No. 4 - Autumn 1997

SNOW VOLE - CHIONOMYS NIVALIS (MARTINS 1842).
G. Janeau & S. Aulagnier


Abstract -

LIPOID PNEUMONIA IN THE RED FOX (VULPES VULPES).
F. Guarda, E. Bollo & E. Macchi

Abstract - Eight red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) out of 182 examined animals, either found dead or shot in Cuneo and Vercelli provinces (Italy) during 1993, showed pulmonary lesions characteristic of lipoid pneumonia. Histological examination showed an infiltration by vacuolated macrophages, containing sudanophilic material. Associated lesions were represented by bronchitis, localized emphysema and peribronchiolar aggregates of lymphoid nodules. The concomitant localized inflammatory process might be responsible for post-obstructive lipoid pneumonia.

INSECTIVORA, CHIROPTERA, LAGOMORPHA, RODENTIA AND CARNIVORAOF THE GRAN PARADISO NATIONAL PARK CHECKLIST AND PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION.
E. Patriarca & P. Debernardi

Abstract - Between 1992 and 1996 a survey was carried out in the Gran Paradiso National Park (Western Italian Alps) in order to draw up a species list and collect ecological information on the different taxa of the orders of Insectivora, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia and Carnivora, excluding marmot and fox. Data were obtained from different sources, among which: sighting, trapping, inspection of discarded bottles, pellet analysis and visit to potential bat roost sites. With the exception of data from pellets, records are reported with regard to seven habitat types: human settlements, deciduous woods, mixed woods, coniferous woods, ecotones (stream edges and grassland close to woods), green alder shrubwoods and alpine open habitats far from woodland. At a more detailed level the composition of communities of woodland Insectivores and Rodents is described. In deciduous forests the most frequently trapped taxa were Clethrionomys glareolus, Apodemus sp. and Sorex araneus; in coniferous woods the dominant species were Clethrionomys glareolus and Eliomys quercinus.

NEW SURVEY OF THE BRYOPHYTE FLORA OF THE GRAN PARADISO NATIONAL PARK AND ITS IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS PRELIMINARY RESULT.
R. Schumacker & Z. Soldán

Abstract - During the summers 1994 and 1995, 55 localities, inside the Gran Paradiso National Park or in its immediate surroundings, have been investigated for their bryophyte flora. Until now, 363 species have been recorded: 92 liverworts and 271 mosses. This represents 33% of the total number of bryophytes recorded in Italy.
Among the liverworts:
- 75 are new for the P.N.G.P.,
- 21 are new for the Aosta Region,
- 13 are new for the Piedmont Region,
- 8 are new for Italy.
Among the mosses:
- 164 are new for the P.N.G.P.,
- 29 are new for the Aosta Region,
- 18 are new for the Piedmont Region,
- 2 are new for Italy.
Furthermore 26 liverworts and 77 mosses considered as more or less threatened in Italy have been collected in the P.N.G.P. Among them 11 liverworts and 18 mosses, not observed since more than 50 years, which were considered as vanished from the Italian territory. It is already obvious that the P.N.G.P. represents an exceptionally rich region for bryophytes in Italy and an invaluable sanctuary for very rare or heavily threatened species in Italy as in Europe.