Showing papers in "Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy in 1998"
TL;DR: A lynx recovery programme started in Switzerland in 1970 and was not monitored at first. as discussed by the authors showed that at least 14 lynx were translocated from the Carpathian Mountains into the Swiss Alps, but no corridors exist as a connection between these two popula- tions in Switzerland.
Abstract: A lynx recovery programme started in Switzerland in 1970. From 1970-76. at least 14 lynx were translocated from the Carpathian Mountains into the Swiss Alps. Another re-introduction took place in the Jura Mountains, but no corridors exist as a connection between these two popula- tions in Switzerland. The devclopmcnt of the populations was not monitored at first. In 1980 sys- tematic research was initiated. which gradually cvolved into the'SM,iss Lynx Projwl. Not all releases were successful, but the re-introduction in the northcm and western Alps founded a population that covered an area of some 4000 kin' in 1981. In the wcstem Swiss Alps. lynx moved into Italian and French territory. Towards the eastern Swiss Alps. the expansion was slower and ceased about ten years ago. During the last five years. there even has been a reduction of the arca occupied. Today, the pop- ulation covers an area ol about 10000 kin2 in the Swiss Alps, of which 50% is suitablc lynx habitat. Based on sizc and overlap of average home ranges of radio-tagged lynx. the population was cstimat- ed to include soinc SO adult residents. At present, the growth rate of the population appears to bc too low to allow a further expansion in range. It is uncertain whether recruitment is sufficient to com- pensate for the high losses among resident adults induced by traffic accidents and illegal killing
73 citations
TL;DR: The lynx disappeared from Slovenia and Croatia at the beginning of the 20th century when six lynx from the Slovakian Carpathian Mountains were translocated to Kocevje in southern Slovenia in 1973, and a core population developed immediately and spread over Slovenia andCroatia.
Abstract: The lynx disappeared from Slovenia and Croatia at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1973, six lynx from the Slovakian Carpathian Mountains were translocated to Kocevje in southern Slovenia. In this densely forested region where prey animals are plentiful, a core population developed immediately and spread over Slovenia and Croatia. In 1984 the first lynx reached the Julian Alps and crossed over to Italy. The population increased so fast that already in 1978, hunting of lynx was legalised. From 1978 to the present, a total of 229 individuals were hunted, another 48 deaths from other reasons are also known. The intense harvest hindered further expansion of the population, especially the re-colonisation of the Alps. In recent years the hunting season and the hunting quota were reduced, and in Slovenia hunting is now restricted to the core area of the population.
26 citations
TL;DR: In the Austrian Alps, a lynx population is not established at present as discussed by the authors, and there are no established lynx populations in Austria, except for migrations from Slovcnia to the Carpathian Mountains.
Abstract: Nine wild lynx were translocated from the Carpathian Mountains to Styria between 1977 and I979 in order to reintroduce this species into the Austrian Alps. Field projects continued until 1982, when monitoring of the released animals ceased. After five years the lynx had spread as far as 120 km from the site of rc-introduction, but observations wwc few and scldom confirmed. On- ly in the district of Carinthia, where lynx activity was strongest, did the hunters' association gathcr data by means of observation report forms. Lynx reports became scarce during the 1980s, and re-in- troduction seemed to have failed. when in 19x9 a series of sheep kills by lynx in Carinthia re-acti- vated the interest of the public in the lynx, and more observations were reported. The Carinthian Ilunters' Association formed a lynx group to verify these reports. More intensive training of the men- bers of the group since 1992 has revealed that much of the information collected was not valid proof of lynx presence. There is no established lynx population in the Austrian Alps a1 present. The moat rcgiilar and reliable observations come from the original region of the releases and from wuthern Carinthia, whcrc lynx immigrating from Slovcnia may sustain the Austrian population.
17 citations
TL;DR: The historical and recent status and distribution of the red squirrel in Portugal are analysed using published data, preserved material and unpublished information to determine the availability of suitable habitat which provide shelter and food, such as conifer woods.
Abstract: The historical and recent status and distribution of the red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ) in Portugal are analysed using published data, preserved material and unpublished information. In the past the red squirrel occupied the whole of Portugal, but died out towards the end of the 16th century. Now, however, red squirrels have moved back in from Spain and recolonised forests in the north of the country. An important factor limiting the distribution of squirrels in the past was the availability of suitable habitat which provide shelter and food, such as conifer woods. Hunting pressure may also have affected numbers. In Portugal the conservation status of S. vulgaris is Rare.
12 citations
TL;DR: The first evidence of the species dates back to 1980-1982 as mentioned in this paper, and the techniques of the naturalistic method have been used to investigate the distribution, evidence for reproduction, and estimate the population size.
Abstract: Lynx lynx has spontaneously recolonized the Italian Alps, coming from the populations created by reintroductions in neighbouring countries. The study period began in 1976 with a survey carried out by Ragni, and since 1987 it has continued with a detailed monitoring programme. The first evidence of the species dates back to 1980-1982. In this work the techniques of the naturalistic method have been used to investigate the distribution, evidence for reproduction, and estimate the population size. In the last 15 years the area used by the lynx has progressively increased. Six reproductions have been observed. The size of the population was estimated at about 21 individuals (Central-Eastern Alps). Within the time period considered, the illegal killing of two individuals was recorded. Additionally there is some information about six other poached lynx. Livestock damage has not been reported recently.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a series of regularly checked trail transects, explorative excursions, and the collection of second-hand observations led to a total of 150 records.
Abstract: From 1986 to May 1995 I collected records of signs of lynx presence in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. A series of regularly checked trail transects, explorative excursions, and the collection of second-hand observations led to a total of 150 records. They confirm lynx presence and allow an assessment of the situation. The first lynx are believed to have immigrated to the northern part of the study area from Austria. An increase and the distribution in the signs of presence show a south-westerly expansion. The trend in the Julian Alps and Pre-Alps is also increasing. Some interpretations of the status of this new population are made. The study area is in the far south-eastern Alps. This area is important as a corridor between the Alps and the Balkans, where a reintroduced lynx population exists which would be able to support the Alpine lynx population through dispersing lynx.
11 citations
TL;DR: If the presence of the lynx south of Grenoble in the Vercors and in the Hautes Alpes departement is confirmed, expansion of the population over the whole south-east of France would be possible.
Abstract: The European lynx disappeared from the French Alps around the beginning of the 20th century. The recovery in France is due to the re-introduction in Switzerland between 1971 and 1976. From 1974 to 1994, there were 70 records. The first records were recorded in Chablais. More regular records were around the Aravis mountains. Over 20 years, a southward expansion of about 200 km has been observed but no continuous distribution area has been shown by the survey. Observations remained scattered, probably because of low observation effort in many areas. Different possibilities for connections with the Jura populations seemed to exist in the French Alps. Bauges, Chartreuse and even Saleve could have been reached by individuals originating from the Jura or from the northern Alps. If the presence of the lynx south of Grenoble in the Vercors and in the Hautes Alpes departement is confirmed, expansion of the population over the whole south-east of France would be possible.
10 citations
TL;DR: An examination of museum specimens, available literature, and unpublished data which provided information on the biometry, ecology and conservation of Myotis bechsteinii in Italy are reviewed.
Abstract: The following paper reviews the distribution of Myotis bechsteinii (Kuhl, 1817) in Italy through an examination of museum specimens, available literature, and unpublished data which provided information on the biometry, ecology and conservation of the species.
9 citations
TL;DR: Results suggest that, using representatives of the Bovini as outgroups, the Caprinae constitute a monophyletic clade, and that the monophyly of Ovibovini was not supported by cyt b sequences.
Abstract: We have studied genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships of Alpine, Spanish and Abruzzo chamois (genus Rupicapra) by sequencing a region of 330 nucleotides within the mito- chondrial DNA cytochrome b gene (mtDNA cyt 6). These sequences were aligned with additional ho- mologous sequences of Caprinae: Japanese serow, Chinese goral, Canadian mountain goat, Mishmi takin, muskox, Sardinian mouflon and domestic goat. Results suggest that, using representatives of the Bovini as outgroups, the Caprinae constitute a monophyletic clade. However, inferred phyloge- netic relationships among and within tribes of Caprinae were poorly defined and did not reflect cur- rent evolutionary and taxonomical views. In fact, the Asian Rupicaprini goral and serow constituted a strongly supported clade, which included the muskox, while the takin grouped with Uvis. Therefore, the monophyly of Ovibovini was not supported by cyt b sequences. Species of Rupicapra joined a strongly supported monophyletic clade, which was distantly related to the Asian rupicaprins and Ore- amnos. Therefore, the monophyly of the Rupicaprini was not supported by these cyt h sequences. There were sister species relationships within Rupicapra, Spanish and Alpine chamois and the Abruz- zo chamois (Rupicupru pyrenaica ornata) was strictly related to the Spanish chamois (Rupicapra pyre- naica parva), as previously suggested by allozyme data and hiogeographic reconstructions.
5 citations
TL;DR: For a successful comeback of lynx into Germany, including the German Alps, more efforts than a year-round protec- tion by the federal hunting law ib needed.
Abstract: The lynx (Lyu 1yri.v) had been eradicated in the German Alps by the middle of the 19th century. Since the early 1970s thcre have been several attempts to initiate the re-introduction of lynx into the German Alps. but none of the projects could be carried out because of the still very con- troversial attitudes towards the species, and because of competition between institutions. Natural re- colonization of the German Alps by lynx can be expected sooner or later from Switzerland or Aus- tria. Although lynx are already present in some parts of Germany outside the Alps, neithcr an orga- nized monitoring system nor compensation regulations for losses of livestock exist. For a successful comeback of lynx into Germany, including the German Alps, more efforts than a year-round protec- tion by the federal hunting law ib needed. Initiative management actions and intensive public cduca- tion are necessary to obtain and secure public acceptance of the lynx.
5 citations
TL;DR: Data on nest-box occupation by the dormouse in four habitats of the Presidential estate of Castclporziano concord with suggestions that in the Mediterranean area the species occupies nest-boxes also in winter and that it has different rhythms of activity than in northern areas.
Abstract: ~The following paper contains data on nest-box occupation by the dormouse in four habitats of thc Presidential estate of Castclporziano Dormouse has been observed inside the nest-boxes in all months ofthe year and active animals have been repeatedly observed during the winter These results concord with suggestions that in the Mediterranean area the species occupies nest-boxes also in winter and that it has tlifferent ycarly rhythms of activity than in northern areas Except in pine woods, the dormouse was found in nest-boxes of all study habitats Some results seem to show that competition with hole-nesting passerines heavily atTects spring occupation by the donnousc In spring the Dormouse prekrs 'old' nest-boxes 'new' nest-boxes (ie at the first year of placement in a habitat or in a new area) are occupied at higher extent from the autumn onwards Yearly variation in occupation percentages of ncst-boxes by the dormouse wcre also observed Ke? Hvrds: Mirsrurdini/s ~~~~ellaticrrius, nest-boxes, seasonal occupation
TL;DR: The larch and Swiss stone pine forest seem to be able to support a greater density of small mammals, which includes in particular the bank vole, which must stress the considerable difference existing between the small mammals living in different kinds of coniferous forests.
Abstract: We studied the composition of several small mammal communities living in different mountain and forest habitats of the central eastern Italian Alps. The small mammals were then grouped together, by cluster analysis, according to similarities in species and density. From the 22 stations investigated, five groups emerged, each one having also distinct environmental characteristics. We observed that spruce forest communities are grouped separately from those of mixed forests (larch and Swiss stone pine). We must stress the considerable difference existing between the small mammal communities living in different kinds of coniferous forests. The larch and Swiss stone pine forest seem to be able to support a greater density of small mammals, which includes in particular the bank vole ( Clethrionomys glareolus ).
TL;DR: Despite the difference in spccies composition, body size was found to be a significant and coininon feature, of the dominant species in both communities, Rhinolophus euryale and Miniopterits schreiho-si respectively.
Abstract: Societci Rorriana di Scirnze Naturali, SRSN, Via Fratelli Maristi 43, 1-00137 Runiu ABSTRACT - The present paper summarizcs the results of 3 years of observation made at six month intervals for six months at a time (18 field surveys) in a man-made cave in Northcrn Latium (Central Italy) from April 1992 to April 1995. Its aim is to analyze the main structural and dynamic features of a bat community which hibernates at the shelter. Rhinolophus ferrumuipinurn and especially Rhi- nolophus eitrymle are the most abundant species. Population dynamics of both species as well as that of Rhinoluphus hipposideros show higher levels of abundance between Deccmber and February of each semestcr. In mid-winter, largc and sometimes mixed aggregations of Rhinolophiis ferritn~equinurn and Rhinolophus euryule in decp hypothermia occur. A small number of Rhinolophus hipposideros, mainly adult males, was observed. The paper compares the struclure of this community to the struc- ture of another community of the same district which has been previously analyzed. in which Ves- pertilionidae, especially Minioptems .rc-/~ruibersi. are much more abundant. Despite the difference in spccies composition, body size was found to be a significant and coininon feature (as highlighted by foreann length), of the dominant species in both communities, Rhinolophus euryale and Miniopterits schreiho-si respectively.
TL;DR: High sight- ing frequencies were obtained for the striped dolphin in the pelagic area and for the common dolphins in the slope area, suggesting that each species favours a distinct habitat.
Abstract: A 10 day survey was carried out off Western Sardinia during summer 1997. Conven- tional observation methods were used onboard a 12 meter motorsailer. A zig-zag sampling of 584 kilo- meters and 65 hours of observation were done, during which 21 groups of cetaceans were sighted. Five species were observed: the fin whale (3 sightings), the striped dolphin (10 sightings), the com- mon dolphin (6 sightings), the bottlenose dolphin and the sperm whale (1 sighting each). High sight- ing frequencies were obtained for the striped dolphin in the pelagic area and for the common dolphin in the slope area, suggesting that each species favours a distinct habitat. This study is in reasonable concordance with the few results already published on the subject. However more research must be done in this area.