Marco Vannini - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Marco Vannini

Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, 2013

The mangrove snail Cerithidea decollata feeds on the ground at low water, and about two hours bef... more The mangrove snail Cerithidea decollata feeds on the ground at low water, and about two hours before high water climbs Avicennia marina trunks settling 20-40 cm above the level that the incoming tide will reach. The moment that C. decollata must start to measure the vertical distance it has to creep up the trunk to avoid submersion corresponds to the point at which creeping switches from a horizontal to vertical movement (the "0" point). Two vertical movements interrupted by a short horizontal movement were added together; however, if the horizontal interruption was wider than 10 cm a new "0" point was set, and snails climbed higher than control snails, according to the level of the horizontal interruption, without adding the two vertical segments. Through forcing snails to both climb and descend, we observed that they do not appear to be capable of subtraction.

The stomachs of 194 crabs belonging to 11 species, commonly inhabiting mangrove areas, were colle... more The stomachs of 194 crabs belonging to 11 species, commonly inhabiting mangrove areas, were collected in two Kenyan mangrove forests, in Gazi Bayand Mida Creek, and their contents were analyzed. Both the stomach fullness (a subjective estimation) and the composition (the plant:animal matter ratio) of the food ingested were recorded. Results show that few species are either strictly herbivorous (Sesarma ortmanni and Selatium elongatum) or strictly carnivorous (Eurycarcinus natalensis), while most of the species are non-specialized and normally eat a wide range of plant items, mangrove leaf litter and algae, and animal prey, mostly bivalves, gastropods, anomurans and other brachyurans. Crab stomachs with a higher percentage of mangrove leaf litter and algae were significantly fuller than those with animal items. Most of the crabs display an omnivore feeding habit and feed on a wide range of items. Among the Sesarminae, the most herbivorous group, the only species showing a significant degree of specialization is Sesarma leptosoma, which is able to reach the mangrove canopy to feed on fresh leaves.

Freshwater Biology, 1990

The patterns of relative and absolute growth and the reproductive biology of the freshwater crab ... more The patterns of relative and absolute growth and the reproductive biology of the freshwater crab Potamoti fluviatile were studied in a natural population inhabiting a hill stream close to Florence, Italy, over an annual cycle. Periodical inspections of a stretch of the stream were made and morphological and anatomical analysis carried out. 2. As in other decapods, the females are smaller than the males (they can however occasionally reach larger dimensions). This may be determined by a lengthening of the moulting interval in the females, by their higher energetic cost of reproduction (since reproduction occurs simultaneously with moulting, at least in this habitat) and/or by a higher mortality rate resulting from the risks associated with carrying eggs and vagility. 3. The analysis of relative growth in secondary sexual characters (abdomen width and major chela length) with respect to carapace length, shows that the pre-puberty and puberty ecdysis occur at 15 and 35 mm carapace length respectively, which was also confirmed by the gonad weight, vas deferens in males, and the onset of vitcllogenesis in females. 4. A delay between anatomical and functional (i.e. the ability to copulate successfully) maturity was observed in the males. Being larger may be an advantage in intra-sexual competition for mating, but larger males, being more vagile. are also more likely to meet receptive females. The females may mate before their puberty moult and store sperms in iheir seminal receptacles for when they attain full maturity; this could be adaptive since opportunities of encountering males are few and far between in their adult phase, characterized by their vagile and amphibious habits.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Abstract The conservation of mangrove forests has become an important international policy priori... more Abstract The conservation of mangrove forests has become an important international policy priority in recent decades, and is mirrored by a large increase in research interest. Multiple disciplines now use mangroves as a study system, from molecular biology to social science. The variety of research conducted in mangroves is exemplified by the Mangrove Macrobenthos & Management (MMM) conference series, the world's largest gathering of researchers and practitioners dedicated to the science and conservation of the mangrove ecosystem. Established in 2000, MMM is a useful barometer with which to identify and measure research trends over the last 20 years. This study describes the history of the MMM conference series, and analyses the research presented in this series as a potential proxy of how the broader mangrove research field has changed through time. Presentations in early MMM conferences were dominated by macrobenthos studies, reflective of the origins of MMM as a forum specifically for mangrove macrobenthos research. However, later conferences have come to reflect the broader interests of the mangrove research field, and have tracked the emergence of blue carbon and other ecosystem services. Mangrove forests continue to be a rich and diverse ecosystem of study, and future MMM conferences will continue to provide a platform for impactful research and management.

Monitore Zoologico Italiano. Supplemento, 1982

Material examined.-4 spec. MF 6884, V-VI.1973. Remarks.-Species endemic to Somalia. It was rarely... more Material examined.-4 spec. MF 6884, V-VI.1973. Remarks.-Species endemic to Somalia. It was rarely found and always in dunal and retrodunal zones. Arthrodibius (Erodibius) nitidiventris (Fairmaire, 1884).

SUMMARY A descriptive and quantitative analysis is given of the aggressivity exhibited, and the h... more SUMMARY A descriptive and quantitative analysis is given of the aggressivity exhibited, and the hierarchical structure of dominance established, in Potamon fluviatile (Herbst). Four males, females or young were tested at a time in a standard experimental situation. A total of 60 animals were used. The aggressive patterns distinguished are approaching, threatening, touching, pushing, grasping and fighting. A form of submissive posture and some forms of displacement activity are also described and discussed. A linear peck-dominance type of hierarchy is established between four individuals and often three rather than four distinct ranks are seen. The male alpha exhibits a particular type of behaviour, compelling all the others in the container to remain in a restricted portion of the available territory. The alphas are generally involved in a greatest number of fights (most active) and they exibit a most frequent use of the strongest patterns. Neither the hierarchic level of each individual, nor the total ty...

Museologia Scientifica, 2006

Biology of Behaviour, 1986

Une femelle de P.h. privee temporairement de son cocon, le refixe rapidement a ses filieres lorsq... more Une femelle de P.h. privee temporairement de son cocon, le refixe rapidement a ses filieres lorsqu'on le lui restitue. Cependant l'interet qu'elle manifeste pour son cocon diminue au fur et a mesure que le temps de privation augmente. Seules les femelles ayant deja elles-memes produit un cocon s'interessent a ceux qu'on leur propose, elles en acceptent de diverses tailles et de differentes especes

Evolutionary ecology research

Cottus gobio Linnaeus, 1758 has been declared protected species both at local and national level,... more Cottus gobio Linnaeus, 1758 has been declared protected species both at local and national level, and should be object of particular attention, especially in Appennine’s area, where populations are getting rarefied. This research is about some C. gobio populations located in the Province of Prato, concerning in particular reproduction aspects. Obtained results show firstly a time lag between reproductive periods of Alpine and Apennine’s populations, probably due to the different hydrological regimes of the two areas. Besides, some dimensional parameters of males have been related to the ones of the egg masses found into the nests, and to ecology features of the nests themselves.

Behavioral Adaptation to Intertidal Life, 1988

Crabs of the genus Eriphia are large and common Xanthoids, inhabiting most temperate and tropical... more Crabs of the genus Eriphia are large and common Xanthoids, inhabiting most temperate and tropical rocky shores (Reynolds and Reynolds, 1977, Zipser and Vermeij, 1978).

Ethology Ecology & Evolution, 2014

The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with p... more The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 2014

Tropical Zoology, 1990

Thirty-nine genera and 80 species of xanthoid crabs are identified from recent collections in Som... more Thirty-nine genera and 80 species of xanthoid crabs are identified from recent collections in Somalia, and their habitats discussed. Most are new records for Somalia and 23 were previously unknown from the East African coast. Descriptions and illustrations are given for two new species: Cymo lanatopodus and Hypocolpus pardii.

Tropical Zoology, 1988

Morphometry and population structure have been investigated in a large sample (about 800 specimen... more Morphometry and population structure have been investigated in a large sample (about 800 specimens) of the tropical Xanthoidea Eriphia smithi MacLeay 1838 (Decapoda Brachyura), inhabiting a rocky cliff in Somalia. The analysis of relative growth in two sexual dimorphic characters (i.e., chelipeds and abdomen) showed that both sexes undergo the puberty molt at approximately 19 mm CL. However, functional maturity sensu HARTNOLL (1969) is attained only by larger instars. In the females, the ovaries begin to grow allometrically in weight with respect to animal weight at the size of 25 mm CL, when the ovigerous-ratio reached a constant value (about 42%) within the female population. Fecundity is size-dependent, the number of eggs per brood ranging from 14,000 in small ovigerous specimens to 60,000 in the largest ones. In the males, mating capability is limited not only by the developmental status of the gonads (gonad weight is inconsistent in individuals smaller than 25 mm CL), but also by the ownership of a c...

Tropical Zoology, 2000

from various intertidal environments along the southern Somalian coast and, to a lesser extent, f... more from various intertidal environments along the southern Somalian coast and, to a lesser extent, from Kenya and the Mascarene Islands. The material belongs to 39 species of which 13 are new for the Somalian coast, 5 for the East African coast and 2 for the western Indian Ocean: Charybdis hawaiensis Edmondson 1954 previously known only for Hawaii and Carupella banlaensis Tien 1969 only known for the Tonkin Gulf.

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK, 2006

The behaviour of Cerithidea decollata, a common western Indian Ocean mangrove tree climbing gastr... more The behaviour of Cerithidea decollata, a common western Indian Ocean mangrove tree climbing gastropod, was studied in Mida Creek, Kenya. At the study site, this snail mainly lived in Avicennia marina dominated areas, i.e. in the mangrove belt between high water spring tide and high water neap tide levels. Not a single individual was found on the less common mangrove tree Lumnitzera racemosa, living just above the A. marina level (together with terrestrial grass), and was very rarely recorded on the common Rhizophora mucronata, bordering the seaward side of the A. marina belt. No significant gradient of C. decollata density was found within the whole 150–200 m wide belt. The majority of C. decollata rested on tree trunks during high tide, creeping on the mud flat below the tree for part of low tide, and returning on the trunks well before being reached by the water. This migratory pattern was more evident at spring than at neap tide, at day than at night time and it was strongly infl...