IBP′: A New Index to Estimate Biogeographical Peculiarity

The biogeographical peculiarity of a given geographical area is directly linked to the number of its endemic species. This paper aims to formulate an index directly linked to the biogeographical peculiarity of an area. A graphical model and an index of the biogeographical peculiarity are proposed, based on a cumulative sum (i.e., including all the amounts that were added previously). An example of the computations is proposed, based on the number of different types of geographical ranges (i.e., chorotypes) characterizing two different ecosystems; their biogeographical peculiarity of was evaluated on the basis of presence versus absence of carabid species. Both the graphical model and the index mirrored the different faunistic compositions of the ecosystems, because the index reached a higher value where more endemic species have been found. Our investigation has found a new method for evaluating the biogeographical peculiarity of a given area or biota in a simple way. The index could be used for either conservation biogeography (e.g., monitoring of biotic homogenization) or for theoretical studies integrating ecology and biogeography

Agonistic behaviour of Scarites buparius (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in relation to body size

Intra-male aggressive behaviour of Scarites buparius was analysed; agonistic interaction between males consisted of a repeated series of fighting events. We defined this behaviour as “agonistic” because a dominance/submission status was established. We measured the males and found that the attack behaviour persistence is correlated with the body length

Morphometry and eye morphology in three species of Carabus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in relation to habitat demands

Morphological features of three common European olfactory hunting carabid beetles, Carabus coriaceus mediterraneus Born, 1906, Carabus lefebvrei Dejean, 1826 and Carabus preslii neumeyeri Schaum, 1856, were compared. According to eye measurements, the three species are nocturnal and/or twilight hunters. They differ, however, in relative length of the antennae, relative surface area of the compound eyes, density of ommatidia and relative head width. These differences can be correlated with the species-specific habitat demands (light intensity, open land or shaded places). In particular, the greater lateral eye protrusion in C. lefebvrei corresponds to its tree-climbing habits, while the larger relative eye surface area and ommatidia density in C. coriaceus correspond to its choice of open habitats

Morphometric differences in populations of Nebria kratteri Dejean and Boisduval, 1830 from two old forests in Calabria (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

In carabid beetles, several morphometric parameters may vary from one habitat to another. Body size is one of the most important traits in animals because it directly relates to fitness and changes across latitudinal and altitudinal gradients. In this paper, we compare two populations of Nebria kratteri (Coleoptera, Carabidae) sampled in two old forest sites of the Sila Mountain in Calabria. The specimens show significant differences in all morphometric parameters measured, the larger size at one site could be related to intraspecific competition

The effects of treatments against Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) on the entomo-fauna of the olive ecosystem

Only a limited number of studies have examined the efficacy and environmental effects of treatments against Bactrocera oleae in organic production of olives, especially in terms of the insect community present in these ecosystems. Herein, we compared the effects of a conventional insecticide (dimethoate),used with a plant protection system allowed by organic legislation (mass trapping plus rotenone)against B. oleae , with an untreated control field . The experiments were performed in the Calabria region at Mirto Crosia (on the Ionic side of Cosenza province)in a grove with extensive active insect infestation. In two conventionally treated fields with a surface area of 2 hectares each, two treatments were performed (in August and September) utilizing dimethoate (150 g in 100 liters water). In another 2 hectare area, mass-trapping devices (attract and kill) were installed and treatment with rotenone (Rotena 300 g in 100 l water) was performed in September. The entomo-fauna present in the different areas was evaluated by insect capture utilizing cromotropic traps. The integrated protection system (mass-trapping plus rotenone treatment) led to a reduction in the total number of insects in comparison to the traditional method (dimethoate treatment). It proves the negative effect of the tested organic system on the olive ecosystem entomo-fauna

Impact of agrochemicals on non-target species: Calathus fuscipes Goeze 1777 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as model

Carabid beetles are important in the biological control of arable crop pests. Agricultural practices can produce over time a delayed toxic effect at the organismal and population levels and can compromise the survival on these species. In this research, we quantified the cumulative sublethal effect on body size, Malpighian tubules and immune responses in Calathus fuscipes adults living in the potato field and exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin and cymoxanil-based commercial formulates. Reductions of morphological parameters such as body, pronotum and elytron in both males and females from the potato field indicated that the pre-imaginal stages (larvae and pupae) suffer the sublethal effects of exposure to the larvicide control action of lambda-cyhalothrin. Ultrastructural alterations recorded in Malpighian tubules at the level of plasma membrane, mitochondria and nucleus indicated the reduction of the detoxification capability. The basal phenoloxidase and lysozyme-like enzyme activities have measured as markers of immune competence. Spectrophometric analyses showed that the chronic exposure in field causes an increase of basal phenoloxidase enzyme activity, while the lytic activity of haemolymph was not affected. As a result, the use of larvicides and fungicides have a harmful effect on beneficial species such C. fuscipes living in the soil of potato fields. These morphological and physiological results recorded at the organismal level can provide useful information of effects at the population and community levels to preserve the biodiversity of agroecosystem

Analisi della diversità funzionale di coleotteri carabidi (Coleoptera, Carabidae) del Parco Naturale Regionale Lama Balice (Puglia)

FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY OF THE GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) ON LAMA BALICE NATURE RESERVE (PUGLIA, ITALY) Preliminary information about population of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera Carabidae) of Natural Regional Park of Lama Balice (South Italy, Bari) are reported here. Study of species composition and dominance structure pointed out presence of few dominant species. Analysis of sampled vegetation macro-units (or habitats) highlighted that functional diversity of sampled ground beetles community showed valuable differences in structural and functional features of communities between different habitats. In the “macchia- gariga” (shrub-garrigue) there was an increase of feeding-opportunistic species and we found sole seedeaters. In the “ vegetazione erbacea di fondo lama” (grass vegetation of deep lama) we found specialised predators. Key word: biodiversity, functional groups. Con il presente lavoro sono state fornite informazioni preliminari inerenti il popolamento di Coleotteri Carabidi presenti all’interno del Parco. La struttura di dominanza, descrive una comunità con poche specie dominanti (Laemostenus cimmerius cimmerius F.; Pterostichus melas italicus D.; Calathus fuscipes graecus D.; Pseudoophonus rufipes D.). La diversità funzionale della carabidofauna campionata, evidenzia cambiamenti delle caratteristiche strutturali e funzionali, nella serie di “macrounità o habitat vegetazionali” investigate nell’ecotopo del Lama. La variazione, evidenzia che nella macchia-gariga si ha un aumento degli opportunisti alimentari, e compaiono i spermofagi esclusivi. Nella vegetazione erbacea di fondo lama ritroviamo i predatori zoofagi specializzati. Parole chiave: biodiversità, parametri adattativi, guild