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Papers by Anna Rita Di Cerbo

Journal of Helminthology, 2007

The composition of the abomasal helminth fauna and parasite diversity were studied in 298 red dee... more The composition of the abomasal helminth fauna and parasite diversity were studied in 298 red deer collected during 1997–2000 from three different sectors (Bolzano, Trento and Sondrio provinces) of the Stelvio National Park, one of the main protected areas of north-eastern Italy. The association between parasite burdens and geographical areas of the hosts was assessed using the negative binomial regression. A variety of abomasal helminths, both host specific and generalist, was found in all sectors. The most commonly observed parasites were the Spiculopteragia spiculoptera morph spiculoptera and Ostertagia leptospicularis morph leptospicularis, with prevalences of 79.5% and 40.9%, respectively. The minor morphs S. spiculoptera morph mathevossiani (prevalence 31.9%) and O. leptospicularis morph kolchida (18.8%) occurred at lower prevalences. Teladorsagia circumcincta morph circumcincta, Marshallagia marshalli morph marshalli and Haemonchus contortus were rarer, at prevalences of 1, 1...

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Habitat anthropization is a major driver of global biodiversity decline. Although most species ar... more Habitat anthropization is a major driver of global biodiversity decline. Although most species are negatively affected, some benefit from anthropogenic habitat modifications by showing intriguing life-history responses. For instance, increased recruitment through higher allocation to reproduction or improved performance during early-life stages could compensate for reduced adult survival, corresponding to “compensatory recruitment”. To date, evidence of compensatory recruitment in response to habitat modification is restricted to plants, limiting understanding of its importance as a response to global change. We used the yellow-bellied toad ( Bombina variegata ), an amphibian occupying a broad range of natural and anthropogenic habitats, as a model species to test for and to quantify compensatory recruitment. Using an exceptional capture–recapture dataset composed of 21,714 individuals from 67 populations across Europe, we showed that adult survival was lower, lifespan was shorter, ...

Cystic echinococcosis ( Echinococcus granulosus ) is a significant public health problem in the M... more Cystic echinococcosis ( Echinococcus granulosus ) is a significant public health problem in the Mediterranean basin. In Italy, there are few epidemiological studies on echinococcosis in animals and humans mainly on southern regions, even if echinoccocosis is included in the list of zoonoses that need an epidemiological surveillance (2003/99/EEC of 17 November 2003). The results confirm that echinococcosis is hypoendemic in Lombardy, but data collected at the slaughterhouse could underestimate the prevalence of the infection, because old sheep are not always slaughtered under veterinary control.

In Italy Testudo hermanni hermanni (Gmelin, 1789) is mainly distributed along the coastal areas a... more In Italy Testudo hermanni hermanni (Gmelin, 1789) is mainly distributed along the coastal areas and in hilly habitats characterised by Mediterranean vegetation, or in uncultivated areas characterised by very low agricultural pressure. The present paper reports an updated review of distribution data and provides new data for 57 UTM grids (10×10 km) in which the species was never reported before. Testudo hermanni hermanni is distributed throughout peninsular Italy, Sardinia, Sicily and several minor islands. In most of the range its distribution displays a highly fragmented pattern. The species occurs in coastal and hilly areas, in natural and semi-natural habitats mainly characterised by Mediterranean vegetation or in agricultural ones characterised by very low management pressure. The most extended distribution is found along the Tyrrhenian coast in Southern Tuscany and Latium while the presence of the species is much more fragmented in Campania and Calabria. Along the Adriatic coas...

The chapter summarizes the conservation status of Italian Amphibians and Reptiles included in the... more The chapter summarizes the conservation status of Italian Amphibians and Reptiles included in the Annexes of the Species and Habitat Directive. This is the 3rd report on the periodical monitoring requested by the Art. 17 of the EU Directive 92/43/CE.

Natural History Sciences, 2017

Findings of abnormally pigmented amphibian individuals provide interesting insights on intraspeci... more Findings of abnormally pigmented amphibian individuals provide interesting insights on intraspecific phenotypic variability as well as on variation among populations inhabiting different habitats. Amphibian coloration is determined by chromatophores (specific epidermal cells), and a variety of abnormalities related to them have been reported. In this study we reported cases of albinism and leucism in six species of Italian amphibians, including some endemic species. For some taxa, like Hydromantes sarrabusensis, H. flavus, H. supramontis and Bufo viridis, we describe the first observations of albinism and leucism.

No long term studies are available on phenology and reproductive biology of the common frog (Rana... more No long term studies are available on phenology and reproductive biology of the common frog (Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758) in low altitude lotic habitats of Italy. In the present paper, the seasonal activity of a common frog population was studied from a torrent at an altitude of about 450 m a.s.l. The research was carried out at Albino (Bergamo province, Lombard Prealps), in 1995-2003 and 2006. The study area (about 3000 m2) included a torrent with a main river-bed and a series of more o less connected pools (N=48). Environmental variables, location and number of R. temporaria clutches were annually recorded. Ninety six clutches were weighed. From each clutch, one sample of eggs was drawn and weighted. Then the number of eggs of each sample has been counted. The weight of one egg was calculated as the ratio of the weight of the sample to the number of eggs counted in that sample. The total number of eggs per clutch was estimated by means of the proportion formula: N.eggsclutch= (...

These researches are part of long-term studies on the reproductive ecology of Lombard populations... more These researches are part of long-term studies on the reproductive ecology of Lombard populations of Bombina variegata carried out from 1994 and still in progress. The area considered in this study is located at 450 m a.s.l. and includes a stream formed by a main river-bed and a series of pools more or less connected or completely isolated. Data on spawning sites (N=31) were collected to define the reproductive strategies of yellow-bellied toads in different environment conditions. Discriminant analysis was performed considering different parameters (position and size of the ponds, bottom composition, water turbulence, presence/absence of vegetation, exposure to the sun): no particular associations have been found. However, permanent ponds with riparian plants (Graminae), aquatic vegetation and branches favoured the presence of eggs, while isolated ponds or located in river-bed seem to determine the lack of batches (Wilks' lambda = 0.0928; Approx. F= 3.677; d.f.= 36, 58; p< 0...

Journal of Helminthology, 2007

The composition of the abomasal helminth fauna and parasite diversity were studied in 298 red dee... more The composition of the abomasal helminth fauna and parasite diversity were studied in 298 red deer collected during 1997–2000 from three different sectors (Bolzano, Trento and Sondrio provinces) of the Stelvio National Park, one of the main protected areas of north-eastern Italy. The association between parasite burdens and geographical areas of the hosts was assessed using the negative binomial regression. A variety of abomasal helminths, both host specific and generalist, was found in all sectors. The most commonly observed parasites were the Spiculopteragia spiculoptera morph spiculoptera and Ostertagia leptospicularis morph leptospicularis, with prevalences of 79.5% and 40.9%, respectively. The minor morphs S. spiculoptera morph mathevossiani (prevalence 31.9%) and O. leptospicularis morph kolchida (18.8%) occurred at lower prevalences. Teladorsagia circumcincta morph circumcincta, Marshallagia marshalli morph marshalli and Haemonchus contortus were rarer, at prevalences of 1, 1...

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Habitat anthropization is a major driver of global biodiversity decline. Although most species ar... more Habitat anthropization is a major driver of global biodiversity decline. Although most species are negatively affected, some benefit from anthropogenic habitat modifications by showing intriguing life-history responses. For instance, increased recruitment through higher allocation to reproduction or improved performance during early-life stages could compensate for reduced adult survival, corresponding to “compensatory recruitment”. To date, evidence of compensatory recruitment in response to habitat modification is restricted to plants, limiting understanding of its importance as a response to global change. We used the yellow-bellied toad ( Bombina variegata ), an amphibian occupying a broad range of natural and anthropogenic habitats, as a model species to test for and to quantify compensatory recruitment. Using an exceptional capture–recapture dataset composed of 21,714 individuals from 67 populations across Europe, we showed that adult survival was lower, lifespan was shorter, ...

Cystic echinococcosis ( Echinococcus granulosus ) is a significant public health problem in the M... more Cystic echinococcosis ( Echinococcus granulosus ) is a significant public health problem in the Mediterranean basin. In Italy, there are few epidemiological studies on echinococcosis in animals and humans mainly on southern regions, even if echinoccocosis is included in the list of zoonoses that need an epidemiological surveillance (2003/99/EEC of 17 November 2003). The results confirm that echinococcosis is hypoendemic in Lombardy, but data collected at the slaughterhouse could underestimate the prevalence of the infection, because old sheep are not always slaughtered under veterinary control.

In Italy Testudo hermanni hermanni (Gmelin, 1789) is mainly distributed along the coastal areas a... more In Italy Testudo hermanni hermanni (Gmelin, 1789) is mainly distributed along the coastal areas and in hilly habitats characterised by Mediterranean vegetation, or in uncultivated areas characterised by very low agricultural pressure. The present paper reports an updated review of distribution data and provides new data for 57 UTM grids (10×10 km) in which the species was never reported before. Testudo hermanni hermanni is distributed throughout peninsular Italy, Sardinia, Sicily and several minor islands. In most of the range its distribution displays a highly fragmented pattern. The species occurs in coastal and hilly areas, in natural and semi-natural habitats mainly characterised by Mediterranean vegetation or in agricultural ones characterised by very low management pressure. The most extended distribution is found along the Tyrrhenian coast in Southern Tuscany and Latium while the presence of the species is much more fragmented in Campania and Calabria. Along the Adriatic coas...

The chapter summarizes the conservation status of Italian Amphibians and Reptiles included in the... more The chapter summarizes the conservation status of Italian Amphibians and Reptiles included in the Annexes of the Species and Habitat Directive. This is the 3rd report on the periodical monitoring requested by the Art. 17 of the EU Directive 92/43/CE.

Natural History Sciences, 2017

Findings of abnormally pigmented amphibian individuals provide interesting insights on intraspeci... more Findings of abnormally pigmented amphibian individuals provide interesting insights on intraspecific phenotypic variability as well as on variation among populations inhabiting different habitats. Amphibian coloration is determined by chromatophores (specific epidermal cells), and a variety of abnormalities related to them have been reported. In this study we reported cases of albinism and leucism in six species of Italian amphibians, including some endemic species. For some taxa, like Hydromantes sarrabusensis, H. flavus, H. supramontis and Bufo viridis, we describe the first observations of albinism and leucism.

No long term studies are available on phenology and reproductive biology of the common frog (Rana... more No long term studies are available on phenology and reproductive biology of the common frog (Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758) in low altitude lotic habitats of Italy. In the present paper, the seasonal activity of a common frog population was studied from a torrent at an altitude of about 450 m a.s.l. The research was carried out at Albino (Bergamo province, Lombard Prealps), in 1995-2003 and 2006. The study area (about 3000 m2) included a torrent with a main river-bed and a series of more o less connected pools (N=48). Environmental variables, location and number of R. temporaria clutches were annually recorded. Ninety six clutches were weighed. From each clutch, one sample of eggs was drawn and weighted. Then the number of eggs of each sample has been counted. The weight of one egg was calculated as the ratio of the weight of the sample to the number of eggs counted in that sample. The total number of eggs per clutch was estimated by means of the proportion formula: N.eggsclutch= (...

These researches are part of long-term studies on the reproductive ecology of Lombard populations... more These researches are part of long-term studies on the reproductive ecology of Lombard populations of Bombina variegata carried out from 1994 and still in progress. The area considered in this study is located at 450 m a.s.l. and includes a stream formed by a main river-bed and a series of pools more or less connected or completely isolated. Data on spawning sites (N=31) were collected to define the reproductive strategies of yellow-bellied toads in different environment conditions. Discriminant analysis was performed considering different parameters (position and size of the ponds, bottom composition, water turbulence, presence/absence of vegetation, exposure to the sun): no particular associations have been found. However, permanent ponds with riparian plants (Graminae), aquatic vegetation and branches favoured the presence of eggs, while isolated ponds or located in river-bed seem to determine the lack of batches (Wilks' lambda = 0.0928; Approx. F= 3.677; d.f.= 36, 58; p< 0...