A highly endemic area of Echinococcus multilocula is identified through a comparative re-assessment of prevalence in red fox (Vulpes vulpes), Alto Adige (Italy: 2019-2020)

Background: Surveillance of E. multilocularis at the edge of its range is hindered by fragmented distributional patterns and low prevalence and burden in definitive hosts. Thus, tests with adequate levels of sensitivity are especially important for discriminating between infected and non-infected areas. Aim: We reassessed the prevalence of E. multilocularis at the southern border of its distribution in Alto Adige (Italy), to improve surveillance in wildlife and provide more accurate estimates of exposure risk. Methods: We compared results from the diagnostic test currently implemented for surveillance (based on Coproscopy+Multiplex PCR - CMPCR), against a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for 235 fox faeces collected in 2019-2020. The performances of the two tests were estimated using a scraping technique (SFCT) as the gold standard applied to the small intestines of a subsample (n=123) of the same hosts. True prevalence was calculated and sample size required by each faecal test for the detection of the parasite was then estimated. Results: True prevalence of E. multilocularis in foxes (14.3%) was definitely higher than reported in the last decade (never >5% from 2012 to 2018). The qPCR also had a higher sensitivity (83%) compared to CMPCR (21%). Agreement with the gold standard was far higher for qPCR (0.816) than CMPCR (0.298) as well, determining a smaller sample size required to detect the disease. Conclusions: Alto Adige should be considered a highly endemic area. Surveillance at the edges of E. multilocularis distribution should adopt qPCR diagnostics on definitive hosts on a small geographic scale.

Geodiversity in the Liguria region: a preliminary GIS-based quantitative assessment

<p> <span><span>Geodiversity is an important natural resource that must be considered in developing an effective land management strategy. In recent times there has been a great impulse on the research on geodiversity topics; particular attention has been given to geodiversity assessment methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative. The Liguria region in Northern Italy, despite its small geographic scale, encompasses a great variety of natural and cultural features of international significance. This wide variety is due to its particular geographical, geological and geomorphological conditions. In this work a first preliminary assessment of geodiversity in the Liguria region has been carried out, according to the quantitative method proposed by Melelli et al (2017). This GIS-based method uses spatial analysis techniques, taking into account five parameters: a geological index (lithology) and four morphometric indices (drainage density, roughness, slope position index and landform category), combined to obtain a total Geodiversity Index. The results show that the Liguria region is characterized by many areas with high geodiversity. The most important examples are the western Ligurian Alps, the Finalese, the Sestri-Voltaggio Zone and its surroundings, the eastern Ligurian Apennines, the Cinque Terre, which are in fact the areas with the greatest morphological and lithological variety. Most of these areas are well known by geoscientists for their significant geological and geomorphological heritage, and by the general public for their impressive landscapes. There is a correspondence between the most geodiverse areas, the main natural parks and the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, established to protect and enhance biodiversity. This suggest a link between geodiversity and biodiversity, that may be subject to further research.</span></span></p>

Sexual dimorphism and age structure of the Montseny newt (Calotriton arnoldi)

Patterns of sexual dimorphism and age structure were investigated in two populations of the newtCalotriton arnoldi, endemic of the Montseny Massif (NE of the Iberian Peninsula). In contrast to the Pyrenean newt (Calotriton asper) sexual dimorphism in the Montseny brook newt is characterized by slightly larger females (60.3 ± 0.3 mm; maximum: 68 mm) than males (59.5 ± 0.2 mm; maximum: 64 mm) and more similar body shape between sexes. Both populations and sexes mature at the same age (3 years), show the same age structure and achieve similar longevity (8-9 years). Comparing our results with the framework of the variation of life-history traits inCalotriton, the Montseny newts exhibit fast sexual maturity and short longevity. Curiously, we have found a lack of covariation between age at sexual maturity, longevity and total body size in the populations ofCalotritonspecies. Only in males, age at sexual maturity seems to be affected by altitude, but in an unexpected way: sexual maturation is delayed in populations at low altitudes. Moreover, the age at sexual maturity does not differs between the populations where immatures are terrestrial vs. those where they remain aquatic. Our results suggest that life-history traits inCalotritonnewts could be determined by selective factors that play their role at small geographic scale.