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The only Italian population of false smooth snakes is found on Lampedusa, a small island located in the Sicilian Channel and part of the African continental shelf. The taxonomic identity of this population is currently uncertain, although it is most often attributed to Macroprotodon cucullatus textilis on a morphological basis. We present here the first genetic data on this population. The analysis carried out on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene shows that the Lampedusan false smooth snake belongs to a clade shared with a single sample from central Tunisia. The genetic distance between this lineage and its sister group (M. abubakeri) is comparable to or higher than that found among many reptile species. To define the identity of this distinctive lineage, as well as the Macroprotodon taxonomic structure, further sampling efforts within the undersampled distribution area of this genus and more extensive analyses will be necessary.

The presence of the Javelin sand boa in Sicily has recently been confirmed. Here the morphological characters and sexual dimorphism of the Sicilian population of Eryx jaculus are presented. Seven meristic and six metric characters in 96 specimens from Sicily were examined. The results show that tail length, snout-vent length, the distance between nostrils and the number of ventral and subcaudal scales are different between sexes. The characters found in the Sicilian population of the Javelin sand boa resemble those of the African population (ssp. jaculus) rather than the Eurasian population (ssp. turcicus), but biomolecular studies are necessary to understand its taxonomic identity., Acta Herpetologica, Vol 14 No 2 (2019)

Vengono presentati i risultati preliminari di una indagine multidisciplinare condotta in una zona umida nel territorio di Calatafimi Segesta in provincia di Trapani. L'area è di grande interesse per la presenza di rare specie animali e vegetali, di habitat minacciati tutelati da normative nazionali ed internazionali, ma anche perché è una delle ultime zone umide superstiti dell'entroterra trapanese. L'area ha subito in tempi recenti un pesante disturbo antropico che rischia di portare alla distruzione questo ambiente e il suo biota di pregio. Con questo contributo gli autori intendono supportare la richiesta di adeguata e urgente tutela del sito. Anguillara Ponds (Calatafimi Segesta, Trapani): preliminary data on the biodiversity in support of the protection of the biotope. The preliminary results of a multidisciplinary survey concerning a wetland complex in the territory of Calatafimi Segesta (Trapani) are presented here. The area is of great interest not only because of the presence of several rare animal and plant taxa and of threatened habitats protected by national and international laws, but also because it hosts one of the last surviving inland wetlands in the whole province. In the last years, the area was subjected to serious anthropogenic disturbance, so that this ecosystem and its valuable biota risk to be definitely destroyed. With this contribution, the authors wish support the request to appropriately and urgently protect the site.

La Grotta dei Personaggi è localizzata in Sicilia occidentale, nei pressi di Monte Magaggiaro, a S del centro abitato di Montevago (AG). Nell’area sono presenti sorgenti termali, caratterizzate da acque cloro-solfate alcalino-terrose con temperatura di circa 40 °C e pH 7. La Grotta dei Personaggi, conosciuta già dai primi anni del 1900 e nota anche per ritrovamenti archeologici, non era mai stata dettagliatamente rilevata e studiata. La cavità si sviluppa prevalentemente in calcari di piattaforma della formazione Inici (Giurassico inf.) e in calcari di scarpata e pelagici della formazione Buccheri (Giurassico inf.-sup.). Si tratta di una cavità sub-orizzontale che presenta uno sviluppo di circa 1,7 km, un dislivello ascendente di 15 m e discendente di 32 m. Il pattern dei condotti è labirintico e strettamente influenzato dalla struttura geologica; non ci sono veri e propri pozzi, ma soltanto fratture che si restringono in profondità; i rami ascendenti sono caratterizzati da cupole che si compenetrano verso l’alto. Tra le altre morfologie si riconoscono buchi da stillicidio, canali di condensazionecorrosione, sfere di condensazione, bocche alimentatrici, pilastri e tramezzi. All’interno della cavità sono presenti anche una colonia di chirotteri e diversi depositi di minerali ancora in fase di studio. L’analisi delle morfologie a grande e media scala e la presenza di acque termali nell'area fanno ipotizzare che la genesi di questa cavità sia legata a processi ipogenici.

Morphometry structure of Sicilian green toad from the Nature Reserve "Monte Pellegrino" (north-western Sicily) was studied. A total of 666 individuals (354 males and 312 females) were captured in 2003 during reproduction period. Meaningful differences have statistically emerged among the two sexes and the body weight is the best parameter (up to 92% correct classification), followed by the length of the body (up to 90% correct classification). The simultaneous use of all the examined characters only increases of 1% the probability for correct discrimination of the sex. In comparison to the dimension of other green toad populations studied by other authors, the body size of this sicilian population results elevated, similar to that of Corsica and of Sardinia. It is possible that the high dimension of the Sicilian population is the result of low competition with other amphibians species and/or to the absence of a winter latency. Se realizó un estudio morfométrico de la estructura del sapo verde siciliano de la Reserva Natural "Monte Pellegrino" (norte-oeste de Sicilia). Un total de 666 individuos (354 machos y 312 hembras) fueron capturados desde el año 2003 durante la época de reproducción. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos sexos, donde el peso corporal fue el mejor parámetro (hasta 92% de clasificación correcta), seguido por la longitud corporal (hasta 90% de clasificación correcta). El uso simultáneo de todos los caracteres examinados solo aumentó un 1% la probabilidad de una correcta discriminación del sexo. En comparación con la dimensión de otras poblaciones de sapos verdes estudiados por otros autores, el tamaño del cuerpo de esta población siciliana resulta elevado, similar a las poblaciones de Córcega y Cerdeña. Es posible que la gran dimensión de la población siciliana pueda deberse al bajo nivel de competencia con anfibios otras especies y/o a la ausencia de una latencia de invierno.

Analysis of diet in Discoglossus pictus (Otth, 1837) from Sicily (Anura: Alytidae). The Painted frog (Discoglossus pictus Otth, 1837) (Alytidae) is a monotypic species distributed in North Africa, Sicily and Malta. Many studies have been made in the past about morphological and genetical aspects, but as regards the diet very little can be found in bibliography. This study shows data of a sample of individuals from a breeding site of western Sicily. Samplings were taken from November 2009 to June 2010, during the night. A total of 82 specimens were collected (67 MM and 15 FF). From these we obtained 50 stomachal contents by using the stomach-flushing technique. From stomach contents analysis, we have identified 30 taxa of prey, almost all determined at family level. We have estimated the relative abundance (RA%) for every prey taxon and the Relative Index of Presence (IRP) was calculated for each category of prey on the total of stomachs analyzed. Finally, we compared these data with other studies made in Tunisia and Spain, in which we noticed some differences in the composition of prey spectrum.

First results of a restocking project for Testudo hermanni in a protected area in northwestern Sicily. A restocking project was carried out in the Zingaro Natural Reserve in order to counteract the Sicilian population decrease of Testudo hermanni. 50 tortoises coming from regional wildlife rescue centers were released after an acclimatization period in a controlled fence. 11 tortoises have been provided with radio-transmitters to follow the dispersal process and to monitoring the project progress. The obtained results have permitted to assess the useful area for the dispersion during the first year from the release and have showed the successful integration of the rescued tortoises with the resident population

First data about the habitat use in a population of Natrix natrix from Sicily. In the present paper the preliminary results of an investigation carried out on a Sicilian population of the grass snake (Natrix natrix) are reported. The leading aim of this study is to compare habitat use among three different classes of individuals (males, females, immatures), using as input the density of observations in four habitat types. Field studies were conducted beside a reservoir (“Lago di Scanzano”), located about 40 km from Palermo (western Sicily). Our results indicate spatial and temporal differences among groups. Young individuals were observed more frequently between April and May along wet meadows dominated by knotgrass, while adults between August and October along the stone pitching of the dam (mainly females), and in a cork oak wood fragment (mainly males). The Kernel analysis shows a low spatial overlap among groups, especially between adults and young individuals. The preliminary results suggest that shelter and prey availability could affect separation among groups.

Species of sicilian vascular flora included in the international laws. The present paper aims to divulgate the knowledge of the Sicilian flora protected at international level and includes a check-list of the Sicilian vascular flora recorded in international normatives on the protection of nature and biodiversity. For each normative general information is given together with a reference list to further deepen the contents, the aims and the present implementation in Italy.