An updated checklist of the scarab beetle fauna of Asinara Island, Sardinia, Italy (Coleoptera: Trogidae, Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae, Aphodiidae, Cetoniidae, Dynastidae, Hybosoridae)

The island of Asinara, located in the northwest of Sardinia, is characterized by a large number of feral grazing mammals belonging to four herbivorous species (horse, donkey, mouflon, and goat) and an omnivorous one (wild boar). Hand-collections of scarabs in 2014 and the examination of unpublished records revealed the presence of five species new for Asinara (Trox nodulosus, Ateuchetus laticollis, Sisyphus schaefferi, Caccobius schreberi and Cetonia carthami). Based on all records (published and unpublished) we present a new checklist of the scarab beetle fauna of Asinara which increased from 30 to 43 species belonging to seven families: 2 Trogidae, 2 Geotrupidae, 13 Scarabaeidae, 19 Aphodiidae, 5 Cetoniidae, 1 Dynastidae, and 1 Hybosorida

Seasonal occurrence and habitat distribution of Tenebrionid beetles inhabiting a Mediterranean coastal dune (Circeo National Park, Italy)

La communauté de Coléoptères Ténébrionides habitant les dunes côtières d'un système protégé du littoral tyrrhénien (Parc National du Circeo, Italie centrale) a été analysée dans le but d'étudier (1) la répartition et la diversité de ces coléoptères dans trois associations végétales différentes, (2) les variations saisonnières de la composition spécifique et de la structure de la communauté. Un échantillonnage mensuel a été conduit en tamisant un volume constant de sable et de débris végétaux récolté au pied des plantes halophiles. La plupart des espèces ont montré une abondance nettement distincte dans les trois associations. La richesse et la diversité présentaient des différences mensuelles substantielles. Une diminution de la densité globale a été observée de l'association végétale la plus externe (la plus proche du bord de la mer) à la plus interne. En outre, une variation temporelle a été observée dans la dynamique des populations, avec une nette diminution de la densité durant les mois les plus chauds et les plus secs de l'été. Ces données confirment des modèles phénologiques déjà décrits pour d'autres communautés d'invertébrés du sol dans les environnements arides de la Méditerranée.The tenebrionid community inhabiting a Mediterranean dune ecosystem (Circeo National Park, central Italy) was analysed to study ( 1 ) the distribution and diversity of these beetles in three different plant associations , and (2) the seasonal changes of the community composition and structure . Monthly samplings were made by sieving a fixed volume of sand and detritus. Most species showed a different abundance in the three habitats, and substantial differences were observed in the monthly values of species richness and diversity. A decrease of the overall density was observed from the external to the innermost plant association, characterized by a higher plant cover. The community also showed clear temporal phases, with an overall decrease in winter and summer, confirming a pattern previously observed also in other soil arthropods living in Mediterranean arid environments

PITYOPHAGUS QUERCUS REITTER, 1877, A NEW SAPROXYLIC SAP BEETLE FOR THE ITALIAN FAUNA (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae)

During ecological investigations on saproxylic beetle communities of central Italy (Latium), at Bosco Polverino (a mixed evergreen/deciduous forest fragment dominated by cork oaks), and at Allumiere (a small fragment of beech forest surrounded by turkey oak stands), the authors found three specimens of Pityophagus quercus Reitter, 1877 (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae). These are the first known records of this species in Italy, and the first one in association with an evergreen oak, Quercus suber. This discovery led us to review both bionomical and faunistic data so far available on this exceedingly rare and poorly known species

UPDATING THE TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE EUROPEAN OSMODERMA, AND STRATEGIES FOR THEIR CONSERVATION (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEIDAE, CETONIINAE)

Results of a molecular analysis on the European hermit beetles (the Osmoderma eremita species-complex), recently published in a companion paper, are shortly dis- cussed and commented. These results indicate a clear-cut distinction between two clades. The first one includes the W-European O. eremita Scopoli, 1763, and the two Italian endemic taxa O. italicum Sparacio, 2000 and O. cristinae Sparacio, 1994, from southern peninsular Italy and Sicily, respectively. The second one includes the widespread E-European O. barnabita Motschulsky, 1845 (nom. resurr.), and the southern Balcanic O. lassallei Baraud & Tauzin, 1991 from Greece and European Turkey. Within the two clades, molecular data well support a specific rank for O. lassallei and O. barn­abita on one side, and of O. eremita and O. cristinae on the other side, while the taxonomic position of O. italicum, more closely related with O. eremita, is still uncertain, waiting for analysis of additional specimens of this very rare taxon. Current geographical distribution, interspecific genetic diversification, and relatively low levels of intraspecific genetic divergence in O. eremita sensu stricto, are hypothesized to be the result of multiple speciation events (mainly occurred in refugial forest areas of the Italian and Balkan peninsulas and Sicily before and during the Pleistocene glacial peaks), followed by fast post-glacial northward and westward expansion of some species. The need of further genetic data on the rare and threatened hermit beetle species and the importance of more detailed information on their distribution ranges are emphasized and discussed, in order to plan conservation strategies in the near future. An updated worldwide checklist of the species of the genus Osmoderma is finally presented

UPDATING THE TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE EUROPEAN OSMODERMA, AND STRATEGIES FOR THEIR CONSERVATION (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

Results of a molecular analysis on the European hermit beetles (the Osmoderma eremita species-complex), recently published in a companion paper, are shortly dis- cussed and commented. These results indicate a clear-cut distinction between two clades. The first one includes the W-European O. eremita Scopoli, 1763, and the two Italian endemic taxa O. italicum Sparacio, 2000 and O. cristinae Sparacio, 1994, from southern peninsular Italy and Sicily, respectively. The second one includes the widespread E-European O. barnabita Motschulsky, 1845 (nom. resurr.), and the southern Balcanic O. lassallei Baraud & Tauzin, 1991 from Greece and European Turkey. Within the two clades, molecular data well support a specific rank for O. lassallei and O. barn­abita on one side, and of O. eremita and O. cristinae on the other side, while the taxonomic position of O. italicum, more closely related with O. eremita, is still uncertain, waiting for analysis of additional specimens of this very rare taxon. Current geographical distribution, interspecific genetic diversification, and relatively low levels of intraspecific genetic divergence in O. eremita sensu stricto, are hypothesized to be the result of multiple speciation events (mainly occurred in refugial forest areas of the Italian and Balkan peninsulas and Sicily before and during the Pleistocene glacial peaks), followed by fast post-glacial northward and westward expansion of some species. The need of further genetic data on the rare and threatened hermit beetle species and the importance of more detailed information on their distribution ranges are emphasized and discussed, in order to plan conservation strategies in the near future. An updated worldwide checklist of the species of the genus Osmoderma is finally presented

EPURAEA DEUBELI REITTER, 1898, A CONFIRMED SAPROXYLIC SAP BEETLE FOR THE ITALIAN FAUNA (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae)

During ecological investigations on saproxylic beetle communities at Monte Baldo (Veneto, Verona province), two specimens of Epuraea deubeli Reitter, 1898 (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) were recently collected. It is the first known sure record of this species in Italy (previously known from Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe, southwards to Austria, and from Western Siberia)

Fauna delle acque dolci: Rettili

The distribution and status of Reptile species occurring in fresh water habitats of Italy are briefly discussed with a special attention to the major factors which can affect their conservation

Revision of the genus Phalops Erichson (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Onthophagini)

The paper is a critical review of an importan taxonomic monography dealing with a genus of African scarab beetles, written by a team of Italian entomologists

Etnozoologia ed Etnobotanica: come, dove e perché i biologi indagano nelle culture indigene

This article is an outline of the current trends and methods of the ethnobiological research as it was carried out by zoologists and botanists all over the world. A high diversity of approaches, objectives and methods has been developed in the past decades involving both theoretic and applicative aspects. The most important applications concerned the sustainable use of natural resources and conservation issues