Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David Tsz Chung Chan, Emily Shui Kei Poon, Anson Tsz Chun Wong, Simon Yung Wa Sin
Summary: Parrots are the most traded birds internationally, mainly as companion pets, which poses a threat to global biodiversity. Data from CITES was used to analyze the spatialtemporal changes in trade volumes and sources of parrots over 42 years, revealing shifts in trade patterns and factors influencing the trade network.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biology
James S. Sinclair, Oliver C. Stringham, Bradley Udell, Nicholas E. Mandrak, Brian Leung, Christina M. Romagosa, Julie L. Lockwood
Summary: The international trade in exotic vertebrate pets has social and economic benefits, but also ecological, ethical, and human health impacts. Understanding the structure of the pet trade is crucial to optimize its benefits and mitigate negative effects, but data gaps hinder this effort. Network approaches, like the one presented in this article, can help inform and manage the growing demand for exotic pets.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chen Xiao-ling, Ning Dong-dong, Xiao Qian, Jiang Qiu-ying, Lu Yong-yue, Xu Yi-juan
Summary: This study analyzed the distributional trends of invasive species in China and identified the drivers for such trends. The results showed that the abundance of invasive species gradually decreased from south to north and from southeast coast to inland. The value of imports was found to be a strong predictor of the number of invasive species in China.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jose R. Ferrer-Paris, Ada Sanchez-Mercado
Summary: Research on parrot ecology and conservation using species distribution modeling has been increasing in the past 30 years. Conservation, ecology, and invasion ecology are the main topics of interest. Studies often support on-ground conservation efforts and focus on predicting invasion risks and assessing invasion effects.
Article
Ecology
Pranesh Paul, Neha Kumari Gupta, Debjit Mondal, Abhijit Sikary, Gautam Aditya
Summary: This study used species distribution modeling (SDM) to identify suitable habitats for Pterygoplichthys spp. colonization and range expansion in India and Bangladesh. The results suggest that effective restoration and management measures should be prioritized in several areas of India and throughout Bangladesh. Additionally, raising public awareness of the potential impacts of invasive species on ecosystems can help prevent further deliberate introductions of non-native species to natural habitats.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shiping Gong, Yangchun Gao, Haoran Duan, Yan Ge, Yufeng Wei
Summary: Species distribution models (SDMs) have been discredited for ignoring physiological processes, but incorporating physiological tolerance is essential for improving prediction accuracy. This study incorporated embryo temperature tolerance into the SDM for the red-eared slider, a globally invasive species in China. The SDM considering embryo temperature tolerance predicted smaller high suitability areas and reduced the extent of edges. High suitability areas were concentrated in South, Central, and East China, with minimal invasion risk in northeast and northwest provinces.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Carlos E. Calzada Preston, Stephen Pruett-Jones
Summary: Over 160 species of parrots have been introduced to non-native areas, with 60 naturalized in 120 countries or territories, and 11 breeding in at least one country outside of their native range. The United States and its territories support the most naturalized parrot species, highlighting the need for detailed studies to confirm species richness in each area and to mitigate potential ecological impacts and conflicts with humans.
Article
Virology
Jana Petzold, Anna Maria Gartner, Sara Malberg, Jessica Bianca Link, Bianca Buecking, Michael Lierz, Christiane Herden
Summary: The study found that the age of cockatiels at the time of parrot bornavirus infection plays a significant role in the development of histopathological lesions and clinical signs, indicating the crucial impact of age on the pathogenesis.
Article
Biology
Yingxuan Yin, Qing He, Xiaowen Pan, Qiyong Liu, Yinjuan Wu, Xuerong Li
Summary: Pomacea canaliculata is one of the 100 worst invasive alien species in the world, causing significant effects and harm to native species, ecological environment, human health, and social economy. With climate change, there would be a trend of expanding and moving northward in the future for P. canaliculata.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
A. Reuleaux, N. J. Collar, M. J. Jones, R. N. D. Limu, A. Mardiastuti, P. Pinto, B. A. Siregar, S. J. Marsden
Summary: This study examines the factors influencing the persistence of yellow-crested cockatoos and citron-crested cockatoos in Indonesia. The results show that sites with high tree cover, low road density, and low human densities are more likely to retain cockatoos. Additionally, the study identifies local factors such as traditional beliefs, NGO activities, dedicated individuals, and topographic barriers that contribute to the survival of cockatoos. Incorporating field and remotely sensed data, and considering location-specific conditions can greatly aid in the conservation of species with large ranges.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alexandre Pedro Selvatti, Ana Galvao, Gerald Mayr, Cristina Yumi Miyaki, Claudia Augusta de Moraes Russo
Summary: This study proposes a biogeographic hypothesis to explain the pantropical distribution of parrots. The research suggests that two major geological events shaped the distribution of parrots, including the final breakup of Gondwana and the connection between different biogeographic realms.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Volker Schmidt, Heike Koehler, Kristin Heenemann, Petra Moebius
Summary: This study examined the causative agents and confounding factors of mycobacteriosis in a set of pet and some wild birds from Germany. Not only Mycobacterium genavense, but also M. avium subsp. avium and M. avium subsp. hominissuis, contributed to mycobacteriosis in these birds. Various coinfections did not affect the manifestation of mycobacteriosis. New strains of M. avium subsp. hominissuis originating from birds were identified and characterized, which is important for epidemiological studies and for understanding the zoonotic role of this pathogen.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jerome M. W. Gippet, Cleo Bertelsmeier
Summary: The pet trade has significantly contributed to the spread of invasive species, highlighting the need for increased awareness of the risks associated with international wildlife trade as pets.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cornelia Konicek, Kristin Heenemann, Kerstin Cramer, Thomas W. Vahlenkamp, Volker Schmidt
Summary: This article describes a case series of disseminated xanthogranulomatosis in Red-crowned Parakeets, which may be associated with psittacine adenovirus 2 infection. It also highlights the importance of viral infections triggering lipometabolic diseases in avian medicine.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James W. E. Dickey, Gareth Arnott, Ciara L. O. McGlade, Andrew Moore, Gillian E. Riddell, Jaimie T. A. Dick
Summary: In this study, the potential ecological impacts and risks of two pet trade species, goldfish and white cloud mountain minnows, were assessed. The results showed that goldfish had higher feeding rates and bolder behavior, while white cloud mountain minnows had lower rates. By combining feeding rates, boldness, and species availability from pet shop surveys, the relative invasion risks of the two non-native species were evaluated.
Review
Ecology
Jacopo Cerri, Emiliano Mori, Leonardo Ancillotto, Danilo Russo, Sandro Bertolino
Summary: The study focused on changes in media coverage and internet search volumes related to bats during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that media emphasized the role of bats in the pandemic, leading to increased public interest in bats but also damaging their image.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emiliano Mori, Giulia Magoga, Marta Panella, Matteo Montagna, Leigh Winsor, Jean-Lou Justine, Mattia Menchetti, Enrico Schifani, Beatrice Melone, Giuseppe Mazza
Summary: The distribution of alien land planarians in Italy was updated using citizen science and molecular methods, with most records coming from private gardens, observed more frequently in spring and early autumn, and seemingly increasing with rainfall. Citizen-science platforms proved to be effective tools for the early detection of these alien pest species, significantly expanding the known distribution area in Italy.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Laura Lerone, Chiara Mengoni, Mirko Di Febbraro, Hannah Krupa, Anna Loy
Summary: The spatial and social structure of an endangered Eurasian otter population in Italy was studied using genetic analysis. The population, surviving only in southern river basins, showed overlapping territories and a larger size than the minimum viable population.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Innangi, Michele Innangi, Mirko Di Febbraro, Gabriella Di Martino, Marco Sacchi, Renato Tonielli
Summary: This study presents a novel model for obtaining high-resolution seafloor maps using backscatter and bathymetric multibeam system data. The linear regression model achieved accurate predictions of grain size distribution. Despite some limitations, this modeling approach is a flexible tool that provides continuous maps of sediment size.
Article
Agronomy
S. Versace, A. Brauning, P. Cherubini, M. Di Febbraro, M. Hausser, F. Lombardi, M. Marchetti, P. A. Marziliano, F. Salbitano, S. Szymczak, R. Tognetti
Summary: Climate warming has increased the frequency and severity of drought events, negatively affecting tree radial growth in drought-prone regions like the Mediterranean. The growth responses of tree populations to climate change are influenced by tree age and local environment, leading to geographical patterns in tree growth and forest productivity. Intraspecific variability in sensitivity to drought events should be considered in predicting forest productivity responses to climate change.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sungwon Hong, Mirko Di Febbraro, Hyo Gyeom Kim, Anna Loy
Summary: This study used multiyear data of otter spraint counts to investigate the relationship between otter abundance and scat marking. The results showed that detection probability decreased in areas with high rainfall and human population densities, while it increased near food-rich sites with high marking frequencies. Additionally, the temporal trends of spraint count predictions were related to changes in fish community diversity rather than fish biomass. Protecting fish diversity is crucial for otter conservation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fabio Leoncini, Paola Semenzato, Mirko Di Febbraro, Anna Loy, Caterina Ferrari
Summary: Assessing landscape connectivity is crucial for the survival of species, especially in the context of climate change and biodiversity crisis. By applying electrical circuit theory, this study analyzed the factors affecting connectivity and identified gaps in corridors for conservation. The results showed that the orography of the landscape and human activities significantly influenced animal movement. Therefore, expanding protected areas is important to ensure the recolonization of species like the Eurasian otter in the western Alps.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alessandro Mondanaro, Mirko Di Febbraro, Silvia Castiglione, Marina Melchionna, Carmela Serio, Giorgia Girardi, Arianna Morena Belfiore, Pasquale Raia
Summary: Species distribution models (SDMs) are useful tools to understand the impact of environmental variation on species distribution. However, they often lose accuracy when applied to rare species, creating a paradox. In this study, we introduce a new algorithm, ENphylo, that combines Environmental Niche Factor Analysis and phylogenetic imputation to model the distribution of rare species. Using the fossil record of 31 late Pleistocene large mammals, we demonstrate that ENphylo provides accurate predictions with just 10 randomly sampled occurrences.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michele Innangi, Flavio Marzialetti, Mirko Di Febbraro, Alicia Teresa Rosario Acosta, Walter De Simone, Ludovico Frate, Michele Finizio, Priscila Villalobos Perna, Maria Laura Carranza
Summary: Coastal dune ecosystems are threatened by invasive alien plants, and using remote sensing techniques, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), can be effective for mapping these species. In this study, UAV images were used to map a dune invader (Carpobrotus sp. pl.) using image segmentation and machine learning classification. The results showed that using both RGB and multispectral data improved the prediction of Carpobrotus, mapping the whole plant or its vegetative parts produced the best results, and a training area corresponding to 20% of the total area was sufficient for model building.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Luca Francesco Russo, Angel Fernandez-Gonzalez, Vincenzo Penteriani, Maria del Mar Delgado, Santiago Palazon, Anna Loy, Mirko Di Febbraro
Summary: In the last century, climate and land use change have led to the extinction or decline of hundreds of species. This study focuses on the effects of these changes on two semi-aquatic mammals, the Pyrenean desman and the Eurasian otter, and how it may impact their interaction. The results show that the otters will benefit from the environmental alterations, while the desmans will lose suitable habitats and face increased predation risk. Climate and land use change can have different effects on biodiversity and it is important to understand their impacts on specific species.
Review
Environmental Studies
Priscila Villalobos Perna, Mirko Di Febbraro, Maria Laura Carranza, Flavio Marzialetti, Michele Innangi
Summary: Coastal environments face significant threats from invasive alien plants (IAP), and Remote Sensing (RS) can be a valuable tool for detecting and mapping IAP. This systematic literature review examined 68 research papers published between 2000 and 2021 that implemented, recommended, or discussed RS tools for IAP mapping in coastal environments. The review found that China and the USA had the most research on this topic, with Sporobolus being the most extensively studied genus. The number of studies increased rapidly from 2015, coinciding with a shift from RS for IAP detection to RS for invasion modeling. Aircraft were the most commonly used platform in the 2000s, followed by satellites from 2005 and unmanned aerial vehicles from 2014. Frequentist inference was the dominant classification approach in the 2000s, while machine learning gained popularity after 2009. RS applications varied across coastal ecosystem types and countries. The study highlights the huge potential of RS for improving IAP monitoring and emphasizes the need for advanced applications that incorporate current and future Earth observation data.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vanessa Lozano, Mirko Di Febbraro, Giuseppe Brundu, Maria Laura Carranza, Alessandro Alessandrini, Nicola Maria Giuseppe Ardenghi, Elena Barni, Gianni Bedini, Laura Celesti-Grapow, Kevin Cianfaglione, Annalena Cogoni, Gianniantonio Domina, Simonetta Fascetti, Giulio Ferretti, Bruno Foggi, Mauro Iberite, Lorenzo Lastrucci, Lorenzo Lazzaro, Andrea Mainetti, Francesca Marinangeli, Chiara Montagnani, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Simone Orsenigo, Simonetta Peccenini, Lorenzo Peruzzi, Laura Poggio, Chiara Proietti, Filippo Prosser, Aldo Ranfa, Leonardo Rosati, Annalisa Santangelo, Alberto Selvaggi, Giovanni Spampinato, Adriano Stinca, Gabriella Vacca, Mariacristina Villani, Consolata Siniscalco
Summary: This study used a methodological framework to assess and analyze the invasion risk of 14 invasive alien plants of Union concern in Italy. The framework combined invasive Species Distribution Models based on propagule pressure, abiotic and biotic factors, and the local interpretable model-agnostic explanation analysis. The study found that the distribution of invasive alien plants in Italy is influenced by biogeographic regions, protected areas, abiotic factors, propagule pressure, and biotic filters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mirko Di Febbraro, Luciano Bosso, Mauro Fasola, Francesca Santicchia, Gaetano Aloise, Simone Lioy, Elena Tricarico, Luciano Ruggieri, Stefano Bovero, Emiliano Mori, Sandro Bertolino
Summary: Citizen science initiatives are being used to model the distribution of alien species, but only a few studies have evaluated the contribution of integrating citizen science data with scientifically structured surveys. This study compared the ability of citizen science data and scientific surveys, as well as their integration, to capture the realized niche and predict future invasion risk of 13 invasive alien species in Italy. The findings showed that citizen science data can be valuable in predicting future spread of invasive alien species, but it may also affect the niche quantification and prediction for species poorly known to citizen scientists or in local contexts.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michela Perrone, Mirko Di Febbraro, Luisa Conti, Jan Divisek, Milan Chytry, Petr Keil, Maria Laura Carranza, Duccio Rocchini, Michele Torresani, Vitezslav Moudry, Petra Simova, Dominika Prajzlerova, Jana Mullerova, Jan Wild, Marco Malavasi
Summary: Biodiversity monitoring is important for ecosystem conservation, and remote sensing provides a convenient approach for collecting frequent and near-real-time information. This study investigates the applicability of spectral diversity (SD) metrics for monitoring plant diversity by comparing different types of SD metrics. The results show that SD is positively related to species richness and functional diversity, but only explains a small fraction of the variance in the models, and the strength of the relationship depends on habitat type.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiaoyang Ruan, Axel Timmermann, Pasquale Raia, Kyung-Sook Yun, Elke Zeller, Alessandro Mondanaro, Mirko Di Febbraro, Danielle Lemmon, Silvia Castiglione, Marina Melchionna
Summary: This study investigates the possibility of interbreeding between Neanderthals and Denisovans using species distribution models and simulations of global climate and biomes. The research reveals that climate-driven zonal shifts in central Eurasia influenced the timing and intensity of potential interbreeding events between these archaic humans. Glacial-interglacial climate swings played an important role in favoring gene flow between Neanderthals and Denisovans.
