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The Angitola FISH2O project, granted by Calabria FEP 2007-13 (Code 02/BA/12), aim to survey biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems, in which fishes should represent the main trophic resource within the various food chains relative to the Angitola lake. The final objective is to obtain a monitoring of various species by means of non-invasive techniques. According to Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), capturing and manipulations of animals were minimized, and the subjects captured were promptly released. Two areas, unequivocally identified by GPS coordinate, were selected at 4 and 10 meters of depths, in which fishing nets1 were positioned. Captured fishes were all manipulated as follows: 1) removed by nets by cutting wires and minimizing stress; 2) placed in basins filled with water; 3) weighted, with an electronic scale, and measured; 4) photographed; 5) clinically evaluated; 6) released as soon as possible. The dead subjects (n=28) were preserved in a portable fridge; they belonged to the following species: Carassius carassius (n=10), Perca fluviatilis (n=8), and Squalius cephalus (n=10). Data collected allowed developing a linear relation between length and weight. The resulting prediction equations and the correlation coefficients (r2) are summarized in table 1. Such equations are intended to have the precision reported only in the species and the sizes described. Even if a more accurate method, which might include all three dimensions of fishes, should be analyzed, accuracy of this method, proved by the high values of r2 is fully acceptable not only in common species but even more in vulnerable and endangered species.

The areas object of the present study are the surfaces divided into sectors for the shooting down of wild boars and the districts of the ATC2 of the Province of Perugia for the damages to agriculture. From 2004 to 2007 the trend of the annual sample has increased and is statistically important. The distribution % of samples in the districts in 2007 is divided as follows: 37%, 37% and 26% respectively. The monthly distribution of samples in 2007 shows a significant reduction as the hunting season goes on (months of October, November, December). The cynegetic index in the several districts from 2004 to 2007 is respectively: 4,76; 5,73; 7,24; 8,13. The analysis of the damages to agriculture in the districts from 2004 to 2007 shows that the damaged surface of the free territory has decreased; the statements of claim of the free territory show a significant reduction; the amount of damages in euros has increased.

Materials and methods. 110 hares (55 males and 55 females) with an age between 140 to 800 days, have been used for our study between year 2002 and 2006. Ten of the hares were observed with the help of video-surveillance and the rest were observed directly by an operator. Pairs of animals were placed in experimental cage (200cm of length x 100 of width x 120 of height) closed in a fenced area of minimum 100 square meters provided with spontaneous or sown vegetation. After a period of adaptation in the cage the hares were given the opportunity of leaving the cage. A little door to the back wall of the cage was connected with a step ramp to allow escaping. Time of escape from the cage was recorded for each animal. Data were analyzed with Variance Analysis (SAS System, 2000) and results are tested for gender (male vs female) and age (old vs adult vs young). Results. The average time of escape resulted 14.23±11.24 days. Gender differences are statistically marked and the escaping time is longer for the females (15±7 vs 12±7; P≤0.001). In all the categories of age females need more time before leaving the cage: old (13 vs 20; P≤0.01); adult (13 vs 16; P≤0.01); young (11 vs 13; N.S.). For young animals it takes an average time of 12 days to leave the cage towards the fenced area compared with old animals that stayed hidden in the cage for 16.50 days before living it. Adult hares show average values (14.50 days) between the values for old and young animals. All the escaping times recorded among the categories of age appear statistically different (16.50 vs 14.50 vs 12.00; P

The days of surviving of the hares experimentally controlled were compared during the re-peopling effected by Territorial Hunting Limit of Salerno and Naples Provinces (years 1999-2000 and 2002-2003). Results showed that group cage survival times resulted higher respect to group pen (418 d vs 180 d). Satisfactory results will be obtain only to associate competent and accurate management of the pen area.

The developing agricultural European policy is based on reduction and specialization of zootechnical products. In the marginal and protected areas an increase of the local animal populations and fauna-hunting animals are required. This paper reviewes the the actual possibilities of developing fauna sector in Europe and Italy. Management of natural areas for different professional workers and researchers represent the only way for the conservation and development sensible areas.

This study chiefly aims to ascertain the effect of birth weight and litter size on productive performance in rabbits. After delivery kits were removed from their mothers for individual weighing and randomly assigned to one of the following three experimental treatments: Group (KT 6) with six tiny kits (about 45 g) per litter (21 litters); Group (KT 8) with eight tiny kits (about 45 g) per litter (17 litters); Group (KN8) with eight normal kits (about 70 g) per litter (20 litters). The litters, separated from their mothers by putting them in a closed cage, suckled one time a day for 15 minutes. Daily milk production was measured by weighing the does immediately before and after suckling; body weight of kits was measured on a weekly basis. At weaning 60 rabbits per group were raised for six weeks to ascertain post-weaning performance and health. Compared with the two other groups, the kits of group KT8 ingested smaller quantities of milk both during the first 3 weeks (497.7 vs. 520.0 vs. 544.3 g, respectively for groups KT8, KN8, KT6) and the following period (261.3 vs. 285.0 vs. 302.7 g, respectively for KT8, KN8, KT6). The differences between groups KT8 and KT6 were statistically significant (p

Potenziamento della fauna silvestre mediante ripopolamento con soggetti di allevamento: valutazione delle prestazioni riproduttive in fagiani allevati in Campania

Intensive rabbit breeding normally involves the use of small collective cages housing from 2 to 8 rabbits according to the surface area of the cage. Average density normally lies between 15 and 18 rabbits/m2. Increased interest in safeguarding animal welfare in livestock farming and the need to reduce intensive rabbit production costs have led in recent years to studying alternative housing to the classic cage. In this context, rabbit breeding in colonies could represent an interesting alternative to the classic cage. Colonial breeding and greater space availability appear to better satisfy the behavioural needs of rabbits and their welfare (Ferrante et al., 1997). In terms of production, however, the results appear discordant...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of litter depth on breeding performances and characteristics of broilers. Cobb genetic type were bred on the floor in an environmentally controlled shed and were divided on 3 groups (A= 5 cm depth; B= 3 cm depth; C= 2 cm depth). There were no significant differences in corresponding parameter weights. The litters were still in good condition at the end of our research, however C group litter had more moisture than A and b groups.

In Italy the cultivation damages due to the wild animal are more and more increased in the last years. The National Parks are ionvolved in this problem for the environment and economic implication. In 1997 the National Park of Cilento e Vallo di Diano has provided to nominare a Commission for fauna damages evaluation. Data from 1995 to 1997 were analyzed.

In 1991 Italy Government founded 13 new National Parks. Since 1991 Campania Region include in his surface 14% of national protected areas and in 1993 achieve to 29% with ten regional reserves. A number of very diverse animals and plants are referred as Mediterranean. Different management regulations was adoptes to ensure biodiversity conservation. Present work illustrated the different activity actually used.

The ostrich, introduced in Europe at the beginning of 91's, stirs up a high interest in Italy, with around 15,000 heards bred in 700 farms. The aim of the research was to evaluate the apparent digestible coefficients of diet (concentrate and alfaalfa grass, ratio 4:1) in ostriches aged 6 and 12 weeks.

The productive and reproductive performances of 1000 crossbreed rabbits have been investigated in function of numbers of delivery and physiologic condition. The weight of pregnant and empty rabbits didn't result significantly different. Neverthless the less favorable reproductive performances and less weight of empty rabbits demonstrated a higher energy deficit.

Aim of this study was to value fertility rate of buffalo cows delivered in the first half of the year. A total number of 4004 calvings were analyzed in 6 farms.