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Microbial diversity of caves is largely understudied and its possible applications are still unknown. Autochthonous fungi, in particular, may have the potential to biomineralize metals and may be used as promising agents for bioremediation of polluted sites; thus, unearthing the fungal diversity in hypogean ecosystems is nowadays of utmost importance. To start addressing this knowledge gap, the cultivable mycobiota of two neighbouring caves—one natural and one exploited for touristic purposes—were characterised and compared by studying fungi isolated from sediments collected at increasing distances from the entrance. Overall, 250 fungal isolates ascribable to 69 taxa (mainly Ascomycota) were found, a high percentage of which was reported in caves for the first time. The sediments of the touristic cave displayed a richer and more diversified community in comparison with the natural one, possibly due to visitors carrying propagules or organic material. Considering that these environments are still poorly explored, chances to detect new fungal lineages are not negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we studied the use of polyethylene bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard bark traps to sample spiders inhabiting tree trunks, with special reference to test whether they function the same way despite the differences in the spider community imposed by the different tree species and surroundings and times of sampling. The survey was carried out from July 1997 to July 1998 in Turin, Italy, in a green urban area on three poplars and four American basswoods. Differences between the two methods were tested in terms of abundance, diversity, dominance, mean body length of specimens, and proportion of juveniles, calculating Spearman's correlations. Three-factor analysis of variance, multiresponse permutation procedure, and indicator species analysis were used for further analysis. Results obtained by the two traps were correlated following a similar trend over sampling time. Bubble polyethylene seemed to be more effective than corrugated cardboard at trapping higher number of specimens. The dimension and total amount of interstices and the different microhabitat conditions of temperature and humidity seemed to be the main factors influencing spider composition in terms of the selected variables. On the basis of our results, polyethylene bark traps are recommended for sampling spiders living on trees. It is important to consider seasonality in experimental design, autumn being the period with the highest abundance of spiders but a lower level of diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate spider assemblages of the Italian vineyards of Langa Astigiana (northwest Italy). Pitfall trapping and standardized hand collecting were combined to have an overall idea of the spider fauna living in this agroecosystem. A total of 138 samples for pitfall sampling and 92 for hand collecting sites were collected at 23 different times over a period of 2 yr (2003 and 2004). The vineyards differ mainly from agricultural practices (certified organic production, production according to EEC's Council Regulation 2092/91 on biological agriculture and intensive production) and for the heterogeneity of landscape matrix surrounding them. We studied the influence of these two factors on spider assemblages applying canonical correspondence analysis and multiresponse permutation procedures (MRPPs). Significant results of MRPP were analyzed in terms of hunting strategies. Significant differences are found among groups according to both landscape heterogeneity and agricultural practices, the first resulting more significantly. Analyzed in terms of hunting strategies, an increase in landscape heterogeneity seems to provide an increase in ambush spiders and specialized predators, whereas an increase in sheet web weavers seems to be related to homogeneous landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The type-genus of the mygalomorph spider family Ctenizidae (Cteniza) is newly diagnosed and described. The type-species of Cteniza (C. sauvagesi) is reestablished by describing and designating a neotype collected at the type locality of the species, in Corsica. Alongside the female neotype, the male of C. sauvagesi is redescribed, as well as both sexes of C. moggridgei. We confirm the presence of C. sauvagesi in Sardinia and record this species for the first time in mainland Italy (Calabria) and the island of Ponza (Thyrrenian Sea). Based on our findings, Cteniza sauvagesi and C. moggridgei are diagnosed on subtle differences in their morphology. Differences between the two species in ecology and distributions are also explored by means of species distribution modeling. Finally, we amend the taxonomic status of two species whose validities have long been questionable. C. brevidens is synonymized with C. sauvagesi, and C. ferghanensis is transferred to the genus Ummidia.

Three new Nemesia Audouin 1826 species from northern and central Italy are named. They share a combination of sexual characters, not found in other described species. A new species-complex within Nemesia is here referred to as the apenninica group. Within the apenninica group, N. apenninica n. sp., N. hastensis n. sp., and N. pedemontana n. sp. differ in the morphology of the male palpal organ and the female spermathecae. The three species have different kinds of geographical distributions. While N. apenninica and N. hastensis have locally restricted and geographically separated distributions, the distribution of N. pedemontana overlaps with that of both of these species and extends widely in northern and central Italy. In its periphery, the distribution of N. pedemontana overlaps with that of species other than the apenninica group, e.g., N. meridionalis (Costa, 1835) in southern Italy and N. manderstjernae (L. Koch, 1871) and N. carminans (Latreille, 1818) in Liguria. Information on burrow structure, phenology and habitat are provided for all three new species. Some aspects of the behavior and feeding are discussed for N. pedemontana and N. hastensis.

During a large survey of agelenid spiders from different private and museum collections, a closer examination of material from all over Italy (including type material and fresh material) previously identified as Histopona italica Brignoli 1977, disclosed two new species for science, both belonging to the italica group. Based on the results of the present work, we describe Histopona leonardoi sp. n. and H. fioni sp. n. and revise the distribution pattern of H. italica group in Italy and Switzerland. Drawings and photographs of relevant structures and a table summary of the diagnostic characters allowing a fast separation of the species are provided.

Symptoms of diseases and mortality observed in animals bred near two high-voltage electric transmission lines in the district of Aosta are described. Preliminarily the international scientific literature on this subject is considered. The goal of the present paper is to determine the value of the animals with spontaneously occurring diseases as comparative model for risk assessment associated with 50 Hz magnetic fields.