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Papers by andrea murgia

Revue D Ecologie-la Terre Et La Vie, 2007

Déplacements et activités de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotélémé... more Déplacements et activités de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotélémétrie.-Pour la première fois, les déplacements et les activités de huit chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca Forster, 1780, ont été étudiés par télémétrie dans une zone protégée du sud-ouest de la Sardaigne (Monte Arcosu, province de Cagliari: 39°09'44''N, 08°52'53''E). Quatre femelles et quatre mâles ont été équipés d'émetteurs radios. Les individus ont été suivis à différentes périodes de juillet 1994 à mars 2002. En tout 4 356 localisations ont été enregistrées. Ce jeu de données a été analysé par des procédures de randomisation, avec 10 000 permutations Monte Carlo du jeu original. Les localisations d'activité ont représenté 55,6 % du nombre total de relevés. Néanmoins, nous avons observé une grande variabilité individuelle dans les rythmes d'activité et dans les distances parcourues de nuit. Un individu isolé était essentiellement diurne alors que tous les autres étaient nocturnes. La distance parcourue chaque nuit par les femelles (922 m en moyenne) était inférieure à celle des mâles (1 208 m). Durant les mois d'été, les chats sauvages ont montré un déclin général de leur activité et de leurs déplacements.

Italian Journal of Zoology, Jun 1, 2007

Sound ecological data are important for the conservation of the endangered Sardinian red deer, bu... more Sound ecological data are important for the conservation of the endangered Sardinian red deer, but mainly anecdotal information is available. Deer density in Mt. Arcosu WWF Reserve was 25–26 deer/100 ha. We radiotracked 8 hinds and 2 stags. Mean annual home range size was 36.5 ha (hinds) and 65.9 ha (stags). On the rut, adult females increased their home ranges by 25% and

In this paper present the results obtained during a research carried out from 2002 to 2003, in th... more In this paper present the results obtained during a research carried out from 2002 to 2003, in the Monte Arcosu Natural Park. The aim of this work has been to estimate the density values and the amount of population of Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus coricanus). Pellets-group count was the method used. Data obtained show the average density values in the study area (29.9 SE = 5.8 deer /km 2). A higher value has been obtained in the inner part of the Park. Data show that population is constant during the year with a light increase in the birth period and a decrease during winter. 954 deer is the amount of population estimated for the year 2002.

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to provide the first results about habitat use and frequentatio... more ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to provide the first results about habitat use and frequentation of fox in the south-west Sardinia. The method consists of using the excrements like distinguishing marks. Collected data show that foxes prefer the high maquis and riparian vegetation and avoid the low maquis and the garrigue. The frequentation index confirms data obtained by habitat analysis.

... Inchiesta sulla distribuzione del Gatto selvatico (Felis silvestris Schreber) in Italia e nei... more ... Inchiesta sulla distribuzione del Gatto selvatico (Felis silvestris Schreber) in Italia e nei Cantoni Ticino e Grigioni (Svizzera) e del Gatto selvatico sardo (Felis libyca sarda Lataste) in Sardegna con notizie sulla lince (Lynx lynx L.) 1971-1973. Ric. ... [17] G. PAVAN, P. MAZZOLDI. ...

This paper describes data collected about consistence, density and social structure of Sardinian ... more This paper describes data collected about consistence, density and social structure of Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus Erxleben, 1777) subspecies of European deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758) from 1989 to 2004. The study area is located in the WWF Faunal Park of Monte Arcosu (south-western of Sardinia). The flora of the Reserve is typical Mediterranean vegetation. The data have been collected with two different methods, using both roaring census and direct observations. Results show a population growth of 78.8%, during the study period. The sex ratio was 1:1.9. The social structure observed show that adult male were the 20.04% of population, young male the 9.17%, female the 52.31% and the young 18.49%. The number of deer for adult male varied between 3.63 and 4.53. In the 2004 density was 28.6 deer/km 2 , 1028 deer were value in the Reserve.

Animals, 2022

Reintroductions are important tools to achieve the long-term conservation of endangered species; ... more Reintroductions are important tools to achieve the long-term conservation of endangered species; however, these projects are dangerous for translocated animals. Reintroduced animals face novel habitats where food availability and secure resting sites are unknown, and in this context, such animals likely engage in long exploratory movements. Furthermore, reintroductions can be dangerous for domestic and wild animals inhabiting the reintroduction site due to the potential risk of catching diseases carried by reintroduced animals. Our study aimed to evaluate the spatial behavior of reintroduced Corsican red deer in central-eastern Sardinia and, on the basis of the obtained results, build a species distribution model to forecast the expansion of reintroduced deer
and plan future reintroduction projects. Furthermore, we evaluated the sanitary risk for domestic animals (sheep) linked to Bluetongue virus potentially carried by deer. Our results highlighted the great habitat suitability of central–eastern Sardinia for Corsican red deer. However, deer are healthy carriers of Bluetongue virus, as confirmed by health analyses we performed on captured animals in the source areas. Particular attention in reintroduction planning is needed to avoid any negative impacts on domestic or wild animals of conservation measures.

L’euprotto sardo è una specie endemica che fa parte di un genere (Euproctus) presente solo in Sar... more L’euprotto sardo è una specie endemica che fa parte di un genere (Euproctus) presente solo in Sardegna e Corsica. Per il suo valore biogeografico straordinario è tra le specie di vertebrati più importanti d’Europa. Per il suo areale limitato e frammentato è classificata come “Endangered” nella IUCN Red List 2008, ed é protetta dalla normativa regionale, nazionale e internazionale. Tuttavia, nonostante la sua importanza e vulnerabilità la specie è poco conosciuta. Gli studi fatti nel 2010 per la realizzazione di questo piano suggeriscono che nonostante l’estensione della distribuzione attuale dell’euprotto appaia sottostimata, varie popolazioni locali sono rarefatte ed in declino. Mentre la zona dei Sette Fratelli presenta nuclei abbondanti e persistenti, le popolazioni del Gennargentu e del Limbara sono depauperate in molte località. Inoltre, non si hanno informazioni recenti sulle popolazioni di euprotto del Sulcis-Iglesiente ed è urgente un piano di sopralluoghi per valutare la si...

Déplacements et activités de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotélémé... more Déplacements et activités de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotélémétrie. - Pour la première fois, les déplacements et les activités de huit chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca Forster, 1780, ont été étudiés par télémétrie dans une zone protégée du sud-ouest de la Sardaigne (Monte Arcosu, province de Cagliari: 39°09'44"N, 08°52'53"E). Quatre femelles et quatre mâles ont été équipés d'émetteurs radios. Les individus ont été suivis à différentes périodes de juillet 1994 à mars 2002. En tout 4 356 localisations ont été enregistrées. Cejeu de données a été analysé par des procédures de randomisation, avec 10 000 permutations Monte Carlo du jeu original. Les localisations d'activité ont représenté 55,6 % du nombre total de relevés. Néanmoins, nous avons observé une grande variabilité individuelle dans les rythmes d'activité et dans les distances parcourues de nuit. Un individu isolé était essentiellement diurne alors qu...

Animals

The Corsican red deer is an endangered subspecies that needs artificial translocation projects to... more The Corsican red deer is an endangered subspecies that needs artificial translocation projects to gain its complete recovery with the formation of viable, interconnected populations. Between 2007 and 2017, we performed two reintroduction projects in four sites in central–eastern Sardinia via tracking 32 deer by means of GPS/GSM radiotelemetry. On the basis of the obtained results, we built a species distribution model (SDM) using MaxEnt software, selecting 200 random points from the merged deer core areas as presence data. Furthermore, to evaluate the sanitary risk linked to artificial translocations, we analyzed deer positivity to Bluetongue virus (BTV) in the founder populations. The SDM showed a high deer capability to colonize central–eastern Sardinia, but it also showed the possibility of spreading BTV to domestic sheep because sanitary analyses confirmed the virus’ presence in the founder populations. Our main conclusion was that reintroductions are effective tools for the lon...

Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2017

To manage potentially contrasting objectives such as ungulate conservation, habitat conservation,... more To manage potentially contrasting objectives such as ungulate conservation, habitat conservation, and forest harvesting, information about browsing patterns on vegetative regeneration of woody plants is needed. Here, we study browsing patterns of Corsican red deer on vegetative regeneration of coppices in a Mediterranean Holm oak forest. Within the forest management plan, the proportion of browsed shoots per plant was yearly monitored. Regression models were applied to estimate browsing probability of plants ( BrY ) and of shoots ( Br ), and evaluate factors though to affect red deer feeding behaviour, such as plant identity ( Sp ), plant height ( H ), years from coppicing ( Y fC ), density of palatable ( Dp ) and unpalatable plants ( Du ), and presence of wild boars ( WB ). Browsing rates were unrelated to relative abundance of species ( RA ), and strongly affected by Sp , suggesting high feeding selectivity of Corsican red deer. High browsing rates were observed on Quercus ilex (...

Deplacements et activites de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radioteleme... more Deplacements et activites de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotelemetrie. - Pour la premiere fois, les deplacements et les activites de huit chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca Forster, 1780, ont ete etudies par telemetrie dans une zone protegee du sud-ouest de la Sardaigne (Monte Arcosu, province de Cagliari: 39°09'44"N, 08°52'53"E). Quatre femelles et quatre mâles ont ete equipes d'emetteurs radios. Les individus ont ete suivis a differentes periodes de juillet 1994 a mars 2002. En tout 4 356 localisations ont ete enregistrees. Cejeu de donnees a ete analyse par des procedures de randomisation, avec 10 000 permutations Monte Carlo du jeu original. Les localisations d'activite ont represente 55,6 % du nombre total de releves. Neanmoins, nous avons observe une grande variabilite individuelle dans les rythmes d'activite et dans les distances parcourues de nuit. Un individu isole etait essentiellement diurne alors qu...

In this paper present the results obtained during a research carried out from 2002 to 2003, in th... more In this paper present the results obtained during a research carried out from 2002 to 2003, in the Monte Arcosu Natural Park. The aim of this work has been to estimate the density values and the amount of population of Sardinian deer ( Cervus elaphus coricanus). Pellets-group count was the method used. Data obtained show the average density values in the study area (29.9 SE = 5.8 deer /km 2 ). A higher value has been obtained in the inner part of the Park. Data show that population is constant during the year with a light increase in the birth period and a decrease during winter. 954 deer is the amount of population estimated for the year 2002.

This paper is about the variation in body size and cranial dimensions in natural population of th... more This paper is about the variation in body size and cranial dimensions in natural population of the Sardinian wildcat. We have recorded biometric measures of 40 wildcats (24 male and 16 female) collected or captured in different localities of Sardinia. Craniometrical measures were taken on seven of these cats. The results obtained in this study indicate that the Sardinian wildcat is smaller than the European (Felis silvestris silvestris ) and the African (Felis silvestris libyca ) wildcat. Cranial index and morphological aspect confirmed that Sardinian wildcats are similar to domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus ).

This paper describes data collected about consistence, density and social structure of Sardinian ... more This paper describes data collected about consistence, density and social structure of Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus Erxleben, 1777) subspecies of European deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758) from 1989 to 2004. The study area is located in the WWF Faunal Park of Monte Arcosu (south-western of Sardinia). The flora of the Reserve is typical Mediterranean vegetation. The data have been collected with two different methods, using both roaring census and direct observations. Results show a population growth of 78.8%, during the study period. The sex ratio was 1:1.9. The social structure observed show that adult male were the 20.04% of population, young male the 9.17%, female the 52.31% and the young 18.49%. The number of deer for adult male varied between 3.63 and 4.53. In the 2004 density was 28.6 deer/km 2 , 1028 deer were value in the Reserve.

The aim of this paper is to provide the first results about habitat use and frequentation of fox ... more The aim of this paper is to provide the first results about habitat use and frequentation of fox in the south-west Sardinia. The method consists of using the excrements like distinguishing marks. Collected data show that foxes prefer the high maquis and riparian vegetation and avoid the low maquis and the garrigue. The frequentation index confirms data obtained by habitat analysis.

Nonostante la Lepre sarda (Lepus capensis mediterraneus) sia una specie soggetta a prelievo, poco... more Nonostante la Lepre sarda (Lepus capensis mediterraneus) sia una specie soggetta a prelievo, poco o nulla si conosce circa la sua ecologia, ed in particolare in Provincia di Cagliari nessuna ricerca era stata fino ad ora condotta. Scopo di questa indagine e stato quello di individuare i valori di densita, dinamica di popolazione e selezione dell'habitat. Sono stati effettuati dei conteggi notturni con l'uso di proiettori alogeni su percorsi campione negli anni 1994-95, 1995-96 e 1997-98; negli stessi anni sono stati inoltre acquisiti i dati relativi agli abbattimenti di Lepre nelle Autogestite della provincia. Al fine di determinare la struttura delle popolazioni, per due anni e stato verificato il grado di ossificazione della cartilagine ulnare delle zampe nelle lepri abbattute. La selezione dell'habitat nelle ore notturne e stata studiata confrontando l'uso con la disponibilita di habitat mediante il metodo degli intervalli fiduciali di Bonferroni. I risultati otte...

Four wildcat adult females and four adult males (Felis silvestris libyca, Forster 1780) were moni... more Four wildcat adult females and four adult males (Felis silvestris libyca, Forster 1780) were monitored with the radio-telemetric technique in several time periods from July 1994 to March 2002, in the faunal park of Monte Arcosu (southwestern Sardinia). 4,356 radio localisations were gathered. The different home-range configurations were calculated with two different methods: the minimum convex polygon method (MPC) and the kernel method. Selection was measured with the Ivlev preference index. The home ranges of the cats calculated with the 100% MCP varied between 75.5 and 469.5 ha. The home ranges calculated with the kernel method varied between 810.0 ha and 133.7 ha. In the summer the wildcats move in a smaller area than in the other seasons. The overlap of the home ranges of a few animals in the different seasons was between 24.5% and 82.5%. High maquis is the most represented vegetational typology in the home ranges of the wildcats followed by low maquis for the females and by the...

Biodiversity provides important ecosystem services and economic benefits to local communities and... more Biodiversity provides important ecosystem services and economic benefits to local communities and is globally considered a key resource for sustainable development. Here, we attempt to measure costs and benefits of the conservation of Sardinian red deer, a subspecies endemic to Sardinia and Corsica. At the beginning of 1980 the Corsican red deer, Cervus elaphus corsicanus, was seriously threatened to extinction. A series of conservation measures and reintroductions allowed the population to recover, and more than 1000 rutting males and 5000 individuals are now estimated in Sardinia. The population is still very localised and fragmented but in some areas local populations reach very high densities (up to 26 deer/Km2). Such densities are reassuring from a conservation standpoint. On the other hand, in these localities local communities are starting to experience the economic cost of red deer conservation as direct damages to agriculture and forestry, and road collisions. It is likely that in the future red deer management in Sardinia will have to take into account for higher costs and harvesting could be a valid management option. Based on time series data, we estimated red deer population growth parameters according to a logistic function. Different hypotheses about population growth were evaluated by model selection based on AIC. Costs of deer conservation were estimated based on resources employed in reintroduction and monitoring programs, and in managing damages caused by the species (refunding). Potential benefits were estimated quantitatively from potential meat value and qualitatively from the ecological and recreational function of deer. Parameters taken from the best model selected were used to predict population growth of red deer in Sardinia. By simulating population trajectories with and without harvesting, temporal variation of costs and benefits were also predicted. Overall, this study shows that deer population could be an important economic resource and conservation efforts aimed at repopulating 30% of Sardinian surface, if properly managed, could allow economic benefits to be shared among local communities.

Revue D Ecologie-la Terre Et La Vie, 2007

Déplacements et activités de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotélémé... more Déplacements et activités de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotélémétrie.-Pour la première fois, les déplacements et les activités de huit chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca Forster, 1780, ont été étudiés par télémétrie dans une zone protégée du sud-ouest de la Sardaigne (Monte Arcosu, province de Cagliari: 39°09'44''N, 08°52'53''E). Quatre femelles et quatre mâles ont été équipés d'émetteurs radios. Les individus ont été suivis à différentes périodes de juillet 1994 à mars 2002. En tout 4 356 localisations ont été enregistrées. Ce jeu de données a été analysé par des procédures de randomisation, avec 10 000 permutations Monte Carlo du jeu original. Les localisations d'activité ont représenté 55,6 % du nombre total de relevés. Néanmoins, nous avons observé une grande variabilité individuelle dans les rythmes d'activité et dans les distances parcourues de nuit. Un individu isolé était essentiellement diurne alors que tous les autres étaient nocturnes. La distance parcourue chaque nuit par les femelles (922 m en moyenne) était inférieure à celle des mâles (1 208 m). Durant les mois d'été, les chats sauvages ont montré un déclin général de leur activité et de leurs déplacements.

Italian Journal of Zoology, Jun 1, 2007

Sound ecological data are important for the conservation of the endangered Sardinian red deer, bu... more Sound ecological data are important for the conservation of the endangered Sardinian red deer, but mainly anecdotal information is available. Deer density in Mt. Arcosu WWF Reserve was 25–26 deer/100 ha. We radiotracked 8 hinds and 2 stags. Mean annual home range size was 36.5 ha (hinds) and 65.9 ha (stags). On the rut, adult females increased their home ranges by 25% and

In this paper present the results obtained during a research carried out from 2002 to 2003, in th... more In this paper present the results obtained during a research carried out from 2002 to 2003, in the Monte Arcosu Natural Park. The aim of this work has been to estimate the density values and the amount of population of Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus coricanus). Pellets-group count was the method used. Data obtained show the average density values in the study area (29.9 SE = 5.8 deer /km 2). A higher value has been obtained in the inner part of the Park. Data show that population is constant during the year with a light increase in the birth period and a decrease during winter. 954 deer is the amount of population estimated for the year 2002.

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to provide the first results about habitat use and frequentatio... more ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to provide the first results about habitat use and frequentation of fox in the south-west Sardinia. The method consists of using the excrements like distinguishing marks. Collected data show that foxes prefer the high maquis and riparian vegetation and avoid the low maquis and the garrigue. The frequentation index confirms data obtained by habitat analysis.

... Inchiesta sulla distribuzione del Gatto selvatico (Felis silvestris Schreber) in Italia e nei... more ... Inchiesta sulla distribuzione del Gatto selvatico (Felis silvestris Schreber) in Italia e nei Cantoni Ticino e Grigioni (Svizzera) e del Gatto selvatico sardo (Felis libyca sarda Lataste) in Sardegna con notizie sulla lince (Lynx lynx L.) 1971-1973. Ric. ... [17] G. PAVAN, P. MAZZOLDI. ...

This paper describes data collected about consistence, density and social structure of Sardinian ... more This paper describes data collected about consistence, density and social structure of Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus Erxleben, 1777) subspecies of European deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758) from 1989 to 2004. The study area is located in the WWF Faunal Park of Monte Arcosu (south-western of Sardinia). The flora of the Reserve is typical Mediterranean vegetation. The data have been collected with two different methods, using both roaring census and direct observations. Results show a population growth of 78.8%, during the study period. The sex ratio was 1:1.9. The social structure observed show that adult male were the 20.04% of population, young male the 9.17%, female the 52.31% and the young 18.49%. The number of deer for adult male varied between 3.63 and 4.53. In the 2004 density was 28.6 deer/km 2 , 1028 deer were value in the Reserve.

Animals, 2022

Reintroductions are important tools to achieve the long-term conservation of endangered species; ... more Reintroductions are important tools to achieve the long-term conservation of endangered species; however, these projects are dangerous for translocated animals. Reintroduced animals face novel habitats where food availability and secure resting sites are unknown, and in this context, such animals likely engage in long exploratory movements. Furthermore, reintroductions can be dangerous for domestic and wild animals inhabiting the reintroduction site due to the potential risk of catching diseases carried by reintroduced animals. Our study aimed to evaluate the spatial behavior of reintroduced Corsican red deer in central-eastern Sardinia and, on the basis of the obtained results, build a species distribution model to forecast the expansion of reintroduced deer
and plan future reintroduction projects. Furthermore, we evaluated the sanitary risk for domestic animals (sheep) linked to Bluetongue virus potentially carried by deer. Our results highlighted the great habitat suitability of central–eastern Sardinia for Corsican red deer. However, deer are healthy carriers of Bluetongue virus, as confirmed by health analyses we performed on captured animals in the source areas. Particular attention in reintroduction planning is needed to avoid any negative impacts on domestic or wild animals of conservation measures.

L’euprotto sardo è una specie endemica che fa parte di un genere (Euproctus) presente solo in Sar... more L’euprotto sardo è una specie endemica che fa parte di un genere (Euproctus) presente solo in Sardegna e Corsica. Per il suo valore biogeografico straordinario è tra le specie di vertebrati più importanti d’Europa. Per il suo areale limitato e frammentato è classificata come “Endangered” nella IUCN Red List 2008, ed é protetta dalla normativa regionale, nazionale e internazionale. Tuttavia, nonostante la sua importanza e vulnerabilità la specie è poco conosciuta. Gli studi fatti nel 2010 per la realizzazione di questo piano suggeriscono che nonostante l’estensione della distribuzione attuale dell’euprotto appaia sottostimata, varie popolazioni locali sono rarefatte ed in declino. Mentre la zona dei Sette Fratelli presenta nuclei abbondanti e persistenti, le popolazioni del Gennargentu e del Limbara sono depauperate in molte località. Inoltre, non si hanno informazioni recenti sulle popolazioni di euprotto del Sulcis-Iglesiente ed è urgente un piano di sopralluoghi per valutare la si...

Déplacements et activités de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotélémé... more Déplacements et activités de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotélémétrie. - Pour la première fois, les déplacements et les activités de huit chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca Forster, 1780, ont été étudiés par télémétrie dans une zone protégée du sud-ouest de la Sardaigne (Monte Arcosu, province de Cagliari: 39°09'44"N, 08°52'53"E). Quatre femelles et quatre mâles ont été équipés d'émetteurs radios. Les individus ont été suivis à différentes périodes de juillet 1994 à mars 2002. En tout 4 356 localisations ont été enregistrées. Cejeu de données a été analysé par des procédures de randomisation, avec 10 000 permutations Monte Carlo du jeu original. Les localisations d'activité ont représenté 55,6 % du nombre total de relevés. Néanmoins, nous avons observé une grande variabilité individuelle dans les rythmes d'activité et dans les distances parcourues de nuit. Un individu isolé était essentiellement diurne alors qu...

Animals

The Corsican red deer is an endangered subspecies that needs artificial translocation projects to... more The Corsican red deer is an endangered subspecies that needs artificial translocation projects to gain its complete recovery with the formation of viable, interconnected populations. Between 2007 and 2017, we performed two reintroduction projects in four sites in central–eastern Sardinia via tracking 32 deer by means of GPS/GSM radiotelemetry. On the basis of the obtained results, we built a species distribution model (SDM) using MaxEnt software, selecting 200 random points from the merged deer core areas as presence data. Furthermore, to evaluate the sanitary risk linked to artificial translocations, we analyzed deer positivity to Bluetongue virus (BTV) in the founder populations. The SDM showed a high deer capability to colonize central–eastern Sardinia, but it also showed the possibility of spreading BTV to domestic sheep because sanitary analyses confirmed the virus’ presence in the founder populations. Our main conclusion was that reintroductions are effective tools for the lon...

Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2017

To manage potentially contrasting objectives such as ungulate conservation, habitat conservation,... more To manage potentially contrasting objectives such as ungulate conservation, habitat conservation, and forest harvesting, information about browsing patterns on vegetative regeneration of woody plants is needed. Here, we study browsing patterns of Corsican red deer on vegetative regeneration of coppices in a Mediterranean Holm oak forest. Within the forest management plan, the proportion of browsed shoots per plant was yearly monitored. Regression models were applied to estimate browsing probability of plants ( BrY ) and of shoots ( Br ), and evaluate factors though to affect red deer feeding behaviour, such as plant identity ( Sp ), plant height ( H ), years from coppicing ( Y fC ), density of palatable ( Dp ) and unpalatable plants ( Du ), and presence of wild boars ( WB ). Browsing rates were unrelated to relative abundance of species ( RA ), and strongly affected by Sp , suggesting high feeding selectivity of Corsican red deer. High browsing rates were observed on Quercus ilex (...

Deplacements et activites de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radioteleme... more Deplacements et activites de chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca suivis par radiotelemetrie. - Pour la premiere fois, les deplacements et les activites de huit chats sauvages sardes Felis silvestris libyca Forster, 1780, ont ete etudies par telemetrie dans une zone protegee du sud-ouest de la Sardaigne (Monte Arcosu, province de Cagliari: 39°09'44"N, 08°52'53"E). Quatre femelles et quatre mâles ont ete equipes d'emetteurs radios. Les individus ont ete suivis a differentes periodes de juillet 1994 a mars 2002. En tout 4 356 localisations ont ete enregistrees. Cejeu de donnees a ete analyse par des procedures de randomisation, avec 10 000 permutations Monte Carlo du jeu original. Les localisations d'activite ont represente 55,6 % du nombre total de releves. Neanmoins, nous avons observe une grande variabilite individuelle dans les rythmes d'activite et dans les distances parcourues de nuit. Un individu isole etait essentiellement diurne alors qu...

In this paper present the results obtained during a research carried out from 2002 to 2003, in th... more In this paper present the results obtained during a research carried out from 2002 to 2003, in the Monte Arcosu Natural Park. The aim of this work has been to estimate the density values and the amount of population of Sardinian deer ( Cervus elaphus coricanus). Pellets-group count was the method used. Data obtained show the average density values in the study area (29.9 SE = 5.8 deer /km 2 ). A higher value has been obtained in the inner part of the Park. Data show that population is constant during the year with a light increase in the birth period and a decrease during winter. 954 deer is the amount of population estimated for the year 2002.

This paper is about the variation in body size and cranial dimensions in natural population of th... more This paper is about the variation in body size and cranial dimensions in natural population of the Sardinian wildcat. We have recorded biometric measures of 40 wildcats (24 male and 16 female) collected or captured in different localities of Sardinia. Craniometrical measures were taken on seven of these cats. The results obtained in this study indicate that the Sardinian wildcat is smaller than the European (Felis silvestris silvestris ) and the African (Felis silvestris libyca ) wildcat. Cranial index and morphological aspect confirmed that Sardinian wildcats are similar to domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus ).

This paper describes data collected about consistence, density and social structure of Sardinian ... more This paper describes data collected about consistence, density and social structure of Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus Erxleben, 1777) subspecies of European deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758) from 1989 to 2004. The study area is located in the WWF Faunal Park of Monte Arcosu (south-western of Sardinia). The flora of the Reserve is typical Mediterranean vegetation. The data have been collected with two different methods, using both roaring census and direct observations. Results show a population growth of 78.8%, during the study period. The sex ratio was 1:1.9. The social structure observed show that adult male were the 20.04% of population, young male the 9.17%, female the 52.31% and the young 18.49%. The number of deer for adult male varied between 3.63 and 4.53. In the 2004 density was 28.6 deer/km 2 , 1028 deer were value in the Reserve.

The aim of this paper is to provide the first results about habitat use and frequentation of fox ... more The aim of this paper is to provide the first results about habitat use and frequentation of fox in the south-west Sardinia. The method consists of using the excrements like distinguishing marks. Collected data show that foxes prefer the high maquis and riparian vegetation and avoid the low maquis and the garrigue. The frequentation index confirms data obtained by habitat analysis.

Nonostante la Lepre sarda (Lepus capensis mediterraneus) sia una specie soggetta a prelievo, poco... more Nonostante la Lepre sarda (Lepus capensis mediterraneus) sia una specie soggetta a prelievo, poco o nulla si conosce circa la sua ecologia, ed in particolare in Provincia di Cagliari nessuna ricerca era stata fino ad ora condotta. Scopo di questa indagine e stato quello di individuare i valori di densita, dinamica di popolazione e selezione dell'habitat. Sono stati effettuati dei conteggi notturni con l'uso di proiettori alogeni su percorsi campione negli anni 1994-95, 1995-96 e 1997-98; negli stessi anni sono stati inoltre acquisiti i dati relativi agli abbattimenti di Lepre nelle Autogestite della provincia. Al fine di determinare la struttura delle popolazioni, per due anni e stato verificato il grado di ossificazione della cartilagine ulnare delle zampe nelle lepri abbattute. La selezione dell'habitat nelle ore notturne e stata studiata confrontando l'uso con la disponibilita di habitat mediante il metodo degli intervalli fiduciali di Bonferroni. I risultati otte...

Four wildcat adult females and four adult males (Felis silvestris libyca, Forster 1780) were moni... more Four wildcat adult females and four adult males (Felis silvestris libyca, Forster 1780) were monitored with the radio-telemetric technique in several time periods from July 1994 to March 2002, in the faunal park of Monte Arcosu (southwestern Sardinia). 4,356 radio localisations were gathered. The different home-range configurations were calculated with two different methods: the minimum convex polygon method (MPC) and the kernel method. Selection was measured with the Ivlev preference index. The home ranges of the cats calculated with the 100% MCP varied between 75.5 and 469.5 ha. The home ranges calculated with the kernel method varied between 810.0 ha and 133.7 ha. In the summer the wildcats move in a smaller area than in the other seasons. The overlap of the home ranges of a few animals in the different seasons was between 24.5% and 82.5%. High maquis is the most represented vegetational typology in the home ranges of the wildcats followed by low maquis for the females and by the...

Biodiversity provides important ecosystem services and economic benefits to local communities and... more Biodiversity provides important ecosystem services and economic benefits to local communities and is globally considered a key resource for sustainable development. Here, we attempt to measure costs and benefits of the conservation of Sardinian red deer, a subspecies endemic to Sardinia and Corsica. At the beginning of 1980 the Corsican red deer, Cervus elaphus corsicanus, was seriously threatened to extinction. A series of conservation measures and reintroductions allowed the population to recover, and more than 1000 rutting males and 5000 individuals are now estimated in Sardinia. The population is still very localised and fragmented but in some areas local populations reach very high densities (up to 26 deer/Km2). Such densities are reassuring from a conservation standpoint. On the other hand, in these localities local communities are starting to experience the economic cost of red deer conservation as direct damages to agriculture and forestry, and road collisions. It is likely that in the future red deer management in Sardinia will have to take into account for higher costs and harvesting could be a valid management option. Based on time series data, we estimated red deer population growth parameters according to a logistic function. Different hypotheses about population growth were evaluated by model selection based on AIC. Costs of deer conservation were estimated based on resources employed in reintroduction and monitoring programs, and in managing damages caused by the species (refunding). Potential benefits were estimated quantitatively from potential meat value and qualitatively from the ecological and recreational function of deer. Parameters taken from the best model selected were used to predict population growth of red deer in Sardinia. By simulating population trajectories with and without harvesting, temporal variation of costs and benefits were also predicted. Overall, this study shows that deer population could be an important economic resource and conservation efforts aimed at repopulating 30% of Sardinian surface, if properly managed, could allow economic benefits to be shared among local communities.