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Centipedes (Chilopoda) are widespread and abundant predators in several kind of habitats, from forests to caves. Very few quantitative data are currently available for alpine habitats, specifically those located at high-altitudes. In this paper, we analysed data on centipedes collected by pitfall traps on different high-altitude landforms of the Central-Eastern Italian Alps, specifically on rock glaciers, debris-covered glaciers, glacier forelands, stable slopes, and scree slopes. We investigated the species richness and abundance (activity density) of individuals in each landform and the relationships between species occurrence and environmental variables in the investigated landforms. The obtained results highlighted non-significant differences in species richness between the landforms, but significant differences in individual abundance and species distribution. Soil organic matter, soil gravel percentage and altitude resulted the main variables affecting the species distribution; a clear preference for landforms located near the treeline was highlighted. Lithobius lucifugus resulted the dominant and most common species as well as the only species able to colonise debris-covered glaciers.

The Scientific Committee for the Italian Fauna is managing the new checklist of the animal species of Italy. The previous checklist was published in 1993-1995 and included both protozoans and Metazoa (more than 57,000 species); the new project, which includes only Metazoa, started in 2020 and is aimed at updating the former checklist (with more than 60,000 expected species) by on-line datasets and data papers. The new checklist includes marine species recorded in the Italian seas, divided into nine marine sectors, with the Italian Economic Exclusive Zone, and terrestrial and freshwater species recorded in administrative regions, as well as in the three macro-regions (northern continental, southern peninsular and insular - Sicily and Sardinia - macro-regions). Records from geopolitical units biogeographically Biogeographia 37: ucl001 Bologna 2 et al., 2022 related to Italy (i.e., Canton Ticino, CH; Corsica, F; San Marino Republic and Vatican City) are also included. Over 180 Italian and foreign taxonomists have so far participated to the first phase of this new project, providing datasets for taxa at different hierarchical level, from phyla to subfamilies and tribes. The list is intended to be a fundamental instrument not only for the faunistic knowledge of Italy, but also for biodiversity conservation strategies in the country and in the European Union. The new Checklist of the Italian fauna will be available from the LifeWatch Italy platform, and it will be progressively updated. Furthermore, data papers for taxa at different hierarchical level could be published with continuity in a special section of the journal Biogeographia – The Journal of Integrative Biogeography.

1. Although caves are generally perceived as isolated habitats, at the local scale, they are often interconnected via a network of fissures in the bedrock. Accordingly, caves in close proximity are expected to host the same, or very similar, animal communities.

Invasive alien species (IAS) are considered one of the largest drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide and the negative impacts of IAS can also affect human health and economy. More than 12,000 alien species occur in Europe. Terrestrial invertebrate species are the largest proportion of alien animal species and represents one of the most impacting groups in Europe. The most important European policy against alien species is the EU Regulation 1143/2014, which provides for the development of priority lists of IAS of relevant concern aimed to allow the optimization of intervention measures. Italian policy implemented the EU Regulation with the Legislative Decree No 230/2017 that provides the adoption of a list of IAS of national concern. Aim of this work is to present a preliminary prioritized list of alien terrestrial invertebrate species (ATIS) present in Italy, thus providing an useful tool to identify species to be included in the list of IAS of national concern. We defined criteria for assessing the species and ranking them in a prioritized list on the basis of the magnitude of their potential impact on wild native biodiversity. We identify 233 relevant ATIS, among the 1126 species included in the Italian Alien Terrestrial Invertebrate Database, on which the evaluation process started. After the evaluation process, 109 ATIS with considerable impacts on biodiversity were selected and prioritized. We ranked the species in four priority categories by matching their distribution in Italy with the magnitude of their possible impact on biodiversity.

The Asian chestnut gall wasp was accidentally introduced in Italy in 2002 and spread across Europe in the following years, becoming a serious threat for chestnut cultivations and rural economies of many countries. Exploring the variation in susceptibility of the host genetic resources is crucial to face the spreading of this pest. We used an experimental approach for testing the differential susceptibility within and between populations of European chest- nut. For doing this, we compared both the infestation level and the rate of immune individ- uals in trees from populations of Spain, Italy, and Greece. We found that the level of infestation is not significantly different in the different provenances but that a higher rate of immune trees occur in Greece. Our results suggest that two different contingents of trees compose Greek populations: one major group of trees with the same susceptibility as the other populations and a second minor group of trees resistant to gall wasp infestation. Our data lay the basis for improving the currently adopted measures to mitigate gall wasp impacts.

On the evening of June 7th, 2019, Augusto Vigna Taglianti died in Rome at the age of almost 76 years, after a long illness, tenderly assisted by his wife Giuliana. Formerly a Professor of Entomology at the Sapienza University of Rome, he was a Full Member of the Italian National Academy of Entomology and of the National Academy of Sciences (the “Accademia dei XL”) [...], Fragmenta Entomologica, Vol. 51 No. 2 (2019)

Ecotones are frequently associated with habitat fragmentation, one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. Conifer reforestations are assumed to enhance connectivity between forest remnants, buffering negative effects of fragmentation (edge effect). Conversion of agricultural lands into conifer plan- tations is commonly considered a good practice, although its implications on biodiversity are still unclear. 2. We compare effects of two matrices (non-native conifer reforestations and semi-natural grasslands) on epigeic centipedes of native forests in central Italy. Assemblages were sampled at progressive distances from the edge, both in the matrix and the native forest. Basing on habitat-matrix similarity, reforestations should show lower edge effects compared to grasslands. Consequently reforestations could act as secondary habitat, while grasslands as barrier or semipermeable matrix. 3. Several species occurred in both native forest and matrix: 47% of species at the forest-reforestation ecotone, 16% at the forest-grassland ecotone. Both reforestation and grasslands affected forest indicators (Lithobius castaneus and L. tylopus). L. castaneus showed reforestations had a lower magnitude (0.95) and a greater depth of edge effect (53 m into the forest). Conversely, grasslands had a higher magnitude (1.00) and a lower depth of edge effect (17 m). 4. Our findings show reforestations can act as secondary habitat, while grass- lands as semipermeable matrix. Secondly, grasslands mainly threat forest species by isolation, while conifer reforestations by edge-effect penetration. In conclu- sion, the establishment of non-native conifer reforestation, although enhances connectivity, is not risk free and further comparative studies are due to evaluate positive and negative effects on biodiversity.

Suite a l'examen de nombreux specimens, les auteurs exposent des donnees nouvelles sur les chilopodes du Parc national du Mercantour, du departement des Alpes-Maritimes et de leurs environs. Ces observations ameliorent la connaissance de la repartition de certaines especes rares et localisees et permettent en outre de decrire une nouvelle espece en provenance d'Entrevaux (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) : Lithobius (Lithobius) lemairei n. sp. Cette remarquable nouvelle espece a ete trouvee dans un milieu souterrain superficiel de type MSS et vit potentiellement plus en profondeur dans un systeme de grottes ou de crevasses ; elle possede des caracteres troglomorphes adaptes a son mode de vie, notamment une extreme reduction des ocelles et une augmentation de la taille de l'organe de Tomosvary. Par ailleurs, elle possede des sillons lateraux-internes sur les femurs, tibias, basitarses et tarses des pattes 15, et secondairement sur les memes articles des pattes 14. Ces structures en font une espece particulierent distincte de toutes les autres appartenant au genre Lithobius Leach, 1814 dans ce secteur geographique. Suite a un reexamen des specimens en provenance des Alpes-Maritimes, Eupolybothrus (Eupolybothrus) fasciatus (Newport, 1845) est a retirer de la faune de France. Nos recherches ciblees sur les especes halophiles et halobies de geophilomorphes du littoral des Alpes-Maritimes montrent que ces especes ont au moins fortement regresse dans cette aire geographique. Une synthese ecologique est effectuee sur les especes recensees, cumulant les nouvelles connaissances et les contributions anterieures sur ce departement. Une liste des chilopodes recenses dans le Parc national du Mercantour et/ou dans le departement des Alpes-Maritimes est proposee. Elle inclut des informations sur l'endemisme au niveau local et/ou au niveau national pour les taxa concernes, sur l'eventuelle presence en limite d'aire de repartition, ainsi que d'eventuelles particularites ecologiques remarquables (troglobies, halobies, orophiles). Certains endemiques locaux et certaines especes ecologiquement tres specialisees apparaissent comme potentiellement menaces, voire en fort declin avere suite a nos observations. Une premiere liste de ces especes, qualifiees ici de « sensibles », est proposee.

Plutonium zwierleini is one of the largest scolopendromorph centipedes in Europe and is known for debates on the evolution of segmental body pattern in arthropods. However, only 24 records have so far been reported and probably only a dozen specimens still exist in collections. Based on 19 new data from professionals and amateur recorders, we confirmed that populations are present today in four disjunct areas: southern Iberian Peninsula, Sardinia, southern Italian Peninsula and Sicily. A phylogenetic analysis of the first molecular data obtained for Plutonium (16S, COI, 18S, 28S) provided strong evidence that it is closely related to Theatops, either sister to the latter or nested within it, with an estimated separation since the Mesozoic. By examining specimens of Plutonium from all the four inhabited areas and specimens of most of the species of Theatops, we also documented many synapomorphies uniting Plutonium and Theatops (brown-orange colour, whitish patches replacing the ocelli, a particular denticulation on the forcipules, conspicuously swollen and piercing ultimate legs) and some derived characters unique to Plutonium, including the blade-edged claws of the ultimate legs and the previously overlooked presence of long, dense setae on most other legs, in both sexes and in the entire species range.

The introduction of species outside their native range contributes to the loss of biodiversity, alters the structure and functioning of ecosystems, and damages economy and human health. Insects are one of the taxa with the highest frequency of introduction due to their high diversity, biological properties, and close association with human activities. Here, the allodiversity of Italian entomofauna was analyzed, with a focus on Tuscany (Central Italy). A list of alien insects in Tuscany is included. The status of the alien entomofauna in Italy was updated. The number of alien insects amounts to 122 in Tuscany and 923 in Italy. An introduction rate of 98 species per decade was estimated in Italy. In Tuscany, alien insects belong to 10 orders, mostly Coleoptera (38%), Hemiptera (Sternorrhyncha and Auchenorrhyncha) (23%), and Hymenoptera (13%). They have been most often introduced through vegetable items (ornamental plants or crops). Most species come from the Nearctic region (26%) and are both phytophagous (63%) and amphigonic (80%). Differences and similarities in introduction patterns and in insect abundances across orders among regional, national, and European scales, also considering worldwide abundances, are discussed. Finally, a paucity of information regarding the negative impacts of many species, except for economic pests, phytosanitary threats, and vectors of disease, is underlined. A deeper understanding of the alien insects' ecological impact might help designate policies aimed at preventing further introductions and control the invasive populations of already established species.

Endogeophilus ichnusae gen. et sp. nov. (Chilopoda: Geophilidae sensu stricto) is described based on three specimens from two localities in south-western Sardinia, examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The new centipede resembles the rare Ibero-Pyrenean genus Galliophilus Ribaut & Brolemann, 1927 in some features, especially in the forcipular segment, and the temperate European species Geophilus electricus (Linnaeus, 1758) in other features, especially in the ultimate leg-bearing segment. However, the true affinities of E. ichnusae gen. et sp. nov. are uncertain, because the new species departs significantly from the majority of geophilids for the higher number of legs (91–107 pairs in the specimens examined), the slender trunk segments (the sternites being longer than wide), the relatively stout legs (the tarsus being only about twice as long as wide) and the very short setae (≤ 15 mm) scattered on the body surface. All these features are probably derived and suggest adaptation to a more strictly endogeic habit than other geophilids.

In this paper we summarize and critically revise the literature records of the centipedes of Peloponnisos in mainland Greece. Moreover, records on recently collected material in East Peloponnisos are included with a special focus on Mount Parnonas. Fifty centipede species are listed (1 Scutigeromorpha, 20 Lithobiomorpha, 6 Scolopendromorpha and 23 Geophilomorpha) belonging to 21 genera, 9 families and 4 orders. The species Eurygeophilus multistiliger (Verhoeff, 1899) is here reported for the first time not only from Greece but also from the East Mediterranean and the Balkan Peninsula. Additionally, the species Geophilus insculptus Attems, 1895, Stenotaenia rhodopensis (Kaczmarek, 1970) and Henia pulchella (Meinert, 1870) are newly recorded from Peloponnisos. Synonyms, general geographic distribution, patterns of distribution (chorotype), literature records, material examined from Mt. Parnonas, and ecological information (such as altitudinal ranges and habitat preferences) are given for each species. Remarks are additionally provided for some species and maps of species distribution in Peloponnisos are presented.

Published and unpublished data on the centipedes of Corsica (France) is summarised and critically reviewed in this paper. Thirty-three species are listed and discussed (1 Scutigeromorpha, 11 Lithobiomorpha, 4 Scolopendromorpha, 17 Geophilomorpha), one of which is new to the island: Henia (Pseudochaetechelyne) brevis (Silvestri, 1896). General geographical distribution, chorotype, exact localities and ecological notes (altitudinal range, habitats) are given for each species. Eight species are Corsican endemics. Taxonomic remarks are given for some species. General notes on the composition of the centipede fauna of Corsica and its zoogeographic affinities as well as remarks on the ecology of the species and their assemblages are also included.

The dataset available from the compilation of the atlas of mammals of the Province of Rome was used in order to analyze patterns of road-kill. Western hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), coypu (Myocastor coypus), brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and medium-sized mustelids were over-represented in the road-killed sub-data set. The spatial coverage (=the ratio between the number of occupied cells from a given species and the total atlas sample cells) of road-killed species was statistically higher than the spatial coverage of the non-road-killed species. Body size of the mammal species did not influence its likelihood of being killed along roads. Our data did corroborate findings by previous research indicating that road-killed species are characterized by peculiar behavioural and ecological traits (e.g., habitat generalists such as red fox and brown rat) or referred to landscape scale for their dynamics and vagility (wide-ranging landscape mosaic species such as red fox and mustelids). Normalizing data, we also observed a higher road-killing impact on carnivores when compared to herbivores. Atlas dataset, although providing some interesting information on road-kill pattern for studies carried out at a landscape/regional scale, could not be used for a careful analysis of the ecological correlates of road-killing in mammals because of their largely heterogeneous nature.

The centipede genus Eupolybothrus Verhoeff, 1907 in North Africa is revised. A new cavernicolous species, Eupolybothrus kahfi Stoev & Akkari, sp. n., is described from a cave in Jebel Zaghouan, northeast Tunisia. Morphologically, it is most closely related to Eupolybothrus nudicornis (Gervais, 1837) from North Africa and Southwest Europe but can be readily distinguished by the long antennae and leg-pair 15, a conical dorso-median protuberance emerging from the posterior part of prefemur 15, and the shape of the male first genital sternite. Molecular sequence data from the cytochrome c oxidase I gene (mtDNA–5’ COI-barcoding fragment) exhibit 19.19% divergence between Eupolybothrus kahfi and Eupolybothrus nudicornis, an interspecific value comparable to those observed among four other species of Eupolybothrus which, combined with a low intraspecific divergence (0.3–1.14%), supports the morphological diagnosis of Eupolybothrus kahfi as a separate species. This is the first troglomorphic myriapod to be found in Tunisia, and the second troglomorph lithobiomorph centipede known from North Africa. Eupolybothrus nudicornis is redescribed based on abundant material from Tunisia and its post-embryonic development, distribution and habitat preferences recorded. Eupolybothrus cloudsley-thompsoni Turk, 1955, a nominal species based on Tunisian type material, is placed in synonymy with Eupolybothrus nudicornis. To comply with the latest technological developments in publishing of biological information, the paper implements new approaches in cybertaxonomy, such as fine granularity XML tagging validated against the NLM DTD TaxPub for PubMedCentral and dissemination in XML to various aggregators (GBIF, EOL, Wikipedia), vizualisation of all taxa mentioned in the text via the dynamically created Pensoft Taxon Profile (PTP) page, data publishing, georeferencing of all localities via Google Earth, and ZooBank, GenBank and MorphBank registration of datasets. An interactive key to all valid species of Eupolybothrus is made with DELTA software.

The issue of urban sustainability is considered within the context of the metropolis of Rome, the capital of Italy. The aim is pursued through an Urban Biosphere Reserve proposal, drawn up by an interdisciplinary group of experts comprising landscape ecologists, geologists, plant ecologists, zoologists, geographers, city planners and environmental psychologists. The potential applicability of this project on an international level is discussed, with particular focus on its importance as (i) one of the first proposals of an Urban Biosphere Reserve encompassing the whole municipality of a large city, (ii) an original approach to urban ecosystem investigations within the framework of landscape ecology principles, and (iii) a good example of cooperation between scientists and local decision-makers to preserve the cultural and landscape identity in an urban and periurban context.

A new genus Diphyonyx is proposed here for a previously unrecognised lineage of geophilid centipedes. It is distinct from other geophilids in its unique combination of morphological characters, including the peculiar shape of the pretarsus of the legs on the anterior part of the trunk. The type species D. conjungens (Verhoeff, 1898), comb. n., is redescribed in detail and its geographical distribution updated (Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia, Crimea). Included in Diphyonyx are also D. sukacevi (Folkmanova, 1956), comb. n., and D. garutti (Folkmanova & Dobroruka, 1960), comb. n., both from southern Russia. D. garutti is raised here to species rank.

International audience; AbstractKey messageForest maturity benefits biodiversity by providing positive effects on key arthropod assemblages such as spider and ground beetles, which play a fundamental role in the ecosystem.ContextSustainable forest management is a widely held international goal, and more knowledge is needed on invertebrate assemblages, essential to the ecological functioning of forest ecosystems.AimsWe aim at evaluating the effects of microsite conditions on spider, centipede, and ground beetle assemblages living in an unmanaged protected beech forest within the Natural Park of Alpi Marittime (SW Alps, Italy). In view of our results, we provide insights on the successional pathways of the focal assemblages in relation to future management of the forest, recommended by the local authorities for conservation purposes.MethodsWe placed 50 pitfall traps along four transects crossing the forest and emptied them monthly, from July to October 2011. We characterized the four arthropod assemblages in terms of abundance, species richness, diversity, and biomass and related them to leaf cover, rock cover, wood debris cover, litter depth, number of trees, mean tree size, and light conditions at ground level using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA).ResultsThirty-one species of spiders (1,212 individuals), 12 of centipedes (262 individuals), and 11 of ground beetles (2,177 individuals) were collected. In all groups, mature-forest species highly dominated the samples. Tree size proved to be one of the most important parameters conditioning the assemblages, in particular spiders and ground beetles. A minor effect of light conditions and ground cover (presence of wood debris) was also detected.ConclusionsIn view of our results, the recent guidelines for the management of the forest seem in accordance with an effective conservation of the forest arthropod assemblages. Interventions aimed at stabilizing and renovating critical areas within the forest go along with a progressive amelioration of the forest arthropod community. With respect to the maintenance of a large degree of arthropod diversity, stand thinning may not be the most effective management, and reaching a more mature stage might be of interest.

We compared two soil arthropod assemblages (Isopoda Oniscidea and Coleoptera Carabidae) in an artificial–natural Mediterranean forest mosaic. Using data from pitfall traps, we investigated through a co-occurrence analysis whether local ecomosaic supported non-random organized arthropod assemblages, and we compared the results between the two taxa. We evaluated ‘‘the effect of reforestation’’ on forest species of both assemblages using nestedness and indicator value analyses, and wing morphology analysis in the case of the ground beetle assemblage. A significant difference between the assemblages is turned out, probably because woodlouse are more specialized in spatial niche than ground beetles. Overall, there is a clear evidence of randomness in the woodlouse assemblage structure. Moreover, forest woodlouse species and brachypterous ground beetles appear affected by ‘‘the effect of reforestation’’ in the study area

Historically, where forest habitats are deemed as the pristine landscape state, anthropogenic habitats such as managed grasslands or open spaces are often perceived to be antagonistic and of secondary conservation priority. Traditionally, studies on biodiversity responses to ecological variation, i.e. edge effect, have mostly focused on forest habitats. Yet recently there has been increased attention on communities beyond the forest edge in an effort to better understand how interactions between forests and adjacent habitats may potentially affect regional biodiversity. However, in Europe and the Mediterranean basin (a biodiversity hotspot), areas with high landscape heterogeneity and high edge density, there is a paucity of studies analysing the community responses across forest and “beyond edge” habitats across ecotones. In a protected area of central Italy, we investigated the responses of ground-dwelling arthropods [Araneae (spiders), Chilopoda (centipedes) and Carabidae (ground beetles)], which were differentiated into habitat-specific guilds (forest, edge and grassland species) across a forest–grassland ecotone. We investigated the extent to which a habitat edge influenced communities of arthropods associated with either the forest or grassland, and how far from the edge this effect penetrated into each habitat. Twelve 150 m-transects perpendicular to a forest–grassland edge were established and arthropods were sampled at nine progressive distances across the ecotone. An indicator species analysis was used to detect species significantly associated with forest, edge-belt or grassland habitats, which were assumed representative of the respective communities. Logistic models of indicator species richness and abundances were used to describe responses of grassland and forest communities across the ecological boundaries. We found that grassland and edge habitats had habitat specialists and higher species richness compared to the forest habitat. Moreover, the occurrence of grassland-specific species was influenced by the presence of an edge up to 15 m from the habitat border. In contrast forest-associated indicator species were not affected by proximity to the habitat edge, rather individuals typical of forest habitats tended to “spill over” into grassland habitats. These findings support the hypothesis that in a forest–grassland mosaic, forest species are less sensitive to an edge and influence the community beyond the forest edge and into the grassland more than the reverse, i.e. the effect was asymmetric. From these data, we estimated that a minimum grassland habitat width of 600 m is necessary for grassland species to maintain a core area that is relatively unaffected by the spillover of species from adjacent forest habitats. Incorporating the directional influences of adjacent communities on each other allows for an empirical assessment of habitat vulnerability that doesn’t a priori value the conservation of one habitat over another.

The centipede (Chilopoda) fauna of Cyprus, which was almost unknown, has been analysed by examining more than 1,800 specimens sampled from 185 sites, besides revising critically the few published data. A total of 26 species are listed and discussed (1 Scutigeromorpha, 9 Lithobiomorpha, 3 Scolopendromorpha, 13 Geophilomorpha), 21 of which are new to the island, i.e. Scutigera coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758), Lithobius (Ezembius) parvicornis (Porat, 1893), L. (E.) pamukkalensis Matic, 1980, L. (E.) zeylanus (Chamberlin, 1952), L. (Lithobius) carinatus L. Koch, 1862, L. (L.) erythrocephalus C.L. Koch, 1847, L. (Lithobius?) anderssoni n. sp., L. (Monotarsobius) ferganensis Trotzina, 1880, Cryptops (Cryptops) kosswigi (Chamberlin, 1952), C. (C.) cf. trisulcatus Brölemann, 1902, Dignathodon microcephalus (Lucas, 1846), Henia (Meinertia) bicarinata (Meinert, 1870), Geophilus cf. alpinus Meinert, 1870, G cf. carpophagus Leach, 1815, Pachymerium ferrugineum (C.L. Koch, 1835), Schizotaenia sp., Stenotaenia naxia (Verhoeff, 1901), Thracophilus cilicius Attems, 1947, Nannophilus eximius (Meinert, 1870) and Schendyla cf. nemorensis (C.L. Koch, 1837), and another unidentified species of Schendylidae . As far as known, Lithobius anderssoni n. sp. is endemic to the island. Geographic distribution in Cyprus and ecological notes are given for each species. Taxonomic remarks are given for some species.

Rome, Italy's largest city, has about 3 million inhabitants and covers an urban surface area of 360 sq. km. The insect fauna of this area has been the object of research since the second half of the 19th century. Rome is one of those rare cases in Europe where urban expansion in the last century took place on an area, the ‘Campagna Romana’, which had been practically uninhabited. A study based on a critical revision of the entomological literature published from 1850 to nowadays, together with other unpublished material has evidenced the presence and the microdistribution of about 5200 species belonging to not less than 356 families. Such information, although so vast, is however still incomplete. Documentation for groups such as Heteroptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Macrolepidoptera and Hymenoptera Aculeata, which have traditionally been studied by local entomologists is quite complete, but groups such as Collembola, Psocoptera, Phtiraptera, Thysanoptera and Homoptera are still poorly documented. From a preliminary global analysis of data collected, it can be clearly seen that from the end of the 40's there has been a general impoverishment of the species, particularly in those communities linked to wetlands. Aspects linked to urbanization which have influenced, or influence the insect fauna are also evidenced: 1) environmental modifications which took place in the last one hundred years on a local scale (the rapid urbanization of the city from 1870 onwards due to its role as capital of Italy) and on a regional scale (land reclamation and progressive human impact on the ‘Campagna Romana’, modifications to the flow of the river Tiber and its tributaries, chemical control of culicides as vectors of malaria); 2) the presence of large central green areas and greenways (historical villas and archaeological areas) and their role in the conservation of biodiversity.

Spermatophore development and ultrastructure of the mature sperm ofCraterostigmus tasmanianus were studied using light and electron microscopy. InC. tasmanianus, as in the Scolopendromorpha, the spermatophore develops within the vas deferens. The latter consists of three parts, each with a different morphology. The first may be involved in guiding the sperm to roll up into typical ring-like structures, while the other two, which show an evident secretory activity, secrete the acellular wall of the spermatophores. The ultrastructure of mature spermatozoa showed that a very close similarity exists between Craterostigmomorpha and Lithobiomorpha, especially regarding the organization of the connecting piece. Based on this similarity, we consider the Craterostigmomorpha together with the Scolopendromorpha, Geophilomorpha and Lithobiomorpha (=Pleurostigmorphora) to be the sister group of the Scutigeromorpha.

The centipede subgenus Lithobius ( Ezembius ) Chamberlin, 1919 comprises a group of about 60 species known from the Near East across Siberia and Central Asia to China, and Japan, and Southwards into the Northern Indian subcontinent and the Northern part of the Oriental region (Eason 1992, Zapparoli 1999). It is also known from Alaska in Western North America (Zapparoli & Edgecombe 2011). Although the subgenus was formally proposed as new and described in 1923 (Chamberlin 1923), according to Jeekel (2005) its name had been already validated in 1919 (Chamberlin 1919). Ezembius is characterized by the presence of 2+2 or 3+3 coxosternal teeth, antennal articles fixed at 20 or thereabouts, tergites generally without posterior triangular projections and tarsal articulation of legs 1–13 distinct (Chamberlin 1923, Zapparoli & Edgecombe 2011).

In this paper we summarize and critically revise the literature records of the centipedes of Peloponnisos in mainland Greece. Moreover, records on recently collected material in East Peloponnisos are included with a special focus on Mount Parnonas. Fifty centipede species are listed (1 Scutigeromorpha, 20 Lithobiomorpha, 6 Scolopendromorpha and 23 Geophilomorpha) belonging to 21 genera, 9 families and 4 orders. The species Eurygeophilus multistiliger (Verhoeff, 1899) is here reported for the first time not only from Greece but also from the East Mediterranean and the Balkan Peninsula. Additionally, the species Geophilus insculptus Attems, 1895, Stenotaenia rhodopensis (Kaczmarek, 1970) and Henia pulchella (Meinert, 1870) are newly recorded from Peloponnisos. Synonyms, general geographic distribution, patterns of distribution (chorotype), literature records, material examined from Mt. Parnonas, and ecological information (such as altitudinal ranges and habitat preferences) are given for each species. Remarks are additionally provided for some species and maps of species distribution in Peloponnisos are presented.

Arthropod assemblages (Isopoda Oniscidea, Chilopoda, Coleoptera Carabidae) were studied in three 20-year-old reforestations with native oak species (holm-oak Quercus ilex, Turkey-oak Quercus cerris, and downy-oak Quercus pubescens) and in a natural mixed oak forest (Q cerris and Quercus frainetto) in Latium (central Italy). The three reforested areas had been previously used for agricultural purposes. Samples were collected monthly by pitfall traps for a period of 1 year (March 2009-February 2010). Structural parameters and the arthropod assemblage compositions of the four studied areas were compared. The effects of the different forest types and the influence of environmental variables on the activity density of each species were analyzed, with particular emphasis to forest species. Contrary to centipedes and ground beetles, woodlice showed lower values of richness, diversity and equitability in reforestations than in the natural forest. According to Canonical Correspondence Analysis, forest species of woodlice and centipedes resulted mainly associated with forests characterized by a high structural heterogeneity (natural forest and reforestation with Q. pubescens). In these two forests the activity density of centipede forest species is mainly influenced by the coverage of both shrub and leaf litter layer, and woodlice forest species only by the coverage of the latter. The ground beetle forest species were mainly associated with forests characterized by low structural heterogeneity and an almost total closure of the canopy throughout the year (reforestation with Q. ilex). However, some ground beetle forest species are present also in the natural forest. Our results suggest that reforestations with different native broadleaf species belonging to the local "potential" vegetation can contribute to the conservation of the diversity of forest arthropod assemblages in the extremely fragmented agricultural landscape of the middle Tyrrhenian area. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Si riportano i risultati di una ricerca condotta su Isopodi Oniscidei, Chilopodi e Coleotteri Carabidi in querceti naturali e artificiali, in un'area sottoposta a gestione lungo il versante tirrenico dell'Italia centrale (Castel di Guido, Roma, 10-80 m s.l.m). Campionamenti mensili sono stati condotti per 12 mesi (2009-2010) con pitfall-traps (NaCl e aceto) in habitat forestali (4 stazioni, 8 trappole ciascuna) differenti per grado di complessità strutturale. Scopo del lavoro è stato quello di testare tramite regressioni multiple la possibile relazione tra variabili strutturali dell'ambiente (copertura di canopy, di strato arbustivo, di strato erbaceo, copertura e profondità della lettiera, numero di rami a terra) e i valori di densità di attività annuali (Day) delle singole trappole nei tre gruppi campionati, utilizzando le sei variabili ambientali e la loro combinazione in due fattori principali estratti dalla PCA. I valori delle variabili sono stati calcolati ogni mese secondo la scala di Braun-Blanquet entro una circonferenza di raggio 2 m con centro la trappola. I due modelli di regressione adottati hanno dato risultati significativi e parzialmente analoghi solo per Chilopodi e Coleotteri Carabidi. La DAy dei Chilopodi è significativamente influenzata dalla copertura del canopy, dello strato arbustivo e della lettiera mentre quella dei Coleotteri Carabidi dal canopy e dallo strato arbustivo. E' probabile che i fattori ambientali di tipo strutturale siano indirettamente importanti nella scelta dell'ambiente d'elezione da parte dei Chilopodi e dei Coleotteri Carabidi; infatti, la presenza di una complessa stratificazione in alcune delle stazioni esaminate e la diversificazione delle nicchie trofiche e spaziali potrebbero aver influenzato direttamente la presenza di molte specie di invertebrati fitofagi, potenziali prede per molte specie di Chilopodi e Coleotteri Carabidi.

Lactate dehydrogenase has been analyzed electrophoretically, and its enzymatic activity level quantitatively evaluated in species of four Chilopoda orders. Scolopendromorpha, Scutigeromorpha, and most Lithobiomorpha showed a single activity band, while in Geophilomorpha more than one band was revealed, thus suggesting the existence of isozymes. Enzymatic activity was highest in Scutigeromorpha and in Scolopendromorpha, intermediate in Lithobiomorpha and very low in Geophilomorpha. It is presumed that the lactate dehydrogenase activity level has adaptive meaning in view of the different energy request during locomotion between slow and fast moving centipedes.

To trace the local extinction of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Latium, central Italy, and examine the causes of the species’ disappearance, we reviewed and classified information from both the scientific and grey literature according to the reliability and geographical accuracy of the records. The temporal and spatial patterns of 160 records from 23 geographical subunits from 1832 to 2006 suggest that the species collapsed between 1960 and 1975; two different extinction patterns were revealed by a set of multivariate analyses. In northern Latium the species collapsed because of several independent local threats. In central and southern Latium the species collapsed because of catastrophic habitat alteration (land reclamation during the 1930s) that negatively affected the source population. After this event the species went extinct in hilly and mountainous areas, where several population sinks occurred. We presume that this latter process drove the remnant otter subpopulations to extinction in central Italy, emphasizing the role of an extinction vortex in causing the collapse of this metapopulation rather than the classical threats recognized for this species. The value of the grey literature for a posteriori historical analysis of local extinction dynamics is highlighted by this research.

Biogeographia vol. X)O( - 2011 (Pubblicato il 23 dicembre 2011) La Biogeografia della Sicilia I Chilopodi (Chilopoda) dell’Appennino siculo (Monti Peloritani, Monti Nebrodi, Madonie): aspetti faunistici, zoogeografici ed ecologici ALESSANDRO MINELLI*, MARZIO ZAPPAROLI** * Dzpartimento all Biologicz, Universitci degli Studi di Pczolowz, via Ugo Bassi 58B, 3513] Padoz/4 (Italy) ** Dzpartimento di Protezione della Picmte, Universita‘ degli Studi della Tuscia, via San Camilla De Lelli: s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo (Italy) Key words: centipedes, Sicily, zoogeography, animal communities. SUMMARY The centipedes of Sicilian Apennines, that is Peloritani Mts, Nebrodi Mts and Madonie Mts, are listed and dis- cussed from a faunistic and zoogeographic point ofview in the frame of the centipede fauna of the Sicilian faunis- tic province (Sicily and adjacent small islands). Thirtynine species have been registered in all (1 Scutigerornorpha, 8 Lithobiomorpha, 6 Scolopendromorpha, 24 Geophilomorpha), about 81% and 86% of the species in the Sicil- ian faunistic province (48 species ascertained) and in Sicily s.str. (45 species ascertained) respectively. A chorologi- cal analysis shows in all the three mountain ranges a high percentage of species widely spread in the Mediterranean basin (Peloritani Mrs: 57%; Nebrodi Mrs: 48%; Madonie Mrs: 57%), mostly W-Mediterranean; significant is the percentage of species widely spread in Europe (Peloritani: 23%; Nebrodi: 32%; Madonic: 33%), whereas low is the component of the species widely spread in the I-Ioloarctic Region (Peloritaniz 13%; Nebrodi: 16%; Madonic: 5%). Endemic elements of the Italian fauna (Italian, Tyrrhenian, Sicilian) are Few, no more than 7% of the fauna (Pelori— tani: 7%; Nebrodi: 4%; Madonic: 5%). Preliminary considerations are also given on the qualitative composition ofcentipede assemblages in montane and submonrane habitats of the study area (Frtgu: 5)/lurztica dominated woods; Quercus cerri: dominated woods; shrubs, grasslands and other open habitats). 1. INTRODUZIONE I Chilopodi costituiscono una classe di Artropodi del suolo rappresentata a livello mondiale da circa 3.300 specie (Minelli, 2006); circa 160 specie sono ptesenti in Italia (Zapparoli e Minelli, 2005), su oltre 480 in Europa (Enghoff, 2004). La classe viene tradizionalmente distinta in sei ordini, Geophilomorpha, Sco- lopendromorpha, Lithobiomotpha, Scutigeromorpha, diffusi praticamente in tutto il rnondo ma con il maggior numero di specie nelle aree tropicali, sub- tropicali e temperate, Craterostigmomorpha, presente solo in Nuova Zelanda

Chilopoda have an almost worldwide distribution, inhabiting most continents, major islands and oceanic islands. Scutigeromorpha are present in all continental lands with the exception of the northernmost areas, also in major islands and many oceanic islands. Lithobiomorpha are almost worldwide in distribution, including some northernmost and southernmost regions and islands. Henicopidae range in all continents to the exception of Antarctica, in major islands and some oceanic islands; only scattered records are known from tropical regions. Plutoniumidae are present in the south-western and eastern part of North America, as well as the Mediterranean region. Some taxa richest in species have a very broad geographic range, but their current circumscription is often composite, being possibly polyphyletic or paraphyletic, and distribution is altered by extensive introductions through human activity. This chapter provides a list of the major sub-continental regions that are broadly identifiable as hosting a distinct centipede fauna. Keywords:centipede fauna; chilopoda; Henicopidae; Lithobiomorpha; Plutoniumidae; Scutigeromorpha

The present paper reviews the centipede species of the genus Hessebius Verhoeff, 1941 (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae) of the Chinese fauna, H. jangtseanus (Verhoeff, 1942), H. longispinipes Ma, Pei & Zhu, 2009 and H. multiforaminis Pei, Ma, Zapparoli & Zhu, sp. nov. H. kosswigi Verhoeff, 1941, from Turkey, is selected by subsequent designation as type species of the genus, which was previously unavailable. Schizotergitius styliferus Loksa, 1978, from Mongolia, is transferred in Hessebius (n. comb.) and its relationships with H. longispinipes are briefly discussed. A comparative table of the diagnostic characters of the Sino–Mongolian species of the genus is given.

A common terminology for the external morphological characters of centipedes (Chilopoda) is proposed. Terms are selected from the alternatives used in the English literature, preferring those most frequently used or those that have been introduced explicitly. A total of 330 terms are defi ned and illustrated, and another ca. 500 alternatives are listed., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo