ENDANGERED SPECIES in ITALY

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Alpine Shrew Apennine Chamois Bechstein's Bat Brown Bear Common Bentwing Bat Corsican Hare Eurasian Otter European Rabbit Garden Dormouse Giant Noctule Bat Long-fingered Bat Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat Mediterranean Monk Seal Mehely's Horseshoe Bat Sardinian Long-eared Bat Western Barbastelle

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Barbaricina Colombine Buglosse Crepue Bupleuro delle Madoni Bupleuro di Marettimo

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Centranthus amazonum

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Sorex alpinus Rupicapra rupicapra ornata Myotis bechsteinii Ursus arctos Miniopterus schreibersii Lepus corsicanus Lutra lutra Oryctolagus cuniculus Eliomys quercinus Nyctalus lasiopterus Myotis capaccinii Rhinolophus euryale Monachus monachus Rhinolophus mehelyi Plecotus sardus Barbastella barbastellus

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Aquilegia barbaricina Anchusa crispa Bupleurum elatum Bupleurum dianthifolium Centranthus amazonum

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Falsa Sanicola Hieracium lucidum Lamyropsis microcephala Limonium strictissimum Milkwort Nuragica Columbine Orthotrichum scanicum Pleurotus nebrodensis Ribes sardoum Sea Marigold Sicilian Fir Silene hicesiae Star Thistle Violet Zelkova sicula

Petagnaea gussonei Hieracium lucidum Lamyropsis microcephala Limonium strictissimum Polygala sinisica Aquilegia nuragica Orthotrichum scanicum Pleurotus nebrodensis Ribes sardoum Calendula maritima Abies nebrodensis Silene hicesiae Centaurea gymnocarpa Viola ucriana Zelkova sicula

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Audouin's Gull Balearic Shearwater

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Black-tailed Godwit Buff-breasted Sandpiper

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Corncrake Dalmatian Pelican Dartford Warbler Egyptian Vulture

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Eurasian Curlew Eurasian Peregrine Falcon

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European Roller Ferruginous Duck Great Bustard

Larus audouinii Puffinus mauretanicus Limosa limosa Tryngites subruficollis Crex crex Pelecanus crispus Sylvia undata Neophron percnopterus Numenius arquata Falco peregrinus peregrinus Coracias garrulus Aythya nyroca Otis tarda

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Great Snipe Greater Spotted Eagle Ivory Gull Lesser Kestrel Little Bustard Marbled Teal

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Pallid Harrier Red Kite Red-footed Falcon Saker Falcon Slender-billed Curlew

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Sociable Lapwing Sooty Shearwater White-headed Duck Yelkouan Shearwater

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Adriatic Sturgeon Angel Shark Angular Rough Shark Arno Goby

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Barbus caninus Basking Shark Blackchin Guitarfish

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Blue Skate Bottlenose Skate Bronze Whaler

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Cape Shark Carpione Del Garda Chondrostoma soetta 17

Gallinago media Aquila clanga Pagophila eburnea Falco naumanni Tetrax tetrax Marmaronetta angustirostris Circus macrourus Milvus milvus Falco vespertinus Falco cherrug Numenius tenuirostris Vanellus gregarius Puffinus griseus Oxyura leucocephala Puffinus yelkouan

Acipenser naccarii Squatina squatina Oxynotus centrina Padogobius nigricans Barbus caninus Cetorhinus maximus Rhinobatos cemiculus Dipturus batis Rostroraja alba Carcharhinus brachyurus Squalus acanthias Salmo carpio Chondrostoma

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Cobitis zanandreai Dusky Grouper

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European Eel Fibreno Trout Giant Butterfly Ray Gray Nurse Shark Great White Shark

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Gulper Shark

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Italian Bleak Knipowitschia punctatissima Liver-oil Shark Long-nosed Skate

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soetta Cobitis zanandreai Epinephelus marginatus Anguilla anguilla Salmo fibreni Gymnura altavela Carcharias taurus Carcharodon carcharias Centrophorus granulosus Alburnus albidus Knipowitschia punctatissima Galeorhinus galeus Dipturus oxyrinchus

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Acilius duvergeri Apollo Butterfly Carabo Beetle Chalepoxenus muellerianus Cinquefoil Skipper Dark Guest Ant Dytiscus latissimus Epimyrma kraussei Formicoxenus nitidulus

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Goldstreifiger Graphoderus bilineatus

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Harpagoxenus sublaevis 18

Acilius duvergeri Parnassius apollo Carabus olympiae Chalepoxenus muellerianus Pyrgus cirsii Anergates atratulus Dytiscus latissimus Epimyrma kraussei Formicoxenus nitidulus Buprestis splendens Graphoderus bilineatus Harpagoxenus sublaevis

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Hermit Beetle Higgin's Anomalous Blue Italian Goldenring

Osmoderma eremita Polyommatus galloi Cordulegaster trinacriae Mountain Alcon Blue Maculinea rebeli Myrmica symbiotica Myrmica symbiotica Myrmica samnitica Myrmica samnitica Myrmica laurae Myrmica laurae Orange-spotted Emerald Oxygastra curtisii Piedmont Anomalous Blue Polyommatus humedasae Plebejus trappi Plebejus trappi Predatory Bush Cricket Saga pedo Raetzer's Ringlet Erebia christi Rosalia Longicorn Rosalia alpina

Mammals:

Brown bears can live in a variety of habitats, such as mountainous forests, desert edges, ice fields, tundra, alpine meadows, and coastlines. They prefer habitat that is densely covered and where there is available shelter in the day. The brown bear is generally solitary and more active at night. They will eat just about anything, including plants, berries, roots, fish, insects and small mammals such as squirrels. Some subspecies have been known to feed on dead animals, and in Canada, have been known to hunt larger mammals such as sheep, goats, elk, and moose.

The brown bear's hibernation period depends on the subspecies and location.

Generally, brown bears hibernate from October to December and become active again between March and May. Other brown bears subspecies only hibernate for a short time or do not hibernate at all. Females may mate with one or more males from May to July and give birth to two to three cubs. Fur color varies according to subspecies from blonde to almost black, but the average brown bear fur color is dark brown. Some subspecies are known as 19

“grizzly bears” because they have long, frosty white hairs along their shoulders and backs resulting in a grizzled appearance. Brown bears are good swimmers and have a good sense of smell.

The Apennine chamois is a subspecies of the chamois, a goat-like mammal found in the mountains of Europe. Both male and female have hook-shaped horns that slightly curl backwards and grow little by little each year, never falling off. Their coats are light brown in the summer and darker in the winter, with a light colored mark on the throat. There are also two darker bands on their flanks.

In the summer, the Apennine chamois prefers rock faces and pasture lands at heights above 1700 meters for its habitat, and in the winter it prefers to retreat to the woods below. Diet of the chamois consists of grasses, leaves, buds, shoots and fungi.

Adult males prefer a solitary life, only approaching females during the mating season. Groups consist only of females, young males, and "kids." Females give birth to only one kid after a gestation period of 23 to 24 weeks.

The Mediterranean monk seal is a close relative of the Caribbean monk seal and is one of the rarest animals in the world. Adult seals measure about 7.8 feet in length on average and can weigh up to 690 lb. Males are slightly larger than females. Their smooth coats are generally brown or gray on the back and lighter on the belly and they resemble robes of Franciscan friars, giving them the name, “monk seals.” There is also a white patch that appears on their bellies, and other irregular light patches are not uncommon.

Mediterranean monk seals prefer to live on coastal areas in groups or “colonies.” They appear to be social and have been seen in groups from 20 to 300 seals. The seals have also been found in caves resting or mating. The cave usage seems to be in response to human disturbance. They prefer to be active and feed 20

during the day, feeding on a variety of marine organisms, including eels, tuna, sardines, octopuses.

The Italian Wolf (Canis lupus italicus) also known as the Apennine Wolf, is a subspecies of the Grey Wolf found in the Apennine Mountains in Italy.It was first described in 1921 and recognised as a distinct subspecies in 1999. Recently due to an increase in population, the subspecies has also been spotted in areas of Switzerland.During recent years, Italian wolves have also established themselves in Southern France, particularly in the Parc National du Mercantour. It is federally protected in all three countries.

Due to a scarcity of large prey, wolf packs in Italy tend to be smaller than average. Packs are usually limited to a nuclear family composed of a reproducing alpha pair, young sub adults which remain with their birth family until they are old enough to disperse and produce cubs. However, in areas where large herbivores such as deer have been reintroduced, such as the Abruzzo National Park, packs consisting of 6 – 7 individuals can be found.

Plants:

Currently there is no legal protection for this species, despite the fact that the regional council of Sardinia proposed a draft law in 2001 concerning protection of plant species on the island, and A. barbaricina is listed in the Annex as an endemic species. However this law is controversial as it may increase collecting interest in the species listed. The areas in which this species occurs naturally should be protected, and all collection should be prohibited. The species also needs to be cultivated in botanical gardens and seeds stored in seedbanks.

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The threats to this species are not sufficiently understood, although in theory its inaccessibility should provide protection. However as the population occurs close to an inhabited area, its close proximity to human activities increases the risk of extinction and fire may also pose a threat.

Though this species is included in the regional and national Red Lists, it is not protected by any particular law or convention.

Fire management is key to the survival of this species and the preservation of the landscape of the nature reserve. Whilst fire is essential for some Mediterranean species which have co-evolved with fire and require it to survive, the increased frequency of human-made fire may pose a problem even to these plants and emphasises the importance of a carefully designed fire management scheme for the area.

The species is certainly facing a high extinction risk due to natural factors rather than human impact. Grazing does not seem to be a problem since the plant is toxic.

Currently there is no legal protection for this species, despite the fact that the regional council of Sardinia proposed a draft law in 2001 concerning protection of plant species on the island, and that A. nuragica is listed in the Annex as an endemic species. However this law is controversial as it may increase collecting interest in the species.

The species is mentioned on several tourist websites, which might attract collectors.

Detailed information concerning the exact location of the species should be removed in order to keep people away from the site. An action plan urgently needs to be developed and implemented. Cultivation in botanical gardens is recommended.

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Silene hicesiae belongs to the "Silene mollissima group", which comprises seven species endemic to the coastal cliffs of the western Mediterranean basin. These different species may have evolved when the Mediterranean became drier during the late Miocene period, about 5 million years ago, and the ancestral species became isolated into several different populations.

This is one of numerous examples demonstrating how geographic separation of populations belonging to the same species, for example on islands, can contribute to the formation of new species.

The main threats that this species faces include wildfires, grazing by herbivores (e.g. rabbits), invasive alien plants (e.g. Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima), and incorrect management of protected areas. Any of these threats could wipe out either of the two populations. All populations of the Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima near to where S. hicesiae grows need to be eliminated. The conservation programme initiated by EOLIFE99 also needs to be continued.

Birds:

The Egyptian vulture is usually found nesting on rock ledges. They prefer to forage alone or with their mate, but some Egyptian vultures have been observed in groups. It can also nest in trees or old buildings when more favorable locations are not available. Egyptian vultures are scavengers and feed mainly on carrion. But they are also known to prey on small mammals and eggs. This species is one of few bird species that uses tools. It uses small rocks to crack thick-shelled ostrich eggs by lifting stones with its beak and then hitting the egg in a strong swing of head and neck. Males and females are monogamous and mate for life. Both male and female help with building the nest, and the female 23

lays two eggs between March and April. The eggs hatch 39 to 45 days later.

The Eurasian peregrine falcon is one of the many subspecies of the peregrine falcon.

They are mainly non-migratory and are found only in western Eurasia. The peregrine falcon is a raptor or bird of prey. Most peregrine falcons are around 12 to 18 inches in body length.

Like many birds, the females are much larger than the males. Peregrine falcons vary in color according to subspecies, but they generally have a bluishblack head and wings (upper), and their underparts are usually pale with spots or barred markings.

The peregrine falcon species has suffered greatly as a whole because of toxic effects of insecticides such as DDT and dieldrin. High exposures of these toxins effect their ability to reproduce. These birds also suffer because of the sport of falconry and some young falcons are even illegally taken from their nests. Pigeons are one of the main prey items of the peregrine falcon, and therefore some falcons are shot down by pigeon-lovers who consider them pests. In efforts to save the peregrine falcon species, conservationists in North America are constantly monitoring the peregrine population and all of its subspecies and the quality of their habitat.

The black-tailed godwit is a large wader with long bill (7.5 to 12 cm (3.0 to 4.7 in) long), neck and legs. During the breeding season, the bill has a yellowish or orange-pink base and dark tip; the base is pink in winter. The legs are dark grey, brown or black. The sexes are similar, but in breeding plumage, they can be separated by the male's brighter, more extensive orange breast, neck and head. In winter, adult black-tailed godwits have a uniform brown-grey breast and upperparts (in contrast to the bar-tailed godwit's streaked back). Juveniles have a pale orange wash to the neck and breast.

In flight, its bold black and white wingbar and white rump can be seen readily. When on the ground it can be difficult to separate from the similar Bar-tailed Godwit, but the black-tailed godwit's longer, straighter bill and longer legs are diagnostic. Black24

tailed godwits are similar in body size and shape to bar-taileds, but stand taller.

The main threat to the little bustard is habitat loss , primarily as a result of the conversion of its dry grassland habitat into intensive arable land for agriculture. Fragmentation of grassland can negatively affect the quality and availability of the habitat, and can lead to a decrease in male density .

Pesticides are thought to be a problem for this species, as their use decreases the availability of insects for food which in turn affects the fecundity and survival of the eggs and chicks. The availability of food for the little bustard is also affected by land use changes. For instance, dense vegetation growing as a result of land abandonment might impair the bird’s ability to search for food, while overgrazing can lead to reductions in the number of insects available.

Farm machinery has also been reported to be a threat to the little bustard, either through the destruction of nests or direct mortality of adult and juvenile birds during harvesting. In south-western France, farm machinery is accountable for 40 percent of all clutch failures.Further threats to the little bustard include urban development, hunting and collisions with power lines.

Fishes:

At present, as a consequence of a recovery plan carried out by several public institutions from 1990 to 2007, specimens have been recorded in the Po River and its inflow rivers (Ticino, Adda, Oglio, Mincio), and in the rivers Adige, Livenza, Piave, Tagliamento. The Isola Serafini Dam on the middle of the Po River, prevents the migratory movements of the downstream populations into the upstream part of the river. There is no evidence available for natural spawning of wild or released individuals.

Overfishing (both legal and illegal), and in particular of pre-reproductive sized fish, threatens this species. It is also threatened by the creation of barriers to its migratory routes, which reduce its reproductive success; and fragmentation of populations, particularly by 25

dams for hydropower on the Po River (Isola Serafini's Dam, Piacenza). Water pollution, the Allee effect, and competition for habitats with allochthonous species (Silurus glanis) also threaten the future survival of this sturgeon.

This species is relatively restricted range (etimated area of occupancy (AOO) < 2,000 km²) and is only known from six river basins and two lakes, which are treated as separate locations on the basis of the likely threats.

Formerly the species was extremely common but it has now disappeared from two rivers and has become rare in many others mostly as result of interaction with the introduced, congeneric species, Padogobius bonelli.

Other causes of decline are water extraction and rising water temperatures due to lower water levels, pollution and predation by alien species.

The species is threatened mainly by introduction of the congeneric alien P. bonelli, which caused local extinctions in at least the river basins of Ombrone, Amaseno and Mignone in central Italy. Major Threats are habitat destruction, water extraction, and invasive species (Padogobius bonelli, in particular).

Adult lake trout outside the mating season are silvery with very few black spots on the body and almost none on the head. During the mating season some males develop a dark mottled body coloration. Garda lake trout reach a length of up to 50 cm (20 in). They live primarily in depths of 100 to 200 m (328 to 656 ft). They feed on zooplankton and bottom-dwelling crustaceans in summer.

Males and females reach sexual maturity at two or three years. The mating takes place every one to two years. The spawning takes place either winter or summer at a depth of 50 to 300 metres (160 to 980 ft) in the vicinity of underwater springs. The maximum age for this fish is five years.

The numbers of this fish in Lake Garda seem to be dwindling rapidly and had reduced by 80% in the ten years up to 2006.

It is suspected that this may be because of pollution of the lake, over fishing and degradation of the lake habitat, and also the 26

fish may face competition from introduced fish species such as Coregonus spp..

The IUCN has assessed this fish as being "Critically Endangered". A captive breeding project has been inaugurated and initial results show good production of eggs, fry and juveniles and low mortality rates. It is hoped to retain broodstock and later reintroduce fish into the lake.

There are current plans to introduce non-native species, which have previously been responsible for the extirpation of this species throughout its entire natural range. The introduction is for sport fishing. This sort of action has happened repeatedly throughout the region so there is a real concern that the plans will go ahead. If the introductions go ahead it is suspected that the population will decline by more than 80% within less than 10 years. It is possible that it could have arrived in the lake through existing connections to its original locations in the Tiber basin.

Only survives in Lake Scano and nowhere else. This location is outside its original natural range. It was introduced to Scano around 100–150 years ago from Lake Fucino. The population in Lake Scano has been confirmed as genetically identical to that from the original type specimens from Lake Fucino.

Potential introduction of Scardinius erythropthalmus (as planned by the local authority) which has already been responsible for its extinction throughout its former range.

Insects: A European endemic, only occurring in the border area of Bulgaria and Greece. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is less than 5000 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) is less than100 km².

There are probably fewer than 10 locations.

No information on trends or fluctuations is available, and the species is therefore classified as Near Threatened.

The Higgins’s Anomalous Blue is a mountain butterfly, found above the treeline on flower-rich, calcareous grasslands.

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The males tend to roam outside their usual habitat. Onobrychis montana ssp. scardica, a sainfoin that only grows in the Balkans, is used as foodplant. The caterpillars hibernate when they are still small, the following spring feeding on the young leaves of the sainfoin (an Eurasian perennial herb). They are often found with ants. Higgins’s Anomalous Blue has one generation a year. Habitats: mesophile grasslands (33%), screes (33%), dry calcareous grasslands and steppes (33%).

Cordulegaster trinacriae is endemic to southern Italy (Boudot 2001, Boudot et al. 2009). Its extent of occurrence covers approximately 48,000 km², but due to its restricted larval habitat and its linear distribution patterns, its known area of occupancy is around 60 km². Increased research will probably lead to the discovery of many more localities. In Sicily, the species area is fragmented due to deforestation and destruction of spring and stream habitats (Gerecke 1991) and on this island conservation measures are particularly needed. The species is common in its area of distribution in mainland Italy and its range seems to be continuous with many flourishing populations in nature reserves. However, deforestation and complete or partial water extraction at springs for human use are ongoing in several areas which will likely lead to a decline in the future. This species is listed as Near Threatened as an ongoing decline is expected although this will be less than 30% in the next 10 years.This species has been extirpated from some of its localities due to habitat destruction through deforestation and water extraction for human use. Global warming may lead to a strong reduction of the species in the future. The species occurs often in larger brooks and rivers. This fact decreases its vulnerability to desiccation due to climate change compared to other Cordulegaster species from southeast Europe.

This species is found in western Europe, from southern Sweden to northern Spain, excluding the British Isles (Audisio et al. 2007). In Denmark the species is registered from ten localities in 2008, all from southern and eastern part of the country. In France the species is reported from more than 300 localities and it is widespread distributed in the country (Tauzin 2000). According to Ranius et al. (2005) in Europe there are 2,142 localities covering 33 countries.

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This species is restricted to veteran trees, so any activities which destroy these trees (e.g. cutting down avenues) is strongly detrimental to the species. The main overall threat is likely to be degradation or loss of habitat quality, involving structural changes in the tree populations arising from changing land use â&#x20AC;&#x201C; affecting age structures and tree density.

They are important because they are coming to extinction witch means the world needs to come to a stop to killing them.The Carabo Beetle is a very big insect which is really coloful and really easy to see. They also have really long legs.

Carabo Beetles are believed to like forests and they like to rome around in them. They also like beach forests. They like almost every forest except pastures thats the only thing they hate.

Carabo beetles dont attack, they are basically regualr beetles but they do have big pinchers.

In order for carabo beetles to quit going into exticton people need to wait for them to repopulate before killing more by building ski places.

The main threat to Carabus olympiae is tourist development, in particular for the skiing industry, with the construction of ski runs and pistes severely altering the habitat, and associated roads and traffic also causing damage. Potential plans for a hydroelectric dam and for the construction of an artificial lake to feed snow-cannons have also further threatened the area.In addition, activities such as cattle grazing may alter the density of shrubs, potentially affecting Carabus olympiae , and the removal of old and dead trees as part of forest management may remove important habitat for the larvae of this and other beetle species.

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