Contribution to the knowledge of the arthropods community inhabiting the winter-flooded meadows (marcite) of northern Italy

Flooded semi-natural grasslands are endangered ecosystems throughout Europe. In Italy, amongst flooded meadows, one special type called “marcita” is strongly threatened. It is a stable flooded grassland used to produce green forage even during winter months due to the thermal properties of water coming from springs and fountains that prevent the soil from freezing. To date, some research has been carried out to investigate the role of the marcita for ornithological and herpetological communities. However, no comprehensive data on invertebrates inhabiting this particular biotope available. The aim of this study was to characterise the terrestrial entomological community of these typical winter-flooded meadows in northern Italy and, in particular, in six marcita fields located in the Ticino Valley Regional Park. We collected data on species richness and diversity of Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Araneae, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera inhabiting marcita during the summers of 2014 and 2015 and data on overwintering Coleoptera during the winter of 2014-2015. Amongst the collected species, we identified those highly linked to this habitat. We found a total of 47 ground beetle species, 35 rove beetle species, 29 spider species, one Lucanidae, 16 butterfly species and 24 grasshopper and cricket species. Most of the species were collected during the summers of 2014 and 2015, while some others were also, or exclusively, overwintering (17 ground beetles, four rove beetles and one Lucanidae) and were collected during the winter of 2014-2015. Marcita fields hosted specialised species and species typical of hygrophilous habitats, amongst which are included the butterfly Lycaena dispar, the ground beetle Dolichus halensis and the grasshopper Chrysochraon dispar. This study represents the first contribution to the knowledge of terrestrial arthropod communities associated with this particular type of winter-irrigated meadow in Europe and confirms the importance of this biotope for invertebrate conservation in agricultural landscapes.

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The Adequacy of Some Collecting Techniques for Obtaining Representative Arthropod Sample in Dry Grasslands

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201462010167 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 167-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jana Niedobová ◽

Zdeněk Faltýnek Fric

Keyword(s):

Ground Beetle ◽

Landscape Management ◽

Pitfall Traps ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Relict Species ◽

Important Indicator ◽

Leaf Beetles ◽

Rove Beetles ◽

Dry Grasslands ◽

Ecological Requirements

The number of remarkable species on a locality is an important indicator of locality value. The ecological requirements of the rare species may help to target correct landscape management activities. Our objective was to find out if standardly used capture methods for different group of invertebrate are able to detect really representative composition of species including rare taxa. Our experiment was carried out at the Moravský kras Protected Landscape Area (Macošská and Vilémovická stráň slope) where secondary dry grasslands are typical for each investigated locality. We used five groups of invertebrates (spiders, ground beetles, rove beetles, leaf beetles and weevils) and three capture methods (pitfall traps, sweeping on vegetation and yellow Möricke traps). Arthropods were determined and classified according to their rarity. Using the three capture methods, we obtained in total 127 spider species (Areneae), 31 ground beetle species (Carabidae), 29 rove beetle species (Staphylinide), 52 leaf beetle species (Chrysomelidae) and 55 weevil species (Curculionidae).Results showed that the different capture methods significantly influenced number of detected remarkable species. It was statistically proved for spiders (P = 0.025), weevils (P = 0.038) and marginally also for rove beetles (P = 0.051). Spiders of climax (C species) and semi-natural (SN species) habitats were rather detected by pitfall traps, whereas spiders of disturbed habitats were collected by sweeping on vegetation and Möricke yellow pans eventually. Relict species of weevils (R species) were detected by pitfall traps, typical species (T species) were collected by Möricke yellow pans and expansive species (E species) were found by sweeping on vegetation.

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Notizen: Volatiles from the Defensive Secretions of Two Rove Beetle Species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C ◽

10.1515/znc-1986-0322 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 366-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Konrad Dettner ◽

Gerhard Schwinger

Keyword(s):

Defensive Secretion ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Defensive Secretions ◽

Rove Beetles ◽

Rove Beetle ◽

First Time

From the defensive secretion of the rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) Ontholestes murinus (L.) and Xantholinus glaber (Norden) nine volatiles have been identified by GC-MS data. From O. murinus a spiroketal was recorded for the first time from an arthropod defensive secretion. X . glaber has been found to represent the first staphylinid sequestering the monoterpenes limonen and isopulegol.

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Two new light attracted rove beetle species of Astenus Dejean, 1833 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from Kerala, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.6729.13.5.18215-18226 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 18215-18226

Author(s):

P. Sreevidhya ◽

S.V. Akhil ◽

C.D. Sebastian

Keyword(s):

Related Species ◽

Southern India ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Coastal Plains ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Rove Beetles ◽

First Report ◽

Rove Beetle

Two new light attracted species of rove beetles of the genus Astenus Dejean, 1833 (Astenus keralensis sp. nov. and Astenus rougemonti sp. nov.) from Malabar coastal plains of northern Kerala in southern India are described, illustrated, and compared to closely related species. First report of Astenus kraatzi Bernhauer, 1902 from Indian mainland and a checklist and key to all 41 species of Astenus recorded from the Indian mainland are provided.

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Habitat heterogeneity supports epigeic arthropods after prescribed burning of dry grasslands

ARPHA Conference Abstracts ◽

10.3897/aca.2.e38500 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

David D. Nagy ◽

Orsolya Valkó ◽

Tibor Magura ◽

Balázs Deák ◽

Roland Horváth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Prescribed Burning ◽

Ground Beetle ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Rove Beetles ◽

Spider Species ◽

Rove Beetle ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Dormant Season ◽

And Control

Fire supports landscape openness; thus, prescribed burning could be an effective management in open landscapes. In this study we tested the response of arthropods (spider, ground beetle, rove beetle and woodlouse) to dormant-season prescribed burning in dry grassland patches. We hypothesized that the unburned patches support the arthropods recolonizing the burned patches; thus, fire causes no serious damage to the arthropod assemblages. Epigeic arthropods (spider, ground beetle, rove beetle and woodlouse) were collected by unbaited pitfall traps containing ethylene glycol as a killing-preserving solution. Altogether 60 traps worked in 3 burnt and 3 control plots (10 traps/plot). Traps were emptied monthly from May to October in the year after burning. Collected arthropods were identified at species level using standard keys. We found no significant difference between the burned and control plots for the abundance, species richness, and Shannon diversity of spiders, ground beetles, rove beetles and woodlice. Differences in total abundance, species richness and diversity of arthropods were also not significant between the burned and control plots. Among from 12 most abundant species, ten species was not affected by burning, while the abundance of Titanoteca veteranica spider species increased and the abundance of Trochosa robusta spider species decreased in the burnt plots. Microcaves and other unburned microhabitats in and around the burned patches serve as refuge for epigeic arthropods supporting the fast recolonization after prescribed burning, although the abundance of some epigeic spider species (Titanoteca veteranica, Trochosa robusta) was affected by burning. Our findigs revealed that prescribed burning is a potentially promising conservation method. We also highlighted that preservation of unburned microhabitats and surroundings of the managed patches is essential during the prescribed burning.

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Hox-logic of body plan innovations for social symbiosis in rove beetles

10.1101/198945 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joseph Parker ◽

K. Taro Eldredge ◽

Isaiah M. Thomas ◽

Rory Coleman ◽

Steven R. Davis

Keyword(s):

Gland Cell ◽

Cell Types ◽

Body Plan ◽

Cell Type ◽

Free Living ◽

Hox Proteins ◽

Rove Beetles ◽

Rove Beetle ◽

Living Species

How symbiotic lifestyles evolve from free-living ecologies is poorly understood. In Metazoa’s largest family, Staphylinidae (rove beetles), numerous lineages have evolved obligate behavioral symbioses with ants or termites. Widespread convergence of this lifestyle is thought to stem from a novel, chemically defended body plan that enables free-living species to infiltrate colonies and undergo extreme evolutionary specialization. Here we show how this innovative body plan evolved, via new Hox functions in staphylinids that remodeled the coleopteran groundplan. Using a model staphylinid, Dalotia coriaria, we reveal the Hox basis for changes in thoracic appendage morphology that shortened the beetle elytron and left the abdomen physically unprotected, selecting for an abdominal defense gland that was likely key to unlocking ant and termite societies. We present evidence that the gland evolved through a novel, combinatorial role of the abdominal Hox proteins AbdA and AbdB. These proteins function together to specify distinct gland cell types in neighboring segmental compartments, each cell type synthesizing a different class of compound—irritant, ester and solvent. Only when secreted together do these compounds constitute a bioactive secretion, providing an example of emergent chemical functionality that arises from synergy between individual gland cell types. Hox-controlled specification of glandular diversity implies a modularity in compound biosynthesis that likely catalyzed the evolvability of rove beetle chemistry, including the capacity of symbiotic taxa to produce potent compounds for host deception. This study reveals how Hox-controlled body axis modifications predispose a major animal to convergently evolve into symbionts.

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A distribution atlas of legally protected ground beetle species (Coleoptera: Carabidae) occurring in the Łódź Province, central Poland

Fragmenta Faunistica ◽

10.3161/00159301ff2013.56.2.089 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 56 (2) ◽

pp. 89-112

Author(s):

Radomir Jaskuła ◽

Anna Stępień ◽

Przemysław Włodarczyk ◽

Iwona Słowińska-Krysiak

Keyword(s):

Ground Beetle ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Central Poland ◽

Distribution Atlas

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Considerations of the technological quality assessment of sugarbeet

Sugar Industry ◽

10.36961/si11041 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 85-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Giorgio Pezzi

Keyword(s):

Quality Parameters ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Glucose Content ◽

Long Term Storage ◽

Interesting Correlation ◽

Technological Quality ◽

Thick Juice

No real improvement in the technological quality of beet has been recorded over the last 15 years in Northern Italy. Among the possible explanations for the quality stagnation is that the traditional formulae cannot correctly differentiate between sugarbeet varieties which produce thick juice of very high purity. This seems to be connected with the role of potassium. The use of a standard purification procedure gives reliable and accurate data which is immediately comparable with the factory data. Research projects on medium/long term storage are currently being performed by Co.Pro.B., Italy, in cooperation with Syngenta and Beta. Up to now the results have shown that storage of sugarbeet in autumn time in northern Italy is possible provided that suitable varieties and proper handling of the roots are employed. Results obtained in the storage trials are reported. Correlations have been found between quality parameters (purity, color and lime salts) of the purified juice with the glucose content of the raw juice. An interesting correlation is reported between purified juice purity and raw juice purity.

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Ecological Connectivity in Agricultural Green Infrastructure: Suggested Criteria for Fine Scale Assessment and Planning

Land ◽

10.3390/land10080807 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 807

Author(s):

Simone Valeri ◽

Laura Zavattero ◽

Giulia Capotorti

Keyword(s):

Land Cover ◽

Green Infrastructure ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Landscape Heterogeneity ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽

Fine Scale ◽

Unique Type

In promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service capacity, landscape connectivity is considered a critical feature to counteract the negative effects of fragmentation. Under a Green Infrastructure (GI) perspective, this is especially true in rural and peri-urban areas where a high degree of connectivity may be associated with the enhancement of agriculture multifunctionality and sustainability. With respect to GI planning and connectivity assessment, the role of dispersal traits of tree species is gaining increasing attention. However, little evidence is available on how to select plant species to be primarily favored, as well as on the role of landscape heterogeneity and habitat quality in driving the dispersal success. The present work is aimed at suggesting a methodological approach for addressing these knowledge gaps, at fine scales and for peri-urban agricultural landscapes, by means of a case study in the Metropolitan City of Rome. The study area was stratified into Environmental Units, each supporting a unique type of Potential Natural Vegetation (PNV), and a multi-step procedure was designed for setting priorities aimed at enhancing connectivity. First, GI components were defined based on the selection of the target species to be supported, on a fine scale land cover mapping and on the assessment of land cover type naturalness. Second, the study area was characterized by a Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) and connectivity was assessed by Number of Components (NC) and functional connectivity metrics. Third, conservation and restoration measures have been prioritized and statistically validated. Notwithstanding the recognized limits, the approach proved to be functional in the considered context and at the adopted level of detail. Therefore, it could give useful methodological hints for the requalification of transitional urban–rural areas and for the achievement of related sustainable development goals in metropolitan regions.

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Interactions of ants with native and invasive lady beetles and the role of chemical cues in intraguild interference

Chemoecology ◽

10.1007/s00049-021-00354-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Roman Bucher ◽

Laura M. Japke ◽

Ayse Gül Ünlü ◽

Florian Menzel

Keyword(s):

Chemical Cues ◽

Harmonia Axyridis ◽

Species Recognition ◽

Lady Beetle ◽

Lasius Niger ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Beetle Elytra ◽

Lady Beetles ◽

Ant Aggression

AbstractThe predator-predator naïveté hypothesis suggests that non-native predators benefit from being unknown to native predators, resulting in reduced intraguild interference with native predators. This novelty advantage should depend on the ability of native predators to recognize cues of non-native predators. Here, we compared ant aggression and lady beetle reaction in four native and the invasive lady beetle species Harmonia axyridis. In addition, we tested whether lady beetle cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are involved in species recognition, which might explain naïveté if the invasive species has a specific CHC profile. To this end, we conducted behavioral assays confronting two native ant species with both living lady beetles and lady beetle elytra bearing or lacking CHCs of different lady beetle species. Finally, we characterized CHC profiles of the lady beetles using GC–MS. In general, the aggression of Lasius niger was more frequent than that of Myrmica rubra and L. niger aggression was more frequent towards most native lady beetle species compared to H. axyridis. The removal of CHCs from lady beetle elytra reduced aggression of both ant species. If CHCs of respective lady beetle species were added on cue-free elytra, natural strength of L. niger aggression could be restored. CHC analyses revealed a distinct cue composition for each lady beetle species. Our experiments demonstrate that the presence of chemical cues on the surface of lady beetles contribute to the strength of ant aggression against lady beetles. Reduced aggression of L. niger towards H. axyridis and reduced avoidance behavior in H. axyridis compared to the equally voracious C. septempunctata might improve the invasive lady beetle’s access to ant-tended aphids.

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Otolaryngology activity in two hospitals in northern and central Italy differently affected by COVID-19 pandemic

Science Progress ◽

10.1177/0036850421998487 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 104 (2) ◽

pp. 003685042199848

Author(s):

Antonio Minni ◽

Francesco Pilolli ◽

Massimo Ralli ◽

Niccolò Mevio ◽

Luca Roncoroni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Healthcare System ◽

Central Italy ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Geographical Differences ◽

Italian Regions

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic had a significant impact on the Italian healthcare system, although geographical differences were present; regions in northern Italy have been the most severely affected while regions in the south of the country were relatively spared. Otolaryngologists were actively involved in the management of the pandemic. In this work, we analyzed and compared the otolaryngology surgical activity performed during the pandemic in two large public hospitals located in different Italian regions. In northern Italy, otolaryngologists were mainly involved in performing surgical tracheotomies in COVID-19 positive patients and contributed to the management of these patients in intensive care units. In central Italy, where the burden of the infection was significantly lower, otolaryngologists focused on diagnosis and treatment of emergency and oncology patients. This analysis confirms the important role of the otolaryngology specialists during the pandemic, but also highlights specific differences between two large hospitals in different Italian regions.

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