Tra biologia e cultura. Otto disegni per Remo

Drawing has been associated with man's cultural history since its very beginning, when the need to express oneself arose. With the passing of time, it has gained autonomy and lost the function of support and integration to written and oral verbal communication. This writing is about the 'accessory' function of drawing, with some examples taken from a recent dialogue between Remo Ceserani and the author. Finally, it is remarked the phylogenetic relationship between drawing and writing, which involves, in different species, both the biologic and the cultural evolution.Il disegno ha accompagnato la storia culturale dell’uomo fin dagli inizi quando è nata la necessità di esprimersi. Col tempo ha assunto un’autonomia espressiva, perdendo quella funzione di supporto e integrazione alla comunicazione verbale, sia essa scritta che orale. E’ appunto di questa funzione accessoria che si discute in questo scritto, offrendo alcuni esempi estratti da un lungo dialogo che recentemente ha avuto luogo tra Remo Ceserani e l’autore. Infine si rimarca la parentela di carattere filogenetico che lega il disegno alla scrittura e che coinvolge, in differenti specie, sia l’evoluzione biologica che quella culturale

Comparison between Artisanal Fishery and Manila Clam Harvesting in the Venice Lagoon by Using Ecosystem Indicators: An Ecological Economics Perspective

Artisanal fishery in the Venice lagoon is a multi-target activity with a long tradition. It was the main fishing activity till the late ’80s when, after the introduction and spread of the Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum), the mechanical clam harvesting started. A mass-balance model of the lagoon ecosystem was developed using the Ecopath with Ecosim software. 73 scenarios, obtained by changing the fishing effort of the two different types of fishery, were used to explore their impact on the ecosystem. A set of indicators was applied in order to compare the two fishing activities. The results obtained showed that the two activities are strongly interlinked, even through they don’t exploit the same resources. The mechanical clam harvesting could reasonably be considered to be the driving force; it is capable of determining the state of lagoon ecosystem. The above mentioned factors create a lot of conflict between the two types of fishery.Artisanal fishery, Indicators, Dynamic model, Venice Lagoon, Fishing impact, Social and economic value

Antipredator responses to overhead fright stimuli in hatchery-reared and wild European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) juveniles.

In this study, shoals of hatchery-reared and wild sea bass juveniles (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) were tested for differences in their antipredator responses towards a visual (shadow) and a mechanical (dummy bill) overhead stimulus. Two behavioural variables – distance from the bottom and freezing duration – were measured during post-stimulus phases of each test and compared between wild and hatchery-reared shoals, composed of 10 juveniles each. The results showed that in both hatchery-reared and wild juveniles, stimulus exposure elicited a significant decrease in the mean shoal distance from the bottom. Similarly, individuals from both groups engaged a freezing reaction, but the mean freezing duration was significantly higher in wild- than in hatchery-reared juveniles. Results are discussed in the light of their relevance for the enhancement of restocking programmes

The nest-holding grass goby (Zosterisessor ophiocephalus) male adjusts the spawning activity in relation to parasitic nest intrusions.

This study examines the temporal pattern of spawning behavior by the territorial (i.e. nest-holding) grass goby male, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus, in response to sneak intrusions by the small parasitic male under controlled laboratory conditions. The spawning activity of the territorial male consists of a sequence of upside-down movements on the ceiling of the nest accompanied by undulations of the body and sperm release. Five pairs of one territorial male and one parasitic male, each kept inside a large tank provided with an artificial buried nest (always occupied by the territorial male) and one small tunnel-shaped shelter (always occupied by the small male), were observed during one-female spawning taking place in the innermost part of the nest (i.e. the nest chamber). During the spawning, the presence of the small male nearby the nest openings elicited aggressive behavior and increased nest patrolling by the territorial male. In one spawn the small male never attempted to enter the nest. In four spawns the small male entered one to three times the nest chamber (sneaks), staying there from 2 to 203 s until the large male chased him away. The temporal patterning of the spawning activity by the territorial male (bouts of upside-down, U-D), and its changes following a sneak by the small male, were investigated using bout analysis and correlative tests. Results showed the length of bouts U-D did not change significantly after a sneak intrusion. whereas gap length (i.e. the period between subsequent bouts U-D) decreased significantly after each sneak intrusion. The mean duty cycle of bouts U-D tended to be positively correlated to the number of sneaker intrusions of each replicate. Results are discussed in the light of current knowledge on sperm competition among externally fertilizing teleosts

Ecological stages of the Venice Lagoon analysed using landing time series data

The time series of landings in the Venice Lagoon from 1945 to 2001 were analysed with the aim of explaining the ecosystem changes occurred. The comparative analysis of the total landings and mean Trophic Level (mTL) time series allowed to identify four different stages in the lagoon ecosystem. The first period, from 1945 to 1973, was characterised by increasing trends in the landings and their mTL. The second one, from 1974 to 1989, showed a decrease in the landings but still an increase in the mTL. The third period, from 1990 to 1998, had again a positive trend in the landings, but the mTL showed a sharp decline. After 1998, a slight decreasing trend in both mTL and landings was observed: the analyses of the artisanal fishery landings only date back to 1995 this effect. The presence of four distinct periods was also confirmed by the analysis of the trends of other indices estimated using landings data: the Fishing in Balance index (FiB), the Trophic Efficiency (TE) and the Pelagic on Demersal landings ratio (P/D). In the first period, the increasing fishing pressure, along with no evidence of ecosystemcrisis, suggested that an increased nutrient dischargewas supporting it; analogously, the bottom-up effects had driven the dynamics of the ecosystem also in the second period, when the decrease in nutrient loads caused a shift of the primary producers fromplanktonic tomacrobenthic. The spreading of theManila clam, a non-native species, and the development of its massive mechanical exploitation have been the main forces driving the ecosystem during the third period, forwhich, however, no signs of criseswere detected. The fourth period showed evidence of the ‘‘fishing down the food web’’ effect. Possible causes of such an effect were investigated and allowed us to conclude that not overfishing, but the effects ofmechanical harvesting of theManila clamhad caused relevant impacts on habitat and benthic communities, concluding that the present level of exploitation of the stock ofManila clamis not sustainable in the long term. Our findings were also compared with the general evolution of enclosed seas, subjected to high nutrient loads, fishing pressure and invasion by non-native species

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Male and female competitive strategies of wild house mice pairs (Mus musculus domesticus) confronted with intruders of different sex and age in artificial territories

Male and female aggression at different reproductive stages was investigated in pairs of wild mice. Fourteen pairs of laboratory-outbred wild mice were established, each pair living in a multiple set of cages, connected by runaways. Intruder tests were carried out at different stages of the reproductive cycle i.e. 48 h after introduction, during pregnancy and lactation. In these stages, a female, a male and two pups were consecutively introduced in each territory (24 hrs separating each intrusion). Male residents were highly aggressive towards (and always intolerant of) male but not female intruders. Conversely, resident females preferentially attacked same sex intruders after colony establishment and during pregnancy, but they attacked either sex of intruder when nursing young. Seven out of 14 female intruders were tolerated 48 h after introduction of residents but tolerance of females decreased during pregnancy and lactation. Male and female residents were essentially responsible for the intolerance of same-sex intruders. Both males and females exhibited infanticide, but sex differences in the timing of attack on alien pups were observed. In the 7 colonies where the intruder female was tolerated (since that two females were present) only one female reproduced successfully. This suggests that, as in males, females of this stock compete for the opportunity to reproduce; they can be exclusively territorial or form a dominance hierarchy which probably determines reproductive success. While male competitive aggression appears to be mostly directed to other males, females seem largely responsible of the regulation of the reproductive potential of a deme unit throughout intrasexual aggression (intolerance towards other females), and possibly also inhibition of subordinate reproduction and killing of unrelated pups

Use of shallow water habitats by fish assemblages in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

The present study investigates the different uses and the functional roles of shallow habitats for fish fauna in the Venice Lagoon, by applying the functional guilds approach. Temporal (seasons) and spatial (location) changes within the lagoon show different habitat uses by fish assemblages, not influenced by local factors. Unvegetated mud habitats (salt marsh creeks and sub-tidal mud flats) and sparsely vegetated (seagrass) habitats show a common nursery role, especially for marine migrant fishes; but, contrary to other similar areas elsewhere shallow seagrass beds in the Venice Lagoon do not have a primary nursery role. This latter habitat has a more important role as a spawning ground for a resident, highly specialized component of the fish community. The habitat uses and their role to fish fauna illustrate the balance between predation risk and foraging profitability, as major factors structuring the fish assemblages. Spatial effects at a larger scale also highlight general characteristics of the fish assemblages in the Venice Lagoon. These indicate differences between the Northern sub-basin and the other two lagoon sub-basins, due to differences in the hydrodynamic regime, habitats distribution, and contributions from land and sea. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Fish assemblages of Venice Lagoon shallow waters: An analysis based on species, families and functional guilds

The fish assemblages in the Venice Lagoon were studied from March to December 2001, by surveying fyke nets in three shallow water areas, which were located at different distances from the marine inlets and characterized by different types of substratum. The fish abundance was standardized as catch per unit effort (CPUE) and the fish community was analysed both in terms of its taxonomic and functional composition (by making use of both ecological and dietary preference guilds). A total of 25,177 individuals, belonging to 43 fish species and 21 families, was recorded, and the differences in the fish assemblages both in terms of composition and seasonal patterns among the three areas investigated were revealed. The composition of the fish assemblages differed markedly among the three sampling areas at the levels of species and families, whereas the spatial differences were less evident in terms of functional guilds composition. These spatial differences can be ascribed to both habitat differences and geographic location of the areas investigated, especially the distance from the sea inlets. The preliminary investigations regarding the relationship between the structure of the fish assemblages and the environmental parameters suggested the importance of certain physical factors (such as the salinity, temperature and hydrological conditions) with regard to the structuring of the ichthyological community. The use of these results regarding the management and conservation of the Venice Lagoon is also proposed and discussed in this paper. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Head and neck osteolipoma: A case series study and review of literature

Osteolipoma is a rare variant of lipoma that can arise mainly in the lower limbs and the head and neck region. As of January 2023, 51 cases of head and neck osteolipomas have been described in the English literature, excluding the tuber cinereum osteolipomas. The review was performed using the Pubmed and Scopus search engines and the following keywords: [osteolipoma], [ossifying AND lipoma] or [lipoma AND osseous metaplasia]. In addition to these 51 cases, we present 3 more cases of osteolipomas involving the craniomaxillofacial area. The scope of this study is to broaden the knowledge regarding this rare tumor and improve the treatment and follow-up protocols