assessed by measuring the total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (AOC), and other phytochemical classes through spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. The results showed significantly higher TPC values (ranged from 36.51 ± 1.60 mgGAE/100 g of dried weight—DW to 103.14 ± 1.24 mgGAE/100 g DW) compared to other ‘Marrone-type’ cultivars, along with high levels of key phenolic markers, bioactive compounds, and nutritional substances. These included tannins (about 22–28 mg/100 g DW) and cinnamic acids (about 23–25 mg/100 g DW), followed by flavonols, benzoic acids, organic acids, monoterpenes, vitamin C, and catechins, listed in order of predominance. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to observe the distribution of the samples and their correlations based on the chemical composition. The results confirmed the interesting phytochemical properties of the ‘Marrone di Chiusa Pesio’ nuts, together with their good morphological and functional properties. Given the ongoing genetic erosion of Castanea sativa cultivars, due to cultivation abandonment and climate change, the main factors contributing to the progressive loss of biodiversity worldwide, the presented approach aimed to provide an overview of the conservation status of the local agrobiodiversity. This study highlighted the value of a local chestnut cultivar, presenting the low conservation status of the few remaining specimens. The goal was to define the significant phenotypic variation regarding MCP in the considered area due to environmental variations, which may be of interest in its genetic adaptation to climate change. The study may potentially encourage the development of strategies for actively conserving the forest agrobiodiversity and hillside ecosystem services in the highly diverse landscapes of the Alpine valleys. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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9 pages, 3859 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

First Record of the Invasive Alien Species Rugulopteryx okamurae (Phaeophyceae, Dictyotales) along the Eastern Coast of Sicily (Italy, Mediterranean Sea): Is It Ready to Expand into the Ionian Sea?

by Giuliana Marletta, Andrea Lombardo and Donatella Serio

Diversity 2024, 16(7), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070424 - 19 Jul 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for the introduction of non-indigenous species. Among them, invasive alien species can seriously affect the areas they colonize, not only by altering the marine food webs and community structure, but also by harming certain economic activities, such as fishing, tourism, aquaculture and marine infrastructure. Rugulopteryx okamurae is a brown macroalga considered the fourth most harmful species among the 10 most invasive species reported in the Mediterranean; in fact, it has recently been included in the list of invasive alien species of Union concern due to its serious impact on biodiversity and socioeconomic implications. This species was reported for the first time in the Mediterranean in 2002 in Thau Lagoon (France), introduced by the aquaculture of the Japanese oyster Magallana gigas. Since then, this species has spread in both the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean with a strong invasive behavior, particularly along the Strait of Gibraltar. Rugulopteryx okamurae was also recently reported for the first time in Italian waters, in the Gulf of Palermo (Sicily). In this study, we report a record of this species further to the east, in the Ionian Sea, where it has not previously been recorded, and provide possible explanations of the spreading and arrival routes in this area. The rapid expansion of R. okamurae is raising concerns; thus, in order to safeguard native communities, it is crucial to keep monitoring this invasive species so that it is possible to regularly update its distribution and follow up on its spread dynamics in the Mediterranean basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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17 pages, 4519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Abundance and Mapping Distribution of Loggerhead Turtles in the Mediterranean Sea Using Aerial Surveys: Implications for Conservation

by Nino Pierantonio, Simone Panigada and Giancarlo Lauriano

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121159 - 21 Nov 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2283

Abstract

In the Mediterranean, incidental captures in fishing gear contribute to the high mortality of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Understanding the effects of bycatch is complex and requires robust knowledge of baseline population parameters such as abundance and density, as well as an understanding of animals’ distribution in relation to commercial fishing efforts. Based on data collected during multi-species line transect aerial surveys conducted between 2009 and 2017, we present density and abundance estimates, corrected for availability bias, for a large sector of the central Mediterranean, discuss temporal and spatial patterns and provide Potential Biological Removal (PBR) values for the monitored areas. Sightings data were also used to evaluate the spatial and temporal usage areas. Strong latitudinal and longitudinal gradients in density, abundance and area usage emerged from the analysis, with turtles occurring in higher numbers in the deeper pelagic waters of the Tunisian Plateau, the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Taranto, irrespective of the season. PBR values derived from this study are likely unsustainable. This paper investigates the implications of commercial fisheries for Mediterranean loggerhead turtles across an area rarely included in sea turtle monitoring and has the potential to be relevant towards informed management and conservation of this species and highlights the necessity of international collaborative efforts in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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13 pages, 2514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) with Pointing Dogs in Italy to Inform Evidence-Based Management of a Migratory Game Species

by Marco Tuti, Tiago M. Rodrigues, Paolo Bongi, Kilian J. Murphy, Paolo Pennacchini, Vito Mazzarone and Clara Sargentini

Diversity 2023, 15(5), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050598 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3754

Abstract

The phenology of migratory bird species is a crucial aspect of their biology that has far-reaching implications for wildlife management, particularly when these species are hunted as game. For this reason, many monitoring projects have investigated the presence of Western European bird species in diverse Palearctic regions using abundance indexes. Here, our aim was to define Woodcock’s presence in Italy during the post-nuptial migration, the wintering phase, and at the beginning of the pre-nuptial migration phase, using monitoring data collected between September and March for the period 2016 to 2021. The presence of Woodcock in Italy and other regions of the Mediterranean basin can be compared using an index, specifically the “Indice Cynégétique d’Abondance” (ICA) which corresponds to the number of different Woodcock flushed during a hunting trip. We modelled the abundance of Woodcock as a function of biotic (habitat type, vegetation) and abiotic (place, season, temperature, altitude) factors to assess the presence of Woodcock in Italy Our findings reveal that temperature and altitude have an inverse effect on the abundance index of Woodcock in Italy, while deciduous woodland is a preferred habitat for the species. We observe an increase in Woodcock’s presence from the end of September to late November, followed by a decrease in late January. Moreover, we have identified a significant rise in the ICA index during the latter part of February and early March, indicating the pre-nuptial migration period. Our study contributes significantly to our understanding of Woodcock migration phenology, particularly with respect to the management of the species in Italy and other Mediterranean basin states. Our results underscore the importance of long-term monitoring programs for evaluating key spatial population metrics such as presence and abundance, which are critical for sustainable hunting and effective conservation management of game species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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39 pages, 1301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Operational Checklist of the Birds of Northwestern Italy (Piedmont and Aosta Valley)

by Giovanni Boano, Marco Pavia, Gianfranco Alessandria and Toni Mingozzi

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040550 - 13 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3869

Abstract

This paper provides the fourth edition of the checklist of birds recorded in northwestern Italy (the Piedmont and Aosta Valley regions) and covers more than 300 years of ornithological data, including subspecies. This work updates the previous works published in 1981, 2003, and 2009, with the revision of the AERC codes and the addition of special annotations for several species. We also provide some new settings to make the bird checklist a more useful tool for all users, particularly scholars and professionals interested in biodiversity assessment and conservation reports. To this end, (a) new coding concerning population estimates and trends, as well as risk categories (Red List), is introduced; (b) bird lists are structured for analysis at two temporal levels: the General Checklist (GCL), covering the period from 1685 to 2022, and the Operational Checklist (OCL), covering the decade 2010–2019, providing periods of reference for comparison and analysis; and (c) an electronic spreadsheet is provided as part of the online Supplementary Materials to allow for further data analysis by readers, if necessary. The list presently contains 408 species and 444 taxonomic units, which consist of both subspecies and monotypic species. Each of them has been allocated to one of the AERC categories A, B, C, or D, while category E has been excluded. Since the publication of the previous list (2009), 19 species have been added. The avifauna currently breeding in the Piedmont and Aosta Valley regions comprises 197 species, with an additional 9 species that were once breeders but are now considered regionally extinct. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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13 pages, 5064 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Red Coral Community in the Messina Strait: New Findings from the 1700s Lazzaro Spallanzani Collection

by Giorgio Bavestrello, Federico Betti, Martina Canessa and Marzia Bo

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020177 - 26 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2418

Abstract

The precious red coral (Corallium rubrum L.) represents one of the most fascinating marine species of the Mediterranean Sea. Several samples, including red coral together with its accompanying species, were found in the zoological collection of the Italian pioneer biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729–1799), collected in the Messina Strait during his voyage in Sicily (1788). The study of these samples allowed the inclusion of numerous additional species in the traditional red coral facies as the large oyster Neopycnodonte cochlear, the giant barnacle Pachylasma giganteum, the mesophotic scleractinian Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) cyathus. These specimens proved to be very useful in describing the diversity of the paleo-community including red coral, shedding light on its formation processes. In particular, some specimens are composed of red coral rubble consolidated and cemented with other carbonatic remains Probably, these peculiar specimens have a similar origin to those of the Sciacca Banks already known from the Sicily Channel. In fact, the two areas are prone to intense seismic activity that periodically causes mass mortalities of red coral from nearby rocky reliefs and the formation of biogenic detritus, while the resulting chemical environment of the water and the sediments allows the consolidation of the carbonatic remains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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18 pages, 7299 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Big Five: Species Distribution Models from Citizen Science Data as Tool for Preserving the Largest Protected Saproxylic Beetles in Italy

by Lara Redolfi De Zan, Sarah Rossi de Gasperis, Vincenzo Andriani, Marco Bardiani, Alessandro Campanaro, Silvia Gisondi, Sönke Hardersen, Emanuela Maurizi, Fabio Mosconi, Gianluca Nardi, Livia Zapponi, Pasquale Rombolà and Federico Romiti

Diversity 2023, 15(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15010096 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4044

Abstract

Background. Volunteers’ participation in scientific research has increased in recent decades. Citizen science (CS) data have been used in quantitative ecology to analyse species ranges by means of species distribution models. We investigated the Italian distribution of five large saproxylic beetles (big five), to describe their niche space, paramount areas for their conservation, and conservation gaps. Methods. CS data from two projects, climate and environmental variables were used to produce Habitat suitability (HS) maps for each species and averaged HS maps. The big five’s conservation status was assessed interpolating HS maps with the distribution of protected areas, concomitantly identifying conservation gaps. Results. The pre-alpine and Apennines arcs, north-eastern Sicily and eastern Sardinia, were identified as conservation’s hotspots. Ranking HS levels from minimum to optimal, the extent of conservation gaps decreases as environmental suitability for the big five increases. Conclusions. For the first time in Italy, CS data have been used to investigate niche space of the largest protected saproxylic beetles and analyse the distribution of their suitable habitat. The resulting HS raster maps and vector layers, reporting HS value in all Italian protected areas (n° 3771), were provided and discussed, reporting an application example for conservation purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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14 pages, 4245 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phylogeographic and Bioclimatic Determinants of the Dorsal Pattern Polymorphism in the Italian Wall Lizard, Podarcis siculus

by Francesco Gallozzi, Paolo Colangelo, Gabriele Senczuk and Riccardo Castiglia

Diversity 2022, 14(7), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14070519 - 28 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3155

Abstract

The geographic variability of the dorsal pattern (DP) of the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, across its native range was studied with the aim of understanding whether the distributions of this phenotypic trait were more shaped by allopatric differentiation rather than adaptive processes. A total of 1298 georeferenced observations scattered across the Italian peninsula and the main islands (Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia) were obtained from citizen science databases and five DPs were characterized by different shapes of the dark pattern (“reticulated”, “campestris”, “reticulated/campestris” and “striped”) or by absence of it (“concolor”). Frequencies of different DP phenotypes differ between the two main mtDNA lineages settled in central-northern and in southern Italy, respectively. This pattern may be indicative of a role of long-term allopatric historical processes in determining the observed pattern. The analysis also identified a putative wide area of secondary contact, in central southern Italy, characterized by high diversity of the DP. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs), used to estimate a possible association between bioclimatic variables and the observed phenotypic variation, showed that each of the five DPs is correlated to different environmental factors and show a different distribution of areas with high probability of occurrence. However, for all but one of the DPs, the area with the greatest probability does not correspond exactly to the real distribution of the DP. Conversely, the “concolor” phenotype does not seem related to any particular mtDNA lineage and it shows a preference for areas with high temperature and low rainfall. This is in agreement with the expectation of low amount of melanin of the dorsal pattern that, in the study areas, is characterized by a light uniform coloration which could confer a better thermoregulation ability in high temperatures environments to avoid overheating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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14 pages, 1235 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Validated Molecular Protocol to Differentiate Pure Wolves, Dogs and Wolf x Dog Hybrids through a Panel of Multiplexed Canine STR Markers

by Rita Lorenzini, Lorenzo Attili, Chantal Tancredi, Rita Fanelli and Luisa Garofalo

Diversity 2022, 14(7), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14070511 - 24 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3335

Abstract

The conservation of pure wolf populations in Europe is currently threatened by anthropogenic hybridization with dogs, through potential extinction of local gene pools due to replacement with domestic gene variants. Distinction of wolf–dog hybrids from wild ancestors is essential for development and implementation of management and conservation plans. Morphological traits are rarely helpful, and a genetic approach is the most effective to distinguish admixed individuals back to old backcrosses. To provide a molecular tool to address the issue, we optimized and validated a cost-effective protocol in multiplexed PCR format based on 22 STR canine loci, which allows us to distinguish genetically pure wolves from dogs, and, when used in association with a Bayesian assignment approach, is capable of statistically assigning admixed individuals to classes of hybrids with different levels of dog ancestry. Our method demonstrated high reliability, showing full repeatability and reproducibility of data with as little as 0.125 ng of genomic DNA, and was therefore suitable for the analysis of non-invasively collected samples and degraded DNA. The application of our STR panel to the appropriate assignment procedure unambiguously defined two genetically separated clusters for wolves and dogs, and successfully identified known hybrids as admixed individuals, which eventually were classified as recent hybrids and older backcrosses. The protocol, which is described here in detail, can be adopted by various laboratories that need this kind of diagnosis; furthermore, it would be capable of producing concordant results through inter-laboratory comparisons with wolf and dog control DNAs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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14 pages, 2491 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Rhodolith/Maerl Beds of the Italian Seas

by Michela Ingrassia, Martina Pierdomenico, Daniele Casalbore, Francesco Giuseppe Falese and Francesco Latino Chiocci

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070859 - 15 Jul 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2157

Abstract

Coralline algal beds are comprised of biogenic calcareous formations considered a habitat of high conservation interest, hosting a high great biodiversity. To assess the status of this habitat in the Italian seas, we report results from a systematic analysis of the available scientific literature. Italian rhodolith/maerl beds are reported on 31 Italian sites mostly located around islands, shoals, banks, terraces, and gentley sloping shelves, from 9 m to 130 m water depth (with a mean depth of about 56 m). The dominant species occurring in the Italian submarine sites are Phymatolithon calcareum and Lithothamnion corallioides, with a rich associated fauna including sponges, bryozoans, hydrozoans, polichaetes, molluscs, amphipods, gastropods, echinoderms. Despite the high biodiversity characterizing the Italian rhodolith/maerl beds, only seven submarine sites hosting this sensitive habitat are part of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This evidence highlights the need for actions focused on the implementation of effective management and proper conservation measures to preserve such precious habitats. Protection of this habitat cannot be effectively provided without access to multidisciplinary data (e.g., geospatial, biological, geophysical, geomorphological data) capable of assessing its spatial distribution and biological characteristics over wide areas. An increased research effort to improve the production of fine-scale distribution maps and monitoring activities is therefore needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Italy: Past and Future Perspectives)

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