Ottavio Soppelsa | Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" (original) (raw)

Papers by Ottavio Soppelsa

In this study, we present some documents showing the official acknowledgement of the role of lupa... more In this study, we present some documents showing the official acknowledgement of the role of luparius in Southern Italy during the XIII century. Luparii were professional wolf-killers, prevalently coming from three regions of the Kingdom of Naples: Abruzzo, Terra di Lavoro, Apulia, but active throughout the kingdom. Different techniques were adopted by luparii, but one of the most widespread was the so called pulvis, a powder probably obtained from an unknown poisonous plant. Dioscorides and Galen reported that a plant named akoniton was used in the Mediterranean world to poison wild animals, and according to the XVI century physician Pietro Andrea Mattioli, luparii used the Aconitum to kill wolves. Historical sources show that the problems related to the identification of Aconitum was harshly debated among the botanists contemporary to Mattioli, and that Doronicum pardalianches L. and Aconitum napellus L. were the species most frequently proposed. However, in Southern Italy both pl...

The results of two years of research on the molluscs present in the Botanical Garden of Naples ar... more The results of two years of research on the molluscs present in the Botanical Garden of Naples are reported and compared with the sole similar study published in 1875 and with other reports in the literature, the last of which published in 1930 by Boettger. As a general result, a noticeable decrease in the number of species present in the site was recorded. However, some species not reported before have also been observed, and namely Vallonia costata (O.F. Müller, 1774), Orcula dolium (Draparnaud, 1801) and Planorbarius corneus (Linnaeus, 1758), all recorded for the first time in Campania, and in addition Carychium minimum O.F. Müller, 1774, which appears to be well settled in the studied enclave; for this latter species the only previous indication was found in the bibliography for Campania (Bellini 1898). Finally, some limacid slugs, previously found and recorded only by Boettger (1930), have been found.

was investigated in vineyards in the Trentino region

Ethnobiology and Conservation, 2020

The relationships between animals and humans date back thousands of years. Cultures around the wo... more The relationships between animals and humans date back thousands of years. Cultures around the world developed specific ways of interacting with the fauna over time, so that human communities accumulated a huge deposit of animal knowledge closely integrated with many other anthropological aspects focused on the humananimal relationship. Through the administration of a questionnaireinterview, in this work we studied ritual aspects related to animal slaughter, as well as the link between the slaughterhouse and the time of the year. Moreover, the apotropaic uses of Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 and Sus scrofa domesticus Erxleben, 1777, by local rural communities, were analyzed. The data we collected come with important witnesses, supported by old pictures and tools used during the slaughter that reinforced the story of the interviewee, allowing to draw a timeline after which the relationship between man and farm animals moves and gets modified. These almost forgotten rituals constitute an important ethnozoological knowledge to be integrated into our human cultural heritage. To the best of our data, this is the first study documenting the apotropaic uses of Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 and Sus scrofa domesticus Erxleben, 1777. All the questionnaires, administered in Campania, were analyzed and compared in the search of ritual customs, archaic beliefs and ancient legacies still present today and inherited from elder times. Rites surrounding animal slaughter aimed at communicating with the divine and at explaining all those processes that cannot be readily answered. Man, by making animals the protagonists of mythological tales and investing them with a sacred force, has linked to the slaughtering act a psychological component that has led the killing itself to being configured as a ritual. From the witnesses gathered, interesting parallelisms emerged stimulating thoughts on a serious and complex dichotomy of our presentday society: a meatbased diet versus the total rejection of it. Integrating scientific knowledge with local ecological ones, the data collected in this work can be used to design an effective and targeted conservation management strategy for these mammals as valid alternative to intensive farming.

Journal of Wood Science, 2018

Heterotrophic components of biofilms on wood artefacts were studied at the Conservation Laborator... more Heterotrophic components of biofilms on wood artefacts were studied at the Conservation Laboratory for Wood Artefacts of the University Suor Orsola Benincasa of Naples, Italy. The aim of the study was to add new information on the microhabitats represented by biofilms formed by wood-dwelling organisms. Light and electron microscopy of histological features of woods used to make the artefacts showed that the woods belonged to species of lime (Tilia sp.), poplar (Populus sp.) and pear (Pyrus sp.). A Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis analysis performed on heterotrophic microorganisms colonizing the artefacts led to identify four species of bacteria, namely Bacillus cereus, B. mycoides, B. subtilis and Microbacterium oleivorans, and seven species of fungi, namely Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigans, A. versicolor, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. oxysporum, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium chrysogenum. Based on its morphological features, an insect found on some artefacts was identified as the xylophagous beetle Nicobium castaneum (Anobiidae). The influence of wood type and environmental conditions on the diversity of microorganisms was discussed.

Redia, 2011

Spatial distribution of Mesocriconema xenoplax (Raski, 1952) was investigated in vineyards in the... more Spatial distribution of Mesocriconema xenoplax (Raski, 1952) was investigated in vineyards in the Trentino region (Northern Italy). Horizontal distribution showed characteristic aggregate pattern for nematodes, correlated to the symptomatology of the localized spots of infestations. The vertical distribution, in compact texture soils, revealed maximum population levels of the nematode in the top layers depending on the root occurrence that, in such conditions, is lower at the deeper levels. Higher nematode number was found at greater depths in loose soils, where roots easier penetrate. The knowledge gained from the spatial distribution of this species is fundamental to investigate the effectiveness of different sampling patterns in order to improve efficacy of control strategies.

The effectiveness of two plant-derived formulations for the control of the root-knot Meloidogyne ... more The effectiveness of two plant-derived formulations for the control of the root-knot Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitw. was evaluated in a protected tomato crop in Southern Italy. A neem oil-based formulation and a commercial mixture of aqueous extracts of Quillaja saponaria Molina (80%), Yucca schidigera Roezl (10%) and Tagetes spp. (10%) were tested in comparison with the standard chemical oxamyl and an untreated control. All tested formulations significantly decreased soil nematode population and average root galling compared to the untreated control. However, nematode infestation was found significantly lower in plots treated with oxamyl or neem formulation than in those treated with quillay-based product. Tomato yield did not significantly differ among treatments. Satisfactory yield obtained by quillay-based product appears to be caused by the biostimulating effect of quillay extract on tomato plants.

The effectiveness of soil solarization, alone or in combination with oxamyl or a plant-derived fo... more The effectiveness of soil solarization, alone or in combination with oxamyl or a plant-derived formulation (a mixture of aqueous extracts of Quillaja saponaria Molina , Yucca schidigera Roezl and Tagetes spp., 80, 10 and 10%, respectively), for the control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitw. was assessed in a greenhouse trial on tomato at Battipaglia (province of Salerno), Southern Italy. The combination of soil solarization with the plant-derived formulation resulted in a greater nematode suppression than application of single treatments. Combining soil solarization with the plant-derived formulation resulted in tomato yield and fruit size similar to that of the combination of soil solarization with oxamyl. Therefore the combination of soil solarization with plant-derived formulations may represent a sustainable nematode control strategy, as safe for human health and environment.

Italian Journal of Zoology

Italian Journal of Zoology, 2014

Abstract Wild boar Sus scrofa has become a pest throughout Europe, but its social system in this ... more Abstract Wild boar Sus scrofa has become a pest throughout Europe, but its social system in this setting is unknown, making it difficult to implement an effective management strategy. We collected data on social grouping patterns by video-trapping the population living in an Italian Mediterranean National Park. We collected over 120 days of observations and the activities of 1431 wild boars. The seasonal variations in wild boar social organisation seem to be directly related to the biological cycle, with some exceptions, such as the unexpected presence of solitary or groups of piglets. The population was more active during the summer, and the mean group size (4.14 ± 0.21) was quite similar to other European boar group sizes. We confirmed that video traps are an appropriate method to monitor versatile wildlife, especially for assessing the population structure, sex and age ratios of wild boars.

Ibis, 2011

Human depopulation of rural mountain areas and the consequent abandonment of traditional land man... more Human depopulation of rural mountain areas and the consequent abandonment of traditional land management are among the greatest driving forces behind changes in mountain ecosystems in Western Europe. Tree and shrub encroachment lead to an increase in landscape matrix uniformity and habitat fragmentation. For some animal species, this represents an unusual case of habitat loss caused by secondary succession. The animal species associated with this agro‐pastoral habitat may suffer from decreased connectivity as a consequence. The Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca is a species endemic to European mountains that represents a model for investigating the impact of habitat loss. We compared the habitat suitability of the Apennine Rock Partridge prior to abandonment of traditional agro‐pastoral activities by aerial photography with the current landscape, in order to investigate the effect of secondary succession on the distribution and viability of the species. We assessed the historical dist...

Atti della Accademia Pontaniana, 2023

In Italy, numerous species of avifauna have disappeared without reasons or convincing explanation... more In Italy, numerous species of avifauna have disappeared without reasons or convincing explanations. The historical presence of cranes, bustards, large birds of prey, especially vultures has left only toponymic (i.e., zoonymic) evidence, or legends and myths. Tracks of vultures are lost in a period after the De arte venandi cum avibus of Fredericus II and before the natural history writings of the sixteenth century authors. The use of ancient documents included in the Archivi Napolitani, such as the reconstructed Angevin Chancery, has made possible data mining and has provided new opportunities, also for understanding the past history of the Italian fauna. Following a patient collection of data, the extinction in Italy of Aegypius monachus, Gyps fulvus and of those which were considered magnae aves finds its explanation in an unusual use.

Italian Journal of Zoology, 2014

Wild boar Sus scrofa has become a pest throughout Europe, but its social system in this setting i... more Wild boar Sus scrofa has become a pest throughout Europe, but its social system in this setting is unknown, making it difficult to implement an effective management strategy. We collected data on social grouping patterns by video-trapping the population living in an Italian Mediterranean National Park. We collected over 120 days of observations and the activities of 1431 wild boars. The seasonal variations in wild boar social organisation seem to be directly related to the biological cycle, with some exceptions, such as the unexpected presence of solitary or groups of piglets. The population was more active during the summer, and the mean group size (4.14 ± 0.21) was quite similar to other European boar group sizes. We confirmed that video traps are an appropriate method to monitor versatile wildlife, especially for assessing the population structure, sex and age ratios of wild boars.

Molluscan Research, 2013

ABSTRACT We analysed ontogenetic shape change in the planorbid limpet Ancylus fluviatilis (Müller... more ABSTRACT We analysed ontogenetic shape change in the planorbid limpet Ancylus fluviatilis (Müller, 1774) in two rivers in Southern Italy. We developed a new method to discriminate among different cohorts in Ancylus, based on principal component analysis. The method is useful when shape change during growth is allometric, as in our study model. We discovered that bivoltinism occurs in Ancylus in Southern Italy, contrary to previous accounts, which invariably describe A. fluviatilis as a semelparous and univoltine species, although acknowledging difficulty in discriminating among cohorts. The methods presented here may potentially help research in reproductive traits in many other mollusc populations where shape change during ontogeny is demonstrated to be allometric.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2001

In this study, we present some documents showing the official acknowledgement of the role of lupa... more In this study, we present some documents showing the official acknowledgement of the role of luparius in Southern Italy during the XIII century. Luparii were professional wolf-killers, prevalently coming from three regions of the Kingdom of Naples: Abruzzo, Terra di Lavoro, Apulia, but active throughout the kingdom. Different techniques were adopted by luparii, but one of the most widespread was the so called pulvis, a powder probably obtained from an unknown poisonous plant. Dioscorides and Galen reported that a plant named akoniton was used in the Mediterranean world to poison wild animals, and according to the XVI century physician Pietro Andrea Mattioli, luparii used the Aconitum to kill wolves. Historical sources show that the problems related to the identification of Aconitum was harshly debated among the botanists contemporary to Mattioli, and that Doronicum pardalianches L. and Aconitum napellus L. were the species most frequently proposed. However, in Southern Italy both pl...

The results of two years of research on the molluscs present in the Botanical Garden of Naples ar... more The results of two years of research on the molluscs present in the Botanical Garden of Naples are reported and compared with the sole similar study published in 1875 and with other reports in the literature, the last of which published in 1930 by Boettger. As a general result, a noticeable decrease in the number of species present in the site was recorded. However, some species not reported before have also been observed, and namely Vallonia costata (O.F. Müller, 1774), Orcula dolium (Draparnaud, 1801) and Planorbarius corneus (Linnaeus, 1758), all recorded for the first time in Campania, and in addition Carychium minimum O.F. Müller, 1774, which appears to be well settled in the studied enclave; for this latter species the only previous indication was found in the bibliography for Campania (Bellini 1898). Finally, some limacid slugs, previously found and recorded only by Boettger (1930), have been found.

was investigated in vineyards in the Trentino region

Ethnobiology and Conservation, 2020

The relationships between animals and humans date back thousands of years. Cultures around the wo... more The relationships between animals and humans date back thousands of years. Cultures around the world developed specific ways of interacting with the fauna over time, so that human communities accumulated a huge deposit of animal knowledge closely integrated with many other anthropological aspects focused on the humananimal relationship. Through the administration of a questionnaireinterview, in this work we studied ritual aspects related to animal slaughter, as well as the link between the slaughterhouse and the time of the year. Moreover, the apotropaic uses of Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 and Sus scrofa domesticus Erxleben, 1777, by local rural communities, were analyzed. The data we collected come with important witnesses, supported by old pictures and tools used during the slaughter that reinforced the story of the interviewee, allowing to draw a timeline after which the relationship between man and farm animals moves and gets modified. These almost forgotten rituals constitute an important ethnozoological knowledge to be integrated into our human cultural heritage. To the best of our data, this is the first study documenting the apotropaic uses of Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 and Sus scrofa domesticus Erxleben, 1777. All the questionnaires, administered in Campania, were analyzed and compared in the search of ritual customs, archaic beliefs and ancient legacies still present today and inherited from elder times. Rites surrounding animal slaughter aimed at communicating with the divine and at explaining all those processes that cannot be readily answered. Man, by making animals the protagonists of mythological tales and investing them with a sacred force, has linked to the slaughtering act a psychological component that has led the killing itself to being configured as a ritual. From the witnesses gathered, interesting parallelisms emerged stimulating thoughts on a serious and complex dichotomy of our presentday society: a meatbased diet versus the total rejection of it. Integrating scientific knowledge with local ecological ones, the data collected in this work can be used to design an effective and targeted conservation management strategy for these mammals as valid alternative to intensive farming.

Journal of Wood Science, 2018

Heterotrophic components of biofilms on wood artefacts were studied at the Conservation Laborator... more Heterotrophic components of biofilms on wood artefacts were studied at the Conservation Laboratory for Wood Artefacts of the University Suor Orsola Benincasa of Naples, Italy. The aim of the study was to add new information on the microhabitats represented by biofilms formed by wood-dwelling organisms. Light and electron microscopy of histological features of woods used to make the artefacts showed that the woods belonged to species of lime (Tilia sp.), poplar (Populus sp.) and pear (Pyrus sp.). A Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis analysis performed on heterotrophic microorganisms colonizing the artefacts led to identify four species of bacteria, namely Bacillus cereus, B. mycoides, B. subtilis and Microbacterium oleivorans, and seven species of fungi, namely Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigans, A. versicolor, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. oxysporum, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium chrysogenum. Based on its morphological features, an insect found on some artefacts was identified as the xylophagous beetle Nicobium castaneum (Anobiidae). The influence of wood type and environmental conditions on the diversity of microorganisms was discussed.

Redia, 2011

Spatial distribution of Mesocriconema xenoplax (Raski, 1952) was investigated in vineyards in the... more Spatial distribution of Mesocriconema xenoplax (Raski, 1952) was investigated in vineyards in the Trentino region (Northern Italy). Horizontal distribution showed characteristic aggregate pattern for nematodes, correlated to the symptomatology of the localized spots of infestations. The vertical distribution, in compact texture soils, revealed maximum population levels of the nematode in the top layers depending on the root occurrence that, in such conditions, is lower at the deeper levels. Higher nematode number was found at greater depths in loose soils, where roots easier penetrate. The knowledge gained from the spatial distribution of this species is fundamental to investigate the effectiveness of different sampling patterns in order to improve efficacy of control strategies.

The effectiveness of two plant-derived formulations for the control of the root-knot Meloidogyne ... more The effectiveness of two plant-derived formulations for the control of the root-knot Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitw. was evaluated in a protected tomato crop in Southern Italy. A neem oil-based formulation and a commercial mixture of aqueous extracts of Quillaja saponaria Molina (80%), Yucca schidigera Roezl (10%) and Tagetes spp. (10%) were tested in comparison with the standard chemical oxamyl and an untreated control. All tested formulations significantly decreased soil nematode population and average root galling compared to the untreated control. However, nematode infestation was found significantly lower in plots treated with oxamyl or neem formulation than in those treated with quillay-based product. Tomato yield did not significantly differ among treatments. Satisfactory yield obtained by quillay-based product appears to be caused by the biostimulating effect of quillay extract on tomato plants.

The effectiveness of soil solarization, alone or in combination with oxamyl or a plant-derived fo... more The effectiveness of soil solarization, alone or in combination with oxamyl or a plant-derived formulation (a mixture of aqueous extracts of Quillaja saponaria Molina , Yucca schidigera Roezl and Tagetes spp., 80, 10 and 10%, respectively), for the control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitw. was assessed in a greenhouse trial on tomato at Battipaglia (province of Salerno), Southern Italy. The combination of soil solarization with the plant-derived formulation resulted in a greater nematode suppression than application of single treatments. Combining soil solarization with the plant-derived formulation resulted in tomato yield and fruit size similar to that of the combination of soil solarization with oxamyl. Therefore the combination of soil solarization with plant-derived formulations may represent a sustainable nematode control strategy, as safe for human health and environment.

Italian Journal of Zoology

Italian Journal of Zoology, 2014

Abstract Wild boar Sus scrofa has become a pest throughout Europe, but its social system in this ... more Abstract Wild boar Sus scrofa has become a pest throughout Europe, but its social system in this setting is unknown, making it difficult to implement an effective management strategy. We collected data on social grouping patterns by video-trapping the population living in an Italian Mediterranean National Park. We collected over 120 days of observations and the activities of 1431 wild boars. The seasonal variations in wild boar social organisation seem to be directly related to the biological cycle, with some exceptions, such as the unexpected presence of solitary or groups of piglets. The population was more active during the summer, and the mean group size (4.14 ± 0.21) was quite similar to other European boar group sizes. We confirmed that video traps are an appropriate method to monitor versatile wildlife, especially for assessing the population structure, sex and age ratios of wild boars.

Ibis, 2011

Human depopulation of rural mountain areas and the consequent abandonment of traditional land man... more Human depopulation of rural mountain areas and the consequent abandonment of traditional land management are among the greatest driving forces behind changes in mountain ecosystems in Western Europe. Tree and shrub encroachment lead to an increase in landscape matrix uniformity and habitat fragmentation. For some animal species, this represents an unusual case of habitat loss caused by secondary succession. The animal species associated with this agro‐pastoral habitat may suffer from decreased connectivity as a consequence. The Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca is a species endemic to European mountains that represents a model for investigating the impact of habitat loss. We compared the habitat suitability of the Apennine Rock Partridge prior to abandonment of traditional agro‐pastoral activities by aerial photography with the current landscape, in order to investigate the effect of secondary succession on the distribution and viability of the species. We assessed the historical dist...

Atti della Accademia Pontaniana, 2023

In Italy, numerous species of avifauna have disappeared without reasons or convincing explanation... more In Italy, numerous species of avifauna have disappeared without reasons or convincing explanations. The historical presence of cranes, bustards, large birds of prey, especially vultures has left only toponymic (i.e., zoonymic) evidence, or legends and myths. Tracks of vultures are lost in a period after the De arte venandi cum avibus of Fredericus II and before the natural history writings of the sixteenth century authors. The use of ancient documents included in the Archivi Napolitani, such as the reconstructed Angevin Chancery, has made possible data mining and has provided new opportunities, also for understanding the past history of the Italian fauna. Following a patient collection of data, the extinction in Italy of Aegypius monachus, Gyps fulvus and of those which were considered magnae aves finds its explanation in an unusual use.

Italian Journal of Zoology, 2014

Wild boar Sus scrofa has become a pest throughout Europe, but its social system in this setting i... more Wild boar Sus scrofa has become a pest throughout Europe, but its social system in this setting is unknown, making it difficult to implement an effective management strategy. We collected data on social grouping patterns by video-trapping the population living in an Italian Mediterranean National Park. We collected over 120 days of observations and the activities of 1431 wild boars. The seasonal variations in wild boar social organisation seem to be directly related to the biological cycle, with some exceptions, such as the unexpected presence of solitary or groups of piglets. The population was more active during the summer, and the mean group size (4.14 ± 0.21) was quite similar to other European boar group sizes. We confirmed that video traps are an appropriate method to monitor versatile wildlife, especially for assessing the population structure, sex and age ratios of wild boars.

Molluscan Research, 2013

ABSTRACT We analysed ontogenetic shape change in the planorbid limpet Ancylus fluviatilis (Müller... more ABSTRACT We analysed ontogenetic shape change in the planorbid limpet Ancylus fluviatilis (Müller, 1774) in two rivers in Southern Italy. We developed a new method to discriminate among different cohorts in Ancylus, based on principal component analysis. The method is useful when shape change during growth is allometric, as in our study model. We discovered that bivoltinism occurs in Ancylus in Southern Italy, contrary to previous accounts, which invariably describe A. fluviatilis as a semelparous and univoltine species, although acknowledging difficulty in discriminating among cohorts. The methods presented here may potentially help research in reproductive traits in many other mollusc populations where shape change during ontogeny is demonstrated to be allometric.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2001