Marcello Verdinelli | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) (original) (raw)
Papers by Marcello Verdinelli
In our study, we assessed the response of beetles communities at low taxonomical resolution to di... more In our study, we assessed the response of beetles communities at low taxonomical resolution to different Mediterranean cork oak land-use systems. Spatial variation of dung-beetles communities was also analyzed because of their potential role as ecological indicators in grazed areas.
Lymantria dispar L. and Malacosoma neustrium (L.) are the most serious defoliators of cork oak in... more Lymantria dispar L. and Malacosoma neustrium (L.) are the most serious defoliators of cork oak in the Mediterranean region. For this reason, information on their feeding behaviour are important in pest management. A non-destructive approach by using photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) combined with a partial least squares regression analyses (PLS), has been used to provide a rapid and cost-effective analysis to assess foliage chemistry and to estimate some nutritional indices of these insects.
The study was carried out in a North Sardinian cork oak forest in 1992. To control the gypsy moth... more The study was carried out in a North Sardinian cork oak forest in 1992. To control the gypsy moth population three commercial preparations of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki were applied by helicopter: Activator THK and Bactospeine at low volume and Foray 48B at ultra low volume, when 80-90% of the gypsy moth larvae were in 1st and 2nd instars. At 14d after treatment, Activator (applied at 5 l/ha) did not cause significant population reductions, while Bactospeine (applied at 32 B.I.U./ha) and Foray 48B (applied at 31.75 B.I.U./ha) caused average mortalities respectively of 40 and 53%. All preparations showed a good compatibility with the activity of the gypsy moth natural enemies. Smaller mortalities, compared with previous tests, seem to be related with the low average temperatures, between 13.9 and 16.8°C, of the post-treatment week which slowed down both feeding and metabolism of the larvae just when there was the largest amount of spores on the foliage
Geologically Sardinia is a raft which, for just under thirty million years, has been crossing the... more Geologically Sardinia is a raft which, for just under thirty million years, has been crossing the western Mediterranean, swaying like a pendulum from the Iberian to the Italian Peninsula. An island so large and distant from the other lands, except for its "sister" Corsica, has inevitably developed an autochthonous flora and fauna over such a long period of time. Organisms from other Mediterranean regions have added to this original contingent. These new arrivals were not randomly distributed over time but grouped into at least three great waves. The oldest two correspond with the Messinian salinity crisis about 7 million years ago and with the ice age, when, in both periods, Sardinia was linked to or near other lands due to a fall in sea level. The third, still in progress, is linked to human activity. Man has travelled since ancient times and for many centuries introduced allochthonous species to Sardinia which radically modified the native flora and fauna, but always at ...
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2012
Ecological processes, Apr 27, 2022
Biodiversity and Conservation
Studying macroarthropod community responses to different land uses is particularly interesting in... more Studying macroarthropod community responses to different land uses is particularly interesting in agroforestry for the conservation of Mediterranean landscapes, which need to be managed in terms of ecological and functional sustainability. Because of the sensitivity of many taxa to human impacts, we assessed the response of beetle assemblages at low taxonomic resolution (i.e. family level) to grazing in Mediterranean cork oak woodlands in northern Sardinia (Italy). Scarab assemblages were also analysed at the species level because of their ecological role in grazed areas. Cork oak woodland descriptors were also recorded in order to relate beetle assemblages to the forest structure. Over the entire sampling period, 4550 beetles belonging to 47 families were captured using pitfall traps. Multivariate analyses performed on ground-dwelling beetle data showed a distinct separation in terms of assemblages between grazed and ungrazed sites. The average diameter of cork oak trees and the degree of shrub cover were significantly linked to the beetle family assemblages. Constrained multivariate analyses indicated the significance of grazing, by both large and small domestic herbivores, and altitude, as variables determining the pattern of scarab beetle assemblages. Mantel test showed a significant correlation between the beetle and scarab dissimilarity matrices indicating a similar pattern for the two levels of identification. Our results show the predictive power of beetles at the family taxonomic level, as well as scarab beetles at the species level. These turned out to be valuable indicators in biomonitoring programmes in Mediterranean cork oak woodlands in order to increase the resilience of cork oak agroforestry systems under future global change scenarios.
Observations on the development and the behaviour ofMalacosoma neustrium (L.) (Lep. Lasiocampidae... more Observations on the development and the behaviour ofMalacosoma neustrium (L.) (Lep. Lasiocampidae) Larvae In a northern Sardinia cork oak stand the development of MaLacosoma neustrium larvae, starting from egg hatch, was studied in order to verify the number of larval instars, characterise the nests built during the different instars and show a possible periodicity of their daily activity. The data obtained by direct open field observations (n. 16 cork oak trees infested with 22 egg masses) and laboratory rearing (25°C~ RH=60%) using cork oak leaves as food source for larvae, were analysed. In the selected area, temperature, relative humidity, global radiation (MJ/m 2) and rainfall (hourly and daily average data) were recorded. The insect completed 5 instars both in the field and in the laboratory; each in star was properly defined by using head capsule (cps) and frass (frs) measurements (Hcps=559.05; Hfrs=541.43; dJ.=4, P<0,05; Kruskal-Wallis's test). Up to 3 rd instar, the ...
En Italie, au cours des dernières cinquante années, les régions rurales ont enregistré un de fort... more En Italie, au cours des dernières cinquante années, les régions rurales ont enregistré un de forte dépopulation due aussi à un modèle d'agriculture intensive très spécialisé, qui a été l'une des raisons de l'abandon de la campagne et de la conséquente destruction de la ruralité comme valeur environnementale et sociale, de la perte généralisée de la biodiversité et de la pollution (Meloni, 2006). Au côté de ce phénomène, l'adoption par les résidents ruraux de certains caractères de la culture urbaine, selon un processus dénommé d'acculturation, a conduit à une perte de la culture de l a «tradition» (Ember et Ember, 1997). Par conséquence, dans les régions méditerranéennes, on a vu la disparition progressive de la relation entre la culture populaire et la nature, un lien qui survécu principalement grâce à l’utilisation alimentaire et médicinale des plantes (Hadjichambis et al., 2008)
Entomological …, 2005
... Using sensitivity analysis to simplify ecosystem models: a case study. Simulation, 31, 15-26.... more ... Using sensitivity analysis to simplify ecosystem models: a case study. Simulation, 31, 15-26. SHEPHERD RF, BROWN CE, 1971. ... Vol. 2. Swan Sonnenschein & Co., London, 584 p. VERDINELLI M., SERRA G., LUCIANO P., 1999. ...
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
The impact of mining activities on spider (Araneae) diversity and assemblages was studied in two ... more The impact of mining activities on spider (Araneae) diversity and assemblages was studied in two abandoned mine sites in Sardinia (Italy), where mining activities started in the middle of the nineteenth century and closed down over a century later. Spider community composition was analysed in dumps, undisturbed forests and scrublands which represent the natural chronosequence following the abandonment of the mining district. The identification of spiders was performed at the lowest taxonomic level possible and differences in abundance, species richness (SR), and functional diversity (FD) were analysed. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and a permutated multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) routine were conducted to evaluate the relationships of spider assemblages with land cover, and the indicator species analysis was performed to identify the typifying species. During the entire sampling period, 2312 spiders were captured, and approximately 80% of the total were identified at the species level (79 spider species belonging to 28 different families). No differences in abundance and SR were found, whereas FD, which showed the highest values in forests, significantly differed among sites. A distinct separation among assemblages and a significant effect of the land use on spider assemblages were found (PERMANOVA, R 2 = 0.59, p < 0.001). Twelve species were selected as indicator species. Our results underlined the possibility to consider ground-dwelling spiders as a valuable target group for biomonitoring programmes supporting projects of near-natural restoration and/or technical reclamation of mining sites.
![Research paper thumbnail of [Impact of cork oak management on the ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity associated with Quercus suber in the Mâamora forest (Morocco)]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/64346096/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Comptes rendus biologies, 2017
The cork oak forest is an ecosystem playing a major role in Moroccan socio-economy and biodiversi... more The cork oak forest is an ecosystem playing a major role in Moroccan socio-economy and biodiversity conservation. However, this ecosystem is negatively impacted by extensive human- and climate-driven pressures, causing a strong decrease in its distribution and a worsening of the desertification processes. This study aims at characterising the impact of cork oak forest management on a major actor of its functioning, the ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal community associated with Quercus suber, and the determination of EcM bio-indicators. The EcM fungal community has been monitored during spring and winter seasons in two sites of the Moroccan Mâamora forest, corresponding to a forest site either impacted by human activities or protected. A significant impact of cork oak forest management on the EcM fungal community has been revealed, with major differences during the summer season. The results confirmed the potential ecological significance of several EcM fungi (e.g., Cenococcum) in the su...
... I trattamenti sono stati eseguiti in un' area del comune di Calangianus (Sassari) posta ... more ... I trattamenti sono stati eseguiti in un' area del comune di Calangianus (Sassari) posta fra i 500 ed i 600 m slm Lo schema sperimentale adottato è stato quello a blocchi randomizzati con tre replicazio-ni su parcelle di forma quadrata di 25 ha ciascuna (complessivamente ogni ...
A study on the lackey moth egg masses distribution is reported. Length and surface of the egg mas... more A study on the lackey moth egg masses distribution is reported. Length and surface of the egg masses were employed for estimating insect fecundity by regression formulae. Taylor's power law was applied to confirm an eventual clumped distribution of egg masses.
In our study, we assessed the response of beetles communities at low taxonomical resolution to di... more In our study, we assessed the response of beetles communities at low taxonomical resolution to different Mediterranean cork oak land-use systems. Spatial variation of dung-beetles communities was also analyzed because of their potential role as ecological indicators in grazed areas.
Lymantria dispar L. and Malacosoma neustrium (L.) are the most serious defoliators of cork oak in... more Lymantria dispar L. and Malacosoma neustrium (L.) are the most serious defoliators of cork oak in the Mediterranean region. For this reason, information on their feeding behaviour are important in pest management. A non-destructive approach by using photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) combined with a partial least squares regression analyses (PLS), has been used to provide a rapid and cost-effective analysis to assess foliage chemistry and to estimate some nutritional indices of these insects.
The study was carried out in a North Sardinian cork oak forest in 1992. To control the gypsy moth... more The study was carried out in a North Sardinian cork oak forest in 1992. To control the gypsy moth population three commercial preparations of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki were applied by helicopter: Activator THK and Bactospeine at low volume and Foray 48B at ultra low volume, when 80-90% of the gypsy moth larvae were in 1st and 2nd instars. At 14d after treatment, Activator (applied at 5 l/ha) did not cause significant population reductions, while Bactospeine (applied at 32 B.I.U./ha) and Foray 48B (applied at 31.75 B.I.U./ha) caused average mortalities respectively of 40 and 53%. All preparations showed a good compatibility with the activity of the gypsy moth natural enemies. Smaller mortalities, compared with previous tests, seem to be related with the low average temperatures, between 13.9 and 16.8°C, of the post-treatment week which slowed down both feeding and metabolism of the larvae just when there was the largest amount of spores on the foliage
Geologically Sardinia is a raft which, for just under thirty million years, has been crossing the... more Geologically Sardinia is a raft which, for just under thirty million years, has been crossing the western Mediterranean, swaying like a pendulum from the Iberian to the Italian Peninsula. An island so large and distant from the other lands, except for its "sister" Corsica, has inevitably developed an autochthonous flora and fauna over such a long period of time. Organisms from other Mediterranean regions have added to this original contingent. These new arrivals were not randomly distributed over time but grouped into at least three great waves. The oldest two correspond with the Messinian salinity crisis about 7 million years ago and with the ice age, when, in both periods, Sardinia was linked to or near other lands due to a fall in sea level. The third, still in progress, is linked to human activity. Man has travelled since ancient times and for many centuries introduced allochthonous species to Sardinia which radically modified the native flora and fauna, but always at ...
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2012
Ecological processes, Apr 27, 2022
Biodiversity and Conservation
Studying macroarthropod community responses to different land uses is particularly interesting in... more Studying macroarthropod community responses to different land uses is particularly interesting in agroforestry for the conservation of Mediterranean landscapes, which need to be managed in terms of ecological and functional sustainability. Because of the sensitivity of many taxa to human impacts, we assessed the response of beetle assemblages at low taxonomic resolution (i.e. family level) to grazing in Mediterranean cork oak woodlands in northern Sardinia (Italy). Scarab assemblages were also analysed at the species level because of their ecological role in grazed areas. Cork oak woodland descriptors were also recorded in order to relate beetle assemblages to the forest structure. Over the entire sampling period, 4550 beetles belonging to 47 families were captured using pitfall traps. Multivariate analyses performed on ground-dwelling beetle data showed a distinct separation in terms of assemblages between grazed and ungrazed sites. The average diameter of cork oak trees and the degree of shrub cover were significantly linked to the beetle family assemblages. Constrained multivariate analyses indicated the significance of grazing, by both large and small domestic herbivores, and altitude, as variables determining the pattern of scarab beetle assemblages. Mantel test showed a significant correlation between the beetle and scarab dissimilarity matrices indicating a similar pattern for the two levels of identification. Our results show the predictive power of beetles at the family taxonomic level, as well as scarab beetles at the species level. These turned out to be valuable indicators in biomonitoring programmes in Mediterranean cork oak woodlands in order to increase the resilience of cork oak agroforestry systems under future global change scenarios.
Observations on the development and the behaviour ofMalacosoma neustrium (L.) (Lep. Lasiocampidae... more Observations on the development and the behaviour ofMalacosoma neustrium (L.) (Lep. Lasiocampidae) Larvae In a northern Sardinia cork oak stand the development of MaLacosoma neustrium larvae, starting from egg hatch, was studied in order to verify the number of larval instars, characterise the nests built during the different instars and show a possible periodicity of their daily activity. The data obtained by direct open field observations (n. 16 cork oak trees infested with 22 egg masses) and laboratory rearing (25°C~ RH=60%) using cork oak leaves as food source for larvae, were analysed. In the selected area, temperature, relative humidity, global radiation (MJ/m 2) and rainfall (hourly and daily average data) were recorded. The insect completed 5 instars both in the field and in the laboratory; each in star was properly defined by using head capsule (cps) and frass (frs) measurements (Hcps=559.05; Hfrs=541.43; dJ.=4, P<0,05; Kruskal-Wallis's test). Up to 3 rd instar, the ...
En Italie, au cours des dernières cinquante années, les régions rurales ont enregistré un de fort... more En Italie, au cours des dernières cinquante années, les régions rurales ont enregistré un de forte dépopulation due aussi à un modèle d'agriculture intensive très spécialisé, qui a été l'une des raisons de l'abandon de la campagne et de la conséquente destruction de la ruralité comme valeur environnementale et sociale, de la perte généralisée de la biodiversité et de la pollution (Meloni, 2006). Au côté de ce phénomène, l'adoption par les résidents ruraux de certains caractères de la culture urbaine, selon un processus dénommé d'acculturation, a conduit à une perte de la culture de l a «tradition» (Ember et Ember, 1997). Par conséquence, dans les régions méditerranéennes, on a vu la disparition progressive de la relation entre la culture populaire et la nature, un lien qui survécu principalement grâce à l’utilisation alimentaire et médicinale des plantes (Hadjichambis et al., 2008)
Entomological …, 2005
... Using sensitivity analysis to simplify ecosystem models: a case study. Simulation, 31, 15-26.... more ... Using sensitivity analysis to simplify ecosystem models: a case study. Simulation, 31, 15-26. SHEPHERD RF, BROWN CE, 1971. ... Vol. 2. Swan Sonnenschein & Co., London, 584 p. VERDINELLI M., SERRA G., LUCIANO P., 1999. ...
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
The impact of mining activities on spider (Araneae) diversity and assemblages was studied in two ... more The impact of mining activities on spider (Araneae) diversity and assemblages was studied in two abandoned mine sites in Sardinia (Italy), where mining activities started in the middle of the nineteenth century and closed down over a century later. Spider community composition was analysed in dumps, undisturbed forests and scrublands which represent the natural chronosequence following the abandonment of the mining district. The identification of spiders was performed at the lowest taxonomic level possible and differences in abundance, species richness (SR), and functional diversity (FD) were analysed. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and a permutated multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) routine were conducted to evaluate the relationships of spider assemblages with land cover, and the indicator species analysis was performed to identify the typifying species. During the entire sampling period, 2312 spiders were captured, and approximately 80% of the total were identified at the species level (79 spider species belonging to 28 different families). No differences in abundance and SR were found, whereas FD, which showed the highest values in forests, significantly differed among sites. A distinct separation among assemblages and a significant effect of the land use on spider assemblages were found (PERMANOVA, R 2 = 0.59, p < 0.001). Twelve species were selected as indicator species. Our results underlined the possibility to consider ground-dwelling spiders as a valuable target group for biomonitoring programmes supporting projects of near-natural restoration and/or technical reclamation of mining sites.
Comptes rendus biologies, 2017
The cork oak forest is an ecosystem playing a major role in Moroccan socio-economy and biodiversi... more The cork oak forest is an ecosystem playing a major role in Moroccan socio-economy and biodiversity conservation. However, this ecosystem is negatively impacted by extensive human- and climate-driven pressures, causing a strong decrease in its distribution and a worsening of the desertification processes. This study aims at characterising the impact of cork oak forest management on a major actor of its functioning, the ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal community associated with Quercus suber, and the determination of EcM bio-indicators. The EcM fungal community has been monitored during spring and winter seasons in two sites of the Moroccan Mâamora forest, corresponding to a forest site either impacted by human activities or protected. A significant impact of cork oak forest management on the EcM fungal community has been revealed, with major differences during the summer season. The results confirmed the potential ecological significance of several EcM fungi (e.g., Cenococcum) in the su...
... I trattamenti sono stati eseguiti in un' area del comune di Calangianus (Sassari) posta ... more ... I trattamenti sono stati eseguiti in un' area del comune di Calangianus (Sassari) posta fra i 500 ed i 600 m slm Lo schema sperimentale adottato è stato quello a blocchi randomizzati con tre replicazio-ni su parcelle di forma quadrata di 25 ha ciascuna (complessivamente ogni ...
A study on the lackey moth egg masses distribution is reported. Length and surface of the egg mas... more A study on the lackey moth egg masses distribution is reported. Length and surface of the egg masses were employed for estimating insect fecundity by regression formulae. Taylor's power law was applied to confirm an eventual clumped distribution of egg masses.