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Osteoporotic fracture incidence represents a major social and economic concern in the modern society, where the progressive greying of the population involves an highly increased fracture occurrence. Although the gold standard to diagnose osteoporosis is represented by the T-score measurement, estimated from the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), the identification of the subjects at high risk of fracture still remains an issue. From this perspective, the purpose of this work is to investigate the role that DXA-based two-dimensional patient-specific finite element (FE) models of the proximal femur, in combination with T-score, could play in enhancing the risk of fracture estimation. With this aim, 2D FE models were built from DXA images of the twenty-eight post-menopausal female subjects involved. A sideways fall condition was reproduced and a Risk of Fracture ((RF) ) was computed on the basis of principal strains criteria. The identified (RF) was then compared to that derived from the CT-based models developed in a previous study. The 2D and 3D (RF) turned out to be significantly correlated (Spearman’s ρ=0.66,p

At present, the current gold-standard for osteoporosis diagnosis is based on bone mineral density (BMD) measurement, which, however, has been demonstrated to poorly estimate fracture risk. Further parameters in the hands of the clinicians are represented by the hip structural analysis (HSA) variables, which include geometric information of the proximal femur cross section. The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of HSA parameters as additional hip fracture risk predictors. With this aim, twenty-eight three-dimensional patient-specific models of the proximal femur were built from computed tomography (CT) images and a sideways fall condition was reproduced by finite element (FE) analyses. A tensile or compressive predominance based on minimum and maximum principal strains was determined at each volume element and a risk factor (RF) was calculated. The power of HSA variables combinations to predict the maximum superficial RF values was assessed by multivariate linear regression analysis. The optimal regression model, identified through the Akaike information criterion (AIC), only comprises two variables: the buckling ratio (BR) and the neck-shaft angle (NSA). In order to validate the study, the model was tested on two additional patients who suffered a hip fracture after a fall. The results classified the patients in the high risk level, confirming the prediction power of the adopted model.

Osteoporosis poses a significant public health issue. National Societies have developed Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder with an effort of adapting specific tools for risk assessment on the peculiar characteristics of a given population. The Italian Society for Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism and Bone Diseases (SIOMMMS) has recently revised the previously published Guidelines on the diagnosis, riskassessment, prevention and management of primary and secondary osteoporosis. The guidelines were first drafted by a working group and then approved by the board of SIOMMMS. Subsequently they received also the endorsement of other major Scientific Societies that deal with bone metabolic disease. These recommendations are based on systematic reviews of the best available evidence and explicit consideration of cost effectiveness. When minimal evidence is available, recommendations are based on leading experts’ experience and opinion, and on good clinical practice. The osteoporosis prevention should be based on the elimination of specific risk factors. The use of drugs registered for the treatment of osteoporosis are recommended when the benefits overcome the risk, and this is the case only when the risk of fracture is rather high as measured with variables susceptible to pharmacological effect. DeFRA (FRAX® derived fracture risk assessment) is recognized as a useful tool for easily estimate the long-term fracture risk. Several secondary forms of osteoporosis require a specific diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Anonyxmolytes lilliput gen. nov., sp. nov. (Curculionidae, Molytinae) is described from Vietnam. Anonyxmolytes lilliput is a blind and wingless weevil, characterized by very small size, presence of a layer of exudate, possibly wax, on the body, thickened on the upper and lower margins of the fore femora and the outer margins of the tibiae, and reduced tarsi, lacking claws. The new genus seems phylogenetically related to Otibazo Morimoto; biogeographical implications are discussed.

A complete model for evaluating frequency conversion due to highly nondegenerate four-wave mixing in injection locked Fabry-Perot laser oscillators is presented which takes account of carrier density fluctuations, very fast phenomena and propagation effects. Simplified analytical solutions are obtained in the mean field limit; they are particularly useful for stability analysis and lead to simple expressions that characterise the conversion spectra. Agreement with the results of the distributed model is very satisfactory. Numerical results show good conversion gain up to the terahertz region and a complex behaviour of the frequency response near side resonances; in particular, controlled injection locking allows a wideband response to be achieved.

Simulation results of frequency conversion up to the terahertz region in semiconductor laser devices, both in bulk and quantum-well structures, are presented with a comparison of traveling wave amplifiers and Fabry—Perot oscillators. In both devices conversion gains greater than 0 dB can be achieved with a proper parameter choice. Interesting features of the conversion gain spectra for the oscillator-converter are pointed out with a discussion of the performances.

A model for highly nondegenerate fourwave mixing in semiconductor lasers has been implemented, with possible application to amplifiers operating under multifrequency optical fields and to oscillators used for frequency conversion. Fast phenomena, such as spectral hole burning and hot carrier effects, are accounted for in a unified approach through the density matrix formalism. Hence, the model is suitable for evaluating frequency mixing effects over a very wide range of beat frequency, starting from zero up to thousands of gigahertz. Interest in these phenomena has increased in recent years, both for the analysis of basic material characteristics and for application to devices for multichannel coherent optical communication systems. As an example, the model has been used to compute intermodulation effects in a travelling-wave amplifier, under multicarrier operation. The numerical simulation results are in satisfactory agreement with experimental measurements recently reported in the literature.

The work illustrates the techniques that have been described to date concerning the modes of nesting in Attelabidae. From a synthesis of these behavioural characteristics, a reliable evolutionary framework is developed and used to generate a more natural systematic re-organisation of the family.

A complete model to evaluate frequency conversion that is due to highly nondegenerate four-wave mixing in Fabry–Perot laser oscillators is presented; propagation effects are taken into account. Simplified expressions are obtained in the limit of perfectly reflecting mirrors that permit analytical solutions; they are in good agreement with the results of the numerical analysis. Examples of results exhibit interesting features such as a correction factor for the relaxation frequency peak, good conversion gain up to the terahertz region, and complex behavior of the frequency response near side-mode resonances.

Either exogenous or endogenous glucocorticoid excess is an established cause of osteoporosis and fractures. Glucocorticoids exert their negative effects on bone through mechanisms that are not yet completely elucidated; however, as many as 50% of patients with Cushing's syndrome suffer from osteoporosis. Bone loss induced by glucocorticoids is potentially reversible after resolution of glucocorticoid excess. It is presently unknown if Cushing's disease (CD) sustained by a pituitary ACTH-producing adenoma and adrenal-dependent Cushing's syndrome (ACS) sustained by an adrenocortical adenoma have a different potential of inducing osteopenia. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze bone mineral density (BMD) in 26 patients with CD (4 men, 22 women, aged 14-79 years), 12 patients with ACS (4 men, 8 women, aged 32-79 years) and 38 healthy subjects carefully matched for sex, age and body mass index (BMI). Measurement of BMD was performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) using the Hologic QDR 4500 W instrument. Data were analyzed using absolute BMD values (g/cm2), T-score and Z-score referred to the manufacturer's normative data for the lumbar spine and to the NHANES III dataset for the hip. The patients with CD and ACS were comparable for age, BMI, estimated duration of disease, urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels, midnight serum cortisol and gonadal function. The analysis of variance demonstrated that lumbar bone densitometric parameters were significantly different among the three groups. They were more reduced in patients with ACS (BMD, 0.76+/-0.03 g/cm2; T-score, -2.78+/-0.28; Z-score, -2.25+/-0.30) while patients with CD (BMD, 0.87+/-0.02 g/cm2; T-score, -1.74+/-0.24; Z-score, -0.99+/-0.32) showed DXA values between the first group and controls (BMD, 1.02+/-0.02 g/cm2; T-score, -0.35+/-0.19; Z-score, 0.33+/-0.16). The difference in BMD at the spine remained statistically significant ( P=0.04) after adjustment for the non-significant differences in age, UFC and fat mass between CD and ACS. Conversely, femoral bone densitometric parameters were not significantly different between patients with ACS and CD, even if they were more reduced than in controls. In patients with ACS, we observed a reduction of DHEA-S levels, expressed as standard score ( Z-score) values referred to a group of 180 healthy subjects stratified by sex and different age groups (40 years, between 40 and 60 years,60 years) to circumvent the pronounced effect of gender and age on such hormone (ACS DHEA-S Z-score -0.88+/-1.4 versus CD DHEA-S Z-score 2.25+/-2.35, P=0.0001). DHEA-S Z-score values were significantly correlated with lumbar BMD ( r=0.41, P=0.02) and femoral BMD ( r=0.43, P=0.01). DHEA-S Z-score values were also significantly correlated with osteocalcin levels ( r=0.45, P=0.01). Our data suggest that bone loss is greater in ACS than in CD. A plausible explanation comes from the reduced DHEA-S level in ACS since DHEA-S has well known anabolic actions on bone. However, this hypothesis needs to be confirmed in large, prospective series of patients with Cushing's syndrome of different etiology.

A complete model to evaluate frequency conversion due to highly nondegenerate four-wave mixing in injection locked Fabry-Perot MQW laser oscillators is presented; it includes, besides carrier density fluctuations, very fast phenomena and propagation effects. The locking conditions are analyzed by means of an approximate method based on the mean field limit. The numerical results show good conversion gain up to the THz region and a complex behavior of the frequency response near side resonances; in particular controlled injection locking allows one to achieve a wide band response for the conversion gain.

The main problem in the management of the patients with incidentally discovered adrenal mass (incidentaloma) is whether and when the incidental mass puts the patient at increased risk for an adverse outcome. As osteoporosis is a well known complication of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoid excess, it is likely that patients with incidentally discovered adrenocortical adenomas have impaired bone mass due to subclinical hypercortisolism. We measured spinal bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in 27 patients (9 men and 18 women) and 54 healthy subjects (18 men and 36 women) carefully matched for age, sex, body mass index, and menstrual status for a case-control analysis. BMD was also measured at the hip in the group of patients. A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine which biochemical variables might influence BMD values. Lumbar BMD values in patients with adrenal incidentaloma were not significantly different from those in control subjects (BMD, 0.926, 0.604--1.144 vs. 0.936, 0.645--1.268 g/cm(2); P = NS). No significant difference in lumbar and femoral BMD was found between patients with or without subclinical Cushing's syndrome. Among the variables processed, only PTH remained in the final model and was inversely correlated with lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD values (r = -0.5; r(2) = 0.25; P = 0.015 and r = -0.42; r(2) = 0.18; P = 0.03, respectively). In conclusion, our data do not suggest that the slight glucocorticoid excess associated with adrenal incidentaloma increases the risk of osteoporosis. The evaluation of BMD does not seem to be crucial in the management of incidentally discovered adrenal masses.

The clinical features, pathogenesis and management of bone involvement in Cushing's syndrome are briefly reviewed. Personal data on bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover in Cushing's syndrome and adrenal incidentalomas are also reported. As long ago as 1932, Harvey Cushing recognized osteoporosis as a serious consequence of endogenous hypercortisolism. The introduction of cortisone in the therapy of autoimmune, rheumatic, allergic or dermatologic disorders was followed by several reports of detrimental effects on bone of patients who had undergone prolonged glucocorticoid treatment. Due to the rarity of Cushing's syndrome, most of the studies in the literature on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis refer to exogenous over-exposure to cortisone and its synthetic derivatives. Only a small number of works concern endogenous hypercortisolism, even if the characteristics of bone damage seem qualitatively the same. Finally, very few data are reported on the hypothetical detrimental effect on bone in the condition of the silent hypercortisolism of adrenal incidentalomas. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in Cushing's syndrome often results in vertebral fractures, and bone loss is more evident in trabecular than in cortical bone. Notwithstanding some distinctive features in osteoporosis induced by endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoid excess, the common eventual picture is notable bone damage that involves mainly the trabecular bone. Prompt and effective therapy is mandatory to reduce the risk of fractures. The present options include calcium and vitamin D supplementation, estrogen replacement therapy, bisphosphonates, either oral or parenteral. A novel approach to the clinical problem of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis might, in the future, be based on studies on selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators, a new class of synthetic glucocorticoids that exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities, with reduced side effects on bone.

The aim of this study was to perform a national survey on occasionally discovered adrenal masses [adrenal incidentalomas (AI)] under the auspices of the Italian Society of Endocrinology. This multicentric and retrospective evaluation of patients with AI includes 1096 cases collected in 26 centers between 1980 and 1995. Relevant information was obtained by means of a specifically tailored questionnaire. Of the 1096 forms received, 1004 were retained for final analysis. Patients were 420 males and 584 females, aged between 15-86 yr (median, 58 yr). Mass size (computed tomography measurement) ranged from 0.5-25 cm (median, 3.0 cm). Hormonal work-up demonstrated that 85% of the masses were nonhypersecretory, 9.2% were defined as subclinical Cushing's syndrome, 4.2% were pheochromocytomas, and 1.6% were aldosteronomas. Adrenalectomy was performed in 380 patients with removal of 198 cortical adenomas (52%), 47 cortical carcinomas (12%), 42 pheochromocytomas (11%), and other less frequent tumor types. Patients with carcinoma were significantly younger than patients with adenoma (median, 46; range, 17-84; vs. 57, 16-83 yr; P = 0.05). Adenomas were significantly smaller than carcinomas (3.5, 1-15 vs. 7.5, 2.6-25 cm; P0.001), and a cut-off at 4.0 cm had the highest sensitivity (93%) in differentiating between benign and malignant tumors. Hormonal work-up of patients with subclinical Cushing's syndrome showed low baseline ACTH in 79%, cortisol unsuppressibility after 1 mg dexamethasone in 73%, above normal urinary free cortisol in 75%, disturbed cortisol rhythm in 43%, and blunted ACTH response to CRH in 55%. Only 43% of patients with pheochromocytoma were hypertensive, and 86% showed elevated urinary catecholamines. All patients with aldosteronoma were hypertensive and had suppressed upright PRA. These results indicate that mass size is the most reliable variable in separating benign from malignant AI. Adrenalectomy should be recommended for AI greater than 4.0 cm because of the increased risk of malignancy, especially in young patients. Endocrine evaluation should be performed in all patients to identify silent states of hormone excess.

The incidental discovery of an adrenal mass has become a frequent finding because of the increased use and technical improvement of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. The approach to the investigation of these masses is ill-defined, and unequivocal guidelines for their management are lacking. The first problem concerns the distinction between malignant masses requiring surgery and the more frequent benign masses. In the case of a benign mass, an additional problem is the method of follow-up, considering cost, discomfort to the patient, and the consequences of false-positive results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of ultrasonography (US) in the follow-up of incidentally discovered adrenal masses.Two hundred eight cases of adrenal incidentalomas consecutively diagnosed in Piedmont, Italy from 1989 to 1996 and collected for a retrospective multicenter analysis were used. The US and CT characteristics of the adrenal masses were compared in patients who underwent surgery.Most patients were 50 to 69 years of age; women were predominantly affected. CT was more reliable than US in detecting the malignant nature of an adrenal lesion. The mass diameter measured by US and CT was clearly correlated.At diagnosis, US was not sufficiently reliable in evaluating adrenal mass characteristics. Considering the high correlation between US and CT size estimation, in the case of a presumably benign lesion, US could be considered a simple, economic, and effective method of follow-up, with CT limited to evaluating masses growing over time (CT remains mandatory at diagnosis).

We evaluated serum bone Gla-protein (osteocalcin, BGP), carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) in 15 patients with active acromegaly (6M aged 27-54, 4 PMF aged 39-51, 5MP aged 54-65 years), 12 with active Cushing's syndrome [(CS) 2M of 32 and 42 years; 4PMF aged 25-40; 6MF aged 50-64)] and controls evenly matched for age, sex and menstrual status. Patients with acromegaly were evaluated before and at regular intervals on octreotide treatment (50-150 micrograms t.i.d., s.c.); the duration of the follow-up was 5-49 months (median 28). Endocrine evaluation included measurements of serum GH, IGF-I, BGP, PICP and PIINP. In a case-control analysis, acromegalic patients showed increased BGP (14.3 +/- 2.1 vs 8.3 +/- 2.1 ng/ml p < 0.001) and PIIINP concentrations (4.8 +/- 1.4 vs 3.1 +/- 0.7 micrograms/l, p < 0.02). During octreotide treatment we observed a roughly parallel decline of GH, IGF-I and BGP. BGP and log-transformed 24-h mean GH concentrations were positively correlated (r = 0.48, p < 0.001) as was the case for BGP and IGF-I (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). Also PIIINP correlated with log-transformed GH (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) and IGF-I (r = 0.35, p < 0.05). Serum PICP did not differ in the two groups (152 +/- 55 vs 120 +/- 55 micrograms/l, NS) and did not correlate either with GH or IGF-I. Patients with CS were evaluated measuring serum and urinary cortisol (UFC), ACTH, BGP, PICP, PIIINP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The extensive use of visualization techniques has allowed the finding of adrenal masses without clinical symptoms in a growing number of patients affected by diseases of different nature. The challenge of these masses, so called incidentalomas, is particularly diagnostic but also prognostic and therapeutic. A flow-chart of proper investigations utilized in a tumoral patient harbouring a left adrenal mass, permitted the correct diagnosis and prognosis.

Human sexual behaviour is determined by different regulatory systems. Central and peripheral nervous system, endocrine and vascular systems, all play a pivotal role in the modulation of male sexual activity. Therefore, many steps of possible drug interference can be recognized. In this regard, drugs are usually classified on the basis of their side effects (impairment of libido, erection and/or ejaculation). In the present work we review the sexual-related side effects of drugs of widespread clinical use on the basis of their mechanism and site of action.

A microscopic model of four-wave mixing in semiconductor materials is applied to the analysis of bulk and multiple quantum well travelling wave amplifiers. The nonlinear optical response includes, in the framework of the density matrix formalism, the main four-wave mixing processes for frequency detuning of the input optical fields up to the THz region. A typical pump and probe configuration is considered, where a strong pump at angular frequency ωpump with a weaker probe ωprobe is injected at the input; at the output a new signal appears with ωsignal = 2ωpump – ωprobe. Particular emphasis is given to the comparison and the optimisation of frequency conversion in bulk and quantum well amplifiers. In optimised devices, the numerical results show good conversion performances in the two kinds of structures, even if quantum well amplifiers give higher conversion gains.

I coleotteri attelabidi e curculionidi a diffusione transadriatica G. OSELLA — L. MAGNANO Mureo Civico Storia Natumle Verona Lzmgadige Porta Vz'ttorz'a, 9 SUMMARY After careful studies on the Italian weevils, 100 species (besides 22 doubtful) with typical transadriatic chorology (sensu Gridelli, 1950), are here listed. This number represents 55% of the Italian weevils fauna, and, probably, 7-8% of the Appenine one. Consequently, we note 66 taxa more those in the past analysed (70, if we consider 4 previously placed on the group, now not furthermore considered). All selected species has been, on the systematical, chorologicae, ecological and (when possible) biological points of view, examined, and many original data setted for the first time. All data yet, at last, are summarised in a detailed prospectus and in seventeen notes. Afther this research, Gridelli’s zoogeographical ideas seem to us much more documented. However, for the greater number of the species, actually it's impossible decide if they are present in Italy from the Tertiary or from the Quaternary Era. The problem is well worth also for the endemic species and subspecies (the endogean and, perhaps, the South and/or West Palaearctic one excepted). Infact we are inclined to consider them as installed in Appenine during the Quaternary Era. Mostly of them, infact, are microthermic and/or mountain taxa. We suppose too 21 duble crossing of the Adriatic sea of some species (from East to West side) as in the case of the O1. crz'm'pe_r species group and perhaps, 01. corzrezztaizez/5. Very interesting is also the chorology of Haptomerus and Canor/Jyncbz/5, two supposed Miocenic genera typified, each one, i.n Italy by 21 peculiar taxon (H. riculur and C. luz'gz'om'z', respectively). Consecutively we supposed these taxa to be able to pass through the Adriatic sea (from West to the East side) and, afterwards, to colonize small territories of the adiacent Grecian Peninsula. PREMESSA Sono trascorsi trentacinque anni dalla pubblicazione di una delle piu impor- tanti ricerche di biogeografia adriatica mai stampate in Italia, vale a dire «Il problema delle specie a diffusione transadriatica con particolare riguardo ai Coleotterigg di E. G1-idelli (1950). In tale lavoro l’autore, rielaborando una serie di ipotesi paleogeografiche, tenta una spiegazione logica e convincente circa la distribuzione di molte specie di Coleotteri i cui areali attuali sono disgiunti dal Mare Adriatico. I Le sue spiegazioni si basano essenzialmente su due ipotesi: 1°) apporti di elementi balcanici alla fauna della nascente penisola italiana grazia al «congiun— gimento» al nostro territorio, di due frammenti dell’Egeide: il Gargano e la penisola pugliese (elementi paleogeici); 2°) passaggio diretto di elementi fauni- stici (da e per l’Italia) durante la regressione romana (elementi quaternari). La scelta delle entita utilizzate per sostenere le sue tesi e stata accuratissirna e dal 701

G. OSELLA (Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Verona) I Curculionidi cavernicoli italiani (Riassunto) Vengono brevemente trattati in questa relazione i curculionidi endogei Che pifi 0 meno regolarmente pervengono nell’a1I1biente cavernicolo dall’ambiente ipogeo circostante. L’a. osserva che, delle cinque sottofamiglie mediterranee di rincofori con rappresentanti nell’ambiente ipogeo, solo una — quella degli Otiorhynchinae - e presente con relativa frequenza nelle caverne del nostro paese. Per le altre (Raymondionyminae, Cryptorhynchinae, Cossoninae, Hylo- biinae, Erirrhininae) 0 non si hanno reperti 0 essi sono del tutto casuali (salvo alcune eccezioni). La causa principale della colonizzazione delle caverne da parte degli Otiorhynchlnae (genere Troglor/ayrzc/any Schmidt) E: dovuto al fatto che si tratta di rizofagi legati alle radici degli alberi che spesso si affondano profondamente nel suolo seguendo quest’ultirne. Il genere Troglor/yyizc/my Schmidt, in Italia, e divisibile in cinque gruppi di specie, cioe i seguenti: gruppo cmop/atbalmus-mzop/r2z‘bcz[77z0ides: Slovenia, Istria, Veneto (sino a Cansiglio); p__4 gruppo bczlcleizxiss Lessini, M.te Baldo, Giudicarie ed Alpi Orobie; gruppo lalirostrisz Appennino centrale; gruppo greizieriz Nizzardo, Corsica, Sardegna settentrionale; gruppo lemme: Isola del Giglio, Sardegna centrale. Di tutte le specie di questo genere presenti nei confini geografici italiani, 12 sono esclusivamente conosciute di caverna, 3 sia cli caverna sia del suolo, 20 solo del suolo.

Onloth July 1976 after an explosion in a chemical plant near Seveso a vast inhabited area was contaminated by certain chemicals including the extremely toxic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).

L. MAGNANO G. OSELLA PIAZZETTA SCALA, 4 MUSEO CIVICO STORIA NATURALE VERONA VERONA I Curculionidi delle Alpi Apuane (Coleoptera) (CON CINQUE FIGURE NEL nssm) I Curculionidi delle Alpi Apuane, come la quasi totalita degli ani~ mali Che popolano questa catena sono, nel cornplesso, praticamente sconosciuti se si fa eccezione per i pochi dati reperibili in Ietteratura. La decisione del S.I.B., durante 1’ultimo Congresso di Genova, di affron- tare lo studio floristico e faunistico di queste rnontagne con un con- vegno di carattere monotematico, sono state assai opportune perche hanno stirnolato gli zoologi a condurre le prime organiche esplorazioni faunistiche. Riteniamo che esse, pur nella Ioro incompletezza, abbiano permesso di delineare Yentita ed il significato di questo popolamento, almeno per i pochi gruppi indagati, si da poterne trarre qualche consi- derazione di carattere zoogeografico. Per quanto riguarda i Curculionidi, uno di noi infatti (Osella) ha potuto compiere quattro brevi ricerche nel settembre 1969 (M.te Pania della Croce, Levigliani, M.te Altissimo), nel giugno 1970 (Fornovolasco, M.te Forato), nel luglio 1970 (M.te Pisa- nino, M.te Cavallo, Foce di Cardeto, Rifugio Donegani, Grarnolazzo) ed infine a Passo Sella, M.te Fiocca, M.te Surnbra, Pian della Fioba du- rante le gite cornpiute con il congresso delle Apuane (24-25 settembre 1970). Altro rnateriale Ci 6: stato consegnato dagli arnici di Siena, in par- ticolar modo daila dr.ssa Giovanna Lazzeroni, poi dal Cir. C, A. Ravizza di Milano ed, infine, da11’amico G. Castellini di Firenze che ha svolto ricerche particolarmente interessanti nelle zone di Fornovolasco, Sta2- zema e Ponte Stazzemese. Ad essi va il nostro pifi vivo ringraziamento. Per gli scopi propostici nel seguente lavoro, inoltre, assai utili sono risultati i materiali raccolti da C. Mancini e dal dr. A. Andreini (conser- vati ora nelle rispettive collezioni presso i Musei di Genova (M.G.) e di Firenze (M.F.)) nonche i dati reperibili nella collezione Soiari ora custo- dita presso il Museo di Milano. A11’uopo ringraziarno vivamente i Diret- tori dei Musei di Milano, prof. C. Conci, i1 conservatore per gli Insetti

L. MAGNANO — G. OSELLA La curculionidofauna delle isole circum-siciliane: alcune osservazioni zoogeografiche * Le piccole isole circurmsiciliane non sono mai state oggetto cli ri- cerche sistematiche ed accurate. Alcune fra di esse, tuttavia, particolar— rnente quelle poste al centro del canale di Sicilia, hanno attratto sin clagli ultimi clecenni dell’800 l’attenzione dei naturalisti, data la loro peculiare posizione geografica; purtroppo non sono mai stati resi pub- blici i risultati definitivi cli queste ricerche ad eccezione di qualche nota (preliminare 0 parziale) e le descrizioni delle nuove entitfi rinvenute. Soltanto per Malta esiste una buona panoramica cl’insien1e, per i coleot- teri, dovuta a CAMERON e CARUANA-GATTO (1907). Le Eolie e le Egacli sono sempre state, invece, del tutto ignorate. Nel 1960 E cornparsa la pregevole monografia delle Pelagic di ZAVATTARI e COLL. nella quale e esposto il punto delle nostre conc- scenze su queste isole cos? diverse, faunisticamente, dal resto della Penisola. Le indagini promosse recentemente dal C.N.R. nell’arnbit0 clel pro- gramma di ricerca per le piccole isole italiane ed affidate a diversi Istituti di Zoologia, hanno avuto il rnerito indubbio di colmare in parte le lacune maggiori nelle nostre conoscenze. L’elaborazione dei nuovi clati ottenuti con queste ricerche, dei dati ricavabili dalla sparsa letteratura criticamente vagliata e di quelli inediti esistenti in varie collezioni (stagna- tamente in quella Solari) Ci hanno permesso di tentare questa sintesi preliminare della curculionidofauna traendone anche spunto per brevi note zoogeografiche. (*) I1 lavoro degli AA. E: state cosi suddiviso: isole Eolie (L. Magnano); restanti isole circum-siciliane e sintesi finale (G. Osella).