Luca Luiselli

Bio: Luca Luiselli is an academic researcher from Eni. The author has contributed to research in topics: Species richness & Population. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 69 publications receiving 587 citations. Previous affiliations of Luca Luiselli include Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Can a large metropolis sustain complex herpetofauna communities? An analysis of the suitability of green space fragments in Rome

Abstract: Urban areas are primary causes of species’ range fragmentation and reduction. However, relatively few studies have attempted to describe the habitat variables influencing the diversity and conservation of amphibians and reptiles, particularly in Mediterranean Europe and in large metropolitan areas. We explored this broad conservation ecology problem by studying the richness and diversity patterns in relation to a suite of six independent habitat variables in Rome, one of the most ancient cities of the world. We considered all the green remnant areas (n = 62) of Rome, ranging 1 to 41000 ha in size, which are interspersed within a sea of urbanized matrix. A total of 10 amphibian and 15 reptile species were studied. Their presence/absence patterns were assessed and the effects of the various habitat variables on each species were predicted by a logistic regression model. A total of 1261 presence records (404 amphibians and 857 reptiles) were analysed. Fragment size and wood size within each fragment did correlate significantly with the species richness of both amphibians and reptiles, and there was a clear threshold effect after 50 ha of wooded surface. The presence of water bodies positively affected the species distribution. One amphibian and three reptiles inhabited exclusively fragments 450 ha. The distance from the centre did not affect fragment species richness. The presence of most species of both amphibians and reptiles was positively influenced by the irregular versus circular shape of the wooded area. The legal protection of a given area did not influence the observed patterns but the total number of sheltered species. Overall, our study suggests that, in order to maintain the current diversity and population viability, it is necessary, in addition to water bodies’ maintenance, to (1) preserve the wooded landscapes over 50 ha; (2) promote irregularly shaped increases in the wood surface; (3) maintain ecotonal boundaries.

Surveying an endangered saproxylic beetle, Osmoderma eremita, in Mediterranean woodlands: a comparison between different capture methods

Abstract: Measuring population size is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and in the case of rare species, it is sometimes practically impossible to estimate abundance, whereas estimation of occupancy is possible. Furthermore, obtaining reliable population size estimates is not straightforward, as different sampling techniques can give misleading results. A mark-recapture study of the endangered saproxylic beetle Osmoderma eremita was performed in central Italy by applying four independent capture methods within a study area where 116 hollow trees were randomly selected to set traps. Detection probability and population size estimates were drawn from each of these four capture methods. There were strong differences in detection probability among methods. Despite using pheromone and beetle manipulation, capture histories were not affected by trap-happiness or trap-shyness. Population size estimates varied considerably in both abundance and precision by capture method. A number of 0.5 and 0.2 adult beetles per tree was estimated using the whole data set by closed and open population models, respectively. Pitfall trap appeared the optimal method to detect the occurrence of this species. Since in the southern part of its distribution range, a single population of O. eremita is widespread in the landscape, and includes beetles from more than one hollow tree, conservation efforts should focus not only on preserving few and isolated monumental hollow trees, but should be extended to large stands.

Dieta ry patte rns and overlap in an amphibian assemblage at a pond in Mediterranean Central Italy

Abstract: The trophic niche characteristics of an amphibian assemblage were studied at a pond locality in Canale Monterano, province of Roma, Central Italy. The assemblage consisted of six species, four anurans (Bufo bufo, Hyla intermedia, Rana dalmatina, Pelophylax skl. esculentus), and two salamanders (Triturus carnifex, Triturus vulgaris). Food contents were obtained by stomach flushing. Stomach vacuity index varied substantially among species, and the species spending longer timespan within the reproductive site were also those with lower vacuity index values. Correspondence analysis discriminated two groups of species: one feeding mainly on terrestrial prey and the other on aquatic prey. Pseudo-community analysis revealed that the terrestrial guild of species was non-randomly structured when analysed by RA2 algorithm for volume of prey but neither for number of prey, nor for both number and volume of prey analysed by RA3. The aquatic subset of species appeared to be randomly assembled according to both RA2 and RA3 algorithms, either for number or for volume of prey. These results indicate that for terrestrial species, micro-habitat resource partitioning and body size discrepancy among species could be the factors influencing dietary patterns and facilitating species coexistence, whereas for aquatic species the observed high overlap in diet spectrum is mainly due to both generalist feeding habits of newts and the superabundance of food resources occurring at the study pond.

Species richness and distribution of Neotropical rodents, with conservation implications

Abstract: The correlates of species richness and conservation status of South American rodents were studied by analyzing the ranges of 791 species (belonging to 159 genera and 16 families). The distribution data (size of each species ’ range in km 2 ) and the relative quantity of each macrohabitat type (in km 2 ) were obtained from the Global Mammal Assessment data bank of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Global Land Cover 2000, respectively. We excluded mainly island species from analyses but included those species that occur on both islands and the mainland. Habitats were grouped according to seven categories (shrubland, forest, grassland, savannah, wetlands, desert, and artificial). Mean range sizes varied significantly among families, with members of the family Cuniculidae having larger ranges than the species belonging to the rest of the families. Mean range size did not differ significantly between endemic and non-endemic taxa. There was a significant positive relation between total species richness and the availability of habitat types. Specialized species (i.e., those linked to a single habitat type) were found especially in forests, but shrublands and grasslands were also important. IUCN threatened species were distributed in a scattered way, and essentially in forests, grasslands, and shrublands. No region of the Neotropics housed more than two to three threatened taxa, apart from a spot in north-central Peru with five species. The richness of IUCN threatened species was higher in the montane forest ecosystems of the Andes, north-central Peru, than in other areas of South America. There was a mismatch between the hotspot maps for threatened and endemic species. The conservation implications of these patterns are discussed.

Diversity of life

Abstract: It is clear that the above can lead to confusion when scientists of different countries are trying to communicate with each other. Another example is the burrowing rodent called a gopher found throughout the western United States. In the southeastern United States the term gopher refers to a burrowing turtle very similar to the desert tortoise found in the American southwest. One final example; two North American mammals known as the elk and the caribou are known in Europe as the reindeer and the elk. We never sing “Rudolph the Red-nosed elk”! Confused? This was the reason for creating an internationally recognized system of naming organisms. To avoid confusion, living organisms are assigned a scientific name based on Latin or Latinized words. The English sparrow is Passer domesticus or Passer domesticus (italics or underlining these two names is the official written representation of a scientific name). Using a uniform naming system allows scientists from all over the world to recognize exactly which life form a scientist is referring to. The naming process is called the binomial system of nomenclature. Passer is comparable to a surname and is called the genus, while domesticus is the specific or species name (like your given name) of the English sparrow. Now scientists can give all sparrow-like birds the genus Passer but the species name will vary. All similar genera (plural for genus) can be grouped into another, “higher” category (see below). Study the following for a more through understanding of taxonomy. Taxonomy Analogy Kingdom: Animalia Country

Biodiversity in cities needs space: a meta-analysis of factors determining intra-urban biodiversity variation

Abstract: Understanding varying levels of biodiversity within cities is pivotal to protect it in the face of global urbanisation. In the early stages of urban ecology studies on intra-urban biodiversity focused on the urban–rural gradient, representing a broad generalisation of features of the urban landscape. Increasingly, studies classify the urban landscape in more detail, quantifying separately the effects of individual urban features on biodiversity levels. However, while separate factors influencing biodiversity variation among cities worldwide have recently been analysed, a global analysis on the factors influencing biodiversity levels within cities is still lacking. We here present the first meta-analysis on intra-urban biodiversity variation across a large variety of taxonomic groups of 75 cities worldwide. Our results show that patch area and corridors have the strongest positive effects on biodiversity, complemented by vegetation structure. Local, biotic and management habitat variables were significantly more important than landscape, abiotic or design variables. Large sites greater than 50 ha are necessary to prevent a rapid loss of area-sensitive species. This indicates that, despite positive impacts of biodiversity-friendly management, increasing the area of habitat patches and creating a network of corridors is the most important strategy to maintain high levels of urban biodiversity.

Birds in Europe: Population Estimates, Trends and Conservation Status

Abstract: Abstract The following critiques express the opinions of the individual evaluators regarding the strengths, weaknesses, and value of the books they review. As such, the appraisals are subjective assessments and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or any official policy of the American Ornithologists' Union.