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Pond macroinvertebrates of the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano (Rome): a review of ecological aspects and selecting indicator taxa for conservation

  • Coastal Forest Ecosystem near Rome
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Abstract

Macroinvertebrates of 49 (27 temporary and 22 permanent) ponds located in the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano (Rome) were studied from 1989 to 2004 to investigate their community ecology and to provide a first estimation of their conservation value. More than 300 taxa (about 70 % identified to species) were collected. The main environmental factors influencing the number of species in the study ponds were hydroperiod length, depth, surface area, dissolved oxygen concentration and macrophyte species richness and abundances. Permanent biotopes generally hosted higher number of taxa than temporary ones. Some taxa were exclusive or more abundant in a pond type. Functional organization (functional feeding groups, habits and resistance to desiccation) of the community appeared similar in the two pond types but differed among mesohabitats. Up to date, about 62 % of the taxa collected have an unknown status with respect to their distribution in Italy (common, rare, threatened and vulnerable). We identified 50 target species with peculiar ecological requirements and/or geographical distribution to promote effective practical basis for pond conservation in Italy. The distribution of rare, vulnerable or threatened species within the ponds studied suggests that the two pond types and all mesohabitats therein should be considered for the sampling procedure to obtain a correct evaluation of pond conservation.

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Acknowledgments

I wish to thank S. Baldoni, C. Coccia, V. Della Bella, S. Giangi, F. Grezzi and M. Seminara for their help in the field and laboratory work in different periods of study. This work relied on the invaluable help provided by the following specialists in the identification of some taxonomic groups: A. Carapezza (Heteroptera), G. Carchini (Odonata), F. Cianficconi (Trichoptera), L. De Marzo (larval Coleoptera), M. Di Luca (Diptera Culicidae), A. Di Sabatino (Hydracarina), M. Iberite (macrophytes), G. Manganelli (Gastropoda) and F. Pederzani (adult Coleoptera). Some taxonomic experts cited above provided also information on the distribution and conservation status of species in Italy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Biology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 32, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Marcello Bazzanti

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  1. Marcello Bazzanti
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Correspondence to Marcello Bazzanti.

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This peer-reviewed article is a result of the multidisciplinary project coordinated by the ‘‘Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze detta dei XL’’, Rome, Italy, in the area of the presidential estate of Castelporziano near Rome.

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Bazzanti, M. Pond macroinvertebrates of the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano (Rome): a review of ecological aspects and selecting indicator taxa for conservation. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 26 (Suppl 3), 337–343 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-015-0431-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-015-0431-4

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