Italian Coastal Areas Research Articles

Aspetti biogeografici delle comunità di Carabidi (Coleoptera, Carabidae) dei sistemi costieri italiani

Biogeographia vol. XXIII ~ 2002 (Pubblicato il 1° ottobre 2002) Biogeografia degli ambienti costieri Aspetti biogeografici delle comunita di Carabidi (Coleoptera, Carabidae) dei sistemi costieri italiani AUGUSTO VIGNA TAGLIANTI, SIMONE FATTORINI Dzfartime7zto di Biologia Animals‘ 6 de[[’Uomo (Zoologizz), U72z'11er5z't:‘z di Roma qLzz Sapienzzz ’: Vizzle a’ell’Uniz1em't2z, 32 — 1-001 8 5 Roma Key words: Italy, coastal areas, ecology, biogeography, Carabids SUMMARY Out of a total of ca. 1,300 species of carabid beetles recorded from Italy, at least some 400 inhabit coastal areas, due to the high extent of the Italian coasts (covering bioclimatically different regions) and the general hygrophilic preference of these insects. However, the actual number of species strictly associated with coastal habitats (stenoecious species) is very low (some 50). The following main habitat types can be recognised: (1) rocky coasts; (2) sandy shores; (3) dunes; (4) low maquis; (5) plant associations with Szzlicorzzizz; (6) plant associations with P/2rzzg77zite:; and (7) plant associations with jmzczzr. The carabid beetles stenoecious for the rocky coasts include only three Mediterranean Bembidiini: Ocydromzzs :tez'71bue/J/eri, Lymnrtezmz nig7'apireI177z, and Lymizrzezzm rzlzeillei. Sandy shores harbour the Mediterranean Pzzr/zllelamorp/J1/5 Izzevigzzrzz: (a predaceous species feeding on talitrids and strictly associated with the eulittoral zone), the W—Mediterranean Emyne/zritz comp]/zizrztzz (a threatened species today), and two Dyschiriini: the W—Mediterranean D}/so/Jz'rz'115 mz771idia1:, and the E—Mediterranean Dysc/Jiriotles bzzcillur. The carabid beetles living in the Italian dune systems include the following stenoecious species: Sczzritex /mp/z7'im, a \W—Mediterranean species, and Cryptop/1072115 me/mic/J0[z'cztr, an Euro—Mediterranean species, both widely distributed in Italian coastal areas; Mrt.rm'm5 (leg)/pz‘z'tzc1ts, a W—Medirerranean species, with a scattered distribution in southern Italy; Cryptop/10ml: fizli/zzr and C. lizigiasux, two Mediterranean species, the Italian distribution of which appear restricted to Sardinia and Sicily, and to some Tyrrhenian and Adriatic stations, respectively; A77ItlI'll c/Jloratiaz, a N—African species restricted to Sardinia; Czzkzt/J11: malli: a W—Palearctic species, restricted to Sardinia and Sicily. Some 20 stenoecious species (belonging to Afrotropico— Indo—Meditertanean, W—Mediteri'anean, E—Mediterranean, Mediterranean, Turano—European, W—Palearctic, S— European, Centralasiatic—Europeo—Mediterranean distributional types), inhabit Salicaiwia plant associations, which appear the most speciose and zoogeographically varied habitat. By contrast, the P/imgmites plant associations are less speciose, harbouring only 6 stenoecious species each, most of whicl1 belonging to northern distributional types. Six stenoecious species also occur in fzuzczzr plant association. A biogeographically interesting component of the carabid fauna inhabiting the Italian coastal areas is represented by transadriatic and transionian species. Most of these species occur in Italy only along Ionian and S—Adriatic coasts, which represent the westernmost limit of their ranges. As these species are widely distributed East to the Italian peninsula, their occurrence in Italy with scattered populations appears to be better explained by ecological factors than historical events. A few species appear restricted to Sardinia, where they have been probably imported. Finally, Czmzbxzrgrzznulatzzs occurs, in the Italian coastal systems, with two subspecies, probably originated as a consequence of Pleistocene isolation.

Ecological and historical factors affecting carabid and tenebrionid communities (Coleoptera Carabidae and Tenebrionidae) in a Mediterranean coastal area

Biogeographia vol. XX/II - 2002 (Pubb/icato il 1“ ottobre 2002) Biogeografia degli ambienti costieri Ecological and historical factors affecting carabid and tenebrionid communities (Coleoptera Carabidae and Tenebrionidae) in a Mediterranean coastal area SIMONE FATTORINI, AUGUSTO VTGNA TAGLIANTT DIpam'77ze72t0 (Ii Biologizz Animzzle e de/[’U0m0 (Z00[0gi:z}, Universiriz di Roma qLzz Srzpimzzz ”, Vizzle z2'e[[’U7zz'ver5it£z 32, I-00185 Rama (Ital)/) Keywords: carabid beetles, tenebrionid beetles, coastal areas, Mediterranean, zoogeography. Pleistocene glaciations SUMMARY This research aimed to compare the diversity ofcarabid and tenebrionid communities in a Mediterranean area (Castelporziano, Central Italy), searching for the historical and ecological factors responsible for the observed patterns. In the study area, earabids showed the highest richness values in wetlands and in open areas, while tenebrionids were more speciose on the dune and in the natural forest. As to the carabids. stenotopic species occurred in the beach—dune system, in the mesophilous forest, and, with very high proportions, in wetlands and in open areas. By contrast, in the renebrionids, the srenotopic species were strongly represented on the dune, in wetlands, in the oak forest, and poorly in open areas. As awhole, most of the carabid species are distributed in the Palearctic region, while most of the tenebrionids are distributed in the Mediterranean area. For the carabids, the stenotopic species were mostly represented by species widely distributed in the Palearctic area, while for the tenebrionids the stenotopic species were mostly represented by species distributed in the Mediterranean region. This can be explained by the fact that, in contrast with carabids (where stenotopic species are nearly all hygrophilous), stenotopic tenebrionids include at least two categories: stenotopic species associated with sandy soils, and stenotopic species associated with trees. From an ecological point ofview, the occurrence of many carabid species with Palearctic chorotypes (which are also typically stenotopic hygtophilous species) can be related to the presence ofwetlands and ponds. Most probably, such species largely colonised Italian coastal areas during Pleistocene glaciations, as a consequence of a colder climate that favoured dispersal processes from northern and inland regions. The occurrence of many thermophilous species with Mediterranean chorotypes among the tenebrionids can be related to the Mediterranean feature of the area and to the refugial role of the Tyrrhenian coasts during Pleistocene glaciations. The present occurrence of some tenebrionid species with ‘northern' chorotypes can be related to the presence, in the study area, of hygrophilous/mesophilous phytocoenoses. INTRODUCTION Carabidae and Tenebrionidae are very speciose in Italy. Carabidae include approximately 1300 species (Vigna Taglianti, 1993), Tenebrionidae 255 species (Fattorini and Maltzeffl 2001). Both Carabidae and Tenebrionidae are excellent models for biogeographical purposes (Fattorini, 2000, 2002a, 2002b; Vigna

The Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) of a Tyrrhenian coastal area: diversity and zoogeographical composition

Biogeographia vol. XXIII - 2002 (Pubblicato il 1° ottobre 2002) Biogeografia degli ambienti costieri The Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) of a Tyrrhenian coastal area: diversity and zoogeographical composition SIMONE FATTORINI Dzpaifimento di Biologizz Animzzlc e a’e[[’U0mo (Zoologia), Uni:/erritfz di Roma qLa Szzpz'mzzz”, Vizzle de[l’Uniz/em'tz‘z 32, [—00]85 Roma (Italy) Key words: tenebrionid beetles, biogeography, ecology, Mediterranean, Central Italy, Castelfusano SUMMARY The family Tenebrionidae represents an important faunal component of Mediterranean coastal ecosystems. Until a recent fire Ouly 2000), which unfortunately destroyed large sectors of an introduced pine forest, the protected area of Castelfusano (about 1000 hectares, near Rome, Latium) was a Tyrrhenian coastal site where psammophilous vegetation, maquis, oak forests, hygrophilous forests, and an introduced pine forest occurred. The aim of this work was: (1) to provide a flunal inventory of the tenebrionids of Castelfusano before fire, and (2) to analyse this fauna from both an ecological and a zoogeographical point of view. A total of 29 tenebrionid species, belonging to three main ecological guilds, were recorded: (1) sand dwelling species inhabiting the beach—dune system; (2) geophilous species of maquis and open areas; (3) xylophilous species, especially associated with the pine forest. Based on their general distribution, the tenebrionid beetles ofCastelh1sano can be grouped into eight chorological categories. As to the environmental Factors responsible for this chorological spectrum, a relationship can be observed between species ranges and ecological preferences. In accordance with the Tyrrhenian location of the study area, most of the species appear to be more or less widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin, with a high proportion of West Mediterranean and S—European elements. Species with such types of distribution are also typically thermophilic species. Therefore, the climate of the study area, favouring species with thermophilic preferences, can be responsible for a high incidence of species with such ranges. Species with more northern distributions are relatively scarce, including some euryoecious or xylophilous elements. The presence of species with such ranges can be related to the occurrence of patches of mesophilic vegetation in the study area. Most probably, such species largely colonised Italian coastal areas during Pleistocene glaciations. As the climate became drier and warmer, d‘l€SE species were forced to assume more northern distributions. However, isolated populations were able to survive also in areas like Castelfusano, where favourable habitats persisted. Therefore, these relict populations are a result of vicariance events determined by the fragmentation of Pleistocene mesophilic habitats. Most of the species recorded for the forest vegetation of Castelfusano also occurs in the adjacent Presidential Estate of Castelporziano, a large and wellfipreserved area. Therefore, Castelporziano will operate as a source area for the renebrionid colonisation of the Castelfusano area destroyed by fires if favourable habitats will be restored. INTRODUCTION The family Tenebrionidae represents a conspicuous faunal component of arid and semi—arid environments, and the importance of these beetles in Mediterranean

A case study of bora-driven flow and density changes on the Adriatic Shelf (January 1987)

A numerical modelling study of the response of the Adriatic shelf waters and the Po River plume to a bora wind event has been undertaken using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM). After a bora episode from 16 to 20 January 1987, Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite image revealed a cold filament protruding from the Italian coastal area toward the open sea. To understand and numerically simulate the offshore spreading of cold water from the western coastal area, the effects of three external forcings have been examined: wind stress, heat flux and river discharge. Wind stress and surface heat flux, calculated by bulk method from the winds, air temperatures and humidities obtained by Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5) with space and time resolution of 9 km and 1 h, respectively, were used to force the oceanographic model. River discharge was introduced in the oceanographic model as a source term in the continuity equation. Moreover, it was assumed that river water had zero salinity and a 5°C lower temperature than the surrounding sea water, following some climatological estimations. The results of numerous numerical experiments revealed that the filament observed in the AVHRR satellite image was formed by the joint action of three external forcings mentioned, and that none of them could be neglected while considering the observed pattern. Although the bora is, due to its NE direction, downwelling favourable wind for the western Adriatic coast, its alongshore variability induces offshore spreading of cold and less saline Po-influenced water. The effects of air stability and wind wave field are important for the wind stress estimation. The role of the Po River is to reduce sea surface salinity and to prevent cold water from sinking; it is introduced in the oceanographic model mainly through the initial salinity field. The combined effects of the basin topography and surface heat flux create an extra amount of cold water in the western coastal strip, which is then advected by bora wind action toward the open sea. High horizontal resolution of the numerical experiments is important in resolving the alongshore variability of the bora wind field and to correctly simulate the narrow filament observed in the AVHRR image.

Use of the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) in the study of the circulation of the Adriatic Sea

Abstract. The results of basin-wide vessel-mounted ADCP measurements carried out from May 1995 through February 1996 in the Adriatic Sea are analysed in order to characterise the tidal flow, the steady current field and some specific sub-basin scale features. The M2 tide shows the amphidromic point close to the location predicted from theory. The K1 presents an almost constant phase structure that increases in the northern part from east to west during summer. The circulation in the Italian coastal shelf area is highly variable, due to the local wind forcing and pulses of the Po River discharge. The propagation of the signal associated with the latter, can be described in terms of hybrid internal Kelvin waves, revealed also from the upwelling events. It is also shown that the bottom density-driven current draining the bottom layer of the northern Adriatic is, to a large extent, a time-dependent feature with a temporal scale on the order of days.Key words. Oceanography: general (descriptive and regional oceanography; marginal and semi-enclosed seas) Oceanography: physical (currents)

Wave grouping and sequential correlation, field studies in Italian coastal areas

Existing theories about wave grouping are compared; Kimura's theory is shown to fit experimental statistics closest. The statistics derived from records taken at five sites of the ENEL wave measuring network are compared favorably with the corresponding values predicted by Kimura's theory. The discrepancy ratios are greater for greater depth sites and for low threshold values. They are however limited: the mean group length discrepancy is about 5% on the average, and less than 17% for the worst class. The divergence from Kimura theoretical scheme is shown to be due to the approximations necessary to reduce the analytical problem within the Markov processes sphere, the intrinsic difference between the wave height and twice the envelope amplitude, the variability of actual wave periods and the bias of the statistics employed for run length. Finally, the sequential correlation of wave characteristics is examined and the hypothesis that waves form a first order Markovian process is tested.