Imperia Province Research Articles

Habitat Preferences of Italian Freshwater Fish: A Systematic Review of Data Availability for Applications of the MesoHABSIM Model

The MesoHABitat SImulation Model (MesoHABSIM) is the preferred method to calculate spatio-temporal variation in the fish habitat availability in Italian rivers. With the aim of improving the applicability of the MesoHABSIM approach in the Italian territory, we carried out a systematic review of physical habitat preferences for 31 freshwater fish species and three freshwater lampreys, representing 75% of the total indigenous freshwater fish community of Italy. Information related to suitable ranges of depth, flow velocity, biotic/abiotic substrates, covers/shelters was collected and summarized for two critical life stages (adult and juvenile) and two bioperiods (rearing/growth and spawning). Overall, 250 publications were reviewed, classified as 206 peer-reviewed papers, 20 books, 7 PhD thesis, and 17 grey literature sources. Our analysis revealed substantial deficits of information about habitat requirements for more than 30% of Italian freshwater fish species. This information is particularly scarce for the most threatened endemic species, especially for their most critical bioperiod (i.e., spawning). With the aim of preserving freshwater fish biodiversity as required in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (European Commission, 2020), accurate information on physical habitat requirements for spawning is crucial. As an example application of MesoHABSIM, the collected habitat preference information was used to define and apply mesohabitat suitability criteria for one fish species (Telestes muticellus) in a regulated river reach of Argentina Creek (Province of Imperia, Italy). This analysis demonstrates the potential for applying information from the current review to other fish species.

The genus Cladonia in western Liguria (Northern Italy)

Gheza, G., Ottonello, M., Nascimbene, J. & Mayrhofer, H. 2020. The genus Cladonia in western Liguria (Northern Italy). – Herzogia 33: 57– 67.The genus Cladonia (Cladoniaceae, Lecanorales, lichenized Ascomycota) has been surveyed in 44 sites in the province of Imperia in western Liguria. Of 36 taxa recorded, Cladonia dimorpha and C. pseudopityrea are new to northern Italy, and C. cryptochlorophaea, C. pleurota, C. polydactyla and C. rei are new to Liguria; interesting are also records provided for C. arbuscula, C. incrassata and C. mediterranea. The most widespread species are C. chlorophaea, C. pyxidata, C. ramulosa and C. rangiformis. Data on ecology and chemistry of the species are given.

Recent confirmation of a single haplotype in the Italian population of Vespa velutina

Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), the yellow-legged hornet, is a social wasp native to North of India, China and tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. Adults are predators of a wide variety of arthropods, including honey bees. Vespa velutina has been unintentionally introduced in southwestern France before 2004 and its widely spreading across the country was followed by an impressive colonization of several areas within mainland Europe and overseas. In Italy, V. velutina has been officially reported in June 2013 in Imperia province, Liguria region (northern Italy) and is now well established in the western part of this region and occasionally reported in Piedmont region. More recently, it has been spotted in Veneto, Lombardy and Tuscany regions. In order to investigate the phylogenetic relationships and the origin of Italian V. velutina nigrithorax specimens, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of thirty-three samples, collected in 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018 from different sites (Veneto, Piedmont and Liguria regions) based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene sequence analysis. The phylogenetic analysis as well the haplotypes study confirmed the placement of 33 Italian specimens within a cluster containing the other European samples plus Chinese specimens collected in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Our results strongly supported the view that the Italian specimens of V. velutina nigrithorax derived from the spreading southward of the V. velutina nigrithorax population initially established in France, which is also moving northward (Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom).

Nesting of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) at an exceptional altitude for the Italian Alps

[In the Province of Imperia (Liguria, Italy) the breeding population of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) amounts to 8 territorial pairs, with a relative density of 4.6 pairs/1000 km2. Between the 12 known nesting sites, one nest is located at 380 m a.s.l.; this altitude might be regarded the lowest of the Prealps and Italian Alps. The local pair nested successfully in recent years.]
 
 [Article in Italian]

La gestione del dolore nei pazienti terminali. Una indagine in Liguria

This paper investigates the dynamics between anaesthesia/resuscitation specialists and the family members of patients at end-of-life, in disease settings where palliative care is necessary in order to understand how the latter can bring relief not only to the patient, but also their families. It will discuss the problems encountered by both sides, with particular attention to how family members perceive the disease within hospitals and/or hospice and as anesthetists / resuscitators meet the needs of the patient through the care of pain in respect of ministerial protocols for the use of opioids. The paper discusses the findings of a ethnographic study carried out in Imperia Province, Italy, at two hospital structures and a hospice, which was followed by eight indepth interviews with anaesthesia/resuscitation specialists and thirty family members of terminal patients.

FIRST REPORT OF FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM ON CEREUS PERUVIANUS FLORIDA IN ITALY

In October 2014, 2% of 50,000 plants of Cereus peruvia- nus florida (family Cactaceae) grown in a nursery of Vallec- rosia (Imperia province, Northern Italy) showed symptoms of a disease characterized by chlorotic and stunted stems and a progressive very slow withering which, however, did not cause death of the plants. A fungus was constantly isolated from symptomatic stem tissues, which produced chlamydo- spores, microconidia and macroconidia typical of Fusarium oxysporum (Leslie and Summerell, 2006) on carnation leaf agar (CLA). Primers EF1/EF2 (O’Donnell et al., 1998) were used to amplify the elongation factor 1 alpha gene (EF1α) of the DNA from a single-spore culture. BLASTn analysis of the amplified product 413 bp in size (GenBank accession No. KT183484) showed 100% homology with the sequence of F. oxysporum LN828036. For pathogenicity tests, three healthy plants of C. peruvianus florida were inoculated with the isolated mycete as described by Talgo and Stensvand (2013). Two days post inoculation, the first rot symptoms ap- peared around the wounds of inoculated stems, from which F. oxysporum was constantly reisolated. Controls remained symptomless. This is the first report of F. oxysporum on C. peruvianus florida in Italy, as well as in the world.

First report of stem rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Opuntiarum on Mammillaria zeilmanniana in Italy.

During October 2014, in a nursery of Vallecrosia (Imperia province, Northern Italy), 2,000 plants of M. zeilmanniana showed symptoms of a stem rot that started from the collar. As the disease progressed, stems dried and eventually collapsed. In addition, the roots were rotted. A fungus was isolated from symptomatic stem tissues. On carnation leaf agar (CLA), isolates produced short monophialides with unicellular, oval to elliptical microconidia measuring 6.1-8.5 × 2.3-3.2 (mean 7.2 × 2.8) μm, and chlamydospores and macroconidia. The first were rough walled, intercalary, singles or in pairs or clumps and measured 6-9 μm in diameter. Macroconidia were slightly falcate, septate, measured 31.4- 56.8×2.8-4.0 (mean: 42.7×3.5) μm and were characterized by a foot-shaped basal cell and a short apical cell. Such characteristics are typical of Fusarium oxysporum (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). DNA was extracted from a single-spore culture (isolate DB14OTT12M1). The elongation factor 1 alpha gene (EF1α) was amplified using primers EF1/EF2 (O'Donnell et al., 1998), obtaining a 413 bp amplicon (GenBank Accession No. KT183486). BLASTn analysis showed a 99% homology with the sequence of F. oxysporum JF740824. Furthermore, the amplification of IGS region with the primers CNS1 and CNL12 and a multialignment of both primers with several formae speciales of F. oxysporum listed in Genbank permitted to include the isolate from M. zeilmanniana into the F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum clade. Symptoms of the disease were reproduced on three healthy plants of M. zeilmanniana artificially inoculated following the method described by Talgo and Stensvand (2013). F. oxysporum was constantly reisolated from inoculated stems. Controls remained symptomless. This is the first report of F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum on M. zeilmanniana in Italy, and potentially in Europe.

Contamination of seeds of Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule L.) by Fusarium oxysporum

In 2011, a new Fusarium wilt of Papaver nudicaule was observed in a commercial nursery near Ventimiglia (Imperia province, northern Italy) as well as in the Regional Institute of Floriculture (I.R.F.) of Sanremo (Imperia province, northern Italy). Molecular analysis enabled identification of the causal agent as a new forma specialis called Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. papaveris. The origin of the infection was found on P. nudicaule seeds. However, disinfection with sodium hypochlorite was able to eliminate the pathogen infection. Virulence of ten isolates obtained from seeds was evaluated by pathogenicity assay. The more virulent strains were analyzed by phylogenetic analysis on the basis of the EF-1α, pg1 and pgx4 genes. Sequences obtained by PCR amplification were aligned with other formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum from the GenBank and used in the construction of the phylogenetic trees. Seed infections have been observed in the case of many vegetable crops; however, this phenomenon has been less studied in the case of ornamental crops. As a consequence of seed exchanges or transmission via infected seeds, new and old pathogenic species of Fusarium are continuously introduced into new areas and production systems.

The seismic vulnerability of architectural heritage

An evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of our architectural heritage is a critical task in the planning of retrofits to buildings in seismic zones. Surviving European monumental buildings are embedded in an urban environment of traditional buildings, the preservation of which is also important. The methodology suggested in this paper is based on the European macroseismic scale in which the classes of vulnerability summarise the observed damage to types of building subjected to past earthquakes. These allow for coherent measuring of the expected behaviour of buildings designed according to modern rules for seismic protection. Criteria are presented for the classifications founded on inventories of buildings based on information varying from poor statistical data about typological parameters of buildings to detailed descriptions of single monuments. Some applications to the safety of villages in the Province of Imperia (Liguria, Italy) are given. Vulnerability curves of monumental structures have been derived from a statistical analysis of damage observed after recent Italian earthquakes. Churches appear to be particularly vulnerable.

Characterization of Four Viral Species Belonging to the Family Potyviridae Isolated from Ranunculus asiaticus

ABSTRACT Four different viral species were isolated from diseased Ranunculus asiaticus plants growing in Imperia Province (Italian Riviera-Liguria Region). Infected plants exhibited mosaic symptoms and growth abnormalities. The viruses were mechanically inoculated to a range of herbaceous hosts and differentiated biologically. Long flexuous particles were present in leaf dip extracts observed by electron microscopy. A general protocol for the amplification of potyvirus genome fragments through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction generated products that were cloned and sequenced. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis suggested that three of these isolates could be considered new viral species belonging to the genus Potyvirus. The fourth isolate is a new member of the genus Macluravirus. Purified virus was used as antigen to produce a specific polyclonal antiserum in rabbit; serological features were established through double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA), antigen coated plate (ACP)-ELISA, and western blot analysis. DAS-ELISA was highly specific for each virus isolate, whereas some cross-reactivity was shown in ACP-ELISA and western blot analysis. Aphid transmission by Myzus persicae was demonstrated in a controlled environment for each of the four viral isolates, whereas no transmission through seed was observed.

Identification and histopathology of the foliar nematode Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) on basil in Italy

AbstractThe foliar nematode species Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi is reported attacking sweet basil in glasshouses in the province of Imperia, northwest Italy. The nematode colonised and reproduced within the leaf, petiole and stem tissues. The epidermis and mesophyll were invaded by the nematode which caused internerval discoloration and necrosis and collapse of the palisade and spongy parenchyma. All nematode developmental stages, including eggs, were observed in the leaf tissues. Morphology and morphometrics of A. ritzemabosi from chlorotic and necrotic leaf tissues are presented. Possible control measures, which are complicated by the short life cycle of the nematode, the broad host range, and the short productive cycle of basil, are also discussed, together with the risk of an erroneous field diagnosis caused by difficulty in differentiating the symptoms of basil downy mildew and basil black spot from those of the foliar nematode.

Landslides triggered by the 23 November 2000 rainfall event in the Imperia Province, Western Liguria, Italy

From mid-October to 22 November 2000, the western Liguria Region of Italy experienced prolonged and intense rainfall, with cumulative values exceeding 1000 mm in 45 days. The severe rainfall sequence ended on November 23 with a high-intensity storm that dumped more than 180 mm of rain in 24 h. The high-intensity event caused flooding and triggered more than 1000 soils slips and debris flows and a few large, complex landslides. Slope failures caused three fatalities and severe damage to roads, private homes, and agriculture. Large (1:13,000) and very large (1:5000) scale colour aerial photographs were taken 45 days after the event over the areas most affected by the landslides. Through the interpretation of the 334 photographs covering an area of ∼500 km 2, we prepared a landslide inventory map that shows 1204 landslides, for a total landslide area of 1.6 km 2. We identified the rainfall conditions that triggered landslides in the Armea valley using cumulative- and continuous-rainfall data, combined with detailed information on the time of landslide occurrence. Landslide activity initiated 8 to 10 h after the beginning of the storm, and the most abundant activity occurred in response to rainfall intensities of 8 to 10 mm per hour. For the Ceriana Municipality, an area where the landslides were numerous in November 2000, we also collected information about a historical event that occurred on 8–11 December 1910 and triggered abundant landslides resulting in severe economic damage. A comparison of the damage caused by the historical and the recent landslide events indicated that damage caused by the 1910 historical event was more diffused but less costly than the damage caused by the 2000 event.

Decrease in length of hospitalization before death of cancer patients in the Italian province of Imperia.

Although the overall cure rates for cancer in Italy are comparable to those of other developed countries, these results are the product of very heterogeneous facilities. In order to assess the possible impact of improved acute cancer care services on the last phase of life, a retrospective study was carried out which included 4238 patients registered at the Division of Medical Oncology of Imperia Province from January 1995 to December 2002. In 1998 the Province of Imperia, with a population of 217,000, had only two doctors and five day-hospital beds. During 1999 and 2000, resources increased to include five oncology specialists and 10 day-hospital beds. Compared to 1998, in 2002 the number of new patients registering at the Division of Medical Oncology and the number of day-hospital treatments increased by 76% and 67%, respectively. Since end-of-life care for advanced cancer patients is expensive, the length of hospitalization of cancer patients dying in acute hospital settings was analyzed for the years 1995-2002. Of the 4238 patients registered during the eight-year period, 1433 (33.8%) died before 31 December 2002. Among these 1433 patients, the records relative to hospitalization and death were available for 571 cancer patients, 324 males (56.7%) and 247 females (43.3%) with a median age of 70 years (range, 21-91). The average number of days of hospitalization declined from 14.6 (range, 1-76) in 1998 to 8.2 (range, 1-29) in 2002, a decrease of approximately 44%. The length of hospitalization prior to death has declined considerably for cancer patients in the Imperia Province and the costs of acute hospital facilities for end-of-life care in cancer patients have decreased. In addition, fewer days in hospital before death may have had an important impact on the quality of life of these cancer patients.

Fusarium Wilt of Gerbera in Soil and Soilless Crops in Italy.

In 2002, gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cv. Kaiki) plants that were grown for cut flowers in a soilless cultivation system (rockwool substrate) at Albenga (Savona) in northern Italy were observed exhibiting symptoms of a wilt disease. During the summer of 2002, in a commercial gerbera farm in the province of Imperia (northern Italy), a similar wilt was also observed on cvs. Red Bull, Anedin, and Gud finger that were grown in soil. In both cases, the planting material originated from the Netherlands. During 2003, wilted plants (cvs. Red Bull, Basic, and Cirill) were repeatedly observed in other commercial greenhouses located in the same area. Affected plants were stunted and developed yellowed leaves with initially brown and eventually black streaks in the vascular system. The vascular streaks in the yellow leaves were continuous with a brown discoloration in the vascular system of the crown and upper taproot. In some cases, the leaves of affected plants turned red. From these plants, Fusarium spp. were consistently and readily isolated from symptomatic vascular tissue onto a Fusarium-selective medium (2). Colonies were identified as F. oxysporum after subculturing on potato dextrose agar. Healthy rooted 30-day old plants (cv. Dino) were inoculated by dipping roots into a conidial suspension (5 × 107 conidia per ml) in one of six test isolates of F. oxysporum. Plants were transplanted (1 plant per pot) into pots (3.5 l vol) containing rockwool-based substrate. Noninoculated plants served as control treatments. Plants (21 per treatment) were grown in a glasshouse with an average day temperature of 31°C and night temperature of 25°C (minimum of 20°C and maximum of 42°C). Wilt symptoms and vascular discoloration in the roots, crown, and veins developed within 30 days on each inoculated plant, while noninoculated plants remained healthy. F. oxysporum was consistently reisolated from infected plants. The pathogenicity test was conducted twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of F. oxysporum on gerbera in Italy. A wilt of gerbera was described in the Netherlands in 1952 (1) but its presence was not confirmed in further observations (3). Reference: (1) J. Arx and J. A. von Tijdschr. PlZiekt. 58:5, 1952 (2) H. Komada. Rev. Plant Prot. Res. 8:114, 1975. (3) G. Scholten. Neth. J. Plant Pathol. 76:212, 1970.

La taxation des pollutions agricoles. Le cas des moulins à huile dans les Alpes-Maritimes

The taxation of agricultural pollutions : the case of oil crushers in the alpes-maritimes. Environmental policies, land planning in disadvantaged areas and transboundary competition This article, through the study of the taxation of oil crushers emissions in the Alpes-Maritimes, is analyzing the compatibility between, the land planning policies on one hand, whose aim is to avoid the desertification of rural and natural areas, and on the other hand, the environmental policies concerning the preservation of the aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, this analysis integrates the cross-border dimension and the negative results of the taxation, in terms of olive growers' drain towards Italy and the province of Imperia. The author will try to bring up a picture of the taxation effects over all the olive growing sector, underlying the powerful links between production and processing sectors and will wonder about the future of this traditional activity in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Serologic Survey for Leishmaniasis in Free-living Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Italy

Sera from fifty free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from the Imperia province, Liguria, Italy, were examined for antibodies against Leishmania spp. by both immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), from January to May 1992. Nine of 50 animals (18%) had antibodies against Leishmania spp. utilizing both IFA and ELISA tests.

The soils on the flysch area of Western Liguria (Italy)

The soils on the flysch area of Western Liguria (Italy) are described for the first time. Soils have developed in the alpine variant of the Mediterranean morphoclimatic system. The study area includes the higher part of the Arroscia and Tanarello catchment basins (province of Imperia). It is subdivided into three fundamental geological units which comprise part of the limestones of the outer margin in the paleoeuropean domain (Jurassic-Eocene) and part of the turbiditic sediments in the paleogeographic oceanic domain (Upper Cretaceous-Eocene). Twentythree profiles were described within morphological and vegetational units according to the different geolithological substrata. Lithology of the parent material, vegetation and morphology appear to be the main soil forming factors. The soils are shallow and can be severely limited in fertility. They are classified as Rendolls, Udorthents, Eutrochrepts, Haplumbrepts and Hapludalfs according to the U.S.D.A. Soil Taxonomy.