Papers by Daniela Cataldo
online. A re-examination of herbarium material together with some new finds from Southern Italy (... more online. A re-examination of herbarium material together with some new finds from Southern Italy (the regions Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Puglia and Sicilia) resulted in a list of 39 lichenicolous fungi (and 8 species of lichenicolous lichens). Six of them are new to Italy [Arthonia caerulescens (Almq.) R.Sant., Arthonia protoparmeliae Etayo, Arthonia xanthoparmeliarum Etayo, Tremella diploschistina Millanes & al., Verrucoccum coppinsii V. Atienza & al. and Zwackhiomyces polischukii Darmostuk & Khodos.] and 13 new to the respective region. The species Lichenotubeufia calabrica Brackel, Sphaerellothecium nimisii Brackel & Puntillo and Stigmidium hypogymniae Brackel are described as new to science.
Nova Hedwigia, Nov 20, 2019
A comparative analysis of the bryophytes and lichens used as environmental bioindicators of three... more A comparative analysis of the bryophytes and lichens used as environmental bioindicators of three Oriented Nature Reserves of the Ionian coast of Sicily (Italy) is presented. For this purpose, ecological and bio-ecological indices (Ellenberg indices, life form, life strategy, human impact, poleotolerance) were considered. Comparing the ecological data, the bryophytes result more tolerant than lichens of shaded condition, moist substrate, conversely, lichens reveal higher resistance to xericity and eutrophication and a preference towards the conditions of photophily. Relating to the bio-ecological parameters, bryophytes and lichens agree in revealing a more marked anthropic disturbance in the ONR Oasi del Simeto, a moderate disturbance in the ONR Fiume Fiumefreddo and even more moderate in the ONR La Timpa, the best preserved Reserve.
The aim of this research was to obtain as much information as possible from the census of the flo... more The aim of this research was to obtain as much information as possible from the census of the flora of two SIC located on the Mounts Nebrodi, which are very similar in features stational, but rather different for certain environmental characteristics and management. The response was positive, the research showed several matches between the information obtained and available. In particular: the presence of human disturbance, humid microclimate and management were found to be the most important factors in selecting a quality epiphytic flora rich in species, but also an indicator of ecological continuity.
Italian botanist, Mar 21, 2018
In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are... more In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Diplophyllum and Ptychostomum, the fungal genera Arrhenia, Gymnosporangium, and Sporidesmium and the lichen genera Arthonia,
XXIX Convegno della Società Lichenologica Italiana, 2016
The aim of this research was to obtain as much information as possible from the census of the flo... more The aim of this research was to obtain as much information as possible from the census of the flora of two SIC located on the Mounts Nebrodi, which are very similar in features stational, but rather different for certain environmental characteristics and management. The response was positive, the research showed several matches between the information obtained and available. In particular: the presence of human disturbance, humid microclimate and management were found to be the most important factors in selecting a quality epiphytic flora rich in species, but also an indicator of ecological continuity.
This paper regards a research conducted on terrestrial and epiphytic lichen flora growing in an e... more This paper regards a research conducted on terrestrial and epiphytic lichen flora growing in an extensive juniper bush, Juniperus turbinata Guss. (Pinales Cupressaceae), in southeast Sicily. The flora recorded, although small in number, 29 species in all, includes several species quite rare in Italy or Sicily. One in particular, Heppia adglutinata (Kremp.) A. Massal. is new for Sicily and it is however rather rare in the Mediterranean area. Some considerations about the distribution and ecology of the found species are done.
Quaternary International, 2019
New dating of rapid vertical deformation of Santa Tecla Fault (Mt. Etna volcano, Sicily) scarps b... more New dating of rapid vertical deformation of Santa Tecla Fault (Mt. Etna volcano, Sicily) scarps by Lichenometry method.
Biological Conservation, 2016
Similarly to other Mediterranean regions, Italy is expected to experience dramatic climatic chang... more Similarly to other Mediterranean regions, Italy is expected to experience dramatic climatic changes in the coming decades. Do to their poikilohydric nature, lichens are among the most sensitive organisms to climate change and species requiring temperate-humid conditions may rapidly decline in Italy, such in the case of the epiphytic Lobaria species that are confined to humid forests. Our study, based on ecological niche modelling of occurrence data of three Lobaria species, revealed that in the next decades climate change will impact their distribution range across Italy, predicting a steep gradient of increasing range loss across time slices. Lobaria species are therefore facing a high extinction risk associated with reduction of their range. The current patterns indicate that only L. pulmonaria still has a continuous distribution across Italy, with potential contact between Apennine and Alpine populations. This situation is consistent with the wider climatic niche of this species, still offering a major opportunity for its successful long-term conservation. Results (a) support the inclusion of the three Lobaria species in European conservation policies, such as the Habitat Directive, and (b) warn against an over-estimation of the indicator power of single flagship species to establish conservation priorities for lichens, indicating that even lichens with peculiar and similar climatic envelopes may fail to co-occur within a given forest stand. A multiple indicator approach could provide more useful tools for a community-based conservation strategy for epiphytes.
Endocrine, Jan 5, 2015
The increased thyroid cancer incidence in volcanic areas suggests an environmental effect of volc... more The increased thyroid cancer incidence in volcanic areas suggests an environmental effect of volcanic-originated carcinogens. To address this problem, we evaluated environmental pollution and biocontamination in a volcanic area of Sicily with increased thyroid cancer incidence. Thyroid cancer epidemiology was obtained from the Sicilian Regional Registry for Thyroid Cancer. Twenty-seven trace elements were measured by quadrupole mass spectrometry in the drinking water and lichens (to characterize environmental pollution) and in the urine of residents (to identify biocontamination) in the Mt. Etna volcanic area and in adjacent control areas. Thyroid cancer incidence was 18.5 and 9.6/10(5) inhabitants in the volcanic and the control areas, respectively. The increase was exclusively due to the papillary histotype. Compared with control areas, in the volcanic area many trace elements were increased in both drinking water and lichens, indicating both water and atmospheric pollution. Diffe...
Lichens are common components of microbiotic soil crusts. In this paper are listed 14 species bel... more Lichens are common components of microbiotic soil crusts. In this paper are listed 14 species belonging to 10 genera. The survey was conducted within the protected area "Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari" optimal habitat for the development and protection of these terricolous communities. Also it has been highlighted the role of biological crusts, the importance of their keeping and possible disturbances.
Plant Biosystems, 2012
A new species of Stipa, endemic to Sicily, named Stipa valdemonensis is described here. The new t... more A new species of Stipa, endemic to Sicily, named Stipa valdemonensis is described here. The new taxon is related to Stipa crassiculmis. Owing to the small number of individuals observed, in few restricted localities only, it is assigned the IUCN threat status “vulnerable”.
Nova Hedwigia, 2019
A comparative analysis of the bryophytes and lichens used as environmental bioindicators of three... more A comparative analysis of the bryophytes and lichens used as environmental bioindicators of three Oriented Nature Reserves of the Ionian coast of Sicily (Italy) is presented. For this purpose, ecological and bio-ecological indices (Ellenberg indices, life form, life strategy, human impact, poleotolerance) were considered. Comparing the ecological data, the bryophytes result more tolerant than lichens of shaded condition, moist substrate, conversely, lichens reveal higher resistance to xericity and eutrophication and a preference towards the conditions of photophily. Relating to the bio-ecological parameters, bryophytes and lichens agree in revealing a more marked anthropic disturbance in the ONR Oasi del Simeto, a moderate disturbance in the ONR Fiume Fiumefreddo and even more moderate in the ONR La Timpa, the best preserved Reserve.
Quaternary international, 2019
The eastern slope of Mt. Etna is characterised by shallow seismicity originating from normal-obli... more The eastern slope of Mt. Etna is characterised by shallow seismicity originating from normal-oblique faulting, Timpe Fault System, related to WNW-ESE regional extension. Recent research has demonstrated that in the fault population of Mt. Etna's eastern flank the minimum earthquake magnitude that will have a ground rupture effect is ca. 2.5. This system is characterised by high frequency seismic activity, due to thinned seismogenic crustal layer. This characteristic, together with the high density of the fault segments, does not always for identification of the segments responsible for the earthquake. The earthquakes, affecting the medium-lower eastern flank, have been historically reconstructed by macro-seismic analysis and reported in a macroseismic database, and in recent decades by instrumental seismic registration , which provide the seismological parameters capable of evaluating focal mechanism, hypocentre and relative algorithms related to geometric parameters which contr...
NOVA HEDWIGIA, 2019
A comparative analysis of the bryophytes and lichens used as environmental bioindicators of three... more A comparative analysis of the bryophytes and lichens used as environmental bioindicators of three Oriented Nature Reserves of the Ionian coast of Sicily (Italy) is presented. For this purpose, ecological and bio-ecological indices (Ellenberg indices, life form, life strategy, human impact, poleotolerance) were considered. Comparing the ecological data, the bryophytes result more tolerant than lichens of shaded condition, moist substrate, conversely, lichens reveal higher resistance to xericity and eutrophication and a preference towards the conditions of photophily. Relating to the bio-ecological parameters, bryophytes and lichens agree in revealing a more marked anthropic disturbance in the ONR Oasi del Simeto, a moderate disturbance in the ONR Fiume Fiumefreddo and even more moderate in the ONR La Timpa, the best preserved Reserve.
Quaternary international, 2019
The eastern slope of Mt. Etna is characterised by shallow seismicity originating from normal-obli... more The eastern slope of Mt. Etna is characterised by shallow seismicity originating from normal-oblique faulting, Timpe Fault System, related to WNW-ESE regional extension. Recent research has demonstrated that in the fault population of Mt. Etna's eastern flank the minimum earthquake magnitude that will have a ground rupture effect is ca. 2.5. This system is characterised by high frequency seismic activity, due to thinned seismogenic crustal layer. This characteristic, together with the high density of the fault segments, does not always for identification of the segments responsible for the earthquake. The earthquakes, affecting the medium-lower eastern flank, have been historically reconstructed by macro-seismic analysis and reported in a macroseismic database, and in recent decades by instrumental seismic registration , which provide the seismological parameters capable of evaluating focal mechanism, hypocentre and relative algorithms related to geometric parameters which control the growth of fault segments. In this paper, we present a methodology to evaluate the age of the rapid exhumation of the free-face fault plane of the NNW-SSE oriented normal fault segment named S. Tecla (Timpe Fault System). It consists of the measurement of the thalli species (Lichenometry method) in order to evaluate the parameters which characterise their growth. The seismic history of the S. Tecla Fault indicates eight certain events from 1865 to 2005 with 3.4 ÷ 4.7 Magnitude (De Guidi et al., 2012 and reference therein). We found evidence of two different recent rapid vertical deformation events at the base of the S. Tecla fault escarpment, the oldest 20 m long and 0.25 m in height, and the youngest with a 0.02 m high nude surface exposed. We have observed that there are thalli of Xanthoparmelia conspersa (Ehrh. Ex Ach.) Hale, colonizing part of the nude surface on the escarpment. The results highlight that the oldest thalli was dated at 43.7 years old, showing that rapid vertical deformation generated the surface where the thalli, after 4 years, took root. The displacement of this surface could be related to the seismic events occurring on 3rd August 1973 (3.8 M) in S. M. Ammalati area probably accompanied by intense post seismic deformation. The second and last event could be attributable to a 3.1 M seismic event occurring on 25th September 2014 (ISIDe, 2016).
Viene presentata la flora orchidologica localizzata in un’area della media valle del fiume
Alcant... more Viene presentata la flora orchidologica localizzata in un’area della media valle del fiume
Alcantara, in un contesto territoriale alquanto disturbato dalla presenza antropica. Le specie
rinvenute, di cui alcune di particolare significato, andrebbero salvaguardate mediante adeguati
provvedimenti di tutela, tali da consentire le utilizzazioni in atto del territorio.
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Papers by Daniela Cataldo
Alcantara, in un contesto territoriale alquanto disturbato dalla presenza antropica. Le specie
rinvenute, di cui alcune di particolare significato, andrebbero salvaguardate mediante adeguati
provvedimenti di tutela, tali da consentire le utilizzazioni in atto del territorio.
Alcantara, in un contesto territoriale alquanto disturbato dalla presenza antropica. Le specie
rinvenute, di cui alcune di particolare significato, andrebbero salvaguardate mediante adeguati
provvedimenti di tutela, tali da consentire le utilizzazioni in atto del territorio.