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The systematics of the marine mollusc family Velutinidae has long been neglected by taxonomists, mainly because their often internal and fragile shells offer no morphological characters. Velutinids are usually undersampled owing to their cryptic mantle coloration on the solitary, social or colonial ascidians on which they feed and lay eggs. In this study, we address the worldwide diversity and phylogeny of Velutinidae based on the largest molecular dataset (313 specimens) to date, accounting for > 50% of the currently accepted genera, coupled with morphological and ecological data. Velutinids emerge as a diverse group, encompassing four independent subfamily-level lineages, two of which are newly described herein: Marseniopsinae subfam. nov. and Hainotinae subfam. nov. High diversity was found at genus and species levels, with two newly described genera (Variolipallium gen. nov. and Pacifica gen. nov.) and ≥ 86 species in the assayed dataset, 58 of which are new to science (67%). Velutinidae show a remarkable morphological plasticity in shell morphology, mantle extension and chromatic patterns. This variability is likely to be the result of different selective forces, including habitat, depth and trophic interactions.

Herein, we investigated for the first time the microbiota from the hepatopancreas of the talitrid amphipod Orchestia montagui and the oniscidean isopod Tylos ponticus, two crustacean species associated with beached leaves of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (Posidonia banquette). We carried out a metabarcoding analysis based on several hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. At the same time, three representative habitats of the supralittoral zone, namely leaf surface of Posidonia banquette, sandy shore and surface seawater were examined by means of bacterial metabarcoding analysis. Our data analyses indicated that the bacterial microbiota from the hepatopancreas and that from the marine habitats form distinct groups in terms of the taxonomic composition. Comparative analyses revealed that some bacteria were associated with the hepatopancreas of the syntopic O. montagui and T. ponticus but were not detected in the supralittoral habitats. This suggests that distinct components of the microbial community may be uniquely adapted within the hepatopancreas. The microbiota from the hepatopancreas of O. montagui was more complex than that of T. ponticus. However, the putative presence of polysaccharide-degrading bacteria in both species indicated symbiotic microbiomes that might be involved in the functionality of the hepatopancreas. A deeper understanding of halophilic hepatopancreatic symbionts in the supralittoral zone also has broad relevance to applied research, particularly to the biotechnological sector related to marine biomass conversion.

Predator-prey interactions are thought to play a driving role in animal evolution, especially for groups that have developed venom as their predatory strategy. However, how the diet of venomous animals influences the composition of venom arsenals remains uncertain. Two prevailing hypotheses to explain the relationship between diet and venom composition focus on prey preference and the types of compounds in venom, and a positive correlation between dietary breadth and the number of compounds in venom. Here, we examined venom complexity, phylogenetic relationship, collection depth, and biogeography of the Terebridae (auger snails) to determine if repeated innovations in terebrid foregut anatomy and venom composition correspond to diet variation. We performed the first molecular study of the diet of terebrid marine snails by metabarcoding the gut content of 71 terebrid specimens from 17 species. Our results suggest that the presence or absence of a venom gland is strongly correlated with dietary breadth. Specifically, terebrid species without a venom gland displayed greater diversity in their diet. Additionally, we propose a revision of the definition of venom complexity in conoidean snails to more accurately capture the breadth of ecological influences. These findings suggest that prey diet is an important factor in terebrid venom evolution and diversification and further investigations of other understudied organisms, like terebrids, are needed to develop robust hypotheses in this area.

A coiled shell is the most evident feature of the typical Bauplan of a gastropod mollusc. However, at least 54 families independently evolved an apparently simplified shell morphology: the limpet. Species with this largely uncoiled, depressed shell morphology occur in almost every aquatic habitat and are associated to a number of different lifestyles and diets. The marine gastropod family Capulidae includes 18 recognised genera, the large majority of which are coiled, but with a number of limpet-like species. Capulid shell plasticity is also associated to a broad range of feeding ecologies, from obligate suspension feeders to kleptoparasites. To investigate the evolution of the limpet-like shell in the family Capulidae we performed an ancestral state reconstruction analysis on a time-calibrated phylogenetic tree (COI, 16S, and ITS2) including 16 species representing a good deal of its morphological diversity. Our results identified at least three capulid lineages that independently evolved limpet-like shells, suggesting that a recurrent limpetization process characterizes this family. One of the limpet-like genera was undescribed and was here named Cryocapulus n. gen. We suggest that capulids evolved from a coiled suspension feeder lineage and that the shift to kleptoparasitism, which occurred in the family ancestor, may have represented a strategy to save energy through the exploitation of the water current produced by the host. Probably the major drivers of shell evolution in capulids are related to their ecology, most of them being kleptoparasites, include the shape and the kind of host substrate, and lead to the repeated acquisition of a limpet-like shape.

Le but de cette contribution est d’illustrer le projet de recherche multidisciplinaire de l’Université de Turin « _Culture e Lingue delle Alpi Piemontesi. Atlanti linguistici, musei etnografici: percorsi multimediali per l’educazione al territorio alpino_ (CLAPie) ». Le projet, qui a débuté en 2012, vise principalement à relier les données des atlas linguistiques qui ont été collectées dans la région alpine du Piémont (l_’Atlas Linguistique de la France_, le _Sprach- und Sachatlas Italiens und der Südschweiz_, l’_Atlante Linguistico Italiano_, _l’Atlante Linguistico Etnografico del Piemonte Occidentale_ et l’_Atlante_ _Toponomastico del Piemonte_ _Montano_) avec celles réunies par les musées ethnographiques du même territoire. À travers la réalisation du projet, nous nous proposons d’illustrer des dynamiques et des modalités inédites de lecture du territoire alpin, qui pourront devenir, à leur tour, une ressource importante pour la préservation et la promotion des réalités locales. Ceci avec la création d’un espace virtuel où les différentes données ethno-linguistiques pourront établir des corrélations sémantiquement pertinentes grâce à l’adoption de la philosophie du Web 3.0 (Web sémantique).

Species in the family Capulidae (Littorinimorpha: Capuloidea) display a wide range of shell morphologies. Several species are known to live in association with other benthic invertebrates—mostly bivalves and sabellid worms, but also other gastropods—and are believed to be kleptoparasitic filter feeders that take advantage of the water current produced by the host. This peculiar trophic ecology, implying a sedentary lifestyle, has resulted in highly convergent shell forms. This is particularly true for the genus Hyalorisia Dall, 1889, which occurs in deep water in the Caribbean and Indo-West Pacific provinces, with two nominal species recognized so far. Combining morphological, ecological and molecular data, we assessed the diversity of the genus, its phylogenetic position inside the family and its association with its bivalve host, the genus Propeamussium de Gregorio, 1884 (Pectinoidea), resulting in the description of nine new cryptic species. When sympatric, species of Hyalorisia are associated with different host species, but the same species of Propeamussium may be the host of several allopatric species of Hyalorisia.

Three new species of the neogastropod family Raphitomidae Bellardi, 1875, are described from the Croatian waters of the Adriatic Sea: Raphitoma petanii Prkic, Giannuzzi-Savelli & Pusateri n. sp., R. pusaterii Prkic & Giannuzzi-Savelli n. sp. and R. stanici Prkic, Giannuzzi-Savelli & Pusateri n. sp. The new species are diagnosed by teleoconch characters and by genetic data (COI sequences) in an integrative taxonomy framework. They belong to a group of species with microgranules on the external surface of all teleoconch whorls and all three have a multispiral protoconch indicating a planktotrophic larval phase. The first two species are so far known only from material found in Croatia. R. petanii Prkic, Giannuzzi-Savelli & Pusateri n. sp. and R. stanici Prkic, Giannuzzi-Savelli & Pusateri n. sp. are predominantly shallow-water species, whereas R. pusaterii Prkic & Giannuzzi-Savelli n. sp. has been so far collected only from deeper bottoms with presence of the red coral, Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758). Syntypes of Murex echinatusBrocchi, 1814 are figured and commented.

Giannuzzi-Savelli, Riccardo, Pusateri, Francesco, Prkić, Jakov, Bartolini, Stefano, Russini, Valeria, Fassio, Giulia, Oliverio, Marco (2020): Revision of Mediterranean and NE Atlantic Raphitomidae (Gastropoda, Conoidea) 8: The genus Leufroyia Monterosato, 1884. Zoosystema 42 (22): 433-473, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2020v42a22

Poecilogony is the intraspecific variation in developmental mode, with larvae of different types produced by the same individual, population or species. It is very rare among marine invertebrates, and in gastropods has long been described only in a few opisthobranchs. The physiological and regulatory mechanisms underlying larval evolutionary transitions, such as loss of planktotrophy that occurred repeatedly in many caenogastropod lineages, are still largely unknown. We have studied the inter- v. intraspecific variation in larval development in the north-east Atlantic neogastropod genus Raphitoma Bellardi, 1847, starting with an iterative taxonomy approach: 17 morphology-based Preliminary Species Hypotheses were tested against a COI molecular-distance-based method (ABGD), and the retained species hypotheses were eventually inspected for reciprocal monophyly on a multilocus dataset. We subsequently performed an ancestral state reconstruction on an ultrametric tree of the 10 Final Species Hypotheses, time-calibrated by fossils, revealing that the interspecific changes were planktotrophy > lecithotrophy, and all have occurred in the Pleistocene, after 2.5 million years ago. This is suggestive of a major role played by Pleistocene Mediterranean oceanographic conditions – enhanced oligotrophy, unpredictable availability of water column resources – likely to favour loss of planktotrophy. Within this group of species, which has diversified after the Miocene, we identified one pair of sibling species differing in their larval development, Raphitoma cordieri (Payraudeau, 1826) and R. horrida (Monterosato, 1884). However, we also identified two Final Species Hypotheses, each comprising individuals with both larval developmental types. Our working hypothesis is that they correspond to one or two poecilogonous species. If confirmed by other nuclear markers, this would be the first documentation of poecilogony in the Neogastropoda, and the second in the whole Caenogastropoda. Although sibling species with different developmental strategies may offer good models to study some evolutionary aspects, poecilogonous taxa are optimally suited for identifying regulatory and developmental mechanisms underlying evolutionary transitions.

One of the main requirements of any sound biological monitoring is the availability of long term and, possibly, temporal data with a high resolution. This is often difficult to be achieved, especially in Antarctica, due to a variety of logistic constraints, which make continuous sampling and monitoring activities generally unfeasible. Here we focus on the 5 μm filters used in the desalination plant of the Italian research base “Mario Zucchelli” in the Terra Nova Bay area (Ross Sea, Antarctica) to evaluate intra-annual coastal nanoplankton dynamics. These filters, together with others of larger mesh sizes, are used to decrease the amount of organisms and debris in the input seawater before the desalination processes take place, hence automatically collect the plankton present in the water column around the desalination system intake. We have used a DNA metabarcoding approach to characterize the communities retained by filters' sets collected in January 2012 and 2013. Intra-annual dynamics were disclosed with an unprecedented detail, that would not have been possible by using standard sampling approaches, and highlighted the importance of extreme, stochastic events such as katabatic wind pulses, which triggered dramatic, short-term shifts in coastal nanoplankton composition. This method, by combining a cost-effective sampling and molecular techniques, may represent a viable solution for long-term monitoring programs focusing on Antarctic coastal communities.

Three species of the neogastropod genus Columbella Lamarck, 1799 are recognised from the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. One is the common Mediterranean C. rustica (Linnaeus, 1758), with paucispiral protoconch, extending its range in the Atlantic South to Senegal and North to Portugal. Columbella adansoni Menke, 1853, with multispiral protoconch is restricted to the Macaronesian archipelagoes. A third species, also with multispiral protoconch, from West Africa is recognised through molecular methods, and the name C. xiphitella Duclos, 1840 is employed by correcting the original erroneous locality (“Californie”) to Gabon. Except for protoconch features, no major morphological characters are available to separate the three species; however diagnostic species-level differences in specific positions in the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences are present between all three species.

In marine environments, connectivity among populations of benthic invertebrates is provided primarily by dispersion of larvae, with the duration of pelagic larval phase (PLD) supposed to represent one of the major factor affecting connectivity. In marine gastropods, PLD is linked to specific larval development types, which may be entirely intracapsular (thus lacking a pelagic dispersal), or include a short pelagic lecithotrophic or a long planktotrophic phase. In the present study, we investigated two sibling species of the cosmopolitan neogastropod genus Columbella (commonly known as dove shells): Columbella adansoni Menke, 1853, from the Macaronesian Atlantic archipelagos, with planktotrophic development, and Columbella rustica Linnaeus, 1758, from the Mediterranean Sea, with intracapsular development. We expected to find differences between these two sister species, in terms of phylogeographic structure, levels of genetic diversification and spatial distribution of genetic diversity, if PLD was actually a relevant factor affecting connectivity. By analysing the sequence variation at the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) in 167 specimens of the two species, collected over a comparable geographic range, we found that Columbella adansoni, the species with planktotrophic development, and thus longer PLD, showed no phylogeographic structure, lower levels of genetic diversity, interpopulational variance lower than the intrapopulational one and no spatial structure in the distribution of the genetic diversity; Columbella rustica, the species with intracapsular development, thus with evidently lower dispersal abilities, showed a clear phylogeographic structure, higher levels of genetic diversity, high interpopulational and low intrapopulational variance, and a clear signature of global spatial structure in the distribution of the genetic diversity. Thus, in this study, two sibling species differing almost only in their larval ecology (and PLD), when compared for their genetic variation showed patterns supporting the hypothesis that PLD is a major factor affecting genetic connectivity. Therefore, it seems reasonable to expect that the ecological attributes of the marine communities - also in terms of the variation in larval ecology of the species involved - are taken into the due consideration in conservation actions, like the design of marine protected areas networks.

In most marine gastropods, the duration of the larval phase is a key feature, strongly influencing species distribution and persistence. Antarctic lineages, in agreement with Thorson's rule, generally show a short pelagic developmental phase (or lack it completely), with very few exceptions. Among them is the ascidian-feeding gastropod family Velutinidae, a quite understudied group. Based on a multilocus (COI, 16S, 28S and ITS2) dataset for 182 specimens collected in Antarctica and other regions worldwide, we investigated the actual Antarctic velutinid diversity, inferred their larval development, tested species genetic connectivity and produced a first phylogenetic framework of the family. We identified 15 Antarctic Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs), some of which represented undescribed species, which show two different types of larval shell, indicating different duration of the Pelagic Larval Phase (PLD). Antarctic velutinids stand as an independent lineage, sister to the rest of the family, with extensive hidden diversity likely produced by rapid radiation. Our phylogenetic framework indicates that this Antarctic flock underwent repeated events of pelagic phase shortening, in agreement with Thorson's rule, yielding species with restricted geographic ranges.

The systematics of several Eastern Atlantic conoidean species, traditionally ascribed to the genus RaphitomaBellardi, 1847, are revised on the basis of DNA sequence data from three gene regions (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA). We assign genus ranking to three major lineages (Raphitoma, CyrilliaKobelt, 1905 and LeufroyiaMonterosato, 1884) and suggest that two West African species belong in the subgenus Daphnella (Paradaphne) Laseron, 1954. A new classification, based on molecular systematics and critical study of morphology, is provided for all Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean species that are currently ascribed to Raphitoma s.l. The genus ClathromangeliaMonterosato, 1884 is confirmed as belonging to Raphitomidae. Phylogenetic relationships and genetic distances suggest that Raphitoma maculosaHøisæter, 2016 and R. obesaHøisæter, 2016 may be divergent morphotypes of R. bicolor (Risso, 1826) and Cyrillia aequalis (Jeffreys, 1867), respectively.

AIM:Many studies showed insulin resistance amelioration in HCV-patients achieving Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) but results on glycaemic control in diabetic patients are unclear. This study aimed to assess fasting glucose (FG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values before and after therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in HCV-patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS:Of the 122 consecutively recruited patients with chronic hepatitis C and T2DM, 110 patients were treated with DAAs and 12 remained untreated. Clinical, biochemical, virological and metabolic features were collected both at baseline and at 12 weeks after the end of therapy (EOT) or after a comparable period of time in untreated patients. RESULTS:101 patients obtained a SVR (Group 1), while nine were relapsers; Group 2 (21 patients) was composed by the 9 relapsers and the 12 untreated patients. A significant reduction of mean FG (134.3 ± 41.32 mg/dL vs 152.4 ± 56.40 mg/dL, p= 0.002) and HbA1c values (46.51 ± 16.15 mmol/mol vs 52.15 ± 15.43 mmol/mol,p< 0.001) was found in Group 1 but not in Group 2 (140.6 ± 47.87 mg/dL vs 145.31 ± 30.18 mg/dL, p = 0.707, and 55.31 ± 20.58 mmol/mol vs 53.38 ± 9.49 mmol/mol, p= 0.780). In Group 1, 20.7% of patients could reduce or suspend their antidiabetic therapy compared to none in Group 2 (p= 0.03), despite the significant weight increase observed in Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: SVR induced a significant amelioration of glycaemic control in diabetic HCV-patients, despite a significant weight increase; larger prospective studies are needed to verify whether these results are maintained over the longterm. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

S’ils ont parfois les yeux tournes vers l’autre cote des Alpes, les migrants âges d’origine italienne installes a Grenoble semblent conserver une certaine distance a l’egard de leur pays d’origine. Comptant sur la solidarite de leurs proches et sur un tissu associatif communautaire dynamique, la plupart choisissent de vivre leurs vieux jours en Isere, la ou demeurent famille et amis. Les voyages en Italie demeurent periodiques. Le retour definitif au pays natal n’ayant d’autre cause que la volonte de s’y voir enterre.

The Ocenebrinae is a subfamily of marine predatory gastropods known as oyster and mussel drills. Their current phylogenetic framework is traditionally based on shell and radular characters, but a consensus on relationships among genera is still lacking. We investigated the molecular phylogeny of Ocenebrinae using 50 species and DNA data from one nuclear (28S) and two mitochondrial (COI and 16S) genes, the largest data set so far assembled for this subfamily. We found support for the monophyly of the Ocenebrinae, and species were divided into four major lineages. Within groups, genera had similar geographic distributions, suggesting that except in a few cases, species diversification within clades occurred without range expansions. We discuss the phylogenetic distribution of a labral tooth and a sealed siphonal canal, two characteristic ocenebrine features. We also show that Ocinebrina species in the north-eastern Pacific are not monophyletic with north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean species, and that the Ocinebrina edwardsii species complex belongs to Ocenebra.

Questo articolo esamina la trasmissione delle risorse materiali e immateriali da una prospettiva antropologica e analizza due casi di studio che presentano tanto interessanti elementi in comune, quanto significative differenze: l’alta Val Pellice, territorio di lingua occitana e a prevalenza valdese nelle Alpi piemontesi occidentali, e Macugnaga, un insediamento di origine walser nelle Alpi piemontesi nord-orientali. Entrambe le località sono comunità di minoranza linguistica e, dal punto di vista demografico, non hanno sofferto il forte spopolamento che ha investito altre aree dell’arco alpino. Dal punto di vista economico, però, sono molto differenti: mentre la pastorizia di montagna continua ad essere uno dei pilastri economici e culturali dell’alta Val Pellice, Macugnaga ha conosciuto una conversione economica verso il turismo alpino. In questo articolo si mette in evidenza come l’attuale attenzione nei confronti delle risorse immateriali non debba oscurare il ruolo delle risorse materiali – quali la terra, gli immobili e i diritti di accesso alle risorse private e collettive – che sono spesso essenziali affinché le attività tradizionali siano preservate. Inoltre, non dovrebbe essere dato per scontato che le risorse immateriali, quando siano dotate del potenziale adatto, debbano necessariamente trasformarsi in risorse tangibili, economiche. La nostra ricerca etnografica indica che questo processo può essere ostacolato, o almeno mitigato, da percorsi di negoziazione tra visioni e interpretazioni opposte circa la mercificazione delle risorse culturali. Suggerisce, infine, che la sopravvivenza di una tradizione può spesso dipendere dal suo essere “messa in scena” a favore – o con la collaborazione – dei turisti. This article looks at the transmission of tangible and intangible resources from an anthropological perspective and presents two case-studies that provide both interesting commonalities and significant contrasts: the Occitan-speaking (and predominantly Waldensian) upper Pellice Valley, in the western Piedmontese Alps, and Macugnaga, a Walser settlement in the north-eastern Piedmontese Alps. Both localities host linguistic minorities and, demographically, have not suffered massive depopulation. Economically they differ since mountain pastoralism continues to be one of the pillars of economy and culture in the upper Pellice Valley, whereas Macugnaga has converted to tourism. We argue that the current focus on intangible heritage should not obscure the role of tangible assets – such as land, buildings and rights to private and collective resources – which are often essential to ensure that traditional craftsmanship is rescued and preserved. It should also not be taken for granted that the fate of intangible cultural heritage, when it possesses adequate potential, is invariably to turn into tangible, economic resources. Ethnographic research shows that this process may be hindered or mitigated as a results of negotiation between opposite views on the commoditization of cultural heritage. It also suggests that the very survival of a tradition may depend on its being “staged” to the benefit of, and shared with, tourists.

This article looks at the transmission of tangible and intangible resources from an anthropological perspective and presents two case-studies that provide both interesting commonalities and significant contrasts: the Occitan-speaking (and predominantly Waldensian) upper Pellice Valley, in the western Piedmontese Alps, and Macugnaga, a Walser settlement in the north-eastern Piedmontese Alps. Both localities host linguistic minorities and, demographically, have not suffered massive depopulation. Economically they differ since mountain pastoralism continues to be one of the pillars of economy and culture in the upper Pellice Valley, whereas Macugnaga has converted to tourism. We argue that the current focus on intangible heritage should not obscure the role of tangible assets – such as land, buildings and rights to private and collective resources – which are often essential to ensure that traditional craftsmanship is rescued and preserved. It should also not be taken for granted that the fate of intangible cultural heritage, when it possesses adequate potential, is invariably to turn into tangible, economic resources. Ethnographic research shows that this process may be hindered or mitigated as a results of negotiation between opposite views on the commoditization of cultural heritage. It also suggests that the very survival of a tradition may depend on its being “staged” to the benefit of, and shared with, tourists.

Connectivity is a key factor in determining the genetic structure of marine populations, and type and duration of the larval phase strongly affect dispersal abilities of species. In Antarctica, invertebrates show a higher proportion of species with limited pelagic dispersal, and any exception to this pattern is worthy of attention. Capulidae is a family of kleptoparasitic gastropods, with two larval strategies. Most species have a peculiar planktotrophic larva, the ‘echinospira’, which enables a long pelagic dispersal; a minority of species undergo lecithotrophic development. We provide the first molecular phylogenetic framework for the family and define the Antarctic species based on molecular data. Based on this information, and on larval shell morphology, we tested the hypothesis that capulid species with high dispersal capacities via planktotrophic larvae display high genetic connectivity over long distances. Our data showed that whilst larval planktotrophy is the predominant larval strategy of the family worldwide, the vast majority of Antarctic species exhibit non-planktotrophic development. The unique exception, Capulus subcompressus, showed high genetic connectivity between the Ross Sea and Weddell Sea-Antarctic Peninsula. In all other Antarctic species, environmental constraints selected towards intracapsular metamorphosis, despite the associated limits of dispersal and finding a host.

The distinctive features of mountain pastoral families in the past, and their adaptations to environmental and economic constraints, have been the subject of many comparative studies. Less effort has been invested in exploring the role of the family in today’s pastoral economy and identifying structural and cultural continuities within the dramatic changes of the last decades. Our ethnographic fieldwork in several valleys of the Italian Western Alps revealed that, contrary to some expectations, families do retain a central economic and productive role and are instrumental in keeping pastoral farming alive. Some present-day herders belong to families that have continuously engaged in pastoralism for a long time; in other cases, younger generations have returned to pastoral work their parents abandoned for jobs in industry or the service sector; in still other cases, ‘‘new highlanders’’ have turned to pastoralism and become the heirs of local pastoral knowledge. Family structures have changed considerably, and their size and composition as well as their entrepreneurial choices depend on a delicate balance between market demands, domestic strategies to keep or attain the right household size and composition, and the availability of local resources. Access to communal resources to which some pastoral families are entitled by their local origin may prove crucial to the success of their enterprises.