Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesca Coppola, Antonio Felicioli
Summary: Through field observations and recordings, the reproductive behavior of crested porcupines, including mating, birth, and parental care, was documented, providing new insights into the ecological habits of this species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dexi Zhang, Bei An, Liuyang Chen, Zhangyun Sun, Ruirui Mao, Changming Zhao, Lixun Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the activity patterns and habitat preferences of Blue Eared Pheasants and Blood Pheasants in the Qilian Mountains of China using camera traps. The results showed that they have different monthly activity patterns but similar daily activity patterns. The distribution of the two species has a significant overlap, but their habitat preferences differ. The findings suggest that conservation efforts should focus on highly overlapping areas and strengthen forest landscape connectivity.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shivish Bhandari, Daya Ram Bhusal, Maria Psaralexi, Stefanos Sgardelis
Summary: The study found that the frequency of hyena sightings is influenced by canopy volume and maxD, with hyenas preferring open landscapes like riverbeds and grasslands. The frequency of hyenas increases with increasing maxD, reaching a peak at around 5-6 km and then sharply dropping.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emiliano Mori, Riccardo Molteni, Leonardo Ancillotto, Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Mattia Falaschi
Summary: Human settlements, particularly cities, offer new ecological niches for wildlife, requiring adaptability. This study found that cultivations and scrubland were positively associated with the presence of crested porcupines in the metropolitan area of Rome, suggesting that porcupines can adapt to urban landscapes by selecting specific land-use types.
Article
Zoology
Giulia Luzi, Emiliano Mori, Giuseppe Puddu, Marzio Zapparoli
Summary: The crested porcupine mainly occurs in agro-forestry eco-systems in Italy, preferring habitats composed of mixed landscape patches with crops and woods. They are strictly nocturnal throughout the year, avoiding bright nights.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Orjan Johansson, Charudutt Mishra, Guillaume Chapron, Gustaf Samelius, Purevjav Lkhagvajav, Tom McCarthy, Matthew Low
Summary: This study found that snow leopards are facultatively nocturnal and have seasonal shifts in activity patterns, while their prey have consistent diurnal activity. The reasons for these patterns include concealing in darkness, predatory ambush preference for low-intermediate light, and seasonal adjustments for thermoregulation in extreme environments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Li Yang, Tao Chen, Lu Zhang, Pengfei Fan
Summary: Stable habitat is crucial for the long-term persistence of species, providing sufficient food and acting as a refuge. We identified the stable habitat for the critically endangered western black crested gibbon in Mt. Wuliang, and found that their habitat is recovering. The stable habitat, mainly located at mid-elevation, plays a crucial role in protecting the gibbon population.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Zhouyuan Li, Zhuo Tang, Yanjie Xu, Yingying Wang, Zhaogang Duan, Xuehua Liu, Pengyan Wang, Jian Yang, Wei Chen, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: The study used infrared-triggered camera trapping in Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China to monitor wildlife and biodiversity, identifying temperature and vegetation as key environmental drivers affecting mammal and bird distribution and abundance. Species were categorized into cold-resistant, phyllophilic, and thermophilic types based on these factors, with bharal, Moupin pika, Himalayan marmot, snow partridge, plain mountain finch, Chinese monal, and alpine accentor being the most abundant species.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Liming Ma, Xinhai Li, Tianqing Zhai, Yazu Zhang, Kai Song, Marcel Holyoak, Yuehua Sun
Summary: The population of crested ibis has increased from 1981 to 2019, and they have been reintroduced in China, Japan, and Korea. The ban on pesticide use has led to the recovery of ancestral habitats and food resources for the crested ibis. Research on habitat preference is crucial for the conservation of endangered species like the crested ibis.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yoshikazu Seki, Shin-ichi Hayama
Summary: The study found that Japanese serows and sika deer exhibit spatial and temporal partitioning in habitat selection and activity patterns, reducing encounter rates and enabling their coexistence. However, as sika deer density increases, the overlap between the two species may also increase, potentially impacting the Japanese serows.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Baojiu Hao, Hao Yang, Zhenkang Wang, Zhihui Xie, Changhao Zhu, Wanhao Chen, Lifang Zhang, Jie Liu, Chenglin Yan, Jinqiu Zhou, Tao Qian
Summary: Inspired by nature, a water-retaining plant fiber (WRPF) separator was designed in this study to alleviate side reactions caused by water and accelerate the desolvation process of zinc anode. Experimental results demonstrate that the WRPF separator exhibits high stability and energy storage performance.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Caitlin K. Frankish, Andrea Manica, Thomas A. Clay, Andrew G. Wood, Richard A. Phillips
Summary: In this study, the development of habitat preferences in juvenile grey-headed albatrosses was examined using integrated step selection analysis. The results showed that the dispersing juveniles were able to rapidly respond to changes in wind and local resource availability, maximizing flight and foraging efficiency.
Article
Ecology
Muhammad Zaman, Nathan James Roberts, Mengyan Zhu, Kasereka Vitekere, Meng Wang, Guangshun Jiang
Summary: The study investigated the nocturnal activities of North China leopards and their prey in relation to moon phases and other factors. The researchers found that the leopards' activity pattern varied during different lunar phases, with higher activity during brighter moon phases. In contrast, the prey species exhibited different responses, with roe deer showing lunar philic activity and wild boar and tolai hare displaying lunar phobic behaviors. Human activities were found to have a greater influence on the temporal activity of leopards and wild boar. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors, such as moonlight, cloud cover, and season, in understanding the nocturnal activities of predators and prey.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Victoria Nolan, Emad D. Kaky, Abdulaziz S. Alatawi, Francis Gilbert
Summary: Species distribution modelling is a key technique for exploring the spatial distribution and habitat suitability of populations. It can be particularly useful in areas with limited species data, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts.
Article
Forestry
Marius Jasiulionis, Vitalijus Stirke, Linas Balciauskas
Summary: A nationwide recording of raccoon dogs in Lithuania was conducted using camera traps. The species was found at 63.4% of the surveyed sites, with an average shooting frequency of 4.30 photographs per 100 days. The activity of raccoon dogs was higher at camera sites where lynx or wolves were recorded compared to sites without predators.
Article
Zoology
Francesco Ferretti, Niccolo Fattorini
Summary: The study found that in a Mediterranean protected area, the density of roe deer is mainly influenced by interspecific competition, with negative effects from fallow deer in poorer habitats.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Zoology
Emiliano Mori, Sandro Lovari, Francesca Cozzi, Chiara Gabbrielli, Chiara Giari, Letizia Torniai, Giorgia Romeo, Francesco Ferretti, Niccolo Fattorini
Summary: The original version of this article contains two mistakes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicoletta Ademollo, Francesca Spataro, Jasmin Rauseo, Tanita Pescatore, Niccolo Fattorini, Sara Valsecchi, Stefano Polesello, Luisa Patrolecco
Summary: The study investigated contamination patterns in the Kongsfjorden marine environment and found variations in pollutant concentrations between summer and winter. The application of GLMs indicated that pollutants are mainly influenced by long-range hydrospheric transport and melting glaciers may act as potential secondary sources of pollution.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andrea Viviano, Emiliano Mori, Niccolo Fattorini, Giuseppe Mazza, Lorenzo Lazzeri, Alessandra Panichi, Luigi Strianese, Walid Fathy Mohamed
Summary: Studies have shown that European brown hares exhibit adaptive behaviors, such as becoming more nocturnal and more active on dark nights, to avoid potential predators and competitors.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emiliano Mori, Claudia Brunetti, Antonio Carapelli, Lucia Burrini, Niccolo Fattorini, Francesco Ferretti, Silvia Olmastroni
Summary: This study assessed the population genetic structure of Adelie penguins from three adjacent colonies, revealing significant genetic heterogeneity among colonies. The results indicate meta-population dynamics and suggest relationships with habitat quality.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Flavio Monti, Massimiliano Marcelli, Paolo Fastelli, Niccolo Fattorini
Summary: Interspecific competition between native and invasive alien species can be exacerbated by environmental conditions, especially in delicate ecosystems like Mediterranean coastal wetlands. This study found that the presence of an invasive competitor resulted in changes in ecological adaptations of the native species, with salinity and the presence of the invader acting synergistically to shape the population structure of the native species.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gianmaria Bonari, Niccolo Fattorini, Sophie Rose Fruchter, Claudia Angiolini, Elisa Baragatti, Marco Landi
Summary: This study examined the environmental factors influencing the distribution of different fern species in Europe. The results showed that fern distribution was mainly affected by soil granulometry, moss cover, and stream orientation. The generative life stage of certain fern species benefited from different ecological characteristics compared to the vegetative adult stage. Moreover, alterations in natural hydrology could lead to a decline in habitat quality for ferns. Therefore, some fern species and their life stages can serve as ecological indicators for riparian forest habitats.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Emiliano Mori, Roberto Carbone, Andrea Viviano, Martina Calosi, Niccolo Fattorini
Summary: The European brown hare is widely distributed throughout Eurasia and is an important species for management and conservation. This study used meta-analytic approaches to investigate the home range size, habitat preference, and activity patterns of the hare. The results showed that home range size decreased with increasing cropland cover, indicating a correlation with food availability. The hare preferred cropland and grassland for foraging, but also showed avoidance of human settlements. They were mainly nocturnal and showed moonlight avoidance. The importance of open habitats, particularly cropland, for the hare was highlighted, and their plasticity in space and time usage was also observed.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Silvia Olmastroni, Francesco Ferretti, Lucia Burrini, Nicoletta Ademollo, Niccolo Fattorini
Summary: Based on the study on Adelie penguins in the Mid Victoria Land, Ross Sea, it was found that breeding performance did not differ between study colonies and other penguin colonies in Antarctica. Higher breeding success was observed in central nests and decreased with an increasing number of neighboring nesting skuas.
Article
Ecology
Francesco Ferretti, Lorenzo Lazzeri, Niccolo Fattorini
Summary: The use of motion-sensitive cameras for species detection rates is a cost-effective tool to monitor wildlife populations. In this study, two different relative abundance indices (RAIs) were compared with independent density estimates across three summers in central Italy. Both RAIs were correlated with density estimates, but only RAI(individuals) correctly ranked interspecific densities. The results support the use of RAIs derived from motion-sensitive cameras as a promising and cost-effective tool to monitor ungulate populations.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Niccolo Fattorini, Sandro Lovari, Sara Franceschi, Gianpasquale Chiatante, Claudia Brunetti, Carolina Baruzzi, Francesco Ferretti
Summary: The study investigates the impact of climate change on animal aggression, particularly on the aggressiveness caused by resource competition. By examining a group-living mammal, the Apennine chamois, the study found that increased temperatures and decreased rainfall led to an increase in aggression rates. These effects were related to previous weather conditions and vegetation productivity. The findings suggest that anticipated climate change scenarios may trigger bottom-up consequences on intraspecific animal conflicts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Niccolo Fattorini, Alessandra Costanzo, Andrea Romano, Diego Rubolini, Stephen Baillie, Franz Bairlein, Fernando Spina, Roberto Ambrosini
Summary: Migratory connectivity in birds is influenced by geographical proxies of migration costs, with weak effects from biological traits and phylogeny. The variability in avian migration strategies leads to significant connectivity between distinct migratory populations. Understanding the determinants of migratory connectivity can enhance conservation and management strategies for avian migrants.
Article
Zoology
Francesco Ferretti, Raquel Oliveira, Mariana Rossa, Irene Belardi, Giada Pacini, Sara Mugnai, Niccolo Fattorini, Lorenzo Lazzeri
Summary: This study investigated the feeding habits of wolves on small carnivores and found that there was temporal and spatial overlap between the two, which suggests that the negative impact of wolves on small carnivores is limited.
FRONTIERS IN ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Roberto Ambrosini, Simona Imperio, Jacopo G. Cecere, Alessandro Andreotti, Lorenzo Serra, Fernando Spina, Niccolo Fattorini, Alessandra Costanzo
Summary: The timing of migration is crucial for understanding bird ecology and their response to climate change, as well as for conservation and management purposes. A new method using ringing data and citizen science observations was developed to assess the timing of pre- and post-nuptial migration of birds. The study on Song Thrush in Italy showed that migration starts in January in some areas and ends in November, with consistent patterns observed across different datasets.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Niccolo Fattorini, Paolo Tizzani, Andrea Dematteis, Sandro Lovari
Summary: In polygynous ungulates, males are usually larger than females and have bigger weapons. This study focused on Himalayan tahr and found that the body mass dimorphism of this species is significantly greater than the dimorphism in horn size. Male-male competition does not seem to influence weapon development in tahr, suggesting a lower importance of horns compared to body mass. Alternative evolutionary pathways exist in the Caprinae, where different traits, from weapons to pelage features, are involved in intraspecific signals.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
