Part Of Sicily Research Articles

First contribution to the ethnobotanical knowledge in the Peloritani Mounts (NE Sicily)

This paper presents the results of an ethnobotanical survey carried out in the Peloritani Mounts (NE Sicily). This investigation aims to illustrate the first record known of the traditional uses of plants in this territory through the case study of a small rural suburb named Tipoldo (Messina). The data were collected from 20 informants over the age of 66, who were mainly farmers and shepherds, and were analyzed using two quantitative ethnobotanical indicators. For each plant was reported the Latin name, life form, vernacular name, parts used, ethnobotany category, claimed uses, status, and their relative indexes. Based on semi-structured interviews carried out between February 2017 and May 2018, a listing was compiled of 126 wild plants belonging to 51 families, the most predominant being Asteraceae (19 species) and Fabaceae (15 species). The most common ethnobotanical uses reported are medicinal (30%) and agropastoral use (19%). Among the preparation methods indicated, leaves (39%) were the most commonly used parts of the plants, while the species most mentioned in connection with ethnobotanical applied indexes were: Crepis vesicaria, Dittrichia graveolens, Hypochaeris radicata, Salvia Rosmarinus and Clinopodium nepeta. These practices are presently performed only by a few elderly people, who rely on plants solely for a few activities. Furthermore, ethnobotanical studies are fundamental to clear up the knowledge on the traditional plant uses that are still current in this part of Sicily, to preserve this cultural heritage for future generations.

Employed but segregated: the exploitation of immigrant work in Mediterranean agriculture

ABSTRACT Occupational insertion in the agriculture represents one of the main specificities of the Mediterranean model of immigration. Even in contexts characterized by high levels of unemployment, immigrants find growing job opportunities in agriculture, replacing a native labour force increasingly educated and with growing expectations of social mobility that avoid the particularly demanding and socially penalizing jobs in this sector. However, the price paid by immigrants is often high: segregation in unskilled jobs, low wages, high level of precariousness and informality, and social marginalization and isolation. This article focuses on an extreme case that emphasizes binomial employment and segregation: the greenhouses of the transformed belt (fascia trasformata) in southern Sicily. In this area, immigrants represent the absolute majority of agricultural workers. However, they experience a much higher level of segregation and penalties in bad jobs compared to natives in any other part of Sicily or Italy. This immigration regime is functional to the transformation of local society as it responds to growth and defamilization of the peasant enterprise. Then, it also represents a consequence of the restructuring processes of contemporary agriculture and the global food market, where the exploitation of the growing competition between old and new migrants become the main way to contain production costs.

Appunti di etimologia greca e semitica dello sciclitano. Sull’etimologia di alcuni grecismi e semitismi in nomi, antroponimi e toponimi attestati nel territorio di Scicli (Sicilia)

[Notes on Greek and Semitic Etymology of the Sciclitano Dialect: About the Etymology of Some Hellenisms and Semitisms in Names, Anthroponyms and Toponyms Attested in Scicli (Sicily)] This study aims to analyze and report in a single text a set of terms (anthroponyms, toponyms and common nouns) of the Sciclitano dialect - one of the different forms in which Sicilian language manifests itself -, whose etymology dates back to terms of Greek origin (classical, Byzantine and Neo-Greek) and Semitic (Arabic and, to a lesser extent, Hebrew) as evidence of the linguistic layers that have settled in the dialect from the origins down into the course of the Middle Ages and beyond, under various dominations, and are still present in the territory. As far as surnames are concerned, the Arabic ones attested in recent decades due to the phenomenon of immigration have not been taken into consideration. Where possible, epichoric peculiarities have been taken into account (especially for toponyms) and an etymological reconstruction has been attempted even in the absence of archival documents, always having regard to the history of Scicli (and the County of Modica to which it belonged) and various sources handed down by local scholars and also to the oral tradition. Some of the items analyzed are present in other parts of Sicily, while others are found only locally and, on the whole, they represent a part worthy of notice and study.

Truffle gathering and trade in the Monti Sicani Regional Park (Sicily, Italy), a new perspective for the local economy and for employment in economically depressed areas

Italy is one of the most important countries in Europe for truffles gathering and trade. The socio-economic potential of truffles has been recently investigated in Sicily, an unexplored region for hypogeous fungi until 1990. This paper provides an updated report on the distribution of truffles in a regional park, located in the inner part of Sicily. Topics covered include the methods of collection of Tuber aestivum and T. borchii, the periods of collection of truffles, the procedure for preservation before marketing and the percentage of truffle buyers in Sicily. Besides, a map of the investigated area integrating the presence of the truffle with all other ecological elements is provided. There are currently ∼ 278 truffle gatherers in Sicily, distributed in the different provinces. In the investigated area, it is estimated that average of about 190 kg/year of T. aestivum and T. borchii are collected per truffle gatherer. The truffle market in Sicily is not regulated as in other Italian Administrative regions. The selling price varies from 80 to 200 €/kg, depending on the truffle species. The collection and marketing of truffles is an important source of income. It promotes tourism by encouraging the creation of gastronomic routes of quality products.

Identification of Optimal Mechanization Processes for Harvesting Hazelnuts Based on Geospatial Technologies in Sicily (Southern Italy)

Sicily is a region located in the southern Italy. Its typical Mediterranean landscape is appreciated due to its high biodiversity. Specifically, hazelnut plantations have adapted in a definite area in Sicily (the Nebroidi park) due to specific morphological and climatic characteristics. However, many of these plantations are not used today due to adverse conditions, both to collect hazelnuts and to reach hazel groves. Though a geospatial analysis, the present paper aims to identify which hazelnut contexts can be actively used for agricultural, economic (e.g., introduction of a circular economy) and energetic purposes (to establish a potential agro-energetic district). The examination revealed the most suitable areas giving several criteria (e.g., slope, road system), ensuring an effective cultivation and consequent harvesting of hazelnuts and (ii) providing security for the operators since many of hazelnut plants are placed in very sloped contexts that are difficult to reach by traditional machines. In this sense, this paper also suggests optimal mechanization processes for harvesting hazelnuts in this part of Sicily.

Nonmodal scutes patterns in the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Carettacaretta): a possible epigenetic effect?

Eleven specimens of the threatened Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta (L., 1758)) were caught accidentally by fishermen in different parts of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea). Five of them showed an atypical number of carapacial and plastron scutes, making the immediate identification of the specimens as C. caretta difficult. Both genetic and epigenetic analysis were carried out on these specimens. Sequencing of a 649 bp sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene allowed us to classify all the individuals as C. caretta. Epigenetic analysis, performed by evaluating the total level of DNA cytosine methylation, showed a reduced and significant (F = 72.65, p < 0.01) global level of methylated cytosines in the turtles with nonmodal scutes compared with the normal turtles. Our results suggest that the variability in the number of scutes could be dependent on the environmental conditions during embryonic incubation, via an epigenetic mechanism. This finding could have implications in our understanding of the pathways of morphological evolution and diversification in the chelonians.

Compositional reference for the documented Archaic production of indigenous matt-painted pottery at Entella (Western Sicily)

This contribution is focused on a specific class of indigenous Archaic pottery (sixth and fifth century BC) with matt-painted geometric decoration that was recovered in large quantities in the excavations at Entella, an indigenous site located in western Sicily. The site of Entella was strategically considerable in this part of Sicily, controlling the north-south routes running along the river Belice. Kiln structures were attested at Entella that, until today, it is the only Archaic site in the area with an unmistakable evidence of production of fine pottery. The present research is aimed at yielding a complete petrographic and chemical characterization of the table ware produced at Entella during the sixth and fifth century BC. Analytical results were afterward compared with data concerning local clays that were subjected to experimental firing tests as well. This study is expected to provide additional interpretations concerning the trade between the native centers located in the interior of western Sicily and the Greek or Punic colonies sited along the coasts of the same territory.

Study of quantitative and qualitative variations in essential oils of Sicilian oregano biotypes

Essential oil (EO) was extracted using hydrodistillation from samples of Origanum vulgare subspecies hirtum (Link) Ietswaart, gathered from the wild in various parts of Sicily, Italy; GC-FID and GC-MS analyses were subsequently performed. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between essential oil yields and the geographical distribution of oregano wild populations based on variations in environmental factors as collection sites. Moreover, the purpose was to group Origanum vulgare subspecies hirtum biotypes according to the chemical composition of the EO. The seven principal components in the EO was thymol (24.0–54.4%), γ-terpinene (9.8–30.5%), ρ-cymene (5.2–18.7%), α-terpinene (2.7–5.7%), carvacrol (0.3–8.3%), terpinen-4-ol (0.5–9.4%) and trans-sabinene hydrate (0.0–12.8%). All the biotypes analyzed were identified as thymol-chemotype. Statistical analysis shows that essential oil yields are mostly affected by weather/climate and topographic characteristics of the collection sites.

Essential oil characteristics of wild Sicilian oregano populations in relation to environmental conditions

A study was carried out on the essential oil of Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart taken from thirteen wild populations found in different parts of Sicily, Italy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship that exists between essentials oil extracted from Sicilian wild populations of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart and various weather/climate and topographic factors in order to provide more information on aspects that influence the production potential of this species. The essential oils from the samples were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by a combination of gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC–FID) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS); seventy-one components were fully identified, however, three main components were characteristic of the examined samples accounting for a significant amount of all oils: thymol (24.0–54.4%), γ-terpinene (9.8–30.5%) and p-cymene (5.2–18.7%). Analyses highlighted a different qualitative and quantitative essential oil composition compared with other wild populations in the Mediterranean area and in relation to the different weather/climate and topographic characteristics of the collection sites. These differences are probably due to a mixture of genetic and environmental factors, which influence secondary metabolite biosynthesis: the basis of essential oils.

Astragalus kamarinensis(Fabaceae), a New Species from Sicily

Astragalus kamarinensis C. Brullo, Brullo, Giusso, Miniss. & Sciandr. sp. nova (Fabaceae) is described and illustrated from Sicily. It grows exclusively on sandy soils, near the ruins of Kamarina, located in the southern part of Sicily. Morphologically, it shows close relationships with A. Stella, A. raphaelis and A. tribuloides, all belonging to A. sect. Sesamei. Several morphological features, chiefly regarding the flowers, legumes and seeds, as well as the micromorphology of the pod indumentum and seed coat, allow to well distinguish this species from the other taxa in the section. A phenetic analysis based on the morphological characters supports our taxonomic conclusions.

Surface and Bulk Investigations of Organ Metal Pipe Degradation

In literature the most studied organ degradation processes are related to instruments located in Northen Europe where the ageing of metal alloys is influenced by the environment and the climate typical of those regions. This paper focuses on some examples of degraded organ pipes coming from several parts of Sicily (the biggest island of the Mediterranean Sea) characterized by different environmental and climate conditions typical for the Mediterranean area. Investigation on the specific causes that had produced the degradation was performed by using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis, (SEM-EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Three different kinds of degradations were found: the formation of tin dioxide blisters on the tin based pipes caused by normal oxidation processes induced by the atmospheric oxygen; another tin oxidation process results in tin chloride phases formation; finally, in the case of lead pipes, the degradation is related to the formation of lead nitrate salts.

An Operative X-band Mini-radar Network to Monitor Rainfall Events with High Time and Space Resolution

The increasing frequency of extreme and very localized precipitation events have been causing landslides, floods and casualties, especially in Sicily, due to its complex orography, and to the presence of densely inhabited areas just at the mouth of small basins. In order to monitor such phenomena with the needed high resolution in time and space, an experimental network of X-band mini-radars, exclusively devoted to monitor rain, has been installed in some parts of Sicily since November 2010. The network is made up by 4 mini weather radars able to acquire a rain map every minute (or even at shorter intervals) with a radial space resolution better than 100 m within a range of up to 30 km. Their low cost and the easiness of installation make such radars ideal for monitoring small areas or even just limited angular sectors, since it is more convenient to install more than one instrument instead of choosing special site locations or spending for installation support. The raw data are immediately processed in real time by the software installed on each radar unit, Cartesian maps are locally produced, compressed and transmitted via GPRS to a server where ad hoc products for the users are prepared and made available on a web site. A few examples of final products and some comparisons with rain gauges are presented.

Severe outbreaks of polyarthritis in kids caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri in Sicily

CONTAGIOUS agalactia (CA) and contagious caprine pleuropneumonia caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae, respectively, are serious infections of small ruminants and consequently have been listed by the...

Late Quaternary high uplift rates in northeastern Sicily: evidence from calcareous nannofossils and benthic and planktonic foraminifera

The northeastern part of Sicily is characterized by intense seismic activity. Several systems of faults have been recognized in Pliocene and Pleistocene sediments in the area and, in fact, estimates of uplift rates are among the highest recorded in Sicily and south Italy. We examined calcareous nannofossil and benthic and planktonic foraminifera assemblages from pelitic sediments of the Contrada Zura section (Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto Basin, Furnari village, Messina). The occurrence of Emiliania huxleyi, a coccolithophore species which appeared in the oceanic record about 270,000 years ago, is witness to the uniqueness of this outcrop, while the planktonic/benthic foraminifera ratio indicates a deep (slope) environment, in agreement with previous observations on macrobenthic and ostracod paleo-communities. Independently from the numerical estimate of the paleo-depth, there is little doubt that the occurrence of E. huxleyi in such sediments might be explained by exceptional uplift rates. Since resulting uplift rate estimates, between 3.2 and 5.5 mm/year, exceeded by far the regional, longer-term, vertical tectonic motion, we argue that a major contribution of coseismic displacement along active faults occurred in the Furnari area.

The plants, rituals and spells that 'cured' helminthiasis in Sicily

BackgroundThe author reports on the plants, rituals and spells used against worms and the so-called scantu (fright) in some areas of Sicily. The work is based on ethnobotanical research carried out, prevalently, between 2002-2006, in some areas of Eastern, South-Eastern, North-Central and South-Central Sicily.MethodsThis research is based on dialogue. Senior 'healers' were contacted; furthermore, doctors, teachers, farmers and in general 'experts' with herbs and 'magic' rituals. Information was collected about the way the plants of folk medicine are prepared. The interviewees were also invited to recite prayers and spells against helminthiasis.ResultsThe author has highlighted the importance of how, in some parts of Sicily, some ailments like helminthiasis and other correlated pathologies like scantu are 'treated' and, especially within the rural social classes, by folk medicine remedies, herbal practises, particular prayers, rituals and spells.ConclusionAs regards health/illness, it should be noted that in the last ten years conventional medicine has provided very satisfactory results even resolving potentially mortal pathologies. However, in certain social classes, there is no real collaboration between conventional and folk medicine; so for some senior citizens, the 'healer' with his rituals and empirical and magical herbs is still the person to turn to for the 'cure' of particular ailments. Interest in these practises from ancestral heritage in an advanced country like Italy, is only relevant if the aim is to recoup a cultural identity which is already in decline.It is significant to report a piece: on 14 October 2007 the news on a well-known national Italian TV channel reported an interview with a 94 year-old man from Arbatax (Sardinia) referred to as a 'healer' because both his townspeople and others from all over the world go to him for his cures. He is not paid except in kind and has been known to cure St. Anthony's fire, burns, scalding and marine fungal infections, by smearing his saliva over the infected part and reciting 'special words'.

GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF MYRTUS COMMUNIS L. WILD GENOTYPES USING AFLP MARKERS

Myrtus communis L., is a wild shrub widespread throughout the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, grown for its ornamental value and aromatic properties. Evaluation of genetic diversity existing within wild myrtle populations represents a starting point for the development of breeding programs or selection of genotypes with useful traits for cultivar improvement. AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) markers were used to determine the genetic relationships among myrtle wild genotypes collected from six different regions in Italy. Fifty-one individuals were analysed with three selected combination of primers. Polymorphic bands were scored and used for the analysis of genetic distances in order to evaluate the genetic variability in the collected germplasm. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that variability within populations represented the greatest source of variation. This result was confirmed by UPGMA cluster analysis, which did not resolve a clear grouping of most genotypes by their region of origin or specific population. Nevertheless, genotypes coming from Apulia and part of Sicily were resolved clearly in a specific sub-cluster. Such individuals are characterized by a particular branch and leaf morphology.

Characterization of durum wheat mediterranean germplasm for high and low molecular weight glutenin subunits in relation with quality

The research was carried out to identify suitable accessions for crossing programs, to introgress positive quality features of exotic germplasm into the existing genetic base. The 114 genotypes from the ICARDA collection and 2 genotypes selected from the Sicilian landrace Martinella were grown in the season 1994–95 in a representative durum wheat growing area in the hilly, inner part of Sicily, together with three cultivars widespread in the region of evaluation and used, therefore, as controls, viz. Simeto, Capeiti and Arcangelo. Analysis of total protein by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was made on the accessions, which were also evaluated for protein concentration, SDS sedimentation volume, mixograph test and pasta-making test. Uncommon high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits were found; HMW 2* and 3* subunits at the Glu-A1 locus might confer better quality than the null allelic form usually found at this locus. Even more evident was the positive effect of the HMW 6+17 subunit at the Glu-B1 locus. The results showed that the evaluated germplasm formed an interesting source of favourable glutenin subunits that might be very desirable in breeding activities for improving pasta-making quality.

Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Sicily.

From epidemiological data obtained over more than 20 years by surveys conducted in different parts of Sicily, it is evident that Sicily is a high-risk area for multiple sclerosis (MS). This is in sharp contrast with the gradient hypothesis. High frequencies have been found in different parts of the island having different geoclimatic features, but at least two cities (Monreale and Enna) had had a prolonged Norman domination. This is in agreement with the hypothesis that MS originated in Northern Europe and spread around the world throughout the raids of the northern peoples. The increase in frequency estimated by follow-up and incidence studies is well established and is only in part linked to the improvement in diagnostic techniques. Finally, it is noteworthy that in the islands of Malta, a few sea miles away from Sicily, the MS prevalence rates are in the range of 4-8 cases per 100000 persons. This occurrence represents a natural model to investigate MS etiology through analytic studies and genetic analyses.

Taxonomic and biogeographic analysis of the Proasellus coxalis-group (crustacea, isopoda, asellidae) in Sicily, with description of Proasellus montalentii n. sp.

The genus Proasellus is widespread in ponds, ditches and rivers of Sicily. A detailed morphological analysis of several samples of asellids collected in Sicilian freshwaters resulted in the determination of three species of the Proasellus coxalis-group: P. banyulensis italicus (Dudich, 1925), P. montalentii n. sp. and P. wolfi (Dudich, 1925), which is elevated to specific rank. The three species can be distinguished on the basis of the sutures of pleopod V. exopod. Proasellus montalentii inhabits the western part of Sicily, while the range of P. wolfi is confined to the Iblean region. Both species are more closely related to the North African taxa of Proasellus coxalis-group, while Proasellus banyulensis italicus is very similar to the populations found in peninsular Italy. These patterns are explained supposing multiple colonizations of Sicily during Pliocene connections.

Evidence of dislocations on the southern slope of the nebrodi-madonie mountains (northern Sicily, Italy): Their neotectonics implications

Abstract The investigated area is located on the southern slope of the NebrodiMadonie Mts. (northern Sicily, Italy). It was studied in order to obtain neotectonic evidence by means of fracture measurements, morphotectonic and hydrographical patterns, aerial photographs and satellite analysis. The results were compared with the well-known geological structures. This area could be considered an outstanding crustal part of Sicily, as here we find alignments of earthquake foci and a deep gradient of gravity anomalies, testifying to an important isostatic imbalance. This analysis confirms the observed structural picture of surface tectonics. Rose diagrams elaborated from fieldwork and aerial lineations show distinctive E—W trends which conform to the directions of the main faults. From a chronological viewpoint faults breaks, aerial photographs and satellite lineations seem to indicate that the E—W trend is the less dislocated and, therefore, the most recent.