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S. PANELLA,a,b I. CIGNINI,a M. BATTILOTTI,c M. FALCUCCI,a V. HULL,a N. MILONE,c M. MONFRINOTTI,c G.A. MULAS,a G. PIPORNETTI,c L. TANCIONI,c AND S. CATAUDELLAc aLaboratorio Centrale di Idrobiologia di Roma, Ministero per le Politiche Agricole, Viale del Caravaggio, 107, 00147 Rome, Italy cDipartimento di Biologia, Universita degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata,” Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy

Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most common carnivore in Italy and its spread includes almost the whole national territory. The species shows an high ecological plasticity and a variable diet composition connected in part to human sources. This high adaptability permits the red foxes to colonize different habitats like the suburbs of large cities as well as the small villages located in mountain areas. On the other hand, the tourism pressure seems to assume a great importance in the Alps, also in those areas where the foxes live. So, indirect interactions could take place between these animals and the humans. The role of V. vulpes in the zoonoses has not to be understated since this carnivore could transmit parasitic diseases that are able to cause serious pathologies in humans. This study aims just to investigate on intestinal communities of helmiths of V. vulpes in order to make progress in current knowledge on epidemiological situation in Italian Alps. During 1998-2003, we have examined 450 foxes from Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto, Lombardia and Valle d'Aosta. The specimens collected were found dead or have been hunted (according to national law n. 157/92) in localities situated between 170 and 2200 m a.s.l. The carcasses were carried to the provincial sections of Zooprofilattici Institutes, where the intestine was drawn by each sample and all the material was sent to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Milan. Parasitological examination of the small intestines was performed by the analysis of the whole sediment and counting technique (SCT). Parasites were preserved in alcohol 70° before to be clarified or stained and identified by microscope (Zeiss Axioscop). Mean abundance, mean intensity and prevalence were calculated for each taxon of helminth. Dates of sampling were grouped within the four seasons. Statistic tests were performed with software package SPSS rel. 11.5 and spatial analysis with the software GRASS rel. 5.1. The species recorded belong to Cestoda (Mesocestoides lineatum, Taenia spp., Echinococcus multilocularis), Nematoda (Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Pterygodermatites affinis, Molineus legerae, Trichuris vulpis, Subulurinae) and Trematoda (Pharingostomum cordatum). The most part of foxes captured harboured intestinal helminths (over 80 %). Taenidae (except for E. multilocularis) U. stenocephala and T. canis constitute the core species of the helminthic community. The others behave as satellite species. The nematode belonging to the subfamily Subulurinae and the trematode P. cordatum were found for the first time in Italian foxes. Our data confirm also the presence of E. multilocularis in Italy already reported by Manfredi et al. (2002).

14 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, supporting information https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14670, Climate change and biological invasions are rapidly reshuffling species distribution, restructuring the biological communities of many ecosystems worldwide. Tracking these transformations in the marine environment is crucial, but our understanding of climate change effects and invasive species dynamics is often hampered by the practical challenge of surveying large geographical areas. Here, we focus on the Mediterranean Sea, a hot spot for climate change and biological invasions to investigate recent spatiotemporal changes in fish abundances and distribution. To this end, we accessed the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of small-scale and recreational fishers, reconstructing the dynamics of fish perceived as “new” or increasing in different fishing areas. Over 500 fishers across 95 locations and nine different countries were interviewed, and semiquantitative information on yearly changes in species abundance was collected. Overall, 75 species were mentioned by the respondents, mostly warm-adapted species of both native and exotic origin. Respondents belonging to the same biogeographic sectors described coherent spatial and temporal patterns, and gradients along latitudinal and longitudinal axes were revealed. This information provides a more complete understanding of the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes and it also demonstrates that adequately structured LEK methodology might be applied successfully beyond the local scale, across national borders and jurisdictions. Acknowledging this potential through macroregional coordination could pave the way for future large-scale aggregations of individual observations, increasing our potential for integrated monitoring and conservation planning at the regional or even global level. This might help local communities to better understand, manage, and adapt to the ongoing biotic transformations driven by climate change and biological invaders, European Regional Development Fund, Grant/Award Number: MPA‐Adapt 1MED15_3.2_M2_337; Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, L.) is one of the most important commercial species of the Adriatic Sea. Stock of anchovy living in northern and central Adriatic Sea is shared between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. The present assessment concerns the anchovy stock of northern and central Adriatic Sea (GFCM GSA 17), pooling together data coming from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. It has been carried out in the ambit of an extension of the AdriaMed-SP research programme. The annual catch of anchovy for the three mentioned countries was obtained for the period 1975-2004. For the same time interval, fishing effort data and length frequency and age-length data were available. These data were combined into fish age classes, so that catch-at-age data were used as basic input of Virtual Population Analysis (VPA), employed for the present stock assessment. Annual values of mid-year stock biomass at sea, annual values of the fishing mortality rate over the age class range 0-3, were obtained. In addition, on the basis of the mentioned fishing mortality rates and natural mortality rate, annual exploitation rates were calculated and compared with a threshold derived from literature and suggested for small pelagics. Stock biomass of anchovy dropped at very low level in 1987. After this collapse a slow, but continuous recovery of biomass took place. The present assessment shows a stronger recovery during last two years. Due to high biomass fluctuations of small pelagics it is recommended to maintain the current level of fishing effort.

Sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walb.) is an important commercial species of the Adriatic Sea. Stock of sardine living in northern and central Adriatic is shared between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. The present assessment concerns the sardine stock of northern and central Adriatic Sea (GFCM GSA 17), pooling together data coming from Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. It has been carried out in the ambit of an extension of the AdriaMed-SP research programme. The annual catch of sardine for the three mentioned countries was obtained for the period 1975-2004. Also length frequency and age-length data and catch and effort data were available. Data were combined into fish age classes, so that catch-at-age data were obtained. That represented the basic input data of Virtual Population Analysis (VPA), employed for the present stock assessment. Annual values of mid-year stock biomass at sea, annual values of fishing mortality rate over the age class range 0-5, were obtained. Moreover, annual exploitation rates were calculated and compared with a threshold derived from literature and suggested for small pelagics. A continuous decline of stock biomass has been observed after the peak in the first half of 1980s. The present assessment shows a slight increase of the biomass and the exploitation rate is around the threshold. Therefore, it is recommended not to allow the fishing effort to rise. Furthermore, difficulties in obtaining economically satisfactory catches by fishermen were perceived in Italy.

Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, L.) is one of the most important commercial species of the Adriatic Sea. Stock of anchovy, living in the northern and central Adriatic Sea and is shared between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. This assessment is relative to the anchovy stock of the northern and central Adriatic Sea (GFCM GSA 17), with pooled data coming from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. It has been carried out in the context of the AdriaMed-SP research programme . The annual catch of anchovy for the three countries mentioned was obtained for the time interval 1975-2003. These quantities were distributed into fish age classes, so that catch-at-age data were available. That represented the basic input data of Virtual Population Analysis (VPA), employed for the present stock assessment. Annual values of mid-year stock biomass at sea and annual values of the unweighted mean fishing mortality rate over the age class range 0-3 were obtained. In addition, on the basis of the fishing mortality rates and natural mortality rate mentioned, annual exploitation rates were calculated and compared with a threshold derived from literature and suggested for small pelagics. The minimum value of both catch and biomass at sea was estimated in 1987, when a strong drop in the catch and crisis of the anchovy fishery took place. Even if high values of both fishing effort and fishing mortality rate were obtained for some years before 1987, very low levels of recruitment in 1986 and 1987 seem to be mainly responsible for the collapse of the stock. Since current biomass seems not to have risen to the values observed before the collapse, it would be unwise for fishing effort to be allowed to increase.

Sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walb.) is one of the most important commercial species of the Adriatic Sea. Stock of sardine, living in the northern and central Adriatic Sea, is shared between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. This assessment is relative to the sardine stock of the northern and central Adriatic Sea (GFCM GSA 17), pooling together data coming from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. It has been carried out in the context of the AdriaMed-SP research programme . The annual catch of sardine for the three countries mentioned was obtained for the time interval 1975-2003. These quantities were distributed into fish age classes, so that catch-at-age data were available. That represented the basic input data of Virtual Population Analysis (VPA), employed for this stock assessment. Annual values of mid-year stock biomass at sea, annual values of the unweighted mean fishing mortality rate over the age class range 0-5 were obtained. In addition, annual exploitation rates were calculated, compared with a threshold derived from literature and suggested for small pelagics. Since a decline in stock biomass was observed after the peak in the first half of the1980s, and the lowest values of this series correspond just to recent years, it would be unwise for fishing effort to be allowed to increase. The exploitation is just higher than the threshold. Furthermore, difficulties in obtaining economically satisfactory catches by fishermen were perceived both in Italy and Croatia..

Sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walb.) is one of the most important commercial species of the Adriatic Sea. Stocks of sardine, living in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea, is shared between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. This assessment is relative to the sardine stock of the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea (GFCM GSA 17), pooling together data coming from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. It has been carried out in the context of the AdriaMed-SP research programme. The annual catch of sardine for the three countries mentioned was obtained for the time interval 1975-2002. These quantities were distributed into fish age classes, so that catch-at-age data were available. That represented the basic input data of Virtual Population Analysis (VPA), employed for this stock assessment. Annual values of mid-year stock biomass at sea, annual values of the unweighted mean fishing mortality rate over the age class range 0-5, annual values of mid-year spawning biomass and corresponding ratios between catch and mid-year spawning biomass were obtained. In addition, annual exploitation rates were calculated and compared with a threshold derived from literature and suggested for small pelagics. Since decline of stock biomass is observed after the peak in the first half of the 1980s, and lowest values of this series only correspond to recent years, it would be unwise for fishing effort to be allowed to rise. An apparent increase in estimated biomass is observed in the last year, 2002: caution has to be taken when considering this, as VPA may have difficulties with incomplete cohorts ; in addition, change in discarding phenomenon (particularly for small size sardines) could play a role in an apparent increase such as the one described. Therefore, monitoring of discarded quantities, as well as pattern as a function of sardine size, is also suggested. Concerning the South Adriatic (GFCM GSA 18), not enough catch and effort data and biological data on the sardine is currently available to perform stock assessment. Data collection in the South Adriatic is being carried out in the framework of the AdriaMed-SP research programme ; the retrieval of past data is also going on. Therefore, in the near future, a joint stock assessment will also be possible in this area.

Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, L.) is one of the most important commercial species of the Adriatic Sea. The stock of anchovy living in the northern and central Adriatic Sea is shared between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. This assessment is relative to the anchovy stock of the northern and central Adriatic Sea (GFCM GSA 17), pooling together data from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. It has been carried out in the context of the AdriaMed-SP research programme. The annual catch of anchovy for the three countries mentioned was obtained for the time interval 1975-2002. These quantities were distributed into fish age classes, so that catch-at-age data were available. That represented the basic input data of Virtual Population Analysis (VPA), employed for the stock assessment described herein. Annual values of mid-year stock biomass at sea, annual values of the unweighted mean fishing mortality rate over the age class range 0-3, annual values of mid-year spawning biomass and corresponding ratios between catch and mid-year spawning biomass were obtained. In addition, annual exploitation rates were calculated and compared with a threshold derived from literature and suggested for small pelagics. The minimum value of both catch and biomass at sea were estimated in 1987, when a substantial drop in the catch and crisis of the anchovy fishery occurred. Even if high values of both fishing effort and fishing mortality rate were obtained for some years before 1987, very low levels of recruitment in 1986 and 1987 seem to be mainly responsible for the collapse of the stock. Since current biomass seems not have risen to the values observed before collapse, it would be unwise for fishing effort to be allowed to rise. With regard to the south Adriatic (GFCM GSA 18), not enough catch and effort data and biological data are currently available for the anchovy to allow stock assessment to be performed. Data collection in the south Adriatic is being carried out in the context of AdriaMed-SP research programme together with the retrieval of past data. Therefore, in the near future, a joint stock assessment will be possible in this area too.

Long-term variations in Sardina pilchardus catch per unit effort in relation to primary production, temperature, salinity and oxygen are given. Data were sampled from the eastern Adriatic Sea from 1963-1988.

A brif description of the small pelagic fish (Sardina pilchardus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Scomber scombrus and Spratus spratus) biological and population dynamics parameters is given. Data were taken from the Croatian fishing grounds of the Adriatic Sea.