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Karstic sinkholes are peculiar structures hosting specific biological communities. Birds are still little studied in this regard. This note reports, for the first time, original data relating to the density of breeding species occurring within a sinkhole in central Italy obtained with a fine-grained and time-expensive sampling technique (mapping method). The results were compared with data sampled with the point counts method carried out in the same phenological period. We recorded 22 breeding species, all typical of meso-thermophilous forests and ecotonal habitats of hilly central Italy. Among them, two species (Turdus merula and Troglodytes troglodytes), typical of shady, undergrowth habitats, were recorded in the deepest part of the sinkhole (−70 m from the top). No significant differences emerged between the relative frequencies of the species obtained with the two methods, except for Luscinia megarhynchos (overestimated with the mapping method) and Aegithalos caudatus (underestimated). At the community level, the comparison of the two methods revealed similar values in univariate diversity metrics, Whittaker plots did not show a significant difference (ANCOVA test), and ordinary least squares regression between the frequencies showed a highly significant correlation. Therefore, in these peculiar habitats, data obtained from the two methods are comparable: since the point counts method needs lower sampling effort, it appeared to be more effective when compared to the mapping method to study these peculiar habitats.

Natural history museums are irreplaceable tools to study and preserve the biological diversity around the globe and among the primary actors in the recognition of species and the logical repositories for their type specimens. In this paper we surveyed the consistency of the preserved specimens of amphibians and reptiles housed in the major Italian scientific collections, and verified the presence of threatened species according to the IUCN Red List, including the Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), and Vulnerable (VU) categories. Altogether, we analyzed 39 Italian zoological collections. We confirmed the presence of one extinct reptile (Chioninia coctei) and five extinct or extinct in the wild amphibian species (Atelopus longirostris, Nectophrynoides asperginis, Pseudophilautus leucorhinus, P. nasutus, and P. variabilis). Seven CR amphibians, fourteen CR reptile species and the extinct skink C. coctei are shared by more than one institution. Museums which host the highest number of threatened and extinct amphibian species are respectively Turin (17 CR and 1 EX), Florence (13 CR and 1 EX), and Trento (15 CR and 1 EW), while for reptiles the richest museums are those from Genoa (15 CR and 1 EX), Florence (11 CR and 1 EX), and Pisa (7 CR). Finally, we discussed the utility of natural history museums and the strategies to follow for the implementation of their functionality.

The authors report the finding of eight individuals of Salamandrina perspicillata (Savi, 1821) with aberrant body colour discovered within a large population of the species in the Natural Reserve “Macchia di Gattaceca and Macchia del Barco” (Campagna Romana, Latium).

Little attention has been paid to the herpetological fauna of the Simbruini Mountains Regional Park, Latium (Central Italy). In this study, we surveyed 50 sites in the course of about ten years of field research, especially during the period 2005-2008. Nine amphibian species, four Caudata and five Anura, 60.0% out of the 15 amphibian species so far observed in Latium, were discovered in the protected area: Salamandra salamandra, Salamandrina perspicillata, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus carnifex, Bombina pachypus, Bufo balearicus, Bufo bufo, Rana dalmatina, Rana italica. Physiography of sites has been detailed together with potential threatening patterns. For each species the following topics have been discussed; ecology of sites, altitudinal distribution, phenology, sintopy. Salamandra salamandra and Bombina pachypus are at higher risk. The importance of the maintenance of artificial/natural water bodies for the conservation management of amphibian population of this territory is discussed.

Abstract The paper presents a study regarding the aggregations of the Lesser Horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros in Latium, Central Italy, based on data collected during 27 years in natural caves (limestone) and artificial buildings (abandoned mines, ancient monuments and others). Furthermore some parameters including size, dynamics, sex ratio and age structures are investigated. The number of bats that occur at the hibernacula in winter is low over the whole territory of this region, the most numerous aggregations being 18 individual bats with an average of about 4 bats/visit. In the shelters of the area, the highest numbers of R. hipposideros, a stenotherm thermophilous species, is reached at the end of January, while at the beginning of spring (April) few bats are generally observed. As in many other European populations, males are more commonly represented in winter samples; some caves harbour only adult males over a long time span, about 20 years. The results would suggest that some conservation measures should be introduced to protect this widespread but uncommon and threatened species.

Abstract The present paper summarizes the results of 3 years of observation made at six month intervals for six months at a time (18 field surveys) in a man-made cave in Northern Latium (Central Italy) from April 1992 to April 1995. Its aim is to analyze the main structural and dynamic features of a bat community which hibernates at the shelter. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and especially Rhinolophus euryale are the most abundant species. Population dynamics of both species as well as that of Rhinoluphus hipposideros show higher levels of abundance between December and February of each semester. In mid-winter, large and sometimes mixed aggregations of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Rhinolophus euryale in deep hypothermia occur. A small number of Rhinolophus hipposideros, mainly adult males, was observed. The paper compares the structure of this community to the structure of another community of the same district which has been previously analyzed, in which Vespertilionidae, especially Miniopterus schreibersi, are much more abundant. Despite the difference in species composition, body size was found to be a significant and common feature (as highlighted by forearm length), of the dominant species in both communities, Rhinolophus euryale and Miniopterus schreibersi respectively.

Abstract Sex ratio and structure of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum aggregations of Latium, Central Italy, during hibernation - Sex ratio and demographic structures of nine Rhinolophus ferrumequinum aggregations from as many natural and artificial caves of Latium, Central Italy, were recorded by the Authors. Data were collected from November to April between the years 1976 and 1990. Aggregation sizes are included between 29 and 245 bats. A biased sex ratio in favour of males has been recognized expecially among the greatest aggregations. The abundance of each class (adult and subadult males; adult and subadult females) in every aggregation has been established. Adult females is the rarest class. The strategy of females winter dispersion is analized and discussed according to its adaptive value. Riassunto Sono esposti i risultati di una ricerca sul rapporto sessi e la struttura demografica di nove aggregazioni di Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, censite da novembre ad aprile negli anni compresi tra il 1976 ed il 1990 in altrettante cavità naturali e artificiali del Lazio, Italia Centrale. Le dimensioni delle aggregazioni sono comprese tra 29 e 245 individui. Nelle aggregazioni più numerose, il rapporto sessi è nettamente a favore dei maschi. Di ciascuna categoria (maschi adulti, subadulti, femmine adulte, subadulte) viene analizzata l'abbondanza in ciascuna aggregazione. Le femmine adulte costituiscono il campione più raro. Si discute il vantaggio selettivo della dispersione invernale delle femmine adulte.

Abstract An attempt was made to evaluate the diversity and distribution of cave bats of Latium (Central Italy). Data about twelve species were examined and their frequency have been determined. Only Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and R. hipposideros are really frequent: the other species are more or less localized. The average number of species (2,63) has a great importance for future contro1 of cave bat populations. Similarity between cave bat coenosis was examined, together with the altitude distribution of five species. The relation between altitudinal range, number of caves and average number of species was also studied: between 801 and 1000 m.s.l., the last parameter increases considerably and a hypothesis is presented to explain the phenomenon. This troglophilous bat fauna is probably very rich in species in comparison with other Italian bat communities. Riassunto Viene svolta un'analisi delle cenosi di Chirotteri troglofili dell'Italia Centrale. Vengono esaminati i dati relativi a 12 specie; di ciascuna è stata determinata la frequenza. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum e R. hipposideros risultano le specie più frequenti. I1 numero medio di specie (2,63) assume un importante significato ai fini del controllo delle chirotterofaune troglofile. L'affinità tra le chirotterofaune è stata esaminata, analogamente alla distribuzione altitudinale di cinque specie. Range altitudinale, numero delle cavità e numero medio di specie sono comparati: fra 801 e 1000 m, si osserva un aumento dell'ultimo parametro e vengono formulate ipotesi per spiegare il fenomeno. La ricchezza di specie del Lazio viene evidenziata dal confronto con altre chirotterofaune troglofile regionali italiane.