First Assessment of the Impact of Recreational Fishing on the Endemic Sicilian Pond Turtle Emys Trinacris (Testudines, Emydidae)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

First Assessment of the Impact of Recreational Fishing on the Endemic Sicilian Pond Turtle Emys Trinacris (Testudines, Emydidae) Herpetology Notes, volume 13: 795-800 (2020) (published online on 30 September 2020) Sicilians are not easily hooked! First assessment of the impact of recreational fishing on the endemic Sicilian pond turtle Emys trinacris (Testudines, Emydidae) Luca Vecchioni1,§, Alessia Cicerone1,§, Rita Scardino1, Vincenzo Arizza1, Marco Arculeo1, and Federico Marrone1,* Abstract. The possible impact of recreational fishing on the Sicilian pond turtle Emys trinacris was investigated in two permanent water bodies in western Sicily (Italy). Overall, 120 specimens were temporarily captured and X-rayed in order to determine the possible presence of fishhooks in their mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal tract. At the studied sites, none of the X- rayed turtles showed any evidence of ingested fishhooks or other fishing gears, thus suggesting limited impact of recreational fishing. However, the occasional but not negligible findings of E. trinacris specimens injured by fishhooks or entangled in abandoned fishing lines prove the actual existence of such impact, raising some concerns about the long-term conservation of this endemic pond turtle. The need of monitoring the possible impacts of angling where pond turtles are present is briefly stressed. Keywords. Bycatch impact, illegal angling, citizen science, wetland management, Sicily Introduction tendency of the species (Iannella et al., 2018, and references therein), hinder the connectivity among The Sicilian endemic pond turtle Emys trinacris Fritz, local populations, so that even proximally-located Fattizzo, Guicking, Tripepi, Pennisi, Lenk, Joger and populations should be considered as independent Wink, 2005 is the only autochthonous freshwater turtle units for management purposes and threats to local occurring in Sicily. It is included (sub E. orbicularis populations should be carefully evaluated with a case- (Linnaeus, 1758)) in the Appendix II of the EU Council by-case approach (Vecchioni et al., 2020). In addition Directive 92/43/EEC (“Habitats Directive”) and in the to habitat destruction and fragmentation (Fritz et al., Appendix II of the “Bern Convention on the Conservation 2005), E. trinacris populations are also under pressure of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats”, and listed by invasive alien species (Marrone and Naselli-Flores, as “EN” (i.e.: “Endangered”) in the Italian IUCN red 2015; Ottonello et al., 2016; Naselli-Flores and Marrone, list of threatened species (Rondinini et al., 2013). 2019), hybridisation with introduced E. orbicularis Emys trinacris is widely but non-homogeneously specimens (Vamberger et al., 2015; Scardino et al., distributed in Sicily (Vamberger et al., 2015; Marrone 2020), and possibly parasite spill-over (see discussion et al., 2016; Iannella et al., 2018). Moreover, the on- in Arizza et al., 2016). Another potential threat, which going human-induced aquatic habitat fragmentation has been overlooked up to date, is recreational fishing (Fritz et al., 2005), coupled with the limited dispersal (cf. Steen et al., 2017). In sharp contrast with the detailed information available on the impact of fishing activities on sea turtles, only few data are currently available for freshwater turtles (e.g. Beregi et al., 2003; Nemoz et al., 2004; Steen et al., 2014), and no data at all are available for Italian 1 University of Palermo, Department of Biological, Chemical mainland E. orbicularis populations, nor for E. trinacris. and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy. It is however clear that mortality related to angling * Corresponding author. E-mail: federico.marrone�unipa.it activities can significantly contribute to the decline and § These authors contributed equally to this work local extinction of freshwater turtle populations (Nemoz 796 Luca Vecchioni et al. et al., 2004; Steen et al., 2017), and recent occasional findings of E. trinacris specimens with ingested hooks or entangled in fishing lines in western Sicily suggest that this practice may also threaten Sicilian pond turtles (Table 1). The growing concern regarding the obvious negative impact of fishing on pond turtles, and the absence of an assessment of angling impact on the endemic E. trinacris, prompted us to investigate the impact of recreational fishing on two Sicilian populations. Materials and Methods Sampling activities were carried out in June and Figure 1. Location of the two study sites in Sicily, Italy. July 2016 in Sicily in two permanent water bodies: i) “Laghetti Coda di Riccio” (37.8736°N, 13.3997°E), located within the Nature Reserve “Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere In the frame of this survey, E. trinacris specimens were e Gorgo del Drago” (province of Palermo), and ii) captured using baited hoop traps; in fact, the presence of “Laghetto Gorgo” (37.4080°N, 13.3269°E), located ingested fishhooks seems not to significantly inhibit the close to Montallegro (province of Agrigento) (Fig. 1). feeding behaviour of aquatic turtles (Steen et al., 2014). Both study sites are man-made lakes where recreational The hoop traps were immersed in water and equipped fishing is not allowed, but where poaching aimed at with a flotation system, so that air-breathing animals Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 with baited hooks, and eventually caught could breathe on the surface (Ream Micropterus salmoides (Lacépedè, 1802) with baited and Ream, 1966). The traps were left in the water for hooks and fishing lures is routinely practised (pers. about 48h per session, and then checked for the possible obs.). Moreover, a dead E. trinacris specimen with presence of captured turtles. Details on sampling dates an ingested fishhook was found in “Laghetti Coda di and number of implemented traps are reported in Table 2. Riccio” in May 2015 (Table 1, Fig. 2), thus proving that All captured Sicilian pond turtles were sexed according illegal fishing is actually a threat to pond turtles in this to D’Angelo et al. (2008) and Corti et al. (2011). site. Both locations host abundant populations of the E. Captured individuals were transported to the trinacris (Arizza et al., 2014, 2016; Vamberger et al., “Laboratorio di Biologia Evoluzionistica e delle 2015). Popolazioni” at the Department STEBICEF of the Table 1. Opportunistic observations of Emys trinacris specimens injured by fishing activities. Table 1. Opportunistic observations of Emys orbicularis trinacris specimens injured by fishing activities. Locality Date Source Notes Nature Reserve “Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca, March 2001 CRRFS Ficuzza 1 specimen with a fishhook stuck in the mouth and Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago” superficial wounds. Successfully released in the wild Godrano (Tagliavia) March 2001 CRRFS Ficuzza 2 specimens entangled in fishing lines and with superficial wounds. Successfully released in the wild. Piana degli Albanesi April 2001 CRRFS Ficuzza 1 specimen entangled in fishing lines and with superficial wounds. Successfully released in the wild. Nature Reserve “Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca, April 2002 CRRFS Ficuzza 1 specimen with a fishhook stuck in the mouth and Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago” superficial wounds. Successfully released in the wild Madonie mountains March or S. D’Angelo (pers.comm.) 1 specimen with a fishhook stuck in the gastro-intestinal April 2004 tract. The hook was surgically removed by D. Freggi and A. Di Bello, and the specimen was successfully released in the wild. Nature Reserve “Monte Capodarso e Valle dell’Imera July 2013 V. Cumbo (pers.comm.) 1 heavily debilitated specimen with a fishhook in the throat. Meridionale” The specimen died during its transport to the hospital Nature Reserve “Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca, May 2015 F. Marrone, F. Sacco and 1 dead specimen with a fishhook in the gastro-intestinal Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago” R. Scardino (unpubl. data) tract. Table 2. Synopsis of the origin, sampling sessions and number of captured Emys orbicularis trinacris specimens during the current study Site Sampling session # of deployed traps # Turtles (tot: m + f + j) Laghetti Coda di Riccio 6 – 8 June 2016 7 17: 14+2*+1 Laghetti Coda di Riccio 20 – 22 June 2016 7 9: 8+1 Laghetti Coda di Riccio 22 – 24 June 2016 7 14: 9+5 Lago Gorgo 27 – 29 June 2016 5 54: 33+21§ Lago Gorgo 29 June – 1 July 2016 5 26: 18+7+1 * 1 female bearing 4 eggs; §: Three females bearing 4, 4, and 5 eggs, respectively. 1 First assessment of the impact of recreational fishing on Sicilian pond turtles 797 Figure 2. Dead Emys trinacris specimen found in May 2015 in Laghetti Coda di Riccio, with a focus on the ingested fishhook (see Table 1 for details). University of Palermo (Italy), and X-rayed (40 kV, 150 Sicily. In order to reach these aims, in June 2016 a leaflet mA, 0.06-0.08 s) to determine the possible presence was distributed in local fishing stores, and a Facebook of hooks or Tableother 1.fishing Opportunistic gears observationsin their gastrointestinal of Emys orbicularis page trinacris (“Save specimens the injuredEmys by”; fishinghttps://www.facebook.com/ activities. tracts. According to Gibbons and Greene (1979) and savetheemys/) was published and promoted online Locality Date Source Notes Hinton et al. (1997), the implemented radiographic (Supplementary Fig. 1A, 1B and Table S1). approach is Naturenot harmfulReserve “Bosco for bothdella Ficuzza,adults Rocca,and turtle March 2001 CRRFS Ficuzza 1 specimen with a fishhook stuck in the mouth and Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago” superficial wounds. Successfully released in the wild embryos. All X-ray plates are available from the authors Godrano (Tagliavia) ResultsMarch 2001 CRRFS Ficuzza 2 specimens entangled in fishing lines and with superficial on request. After radiographic analyses, all pond turtles wounds. Successfully released in the wild. Overall, 120 pond turtles were captured and sexed were releasedPiana at deglitheir Albanesi point of capture. Before being April 2001 CRRFS Ficuzza 1 specimen entangled in fishing lines and with superficial released into the wild, the captured individuals were (Table 2). In “Laghetti Coda di Riccio” 40wounds. specimens Successfully released in the wild.
Recommended publications
  • Life History Account for Western Pond Turtle
    California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Interagency Wildlife Task Group WESTERN POND TURTLE Actinemys marmorata Family: EMYDIDAE Order: TESTUDINES Class: REPTILIA R004 Written by: S. Morey Reviewed by: T. Papenfuss Edited by: R. Duke Updated by: CWHR Program Staff, March 2000 DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND SEASONALITY The western pond turtle is uncommon to common in suitable aquatic habitat throughout California, west of the Sierra-Cascade crest and absent from desert regions, except in the Mojave Desert along the Mojave River and its tributaries. Elevation range extends from near sea level to 1430 m (4690 ft) (Jennings and Hayes 1994). Associated with permanent or nearly permanent water in a wide variety of habitat types. SPECIFIC HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Feeding: This species is considered omnivorous. Aquatic plant material, including pond lilies, beetles and a variety of aquatic invertebrates as well as fishes, frogs, and even carrion have been reported among their food (Stebbins 1972, Nussbaum et al. 1983). Cover: Pond turtles require basking sites such as partially submerged logs, rocks, mats of floating vegetation, or open mud banks. Turtles slip from basking sites to underwater retreats at the approach of humans or potential predators. Hibernation in colder areas is passed underwater in bottom mud. Reproduction: Storer (1930) suggested that two distinct habitats may be used for oviposition. Along large slow-moving streams, eggs are deposited in nests constructed in sandy banks. Along foothill streams, females may climb hillsides, sometimes moving considerable distances to find a suitable nest site. Nussbaum et al. (1983) reports a nest in a clover field 100 m (325 ft) from water.
    [Show full text]
  • Competing Generic Concepts for Blanding's, Pacific and European
    Zootaxa 2791: 41–53 (2011) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2011 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Competing generic concepts for Blanding’s, Pacific and European pond turtles (Emydoidea, Actinemys and Emys)—Which is best? UWE FRITZ1,3, CHRISTIAN SCHMIDT1 & CARL H. ERNST2 1Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, D-01109 Dresden, Germany 2Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, MRC 162, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012, USA 3Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract We review competing taxonomic classifications and hypotheses for the phylogeny of emydine turtles. The formerly rec- ognized genus Clemmys sensu lato clearly is paraphyletic. Two of its former species, now Glyptemys insculpta and G. muhlenbergii, constitute a well-supported basal clade within the Emydinae. However, the phylogenetic position of the oth- er two species traditionally placed in Clemmys remains controversial. Mitochondrial data suggest a clade embracing Actinemys (formerly Clemmys) marmorata, Emydoidea and Emys and as its sister either another clade (Clemmys guttata + Terrapene) or Terrapene alone. In contrast, nuclear genomic data yield conflicting results, depending on which genes are used. Either Clemmys guttata is revealed as sister to ((Emydoidea + Emys) + Actinemys) + Terrapene or Clemmys gut- tata is sister to Actinemys marmorata and these two species together are the sister group of (Emydoidea + Emys); Terra- pene appears then as sister to (Actinemys marmorata + Clemmys guttata) + (Emydoidea + Emys). The contradictory branching patterns depending from the selected loci are suggestive of lineage sorting problems. Ignoring the unclear phy- logenetic position of Actinemys marmorata, one recently proposed classification scheme placed Actinemys marmorata, Emydoidea blandingii, Emys orbicularis, and Emys trinacris in one genus (Emys), while another classification scheme treats Actinemys, Emydoidea, and Emys as distinct genera.
    [Show full text]
  • Redalyc.MORPHOLOGY and CONSERVATION of the MESOAMERICAN SLIDER (Trachemys Venusta, Emydidae) from the ATRATO RIVER BASIN, COLOMB
    Acta Biológica Colombiana ISSN: 0120-548X [email protected] Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Bogotá Colombia CEBALLOS, CLAUDIA P.; BRAND, WILLIAM A. MORPHOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE MESOAMERICAN SLIDER (Trachemys venusta, Emydidae) FROM THE ATRATO RIVER BASIN, COLOMBIA Acta Biológica Colombiana, vol. 19, núm. 3, septiembre-diciembre, 2014, pp. 483-488 Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Bogotá Bogotá, Colombia Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=319031647014 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative SEDE BOGOTÁ ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOLOGÍA ARTÍCULO DE INVESTIGACIÓN MORPHOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE MESOAMERICAN SLIDER (Trachemys venusta, EMYDIDAE) FROM THE ATRATO RIVER BASIN, COLOMBIA Morfología y conservación de la tortuga hicotea Mesoamericana (Trachemys venusta, Emydidae) del río Atrato, Colombia CLAUDIA P. CEBALLOS1, Ph. D.; WILLIAM A. BRAND2, Ecol. 1 Grupo Centauro. Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia. Carrera 75 n.º 65-87, of. 47- 122, Medellín, Colombia. [email protected] 2 Corpouraba. Calle 92 n.º 98-39, Turbo, Antioquia, Colombia. [email protected] Author for correspondence: Claudia P. Ceballos, [email protected] Received 20th February 2014, first decision 14th May 2014, accepted 05th June 2014. Citation / Citar este artículo como: CEBALLOS CP, BRAND WA. Morphology and conservation of the mesoamerican slider (Trachemys venusta, Emydidae) from the Atrato River basin, Colombia. Acta biol. Colomb. 2014;19(3):483-488 ABSTRACT The phylogenetic relationships of the Mesoamerican Slider, Trachemys venusta, that inhabits the Atrato River basin of Colombia have been controversial as three different names have been proposed during the last 12 years: T.
    [Show full text]
  • Discovering Sicily's Aeolian Islands
    Untold Italy Episode 69 - Discovering Sicily’s Aeolian Islands Katy This is the Untold Italy Travel podcast, and you're listening to episode number 64. Josie Ciao and Benvenuti to Untold Italy, I'm Josie. Katy And I'm Katy, and we're here to help you plan your trip to Italy. Josie Between us, we have many years of travel experience and we want to help you uncover your own as yet untold stories and adventures in Italy. Katy Each episode, you'll hear practical advice, tips and ideas to help you plan your own trips to the magical land of history, stunning landscapes and a whole lot of pasta. Josie We'll have interviews from experts and focus on local destinations and frequently asked questions about travel in Italy. Katy Thanks for listening and make sure to subscribe to our show. Josie Now let's get started on your regular dose of Bella Italia. Katy Benvenuti. Ciao everyone, it's Katy and welcome once again to the podcast that takes you on a weekly escape to Bella Italia and keeps you dreaming of trips to come while we patiently wait for travel to resume. We received a lovely message on Instagram recently that I wanted to share with you all - from a listener in Denver, Colorado. "Hi, ladies. I just found your podcast and it's wonderful. I just listened to Episode 67 with Pierpaulo and laughed so much and learned so much. Thank you for all the useful info and research and sharing your experiences. It's so good to have that available for beginner mom travelers just like me.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys Picta)
    Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Characteristics: The most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to Louisiana and northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The adult painted turtle female is 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long; the male is smaller. The turtle's top shell is dark and smooth, without a ridge. Its skin is olive to black with red, orange, or yellow stripes on its extremities. The subspecies can be distinguished by their shells: the eastern has straight-aligned top shell segments; the midland has a large gray mark on the bottom shell; the southern has a red line on the top shell; the western has a red pattern on the bottom shell (Washington Nature Mapping Program). Behavior: Although they are frequently consumed as eggs or hatchlings by rodents, canines, and snakes, the adult turtles' hard shells protect them from most predators. Reliant on warmth from its surroundings, the painted turtle is active only during the day when it basks for hours on logs or rocks. During winter, the turtle hibernates, usually in the mud at the bottom of water bodies. Reproduction: The turtles mate in spring and autumn. Females dig nests on land and lay eggs between late spring and mid- summer. Hatched turtles grow until sexual maturity: 2–9 years for males, 6–16 for females. Diet: Wild: aquatic vegetation, algae, and small water creatures including insects, crustaceans, and fish Zoo: Algae, duck food Conservation: While habitat loss and road killings have reduced the turtle's population, its ability to live in human-disturbed settings has helped it remain the most abundant turtle in North America.
    [Show full text]
  • Contents Fritz U., Y
    CONTENTS Fritz U., Y. V. Kornilev, M. Vamberger, N. Natchev & P. Havaš – The Fifth International Symposium on Emys orbicularis and the other European Freshwater Turtles, Kiten, Bulgaria: Over Twenty Years of Scientific Collaboration ...............................................................................................................................................3–7 Saçdanaku E. & I. Haxhiu – Distribution, Habitats and Preliminary Data on the Population Structure of the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758), in Vlora Bay, Albania ........................................9–14 Dux M., D. Doktór, A. Hryniewicz & B. Prusak – Evaluation of 11 Microsatellite Loci for Reconstructing of Kinship Groups in the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) ............................................15–22 Ayaz D., K. Çiçek, Y. Bayrakci & C. V. Tok – Reproductive Ecology of the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758), from Mediterranean Turkey .............................................................................23–29 Bayrakci Y., D. Ayaz, K. Çiçek & S. İlhan – Population Dynamics of the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis (L., 1758) (Testudinata: Emydidae) from Lake Eğirdir (Isparta, Turkey) ...................................31–35 Bîrsan C. C., R. Iosif, P. Székely & D. Cogălniceanu – Spatio-temporal Bias in the Perceived Distribution of the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758), in Romania .......................................................37–41 Bona M., S. Danko,
    [Show full text]
  • Bosco Della Ficuzza
    RISERVE NATURALI NATURE RESERVES Il Bosco della Ficuzza SP103 Montagnola SP5b 118 SP103 Lago di SP94 Scanzano SP104 Cefalà Diana SP103 Rifugio Val dei Conti Torre del Bosco SP26 SP104 SP104 Gorgo del Drago Godrano SP55b SP42 SP26 Santuario Madonna di Tagliavia Cozzo 121 Quattro Finaite SP42 SP26 118 ex C.le 23 SP42 Real Casina Ser di Ficuzza ra di SP55b Rul Rifugio Alpe Cucco lo ru 16 SP96 Rocca Ramusa Mezz Rocca Busambra SP55 SP75 Pizzo di Casa 118 SP55 SP82 SP75 Legenda Legend Servizi Facilities Territorio Territory Siti d’interesse turistico Turistical sites Parcheggio Grotte Zona archeologica Castelli Parking Caves Archaeological sites Castles Centro visitatori Limiti riserva Parco archeologico Castelli diruti Visitors’centre Reserve boundaries Archaeological park Castle ruins Aree attrezzate Laghi Chiese e Santuari Musei Pic-nic areas Lakes Church and Sanctuaries Museums Altofonte Altofonte Turismo equestre Corsi d’acqua Torri Siti d’interesse storico Altofonte Horse-riding tourism Rivers Towers Historical sites Altofonte Viabilità Roads Sentieristica Paths 118 SP16 Sentiero Italia Sentiero segnalato Sentiero difficile Strade Statali Altofonte AltofStradeont eProvinciali Italia Path Signposted Path Difficult Path State Road Provincial Road Altofonte Strade carrabili Altre strade Mulattiera Mulattiera con muri Ferrovia dismessa Carriageable roads Other roads Muletrack Muletrack with walls strada verde ciclabile Altofonte Old railway - cycling path Altofonte Altofonte 206 RISERVE NATURALI NATURE RESERVES - Il Bosco della Ficuzza La Riserva Naturale Orientata Bosco The Ficuzza Wood, Rocca Busambra, della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Bosco Cappelliere Wood and Dragon’s Eddy del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago è Special Nature Reserve was founded stata istituita nel 2000 su una vasta in 2000 in a vast area of 7,397 Azienda Regionale Foreste Demaniali - UPA superficie di 7.397 ettari che appar- hectares belonging to the com- Palermo tiene ai comuni di Corleone, Godrano, munes of Corleone, Godrano, Regional Demesnal Marineo, Mezzojuso e Monreale.
    [Show full text]
  • Italians Plant Roots in Houston
    Damon Palermo’s grandfather used a mule cart to bring produce to market prior to the widespread use of trucks. Photo courtesy of Damon Palermo. Italians Plant Roots in Houston By Sabine Meyer Hill ot long ago—before Houston paved over the Post Oak Martino, a Sicilian immigrant truck farmer, says his ances- Narea, before skyscrapers riddled the downtown and tors had trouble getting the most basic goods like wheat for medical center landscapes, before subdivisions became the pasta and bread. So they came to the United States in hopes norm on the outskirts of town—the banks of Buffalo and of a more prosperous future. Most Sicilian immigrants de- White Oak Bayous in downtown were home to a thriving parted from Genoa on the Italian mainland and entered the marketplace. Large plots of land within the city limits held United States through the port of New Orleans with their expansive urban farms and gardens that provided Housto- sights set on farmland in Houston’s vicinity: the Brazos nians with fresh fruit and vegetables and their cultivators Valley, Diboll, and Dickinson. Between 1870 and 1920, the with a chance at making a life in their new home. Italian population in Texas grew from 186 to 8,024. By 1980, Houston, Texas, is widely regarded as a city built by Italian descendants residing in Texas totaled 189,799.2 The immigrants and now ranks as the nation’s most diverse large region’s climate and soil were similar enough to Sicily’s to city.1 People commonly think of Houston’s immigrant popu- welcome the farming they were familiar with, so upon arriv- lation as coming from Latin America, Asia, and the Middle ing in their new home they relied on what they knew best: East.
    [Show full text]
  • Manual for the Differentiation of Captive-Produced and Wild-Caught Turtles and Tortoises (Testudines)
    Image: Peter Paul van Dijk Image:Henrik Bringsøe Image: Henrik Bringsøe Image: Andrei Daniel Mihalca Image: Beate Pfau MANUAL F O R T H E DIFFERENTIATION OF CAPTIVE-PRODUCED AND WILD-CAUGHT TURTLES AND TORTOISES (TESTUDINES) PREPARED BY SPECIES360 UNDER CONTRACT FOR THE CITES SECRETARIAT Manual for the differentiation of captive-produced and wild-caught turtles and tortoises (Testudines) This document was prepared by Species360 under contract for the CITES Secretariat. Principal Investigators: Prof. Dalia A. Conde, Ph.D. and Johanna Staerk, Ph.D., Species360 Conservation Science Alliance, https://www.species360.orG Authors: Johanna Staerk1,2, A. Rita da Silva1,2, Lionel Jouvet 1,2, Peter Paul van Dijk3,4,5, Beate Pfau5, Ioanna Alexiadou1,2 and Dalia A. Conde 1,2 Affiliations: 1 Species360 Conservation Science Alliance, www.species360.orG,2 Center on Population Dynamics (CPop), Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, 3 The Turtle Conservancy, www.turtleconservancy.orG , 4 Global Wildlife Conservation, globalwildlife.orG , 5 IUCN SSC Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, www.iucn-tftsG.org. 6 Deutsche Gesellschaft für HerpetoloGie und Terrarienkunde (DGHT) Images (title page): First row, left: Mixed species shipment (imaGe taken by Peter Paul van Dijk) First row, riGht: Wild Testudo marginata from Greece with damaGe of the plastron (imaGe taken by Henrik BrinGsøe) Second row, left: Wild Testudo marginata from Greece with minor damaGe of the carapace (imaGe taken by Henrik BrinGsøe) Second row, middle: Ticks on tortoise shell (Amblyomma sp. in Geochelone pardalis) (imaGe taken by Andrei Daniel Mihalca) Second row, riGht: Testudo graeca with doG bite marks (imaGe taken by Beate Pfau) Acknowledgements: The development of this manual would not have been possible without the help, support and guidance of many people.
    [Show full text]
  • Dia&Campisi Layout 1
    Fl. Medit. 25 (Special Issue): 167-178 doi: 10.7320/FlMedit25SI.167 Version of Record published online on 26 November 2015 Maria Giovanna Dia & Patrizia Campisi Life forms, life strategies and ecological indices of bryophytes for bioindication in wood areas: a case of study in the "Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago” Oriented Nature Reserve (West Sicily) Abstract Dia, M. G. & Campisi, P.: Life forms, life strategies and ecological indices of bryophytes for bioindication in wood areas: a case of study in the "Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago” Oriented Nature Reserve (West Sicily). — Fl. Medit. 25 (Special Issue): 167-178. 2015. — ISSN: 1120-4052 printed, 2240-4538 online. Life forms, life strategies and ecological indices of bryophytes which live in evergreen and deciduous Quercus woods as well as in a Pinus halepensis artificial system within the "Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago” Oriented Nature Reserve are analysed and compared. The study highlights that in the same local climatic con- ditions the Quercus and Pinus trees select different bio-ecological types in the bryophyte com- munities. They appear to be especially useful to detect physionomic-structural differences in the woods, integrating the information provided by the ecological indices. Key words: Bryophytes, life forms, life strategies, bioindication, Sicilian woods. Introduction As bryophyte life forms and life strategies make it possible to bring together unrelated taxa on base of adaptive traits, they are known as functional types which provide better information of habitat conditions than species composition (Gimingham & Birse 1957).
    [Show full text]
  • Contributo Scientifico: Secondo Workshop Internazionale
    BOOK OF ABSTRACTS of the 2nd international workshop–conference “RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN HERPETOFAUNA AND ITS ENVIRONMENT: BOMBINA BOMBINA, EMYS ORBICULARIS, AND CORONELLA AUSTRIACA” Belarus Belgium Denmark France Germany Italy Latvia Poland Russia Spain Ukraine www.life-herpetolatvia.biology.lv Daugavpils University, Institute of Ecology 2014 Book of abstracts of the 2nd International workshop–conference: Research and conservation of European herpetofauna and its environment: Bombina bombina, Emys orbicularis, and Coronella austriaca. Project LIFE-HerpetoLatvia, 14-15.08.2014. Daugavpils, Latvia: 42 p. The Project LIFE-HerpetoLatvia is co-financed by European Commission. Natura 2000. 'Natura 2000 - Europe's nature for you. The sites of Project are part of the European Natura 2000 Network. It has been designated because it hosts some of Europe's most threatened species and habitats. All 27 countries of the EU are working together through the Natura 2000 network to safeguard Europe's rich and diverse natural heritage for the benefit of all'. Scientific committee Academ., Dr. Arvids Barsevskis, Daugavpils University, Latvia; Dr. Victor Bakharev, Mozyr Pedagogical University, Belarus; PhD (Biol.) Vladimir Vladimirovich Bobrov, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the RAS, Russia; Dr. Andris Čeirāns, LIFE-HerpetoLatvia, University of Latvia, Latvia; Dr. Jean-Yves Georges, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Department of Ecology, Physiology and Ethology, France; Dr. Dario Ottonello, Cesbin srl, spin-off of Genoa University, Italy; Dr. Aija Pupiņa, LIFE-HerpetoLatvia, Latgales Zoo, Daugavpils University, Latvia; Dr. Artūrs Škute, Daugavpils University, Latvia; Dr. Nataļja Škute, Daugavpils University, Latvia; Dr. Wlodzimierz Wojtas, Instytut Biologii, Cracow Pedagogical University, Poland. Dr. Mihails Pupiņš, LIFE-HerpetoLatvia, Daugavpils University, Latvia.
    [Show full text]
  • EMYDIDAE P Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles
    REPTILIA: TESTUDINES: EMYDIDAE P Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. Pseudemysj7oridana: Baur, 1893:223 (part). Pseudemys texana: Brimley, 1907:77 (part). Seidel, M.E. and M.J. Dreslik. 1996. Pseudemys concinna. Chrysemysfloridana: Di tmars, 1907:37 (part). Chrysemys texana: Hurter and Strecker, 1909:21 (part). Pseudemys concinna (LeConte) Pseudemys vioscana Brimley, 1928:66. Type-locality, "Lake River Cooter Des Allemands [St. John the Baptist Parrish], La." Holo- type, National Museum of Natural History (USNM) 79632, Testudo concinna Le Conte, 1830: 106. Type-locality, "... rivers dry adult male collected April 1927 by Percy Viosca Jr. of Georgia and Carolina, where the beds are rocky," not (examined by authors). "below Augusta on the Savannah, or Columbia on the Pseudemys elonae Brimley, 1928:67. Type-locality, "... pond Congaree," restricted to "vicinity of Columbia, South Caro- in Guilford County, North Carolina, not far from Elon lina" by Schmidt (1953: 101). Holotype, undesignated, see College, in the Cape Fear drainage ..." Holotype, USNM Comment. 79631, dry adult male collected October 1927 by D.W. Tesrudofloridana Le Conte, 1830: 100 (part). Type-locality, "... Rumbold and F.J. Hall (examined by authors). St. John's river of East Florida ..." Holotype, undesignated, see Comment. Emys (Tesrudo) concinna: Bonaparte, 1831 :355. Terrapene concinna: Bonaparte, 183 1 :370. Emys annulifera Gray, 183 1:32. Qpe-locality, not given, des- ignated as "Columbia [Richland County], South Carolina" by Schmidt (1953: 101). Holotype, undesignated, but Boulenger (1889:84) listed the probable type as a young preserved specimen in the British Museum of Natural His- tory (BMNH) from "North America." Clemmys concinna: Fitzinger, 1835: 124.
    [Show full text]