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Assessing the conservation status of protected species needs quantitative population data, generally obtained using Capture-Mark-Recapture methods (CMR). The exploitation of natural marking (e.g. individual morphological traits) offers an interesting alternative, based on image analyses, which may result in a less manipulation of protected species compared to the typical artificial marking method. In our 2-year CMR study, we tested for the first time in the natural setting the feasibility and the application of the computer-aided photographic identification method of Rosalia alpina using the individual elytral spots as the natural marking. The I3SC software was used for the photographic analysis. Data were collected from populations of two National Parks of central Italy during July–August in 2014 and 2015. We developed a standard procedure in order to optimise the image acquisition in the field and to acquire clear and comparable images, facilitating the I3SC screening process. The results demonstrated that the computer-aided photographic identification of natural markings can be implemented in a CMR population study of R. alpina. Our image processing approach showed that using only the elytral central spot contours made the tracing contour process less time-consuming obtaining reliable results. Furthermore, I3SC output scores were used to identify a threshold value for the identification of new individuals or recaptures, facilitating the final identification proposed by operators. Finally, we assessed the possibility of performing the methodology using a Citizen Science approach.

This study explored the hole-nesting bird community for two years, in three beech forest stands of central Italy. Our experimental design involved 12 replicated sampling points in each study area for a total of 36 sampling points. Stand characteristics were measured through selected environmental variables (tree diameter, tree density, volume of dead wood, diversity of dead wood and canopy closure), to develop habitat models for describing the factors affecting the abundance of hole-nesting birds. We performed generalized linear models to determine which environmental variables better explained the presence and abundance of hole-nesting birds in the three study areas. The species that showed the highest values of abundance are the Nuthatch, the Blue Tit and the Great Tit. Within the guild of hole-nesting birds there are differences in the selection of suitable trees for nesting, roosting or foraging. Primary cavity nesters (woodpeckers) are mostly related to the presence of large trees, the volume of dead wood and tree height. The presence and abundance of secondary cavity nesters (tits, nuthatches and treecreepers) seem to be mostly influenced by diversity of dead wood. The diversity of dead wood is an important variable that influences the presence and abundance of hole-nesting birds. Maintenance of both living and standing dead wood in forest ecosystems is recommended to increase the effectiveness of conservation actions affecting the hole-nesting birds. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

The longhorn beetle Morimus asper exhibits the typical sexual dimorphism of cerambycid beetles: males have longer antennae than females and the antennal length also varies greatly among males of the same population. This study explores the sexual dimorphism in M. asper and the scaling relationship between antennal length and body size in males. Our aim was to assess the allometric pattern of these two traits and their potential effects on individual eco-ethological features. Sexual dimorphism was observed in antennal length and in other morphological traits: males showed longer pronota and females larger and longer elytra, suggesting that males allocate more resources to the anterior body traits, while in females more resources are invested in the development of post-prothoracic body traits. The allometric relationship between antennal length and elytra length of males was best described by a segmented regression, which identified a switch point dividing the male population into two different groups. The analysis of covariance showed that smaller males (with elytra length below the switch point) exhibit a positive allometry, while larger males (above the switch point) showed isometric scaling relationship. Our findings showed that morphometric traits were correlated with aspects of male behaviour and ecology: larger males were more frequently found mating, probably because they have an advantage in defending mates and in winning fights against other males.

Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most attractive saproxylic longhorn beetle in Europe, ranked as a priority species and listed the Annexes II and IV of the European Habitats Directive 92/43EEC. The distribution range of R. alpina extends from central-southern Europe to northern Turkey and Caucasic Region (Sama G. 2002). In Italy, this species is widespread and mainly associated to ancient deciduous beech forests. In the frame of EU-LIFE Project MIPP (Monitoring Insects with Public Participation, LIFE11 NAT/IT/000252) - aimed to standardize methods for monitoring R. alpina in Europe - ecological data on population size and habitat preferences of this species were collected in two National Parks in Italy (PNFC: Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi; PNALM: Parco Nazionale Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise). These ecological surveys were integrated by the analysis of genetic polymorphism at 6 microsatellite loci (Drag et al. 2013) in a sub-sample of 89 individuals of R. alpina from both PNFC and PNALM (years: 2014-2015) to assess levels of heterozygosity, population structuring and gene flow. Our analysis suggests similar levels of genetic diversity among examined sub-populations (with only slight differences in allelic richness), also comparable to those already observed in South-East Europe (Drag et al. 2015). Inferences about inbreeding, kin relationships and extent of gene flow among Italian R. alpina populations are presented. Finally, the significance of integrating ecological and genetic data to set efficient conservation planning for endangered saproxylic beetles are remarked.

Copyright Alessandro Campanaro et al. Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) is a large longhorn beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) which is protected by the Habitats Directive and which typically inhabits beech forests characterised by the presence of mature, dead (or moribund) and sun-exposed trees. A revision of the current knowledge on systematics, ecology and conservation of R. alpina is reported. The research was carried out as part of the LIFE MIPP project which aims to find a standard monitoring method for saproxylic beetles protected in Europe. For monitoring this species, different methods were tested and compared in two areas of the Apennines, utilising wild trees, logs and tripods (artificially built with beech woods), all potentially suitable for the reproduction of the species. Even if all methods succeeded in the survey of the target species, these results showed that the use of wild trees outperformed other methods. Indeed, the use of wild trees allowed more adults to be observed and required less intensive labour. However, monitoring the rosalia longicorn on wild trees has the main disadvantage that they can hardly be considered “standard sampling units”, as each tree may be differently attractive to adults. Our results demonstrated that the most important factors influencing the attraction of single trunks were wood volume, sun-exposure and decay stage. Based on the results obtained during the project LIFE MIPP, as well as on a literature review, a standard monitoring method for R. alpina was developed.

Animal body size commonly exhibits a remarkable variation in response to environmental conditions. Latitude, when correlated with temperature, rainfall and seasonality, represents one of the main determinants of variation in body size, as well as in allometry. It has long been recognised that populations of larger body size are found in colder environments (Bergmann's Rule), a cornerstone of evolutionary ecology. However, the way in which latitude might influence investment in exaggerated weapons of animals has received little attention. The European stag beetle Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) is the focus of this study. Males of this species exhibit exaggerated mandibles, mainly used as weapons during intra-sexual conflicts. Five populations ranging from northern Italy to the southern limit of the distribution of L. cervus were analysed. Combining morphological and phenological data, latitudinal variation in body size, weapon investment and activity period of the adults were evaluated. The analysis of the allometry of mandibles strongly supported the presence of two male morphs. Large males (major morph) invest significantly more in weapons compared to males of the minor morph. Consistent with Bergmann's Rule, these results confirmed that the stag beetle body size increased at higher latitudes (N) and that this increase in size triggers an arms race which leads to further exaggeration of male weapons which is particularly evident in major males. In this morph, the mandible allometric coefficient line was steeper for the northern populations. The activity period also varied with latitude, beginning later at lower latitudes. Characterisation and comparison of adult phenologies provide valuable data to be used in the design of monitoring programmes for this threatened species and are important for modelling the species responses to climate change.

Morimus asper is a saproxylic longhorn beetle associated with mature forests. Its flightless condition makes its colonization of new trees in fragmented areas difficult. Our 2-year mark-recapture study revealed new information about the survival ability, population dynamics and habitat preference of M. asper in three beech forests of central Italy. Daily surveys were performed from May to July in 2013 and 2014, inspecting suitable trees for hosting the species. A low percentage of overwintered adults was observed for both sexes, with a very long lifespan: 282–409 days. Almost all individuals were recaptured on the tree of their first capture, and dispersal (20–451 m) was recorded only in thirteen individuals. Adult phenology showed two peaks of activity (middle of May and middle of June). Population estimates varied significantly according to site and year. Mean daily temperature affected recapture probability and total captures (optimal range of 15–26 °C). The species showed preference for huge lying trees, branches on the ground, a low percentage of debarked surface and high canopy closure. M. asper showed a high survival probability, but the few movements observed, combined with its flightless condition, suggest strongly that this species has a low dispersal ability, highly threatened by local fragmentation. Furthermore, almost all captures were made on the same tree, making this a “key tree” for population viability. Forest management techniques should retain many lying trees, abundant coarse woody debris and a dense canopy that ensures a ‘cooler’ temperature in the understory, favouring M. asper and its conservation.

The LIFE project “MIPP” - Monitoring of Insects with Public Participation (11 NAT/IT/000252) is focused on selected insect species (five Coleoptera, three Lepidoptera, one Orthoptera), all included in the annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive (HD) 92/43/EEC. One important aim is a citizen science initiative where every person may become a citizen scientist and collect faunistic data on the above species throughout Italy. Another objective of the project MIPP is the development of standard methods for monitoring the conserva- tion status of the five target beetle species. One innovative method employed is a sniffer-dog (“Osmodog”), trained to find the rare and endangered hermit beetle, Osmoderma eremita, which lives in veteran, hollow trees. The dog detects the strong smell of mature peach produced by adult males and an odor produced by the larvae. Another objective of the project MIPP is the dissemination of topics such as HD, Natura 2000, importance of dead-wood, Life projects, insect monitoring and conservation., Fragmenta Entomologica, Vol. 47 No. 1 (2015)