Here some photos from our last trip. In this occasion we sampled entire individuals of Dolichopoda cave crickets and we collected three typologies of samples from Speleomantes italicus: skin swabs, stomach contents, tail tissue.
At the end of March 2025, a winter monitoring campaign focused on collecting data on amphibians was carried out in key sites of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Tuscany as part of ongoing research and monitoring projects. The fieldwork involved the collection of biological and biometric samples, such as stomach contents and biometric parameters, from multiple species of anurans and urodeles, with the aim of implementing studies on population genetics, health status, and trophic ecology.
Particularly relevant was the opportunity to collect data on Proteus anguinus, the only European cave-adapted amphibian species and a strict troglobiont endemic to the Dinaric Karst. This species, listed among the most strictly protected under both national and international legislation, is notoriously difficult to study due to its subterranean habitat and conservation sensitivity.
During the field activities, researchers successfully performed — for the first time on P. anguinus — the non-invasive stomach flushing technique. This method allows the collection of information on the latest foraging activities of species, enabling dietary analysis without causing harm to the animal.
This winter monitoring campaign also included the collection of data on surface-dwelling amphibians, which contributed to existing datasets from several projects and long-term monitoring programs aimed at assessing population status, genetic variability, and the study of the trophic niche of this species.
This event took place in L’Aquila (Italy) on 28/02/2025
Farda B., Coppari L., Lunghi E., Pellegrini M. (2024). Development of a sampling and preservation protocol for cutaneous bacterial communities of Speleomantes
Here some photos from our trip. In this occasion we collected gut contents and skin swabs from Speleomantes italicus.
Wonderfull moments spent in Borneo and in Sardinia! For the ICSB conference check also the dedicated section.
Preliminary results: Preliminary data on the presenceof trace elementsin cave water and soil
Members from University of L’Aquila and University of Calabria started to collect soil samples from caves. A nice “dirty” activity we enjoyed for a couple of weeks on Apennines. We sampled soil inside and outside 17 caves located in Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo.
