Explore the vast range of titles available.

The vegetarian diet of many herbivorous mammals is supplemented with proteins of animal origin, especially in young individuals and in breeding females, to provide key proteins necessary for both growth and breeding. Among porcupine species, only the Cape porcupine ( Hystrix africaeaustralis ) has been observed to consume carrion flesh. From June to August 2019, a pigeon carcass was placed together with corn in 7 study settlements and near 2 monitored capture-traps, in order to assess the carrion flesh feeding habits of the crested porcupine ( Hystrix cristata ) . Scavenging behaviour was recorded on four occasions. All the recorded individuals were adults and at least one was female. This demonstrates that the crested porcupine occasionally does eat flesh. Such evidence raises important questions concerning the relationship between feeding habits and the physiological needs of this herbivorous rodent.

The European roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) is one of the most abundant ungulate species in Europe. Many studies have investigated its distribution, behavior, and ecology, but few have focused on its role as bioindicators for pollutants, particularly regarding antlers, which has been shown to indicate also deer physiology. The presence of geothermal power plants can induce accumulation of potentially polluting elements (such as Tl, S, and Pb). Thus, we collected roe deer samples from areas of Tuscany (Italy) where power plants are present. They were divided according to whether their home range included areas close or far from geothermal power plants. We analyzed the body measurements and the profile of the minerals in the liver and antlers tissues using the ICP-OES technique. Results showed that livers from roe deer close to power plant accumulated higher quantity of Bi, Co, Ni, Tl, and S compared to controls. Males culled close to geothermal power plants had significantly lower values for weight and chest circumference, and also, the antlers showed higher values for Li and Sr in the first sampling position. Thus, despite the small sample size in this preliminary study, antlers and livers of roe deer seem to be a bioindicator of industrial impact on the environment.

The best evaluation of deer density can be achieved by accurate drive counts of deer performed in all the suitable wooded patches of the area of interest. This would provide the true density within drive areas which, in turn, should be akin to the true density within the study area. Because the drive of all these areas is prohibitive, only a subset is usually driven. Results are highly dependent on the subjective choice of the areas. In the present study, an objective design-based approach is considered to select the areas to be driven according to some probabilistic sampling schemes, and deer density in the whole collection of drive areas is estimated by means of some criteria. The schemes should be able to achieve samples of areas evenly spread onto the study region. The criteria should be able to exploit the information provided by the area sizes. Four sampling strategies are considered, together with methods to estimate their precision. They are evaluated by means of a simulation study performed on artificial and real populations. Results from artificial populations determine the best strategies to be used. Results from real populations show that precise estimates are achieved at the cost of sampling 20% of the drive areas.

Acanthocheilonema reconditum is a filarial parasite transmitted by arthropods (fleas, lice, and ticks) that infect dogs. There is minimal published data available to date on potential haematological and biochemical changes associated with this parasitic infection. Study aims were (i) provide an overview of A. reconditum in Europe, (ii) define A. reconditum prevalence and risk factors in a specific dog population (hunting) from southern Italy, and (iii) assess the frequency of haemato-biochemical abnormalities associated with infection. Blood samples collected from 3020 dogs were tested by a modified Knott’s technique to count and identify microfilariae. Eighty-four dogs were infected by A. reconditum (2.78%; 95% CI 2.19–3.37%). Microfilariae ranged from 1 to 212/ml. Based on clinical examination, all but six dogs with non-specific symptoms were healthy. Haematological abnormalities included leucocytosis (n = 15), with eosinophilia (n = 14) and monocytosis (n = 13). Serum biochemical abnormalities included increased total serum proteins (n = 19), albumins (n = 7), total globulins (n = 14), ALT (n = 1), and ALP (n = 1); one dog was hypoalbuminemic, and BUN was mildly increased in 2 dogs. Risk factors included the province origin (Napoli, OR=5.4, 95%CI: 2.1–14.0; Caserta, OR=5.1, 95%CI: 2.5–10.6), hunting wild mammals (OR=2.8, 95% 95%CI: 1.6–4.8), and ectoparasite infestation (OR=1.9, 95%CI: 1.1–3.1). There was a negative correlation between microfilaraemic load and decreased albumin level (−0.37; p=0.021). Our results showed that A. reconditum circulates within the hunting dog population of southern Italy, with seemingly low pathogenic potential.

In many ungulates, female fecundity is influenced by weather, population density and body condition. Based on a six-year survey of the reproductive tracts of adult female roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) harvested in the province of Pisa (Tuscany, central Italy), we evaluated the influence of weather, population density and individual characteristics on pregnancy rates. Eighty-five percent of females were pregnant, with a median litter size of two (range one—three). We found that pregnancy rate was positively correlated with summer rainfall and body mass of females, whereas early-winter conditions, spring rainfall, the age of females and density-dependent factors did not appear to influence pregnancy rate. These results reflect the particular seasonal variation in the abundance and quality of resources in Mediterranean habitats and show that heavier females (high-quality mothers) are more productive than lighter females.

Hunting bags should be a good measure of wild boar (Sus scrofa) abundance and/or density and can be used to analyse habitat population relationships. For this reason, the wild boar harvest of fifteen hunting areas located in southern Tuscany (from 2001 to 2005) was investigated in order to evaluate the effect of fifteen environmental variables measured by a G.I.S. software. For each hunting area the percentage of 13 land use classes was measured by intersecting hunting areas with a digitalized land-use map. Moreover the percentage of perimeter of hunting areas bordering with protected woody areas and the percentage of main water bodies were measured. Correlation and regression analyses were carried out considering the harvest density as a dependent variable. Twelve multiple regression models each including three environmental variables were ranked by the information-theroetic approach (modified Akaike’s information criterion). Protected woody areas (Parks and Wildlife Refuges), where hunting it is not allowed, resulted the most important variable predicting positively wild boar hunting yealds and may play a role in over-abundance of this species. Also young woodlands (naturally regenerated or by coppice), chestnut woods and conifer woods showed a positive effect. Models obtained from hunting data and digitalized land use maps can be very useful to plan wild boar population management at local scale. These data are generally available or quickly collectables. However habitat population relationships should be carefully interpreted considering the possible land use modifications from maps elaboration as a consequence of forest management and evolution.

Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis is a widespread parasitic disease of wild and domestic animals. In Europe, the increase in wild boar population may potentially contribute to the spread of this parasitic infection. To determine the occurrence of cysticerci (metacestodes) in wild boar population from southern Italy, carcasses were inspected during three hunting seasons (2016–2018). Out of 3363 wild boar examined, 229 (6.8%) harboured cysticerci with 188 (82.1%) infected by a single cyst, vs 41 (17.9%) boars having more than one. Most of the positive animals (187; 81.7%) showed cysts on the liver, whereas a multiple localization of cysticerci was reported in 10 (4.4%) wild boar. The total number of cysts retrieved from positive animals was 301 (average 1.3). Molecular analysis revealed the occurrence of a common haplotype (Hap 8) shared between wild boar and domestic animals. Our findings suggest the presence of a T. hydatigena semi-domestic life cycle in which wild boar may play an important role, due to a large number of offal available to hunting dogs, wolves and foxes during hunting seasons. Hunters may be players in the management of wildlife species to control and prevent the circulation of parasitic diseases.

Wild boar Sus scrofa populations have increased dramatically in recent decades throughout Europe. While hunting is widely used in management activities; it rarely has an important role in regulating and reducing wild boar populations. Therefore, increasing the efficiency of hunting is a compelling issue. In this study, we used a three-year dataset (2016–2018) on a wild boar population living in Campania (southern Italy) as a case study to explore how the hunting effort made in collective drive hunts affected the hunting rate, estimated as the number of individuals culled per day. We fitted a Linear Mixed Model, in which we included the number of wild boars culled per drive hunt as the dependent variable, and the number of beaters, shooters and dogs and the month during which hunting occurred as the predictors. A mean of 1.81 wild boars were culled per drive hunt. The number of culled animals per hunt increased with the increasing number of hunting dogs and with the progression of the hunting season (i.e., from October to December), whereas the number of beaters and shooters had no effect. Overall, we observed a low hunting rate. We suggest that adjusting the hunting calendar and reorganising wild boar collective hunts, e.g., through an appropriate management of the number and training of hunting dogs, are essential to increase the hunting rate. Our results can be useful for wildlife managers to enhance hunting contribution in counteracting the negative impact of wild boar.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum is a trematode that infects both domestic and wild animals, with transmission potentially occurring at the wildlife-domestic interface. This study aims to investigate liver fluke infection in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and its epidemiological role in central Italy, where the species coexists with domestic ruminants. A total of 265 roe deer livers were examined between 2021 and 2022 and animal data such as collection area, sex, age class, and seasonality were recorded. The livers were macroscopically examined to determine a Liver Lesion Score, and adult parasites were collected and counted. Overall, 52 of the 265 animals (19.6%) were infected by D. dendriticum flukes, identified through morphological and molecular methods. The total mean intensity of infection was 17.1 flukes per animal (ranging from 1 to 354). This study reports, for the first time, the presence of D. dendriticum in roe deer in Italy. The lower intensity of infection observed in roe deer compared to domestic animals in the literature may be related to the different dietary habits of these species. However, further studies are recommended to access (i) the potential role of roe deer as an animal in “refugia” and (ii) whether interactions between wild and domestic animals contribute to anthelmintic resistance in the latter.

Wild boar Sus scrofa populations have increased dramatically in recent decades throughout Europe. While hunting is widely used in management activities; it rarely has an important role in regulating and reducing wild boar populations. Therefore, increasing the efficiency of hunting is a compelling issue. In this study, we used a three-year dataset (2016–2018) on a wild boar population living in Campania (southern Italy) as a case study to explore how the hunting effort made in collective drive hunts affected the hunting rate, estimated as the number of individuals culled per day. We fitted a Linear Mixed Model, in which we included the number of wild boars culled per drive hunt as the dependent variable, and the number of beaters, shooters and dogs and the month during which hunting occurred as the predictors. A mean of 1.81 wild boars were culled per drive hunt. The number of culled animals per hunt increased with the increasing number of hunting dogs and with the progression of the hunting season (i.e., from October to December), whereas the number of beaters and shooters had no effect. Overall, we observed a low hunting rate. We suggest that adjusting the hunting calendar and reorganising wild boar collective hunts, e.g., through an appropriate management of the number and training of hunting dogs, are essential to increase the hunting rate. Our results can be useful for wildlife managers to enhance hunting contribution in counteracting the negative impact of wild boar.