Mediterranean Reflections : Activity Report 2011

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Mediterranean Reflections : Activity Report 2011 Mediterranean Reflections Activity Report 2011 IUCN CENTRE FOR MEDITERRANEAN COOPERATION Click on the images or texts marked for access to online content. Table of Content Mediterranean Reflections - 2011 Director’s Message ........................................................................................................... 04 Highlights of 2011 ........................................................................................................... 06 Designing a sustainable future in the Mediterranean Conserving biodiversity ................................................................................................ 08 Managing ecosystems for human well-being .............................................................. 20 Changing the climate forecast ...................................................................................... 26 Greening the world economy ....................................................................................... 28 North Africa FORUM .......................................................................................................... 32 What the members said in Rabat ................................................................................. 34 Informing the Mare Nostrum Spreading the word ...................................................................................................... 40 Publications and reports .............................................................................................. 42 Cooperation Agreements ................................................................................................... 45 Funding allocation .............................................................................................................. 46 Preview of the 2012 work agenda .................................................................................... 47 Our Donors ......................................................................................................................... 50 Main donors .................................................................................................................. 50 Project donors ............................................................................................................... 50 New Members in 2011 ...................................................................................................... 51 The Malaga team .............................................................................................................. 52 Published by: IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation ISBN: 978-2-8317-1480-6 © International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources developing conservation actions, as well Lebanon, or the exchange of experiences on Director’s Message as providing nature-based solutions for the coastal dune restoration and rehabilitation, different environmental challenges. as well as oasis governance. The Centre also Moreover, since its creation IUCN-Med has supported the development of a sustainable A spring for the governance aimed at becoming a cooperation platform fishing industry through case studies and in of natural resources to strengthen networking in environmental, collaboration with the relevant expert regional scientific, and political institutions, both at institutions. Mention must also be made of governmental and non-governmental levels, the Alboran Sea project, which is an example and in the private sector, in order to enhance of successful collaboration between both the integration of the social, economic, and sides of the Mediterranean. cultural dimensions in regional conservation All of this was possible thanks to the The intense history and cultural tradition and economic crisis with major uncertainties strategies. support from our main donors and project of the Mediterranean region have marked regarding their future. The activities carried out by IUCN-Med in sponsors that year after year reaffirm their the interrelations between productive The evolution of these changes will 2011 allowed enhancing the Centre’s visibility trust in the Centre, and the support of systems and ecosystems, transformed and imply a review of the region’s support through greater collaboration with Members expert networks and institutions that help modelled by human beings, resulting in and cooperation lines in order to boost and national committees and were geared at implement the IUCN work programme in the the landscapes and communities we know development policies that help to diversify supporting instruments for the governance of Mediterranean. today. Indeed, such close links between the economies of these countries and to the Mediterranean. We discussed ecotourism This year is marked by the Río+20 Summit productive systems and biodiversity reconsider their growth model. The IUCN models and better ways of protecting and the next IUCN World Conservation highlight the fact that conservation Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN- land and marine areas, and worked on Congress in Jeju (South Korea). Their results, policies must be urgently integrated into Med) considers that these changes are an creating a system to monitor Mediterranean along with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity sector policies, especially before rapid opportunity to influence the creation of new biodiversity trends. Further work was done 2011-2020 (Aichi targets), will mark the new development takes place. development models based on a sustainable on the identification of important areas for IUCN Mediterranean Programme. use of biodiversity and natural resources. In the course of 2011 there were a number biodiversity in Northern Africa and the Middle of political, social and economic changes Good knowledge of the natural, social and East, and finally, a further understanding of in the Mediterranean region that may have cultural environment is needed if we want Mediterranean species was achieved thanks Antonio Troya significant implications on the governance of conservation and development policies to to the first full assessment of marine fish in be fully integrated, thus contributing to an accordance with the IUCN Red List. Director & Programme Coordinator natural resources and environmental policies. IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation The “Arab Spring” triggered important economic diversification enabling greater In the field of ecosystem management, we political changes in Northern African prosperity and welfare for Mediterranean worked on training and disseminating the countries, questioning their participatory peoples. best available knowledge in connection to and wealth-sharing model. On the other IUCN-Med has been working on creating restoration and planning, such as the project hand, countries on the Northern shore are the best possible knowledge on biodiversity, for integrated forest management, training immersed in an episode of serious financial designing tools to influence policies and and monitoring plan for fire prevention in 4 MEDITERRANEAN REFLECTIONS 2011 IUCN CENTRE FOR MEDITERRANEAN COOPERATION MEDITERRANEAN REFLECTIONS 2011 IUCN CENTRE FOR MEDITERRANEAN COOPERATION 5 2011 Highlights 26 January 3 March 30 June 5-7 October In the framework of the MedPan project to improve At the IUCN Spanish Committee meeting in Ciudad The Island of Formentera (Balearic Islands, This year IUCN North African Members had the the management of marine protected areas, the Rodrigo (Salamanca), IUCN-Med worked to Spain) asked to join the IUCN family and signed opportunity to debate the region’s main concerns coordination meeting in Marseille helped the implement the Resolution on Conservation of the an agreement with IUCN-Med to collaborate in at the Rabat Forum organized by IUCN-Med in main partners identify the areas of collaboration Western Iberian Peninsula (R. 4.131) adopted by the projects related to the protection of nature and collaboration with Moroccan authorities. Moreover, regarding climate change and invasive species, World Conservation Congress (Barcelona, 2008). environmental sustainability, with a special focus on the IUCN Director General attended the Conference as well as a training programme on sustainable the island’s natural heritage. on World Heritage held in Segovia (Spain). tourism planning within these marine protected areas. 4-5 April The ‘Mediterranean Biodiversity Assessment II’ 7-9 November project starts in April. In the framework of the Another project taking off this year with the 9 February International Year of Forests, the Collaborative participation of IUCN-Med is the EU project In Morocco, the idea of marine protected areas as Partnership on Mediterranean Forests held the MEDINA, designed to enhance Northern African a useful tool for fishing management is still a new second Mediterranean Forest Week in Avignon countries’ capacity to control and monitor their concept. IUCN-Med technically assists Moroccan (France). This platform allows scientists, main marine and coastal ecosystems. The Centre authorities to elaborate a sustainable fishing actors and policy makers to debate on the also participated in various regional workshops strategy in marine protected areas. development of strategic policies. to draft a set of recommendations for coastal dune restoration and management in the western 16 February 25 April Mediterranean. The Alboran Sea stands out for its wide diversity The 4th Meeting of FAO CopedMed II Committee of species. This area has been selected as a pilot on the sustainability of marine resources in Central
Recommended publications
  • New Data on the Distribution and Population Density of the African Chameleon Chamaeleo Africanus and the Common Chameleon Chamae
    VOL. 2015., No.1, Str. 36- 43 Original Scientific Paper Hyla Dimaki et al. 2015 ISSN: 1848-2007 New data on the distribution and population density of the African Chameleon, Chamaeleo africanus and the Common Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon in Greece Novi podatci o distribuciji i populacijskoj gustoći afričkog kamelenona, Chamaeleo africanus i običnog kameleona, Chamaeleo chamaeleo u Grčkoj 1 2 3 4 MARIA DIMAKI *, BASIL CHONDROPOULOS , ANASTASIOS LEGAKIS , EFSTRATIOS VALAKOS , MARIOS 1 VERGETOPOULOS 1Goulandris Natural History Museum, 100 Othonos St., 145 62 Kifissia, Greece, [email protected] 2Section of Animal Biology, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Patra, Greece. 3Zoological Museum, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Athens, Greece. 4Section of Animal & Human Physiology, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Athens, Greece. Abstract New data on the distribution and the population density of the Common Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758) and the African Chameleon Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 are reported from Greece. The data for the Common Chameleon was collected from Samos Island (Aegean Sea) and for the African Chameleon from the SW Peloponnese. The period of the data collection is from 1998 till 2014. The African Chameleon is an allochthonous species for Greece and its presence in the area of Gialova Pylos is likely due to its introduction in historical times, because chameleons were often used in the past as pets by people and kings (Bodson, 1984). Some months ago a new population of the Common Chameleon was discovered in Attica. The distribution of the African Chameleon has expanded in the western Peloponnese with at least two new populations. This expansion is due to the local translocation of the species by humans.
    [Show full text]
  • Dimakifeedecol.Pdf
    FEEDING ECOLOGY OF THE COMMON CHAMELEON Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758) AND THE AFRICAN CHAMELEON Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768. DIMAKI M.1, LEGAKIS A.², CHONDROPOULOS B.³ & VALAKOS E.D. 4 1. The Goulandris Natural History Museum, 13, Levidou St., 145 62 Kifissia, Greece. 2. Zoological Museum, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Athens, 157 84 Athens, Greece. 3. Section of Animal Biology, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Patra, 260 01 Patra, Greece 4. Section of Animal & Human Physiology, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Athens, 157 84 Athens, Greece. INTRODUCTION In this work the results of the comparative food analysis of the Common Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758) and the African Chameleon Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 are presented. This is the first time that information on the diet of Greek specimens of the Common Chameleon are presented. The distribution of the Common Chameleon in RESULTS Greece includes the Aegean islands of Samos, Chios, and Crete. The African Chameleon is found in Greece only at Gialova near Pylos (Böhme et al., 1998; Dimaki et al., 2001). A comparison of the two species, among seasons and between sexes is presented, also a comparison Comparison between seasons of our results with those on the literature is made. Chamaeleo africanus Chamaeleo chamaeleon N spring=13 N spring=13 N summer=31 N summer=31 N autumn=21 N autumn=21 N autumn=19 N autumn=19 45 18 28 24 40 16 24 20 35 14 20 30 12 16 16 25 10 12 12 C. africanus 20 8 8 15 6 8 F 10 F 4 % N % 4 4 % N % 5 2 0 0 0 0 crabs snails crabs snails hairs
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf 584.52 K
    3 Egyptian J. Desert Res., 66, No. 1, 35-55 (2016) THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA RECORDED FROM NORTHEASTERN SINAI, EGYPT Soliman, Sohail1 and Eman M.E. Mohallal2* 1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, El-Abbaseya, Cairo, Egypt 2Department of Animal and Poultry Physiology, Desert Research Center, El Matareya, Cairo, Egypt *E-mail: [email protected] he vertebrate fauna was surveyed in ten major localities of northeastern Sinai over a period of 18 months (From T September 2003 to February 2005, inclusive). A total of 27 species of reptiles, birds and mammals were recorded. Reptiles are represented by five species of lizards: Savigny's Agama, Trapelus savignii; Nidua Lizard, Acanthodactylus scutellatus; the Sandfish, Scincus scincus; the Desert Monitor, Varanus griseus; and the Common Chamaeleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon and one species of vipers: the Sand Viper, Cerastes vipera. Six species of birds were identified during casual field observations: The Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus; Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avocetta; Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrines; Slender-billed Gull, Larus genei; Little Owl, Athene noctua and Southern Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis. Mammals are represented by 15 species; Eleven rodent species and subspecies: Flower's Gerbil, Gerbillus floweri; Lesser Gerbil, G. gerbillus, Aderson's Gerbil, G. andersoni (represented by two subspecies), Wagner’s Dipodil, Dipodillus dasyurus; Pigmy Dipodil, Dipodillus henleyi; Sundevall's Jird, Meriones crassus; Negev Jird, Meriones sacramenti; Tristram’s Jird, Meriones tristrami; Fat Sand-rat, Psammomys obesus; House Mouse, Mus musculus and Lesser Jerboa, Jaculus jaculus. Three carnivores: Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes; Marbled Polecat, Vormela peregosna and Common Badger, Meles meles and one gazelle: Arabian Gazelle, Gazella gazella.
    [Show full text]
  • Variation in Body Temperatures of the African Chameleon Chamaeleo Africanus Laurenti, 1768 and the Common Chameleon Chamaeleo Chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758)
    Belg. J. Zool., 130 (Supplement): 89-93 December 2000 Variation in body temperatures of the African Chameleon Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 and the Common Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758) Maria Dimaki 1, Efstratios D. Valakos 2 and Anastasios Legakis 3 1 The Goulandris Natural History Museum, 13, Levidou St., GR-145 62 Kifissia, Greece 2 Section of Animal & Human Physiology, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Athens, GR-157 84 Athens, Greece 3 Zoological Museum, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Athens, GR-157 84 Athens, Greece ABSTRACT. Data on the thermal ecology of the African Chameleon Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 and the Common Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758) are reported from Greece. In the field the Tb values ranged from 10.4°C to 31.6°C for C. africanus and 23.5°C to 31°C for C. chamaeleon. There was a significant correlation between Tb and Ta in spring and summer for both species. There was also a signifi- cant correlation between Tb and Ts only in the spring and only for C. africanus. Cloacal temperatures differed significantly between spring and summer and so did substrate temperatures and air temperatures. As the months became hotter the animals reached higher temperatures. In a laboratory temperature gradient, the pre- ferred body temperatures of C. africanus and C. chamaeleon were measured and compared with field body temperatures. The preferred body temperature in the laboratory gradient ranged from 26.0°C to 36.0°C for C. chamaeleon and from 25.0°C to 35.0°C for C. africanus. The mean Tb for C.
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Morocco: a Taxonomic Update and Standard Arabic Names
    Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 1-14 (2021) (published online on 08 January 2021) Checklist of amphibians and reptiles of Morocco: A taxonomic update and standard Arabic names Abdellah Bouazza1,*, El Hassan El Mouden2, and Abdeslam Rihane3,4 Abstract. Morocco has one of the highest levels of biodiversity and endemism in the Western Palaearctic, which is mainly attributable to the country’s complex topographic and climatic patterns that favoured allopatric speciation. Taxonomic studies of Moroccan amphibians and reptiles have increased noticeably during the last few decades, including the recognition of new species and the revision of other taxa. In this study, we provide a taxonomically updated checklist and notes on nomenclatural changes based on studies published before April 2020. The updated checklist includes 130 extant species (i.e., 14 amphibians and 116 reptiles, including six sea turtles), increasing considerably the number of species compared to previous recent assessments. Arabic names of the species are also provided as a response to the demands of many Moroccan naturalists. Keywords. North Africa, Morocco, Herpetofauna, Species list, Nomenclature Introduction mya) led to a major faunal exchange (e.g., Blain et al., 2013; Mendes et al., 2017) and the climatic events that Morocco has one of the most varied herpetofauna occurred since Miocene and during Plio-Pleistocene in the Western Palearctic and the highest diversities (i.e., shift from tropical to arid environments) promoted of endemism and European relict species among allopatric speciation (e.g., Escoriza et al., 2006; Salvi North African reptiles (Bons and Geniez, 1996; et al., 2018). Pleguezuelos et al., 2010; del Mármol et al., 2019).
    [Show full text]
  • Genre Bending Narrative, VALHALLA Tells the Tale of One Man’S Search for Satisfaction, Understanding, and Love in Some of the Deepest Snows on Earth
    62 Years The last time Ken Brower traveled down the Yampa River in Northwest Colorado was with his father, David Brower, in 1952. This was the year his father became the first executive director of the Sierra Club and joined the fight against a pair of proposed dams on the Green River in Northwest Colorado. The dams would have flooded the canyons of the Green and its tributary, Yampa, inundating the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. With a conservation campaign that included a book, magazine articles, a film, a traveling slideshow, grassroots organizing, river trips and lobbying, David Brower and the Sierra Club ultimately won the fight ushering in a period many consider the dawn of modern environmentalism. 62 years later, Ken revisited the Yampa & Green Rivers to reflect on his father's work, their 1952 river trip, and how we will confront the looming water crisis in the American West. 9 Minutes. Filmmaker: Logan Bockrath 2010 Brower Youth Awards Six beautiful films highlight the activism of The Earth Island Institute’s 2011 Brower Youth Award winners, today’s most visionary and strategic young environmentalists. Meet Girl Scouts Rhiannon Tomtishen and Madison Vorva, 15 and 16, who are winning their fight to green Girl Scout cookies; Victor Davila, 17, who is teaching environmental education through skateboarding; Alex Epstein and Tania Pulido, 20 and 21, who bring urban communities together through gardening; Junior Walk, 21 who is challenging the coal industry in his own community, and Kyle Thiermann, 21, whose surf videos have created millions of dollars in environmentally responsible investments.
    [Show full text]
  • Veiled Chameleon
    Husbandry Guidelines for Veiled Chameleon Chamaeleo calyptratus (Reptilia: Chamaeleonidae) DUMÉRIL & DUMÉRIL 1851 Date By From Version 2015 Stuart Daniel WSI Richmond v 1 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS This species, veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), is classed as an innocuous animal and poses minimal to no risk to keepers. The veiled chameleon is a small, generally non-aggressive species which possesses no anatomical features that could cause any harm. Though it is common for individuals of this species to be reluctant toward handling, any action performed to avoid being handled is generally for display only and will not result in any physical aggression. Individuals that feel threatened will put on a threat display which involves an open mouth and extension of the throat pouch (see figure). On the odd occasion an individual may bite but it is very rare that this will break the skin or cause any discomfort at all. Working with any animal species poses a risk of zoonotic disease. Common zoonotic diseases are listed in the table below, as well as other potential hazards that may be present in the work environment. Potential hazards of working with veiled chameleons and in the work environment in general Physical Injury from manual handling Falls from ladders if enclosures are above head height Slips/trips over cluttered workspace or wet floor Chemical Injury or poisoning from misuse of chemicals -F10 veterinary disinfectant -Bleach -Medications Biological Zoonosis – Salmonella spp, Campylobacter spp, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter
    [Show full text]
  • Cognitive and Locomotor Strategies of Arboreal
    COGNITIVE AND LOCOMOTOR STRATEGIES OF ARBOREAL LOCOMOTION IN NON-HUMAN APES AND HUMANS by Nardie Kathleen Igraine Hanson A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Biosciences College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Birmingham February 2016 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Abstract All non-human great apes (NHAs) are endangered and understanding their behavioural ecology is vital for captive conservation efforts. Furthermore, as our closest living relatives, research into NHA behaviour and evolution can provide insight into our own origins. All non- human great apes are large (from 35 kg [adult female bonobo] to 200 kg [adult male gorilla]) and forage arboreally. The demands of the arboreal environment are complex and pose problems for large bodied apes. Arboreal supports are: dynamic and arranged randomly in relation to each other and to resources; resources are often situated at the end of compliant and weak branches; and supports that make up a travel route are broken by gaps between tree crowns. Therefore, arboreal travel for a large bodied ape is energetically demanding and risky due to the possibility of falling, and careful selection of supports is essential for safe and efficient locomotion.
    [Show full text]
  • Camaleaoi.Pdf
    Scientific name: Chamaeleo chamaeleon Common name: Mediterranean or Common chameleon Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Sauria Family: Chamaeleontidae Etymology: The name chameleon (also chamaeleon) means “ground lion” and derives from the Greek words khamai (on the earth, on the ground) and leon (lion). Feeding behaviour: The chameleon is a natural born hunter. It uses its quick, long and sticky tongue to capture its prey. It generally feeds on flying insects and other small invertebrates. Description: The common chameleon is recognisable for its flattened body and a helmet-shaped protrusion on its head. It has big eyes that move independently of each other in a 180-degree field of vision, allowing them to look forward with one eye and backward with the other. It has a prehensile tail and claws on its toes, which form a pincer shape ideal for grasping and moving along branches. As there is no size difference between males and females, they are not easily distinguishable. The skin is normally green or grey, with broken yellowish lines. The ability to change colour is another main feature. This remarkable phenomenon is triggered by the surrounding temperature, location and above all mood and need to communicate. Origin: The origin of the Chamaeleo chamaeleon (common chameleon) in the Iberian peninsula is disputed. It is generally believed that the species was introduced in the 20th century with the migration of workers between the southern part of the peninsula and North Africa. Chameleons always aroused affection and acquired a certain magical aura among Mediterranean cultures. Therefore it may have been carried across the Mediterranean as a pet, amulet or simply to control pests.
    [Show full text]
  • Morphological and Roosting Variation in the Dwarf Chameleon Brookesia Stumpffi Between Primary, Secondary, and Degraded Habitats in Nosy Be, Madagascar
    Herpetological Conservation and Biology 12(3):599–605. Submitted: 26 February 2017; Accepted 15 September 2017; Published 16 December 2017. MORPHOLOGICAL AND ROOSTING VARIATION IN THE DWARF CHAMELEON BROOKESIA STUMPFFI BETWEEN PRIMARY, SECONDARY, AND DEGRADED HABITATS IN NOSY BE, MADAGASCAR CHRISTINA MILLER Frontier, The Society for Environmental Exploration, 50-52 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3QP, UK, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract.—Morphological, behavioral, and genetic variation of a species in different habitats is central to understanding how and if a species will survive the demands of habitat change. It is well known that the morphology and behavior of ectotherms can diverge due to ecological variation, but there is limited research on chameleons, and their habitat is under threat by deforestation in Madagascar. I aimed to identify if Brookesia stumpffi, a dwarf chameleon from northern Madagascar, differed in their morphology and roosting behaviors in primary, secondary, and degraded habitats. I and volunteers conducted surveys at night by recording the type of substrate and the height at which adult B. stumpffi were roosting. Measurements of the morphology of chameleon were then taken using analog calipers. I found that B. stumpffi roosted on higher perches in secondary and degraded habitats compared to primary forests. Furthermore, there was a significant divergence in chameleons morphology between the habitat types. I conclude that B. stumpffi have diverged between habitats and that deforestation may be responsible. Key Words.—anthropogenic factors; conservation; deforestation; divergence; habitat degradation INTRODUCTION Deforestation can change a habitat dramatically as degraded habitats can occupy different prey, predators, Variation of species in different habitats is central microhabitats, roosting availability, and thermal to understanding how and if a species will survive the requirements compared to primary habitats (Vitt et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Multiple Origins of the Common Chameleon in Southern Italy
    Herpetozoa 32: 11–19 (2019) DOI 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e35611 Multiple origins of the common chameleon in southern Italy Roberto Basso1, Maria Luisa Vannuccini2, Luca Nerva3,4, Giuseppe Mazza5, Matteo Seno1, Emiliano Mori6 1 Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Jesolo, Via Enzo Ferrari 3, 30016, Lido di Jesolo (Venezia), Italy 2 Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy 3 CREA Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015, Conegliano Veneto (Treviso), Italy 4 Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135, Torino, Italy 5 CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Via Lanciola 12/A, 50125, Cascine del Riccio (Firenze), Italy 6 Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy http://zoobank.org/18928D5C-5BFA-4596-B80D-C66126121886 Corresponding author: Emiliano Mori ([email protected]) Academic editor: Günter Gollmann ♦ Received 7 February 2019 ♦ Accepted 30 March 2019 ♦ Published 13 May 2019 Abstract The common chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon is a Mediterranean lizard which has been introduced in many islands and its native origin in European countries is debated. Chameleons have been introduced in southern Italy, possibly from the Middle East and Tunisia. We conducted genetic analyses on mitochondrial DNA 16S gene on a larger sample. We observed a multiple origin for the Salento (Apulia, southern Italy) population, with individuals phylogenetically related to populations of North Africa and two areas in the Middle East. Some individuals may have been released before the 1950s and some others in the 1980s, improving the estab- lishment success of this species.
    [Show full text]
  • The Balearic Herpetofauna: a Species Update and a Review on the Evidence
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Firenze University Press: E-Journals Acta Herpetologica 6(1): 59-80, 2011 The Balearic herpetofauna: a species update and a review on the evidence Samuel Pinya1, Miguel A. Carretero2 1 Espais de Natura Balear. Conselleria de Medi Ambient del Govern de les Illes Balears. c/ Pintor Josep Coll Bardolet, s/n. 07170 Valldemossa, Illes Balears, Spain. 2 CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos. Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal. Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Submitted on: 2011, 11th January; revised on 2011, 10th May; accepted on 2011, 10th May. Abstract. Here, we update the current list of amphibian and reptile fauna present in the Balearic Islands, probably the most outstanding case in the Mediterranean and of the most in the world where massive species introduction is in conflict with the survi- vorship of highly restricted endemic taxa. Resulting of a long term evolution in insu- larity, endemic herpetofauna was already decimated during the Pleistocene but, after the human colonisation of the archipelago, the introduction of alien species, passive or deliberate, has been provoking new extinctions and range retractions in the native her- petofauna. Such process is not interrupted but has even intensified during the last years. The current species list is composed by five amphibians (one native) and 21 reptiles (2 native). A critical review of the evidence on extinctions and introductions is provided together with the conservation implications. Compared to the last review (Mayol, 1985) six new reptile species are now naturalised or are in process of naturalization, colubrid snakes constituting the most conflicting element due to their predator role.
    [Show full text]