Systematics and evolution of Mammals

Insectivora and Rodents

People

M.G.Filippucci

A series of studies focused on their morphological and genetic variation has been carried out by morphometric, cytogenetic and electrophoretic analyses. A multidisciplinary approach was needed to detect the sibling species which are so frequent among small mammals and so difficult to recognize by morphological characters. These studies made it possible to understand the original and the present structure of European mammal fauna as well as that of the occidental Palaearctic area. The results have been used to study microevolutionary processes involved in speciation.

People

E.Trucchi, V.Sbordoni

Molecular analyses has been used to understand the geographical origin and history of Hystrix cristata Italian populations and to discuss the hypothesis about its introduction in recent times. Moreover inferences about demographic parameters which characterize this putative invasion such as propagule pressure, diversity of introduced stock, and growth rate, are suggested on the basis of the genetic diversity and structure of Italian populations.


Bats inventory in the Special Protection Areas of Latium

People

V.Ferri, M.Mattoccia, V.Sbordoni, M.Ciambotta, A.Ventura


Goals of recently started project are: to document the occurrence of at least 90 percent of the species of Chiroptera currently expected to occur in some SPA and in its neighbouring; to describe the distribution and relative abundance of threatened and endangered species occurring within SPA boundaries; to provide the baseline information needed to develop a general monitoring strategy for bats and design that can be implemented by local specialists; to make information easily available, through the Observatory for Biodiversity of Latium (OBL) to regional protected areas managers, resource managers, scientists, and the public.

Trucchi E., and V. Sbordoni. 2009. Unveiling an ancient biological invasion: molecular analysis of an old European alien, the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata Linnaeus, 1758). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 9:109-119.

Angelici FM, Cabras PA, Trucchi E. 2009. Records of crested porcupine, Hystrix cristata, in Sardinia. Mammalia, 73, 377-379.

Castiglia, R., Annesi, F., Krystufek, B., Filippucci, M.G., & Amori, G. 2009. The evolutionary history of a mammal species with a highly fragmented range: the phylogeography of the European snow vole. Journal of Zoology, 279, 243-250.

Trucchi, E., G.Gentile and V.Sbordoni. 2008. Development of primers to amplify mtDNA control region of Old World porcupines (subgenus Hystrix). Molecular Ecology Resources 8,1139–1141.

Szpunar G., Aloise G., Filippucci M.G. 2008. Suncus etruscus (Soricomorpha, Soricidae): A new species for Elba Island (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy). Italian Journal of Zoology, 75(4), 445-447.

Suzuki, H., Filippucci, M.G., Chelomina, G.N., Sato, J.J., Serizawa, K., & Nevo, E. 2008. A biogeographic view of Apodemus in Asia and Europe inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences. Biochemical Genetics, 46, 329-346.

Capizzi D., & Filippucci M.G. 2008. Famiglia Gliridae Muirhead, 1819. In C.L. Amori G. (a cura di), Fauna d’Italia. Mammalia II. Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Lagomorpha, Rodentia. (pp. 378-441). Edizioni Calderini.

Capizzi D., & Filippucci M.G. 2008. Genere Apodemus Kaup, 1829. In C.L. Amori G. (a cura di), Fauna d’Italia. Mammalia II. Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Lagomorpha, Rodentia. Edizioni Calderini: 578- 618. (pp. 578-618). Edizioni Calderini.

Reggiani G., & Filippucci M.G. 2008. Genere Erinaceus Linnaeus, 1758. Edizioni Calderini: 68- 87. In C.L. Amori G. (a cura di), Fauna d’Italia. Mammalia II. Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Lagomorpha, Rodentia. (pp. 68-87). Edizioni Calderini.

Michaux J.R., Libois R. and Filippucci M.G. 2005. So close and so different: comparative phylogeography of two small mammal species, the Yellow-necked fieldmouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and the Woodmouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in the Western Palearctic region. Heredity 94, 52-63.

Castiglia R., Annesi F., Filippucci M.G., Buscami A., Tuccinardi P., Amori G. 2006. Mitochondrial variability in a glacial relict, the snow vole Chionomys nivalis (Rodentia, Arvicolidae). Hystrix It. J. Mamm. (n.s.) supp.