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New data paper related to the monitoring activities performed on Speleomantes cave salamanders

by Enrico | Aug 25, 2024 | herpetology, Lab projects, scientific articles, Subterranean biology

This data paper collects information on multiple surface and subterranean populations of Speleomantes obtained throughout a four-year monitoring period. The high-quality pictures are supplied with additional information on individuals such as weight, presence of malformations and parasite load.

Title: Four years monitoring of the endangered European plethodontid salamanders

Authors: Luca Coppari, Milos Di Gregorio, Claudia Corti, Stefano Merilli, Manuela Mulargia, Roberto Cogoni, Raoul Manenti, Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Enrico Lunghi

Journal: Scientific Data

Link to the article Four years monitoring of the endangered European plethodontid salamanders

New article on the trophic niche of sympatric salamanders

by Enrico | Jun 2, 2024 | herpetology, Lab projects, scientific articles

In this article we further studied the trophic niche of two sympatric salamanders: the Fire salamander Salamandra salamandra and the Italian cave salamander Speleomantes italicus. We here collected data on the autumnal diet and, besides comparing that of the two species, for each species we also evaluated seasonal divergences.

Title: Variability of Seasonal Trophic Niche in Two Sympatric Salamanders: Italian Cave Salamanders and Fire Salamanders

Authors: Fabio Cianferoni, Milos Di Gregorio, Claudia Corti, Enrico Lunghi

Journal: Herpetologica

Link to the article Variability of Seasonal Trophic Niche in Two Sympatric Salamanders: Italian Cave Salamanders and Fire Salamanders

New article on salamander diet specialization

by Enrico | Apr 21, 2024 | herpetology, scientific articles, Subterranean biology

In this article we assessed the consistency of individual diet specialization of three populations of Speleomantes ambrosii throughout a period of three years. We found evidence of significant variation of the proportion of specialized individuals between different seasons, and between different years when considering the same season.

Title: Yearly variation in individual diet specialization: Evidence from cave salamanders

Authors: Enrico Lunghi, Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Raoul Manenti, Giorgio Mancinelli

Journal: Global Ecology and Conservation

Link to the article Yearly variation in individual diet specialization: Evidence from cave salamanders

Microclimatic Yearly variation in individual diet specialization: Evidence from cave salamanders Download

New review article published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society on behaviour of subterranean species

by Enrico | Oct 31, 2023 | scientific articles, Subterranean biology

In this article we performed a review of research papers in which experiments or description of specific behavioural trait were performed in cave species. Data was then analysed to assess the convergent evolution of such behavioral traits, and to infer on the role that behavioural adjustments may have during the colonization of subterranean environments.

Title:

Behavioural adjustments enable the colonization of subterranean environments

Authors: Enrico Lunghi , Stefano Mammola, Alejandro Martínez, Thomas Hesselberg

Journal: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

Link to the article Behavioural adjustments enable the colonization of subterranean environments

Behavioural adjustments enable the colonization of subterranean environments Download

New article published in Animals on foraging behaviour of Speleomantes

by admin | Sep 1, 2023 | herpetology, scientific articles

In this article we performed a fine-scale analysis of the gut contents obtained from all Speleomantes species, including hybrids. Identifying prey with higher taxonomic resolution and considering their ecology, we were able to infer on potential foraging behaviour of these salamanders, paving the way for future studies to test these new hypotheses.

Title:

Inferring on Speleomantes Foraging Behavior from Gut Contents Examination

Authors: Fabio Cianferoni, Enrico Lunghi

Journal: Animals

Link to the article Inferring on Speleomantes Foraging Behavior from Gut Contents Examination

Special Issue: Predator-Prey Interactions in Amphibians and Reptiles

Inferring on Speleomantes Foraging Behavior from Gut Contents Examination Download

New article published in Scientific Reports on the trophic niche of Speleomantes italicus

by Sandra | Oct 29, 2022 | herpetology, scientific articles

In this article we investigated the trophic niche of multiple populations of the Italian cave salamander, Speleomantes italicus, throughout a year. We found a discrepancy in the foraging activity of the populations located in different areas, and temporal and spatial variability in the body condition of individuals. Our study highlighted a remarkably high spatial and temporal divergence in the trophic habits of conspecific populations.

Title: The trophic niche of subterranean populations of Speleomantes italicus

Authors: Enrico Lunghi, Fabio Cianferoni, Claudia Corti, Yahui Zhao, Raoul Manenti, Gentile Francesco Ficetola and Giorgio Mancinelli

Journal: Scientific Reports

Link to the article: The trophic niche of subterranean populations of Speleomantes italicus

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