scholarly journals Ecological preference of the diving bell spider Argyroneta aquatica in a resurgence of the Po plain (Northern Italy) (Araneae: Cybaeidae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Mammola ◽  
Riccardo Cavalcante ◽  
Marco Isaia
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Study ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Po Plain ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
Positive Effect

The diving bell spider <em>Argyroneta aquatica</em> is the only known spider to conduct a wholly aquatic life. For this reason, it has been the object of an array of studies concerning different aspects of its peculiar biology such as reproductive behavior and sexual dimorphism, physiology, genetic and silk. On the other hand, besides some empirical observations, the autoecology of this spider is widely understudied. We conducted an ecological study in a resurgence located in the Po Plain (Northern Italy, Province of Vercelli) hosting a relatively rich population of <em>Argyroneta</em> <em>aquatica</em>, aiming at identifying the ecological factors driving its presence at the micro-habitat level. By means of a specific sampling methodology, we acquired distributional data of the spiders in the study area and monitored physical-chemical and habitat structure parameters at each plot. We analyzed the data through Bernoulli Generalized Linear Models (GLM). Results pointed out a significant positive effect of the presence of aquatic vegetation in the plot. In addition, the presence of <em>A. aquatica</em> was significantly associated with areas of the resurgence characterized at the same time by high prey availability and low density of predators. Considering the ecological importance and rarity of this species, we update and revise the data on the distribution of <em>A. aquatica</em> in Italy.

Recent increase in prevalence of antibodies to Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) in yellow-necked mice in northern Italy

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (10) ◽  
pp. 2241-2244 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. RIZZOLI ◽  
V. TAGLIAPIETRA ◽  
R. ROSÀ ◽  
H. C. HAUFFE ◽  
G. MARINI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Changes In Risk ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Individual Body

SUMMARYDobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) is the most pathogenic hantavirus in Europe with a case-fatality rate of up to 12%. To detect changes in risk for humans, the prevalence of antibodies to DOBV has been monitored in a population of Apodemus flavicollis in the province of Trento (northern Italy) since 2000, and a sudden increase was observed in 2010. In the 13-year period of this study, 2077 animals were live-trapped and mean hantavirus seroprevalence was 2·7% (s.e. = 0·3%), ranging from 0% (in 2000, 2002 and 2003) to 12·5% (in 2012). Climatic (temperature and precipitation) and host (rodent population density, rodent weight and sex, and larval tick burden) variables were analysed using Generalized Linear Models and multi-model inference to select the best model. Climatic changes (mean annual precipitation and maximum temperature) and individual body mass had a positive effect on hantavirus seroprevalence. Other possible drivers affecting the observed pattern need to be studied further.

Hydrogeochemical characterization of small coastal wetlands and forests in the Southern Po plain (Northern Italy)

Ecohydrology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Marconi ◽  
M. Antonellini ◽  
E. Balugani ◽  
E. Dinelli
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Po Plain ◽  
Hydrogeochemical Characterization

Potential displacement of the native Tenuisvalvae notata by the invasive Cryptolaemus montrouzieri in South America suggested by differences in climate suitability

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Larissa F. Ferreira ◽  
Christian S. A. Silva-Torres ◽  
Jorge B. Torres ◽  
Robert C. Venette
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
South America ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Cryptolaemus Montrouzieri ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Ladybird Beetle ◽  
Ecoclimatic Index ◽  
Climate Suitability

Abstract Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) (Coccinellidae) is a predatory ladybird beetle native to South America. It specializes in mealybugs prey (Pseudococcidae), but relatively little is known about its ecology. In contrast, the ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coccinellidae) is indigenous to Australia and has been introduced to many countries worldwide including Brazil for biological control of mealybugs. The potential impacts of these introductions to native coccinellids have rarely been considered. The software CLIMEX estimated the climate suitability for both species as reflected in the Ecoclimatic Index (EI). Much of South America, Africa, and Australia can be considered climatically suitable for both species, but in most cases, the climate is considerably more favorable for C. montrouzieri than T. notata, especially in South America. The CLIMEX model also suggests seasonal differences in growth conditions (e.g. rainfall and temperature) that could affect the phenology of both species. These models suggest that few locations in South America would be expected to provide T. notata climatic refugia from C. montrouzieri. Although other ecological factors will also be important, such as prey availability, this analysis suggests a strong potential for displacement of a native coccinellid throughout most of its range as a consequence of the invasion by an alien competitor.

scholarly journals Group size and aquatic vegetation modulates male preferences for female shoals in wild zebrafish, Danio rerio

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya Ghoshal ◽  
Anuradha Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Aquatic Flora ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Individual

AbstractShoaling decisions in the wild are determined by a combination of innate preferences of the individual along with the interplay of multiple ecological factors. In their natural habitat as well as in the laboratory, zebrafish is a shoaling fish. Here, we investigate the role of group size and associated vegetation in shaping shoaling preferences of wild male zebrafish. We studied the association preference of males to groups of female shoals in a multi-choice test design. We found that males made greater proportion of visits to an 8-female group compared to 2 and 4-female groups. However, males spent similar proportions of time across the three female-containing groups. When artificial vegetation was incorporated along with female number as an additional factor, we found that males prefer high and moderately vegetated patches compared to low or no-vegetation groups, irrespective of the number of females in these patches. Based on experiments using a novel multi-choice design, our results show that preference for group size can change due to interaction of two separate factors. This work is a first attempt to understand the role of aquatic flora in determining shoaling preferences in zebrafish, using an experimental paradigm consisting of a gradation in female and vegetation densities.

scholarly journals Trunk river and tributary interactions recorded in the Pleistocene–Holocene stratigraphy of the Po Plain (northern Italy)

Sedimentology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Bruno ◽  
Alessandro Amorosi ◽  
Stefano Lugli ◽  
Irene Sammartino ◽  
Daniela Fontana
Keyword(s):  
Northern Italy ◽  
Po Plain ◽  
Holocene Stratigraphy

scholarly journals Technologies and new approaches used by the INGV EMERGEO Working Group for real-time data sourcing and processing during the Emilia Romagna (northern Italy) 2012 earthquake sequence

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliana Alessio ◽  
Laura Alfonsi ◽  
Carlo Alberto Brunori ◽  
Pierfrancesco Burrato ◽  
Giuseppe Casula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Event ◽  
Main Shock ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Earthquake Activity ◽  
Seismic Sequence ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Broad Area ◽  
Epicentral Area ◽  
Po Plain ◽  
Real Time Data

<p>On May 20, 2012, a Ml 5.9 seismic event hit the Emilia Po Plain, triggering intense earthquake activity along a broad area of the Po Plain across the provinces of Modena, Ferrara, Rovigo and Mantova (Figure 1). Nine days later, on May 29, 2012, a Ml 5.8 event occurred roughly 10 km to the SW of the first main shock. These events caused widespread damage and resulted in 26 victims. The aftershock area extended over more than 50 km and was elongated in the WNW-ESE direction, and it included five major aftershocks with 5.1 ≤Ml ≤5.3, and more than 2000 minor events (Figure 1). In general, the seismic sequence was confined to the upper 10 km of the crust. Minor seismicity with depths ranging from 10 km to 30 km extended towards the southern sector of the epicentral area (ISIDe, http://iside.rm.ingv.it/). […]</p><br />

scholarly journals What can we learn from the January 2012 northern Italy earthquakes?

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Massa ◽  
Gabriele Ameri ◽  
Sara Lovati ◽  
Rodolfo Puglia ◽  
Gianlorenzo Franceschina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Strong Motion ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Hazard Map ◽  
Civil Protection ◽  
Po Plain ◽  
Motion Data ◽  
Horizontal Acceleration ◽  
Magnitude Range ◽  
Seismic Hazard Map ◽  
Maximum Horizontal Acceleration

<p>This note focuses on the ground motion recorded during the recent moderate earthquakes that occurred in the central part of northern Italy (Panel 1), a region that is characterized by low seismicity. For this area, the Italian seismic hazard map [Stucchi et al. 2011] assigns a maximum horizontal acceleration (rock site) of up to 0.2 g (10% probability of being exceeded in 50 yr). In the last 4 yr, this region has been struck by 9 earthquakes in the magnitude range 4 <span>≤</span>M<span>w </span><span>≤</span> 5.0, with the three largest located in the Northern Apennines (the M<span>w </span>4.9 and 5.0 Parma events, in December 2008 and January 2012) and on the Po Plain (the M<span>w </span>4.9 Reggio Emila event, in January 2012). We have analyzed the strong-motion data (distance &lt;300 km) from these events as recorded by stations belonging to the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (RAIS, http://rais.mi.ingv.it; RSNC, http://iside.rm.ingv.it) and the Department of Civil Protection (RAN, www.protezionecivile.it; http://itaca.mi.ingv.it). […]</p>

scholarly journals PSI-based methodology to land subsidence mechanism recognition

2015 ◽  
Vol 372 ◽  
pp. 357-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Bonì ◽  
C. Meisina ◽  
C. Perotti ◽  
F. Fenaroli
Keyword(s):  
Land Subsidence ◽  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Clay Soils ◽  
Soil Consolidation ◽  
Persistent Scatterer Interferometry ◽  
Temporal Scales ◽  
Po Plain ◽  
Persistent Scatterer ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract. A methodology based on Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is proposed in order to disentangle the contribution of different processes that act at different spatio-temporal scales in land subsidence (i.e. vadose zone processes as swelling/shrinkage of clay soils, soil consolidation and fluid extraction). The methodology was applied in different Italian geological contexts characterized by natural and anthropic processes (i.e. a Prealpine valley and the Po Plain in northern Italy).

Forty years of dietary studies on barn owl (Tyto alba) reveal long term trends in diversity metrics of small mammal prey

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliano Milana ◽  
Luca Luiselli ◽  
Giovanni Amori
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Barn Owl ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Over Time

AbstractThe diet of predators is influenced by local conditions (e.g., characteristics of habitat and microhabitat, seasonality, prey availability) and therefore tends to change across time. In this paper, the diet composition of the barn owl (Tyto alba) in Italy was studied using a meta-analysis of 47 articles (covering 212 independent sites, with multiple surveys for some sites, thus giving a total of 290 datasets) between 1972 and 2012. General Linear Models were used to assess the effects of year and study site on four distinct diversity indices (species richness, dominance, Shannon-Weaver diversity and equitability). The year of data collection was a factor used in all analyses. Year had a greater effect than study site on all diversity indices, but the effect was not significant for the evenness and the species richness. However, dietary dominance increased significantly over the years, the Shannon-Weaver index of diversity decreased significantly over time, and equitability also decreased significantly over time. The relative abundance of various species of rodents did not increase/decrease progressively over the years, although there were inter-annual fluctuations. On the other hand, the relative abundance of insectivores tended to decrease with time, and there was a significantly negative correlation between year and the frequency of consumption of Sorex spp. and a marginally significant negative correlation for Crocidura leucodon.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document