Indagini preliminari sulla biologia riproduttiva e sugli aspetti ecologici dell'Occhione ( Burhinus oedicnemus ) nella penisola di Thapsos (Siracusa)

Abstract

The Eurasian Stone curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (Linnaeus, 1758) is currently included into the European list of species of conservation concern given the large decline of its breeding populations, which occurred during the second half of the twentieth century. A similar trend, mostly due to the fragmentation and the contraction of the potential nesting habitat, has been recorded also throughout the Italian territory and this led the species to be included into the Italian "Red List" of breeding birds. Even though its conservation status is clearly unfavourable, the data regarding the biology of Stone Curlew are rather incomplete, probably because of its elusive and mostly nocturnal habits. Such information, however, is of paramount importance to appropriately manage the populations of this species. In order to contribute to fill at least partially this gap in knowledge, we started an investigation regarding the breeding biology of the Stone Curlew in the Peninsula of Thapsos (Siracusa, Sicily), which hosts a consistent and probably resident population of this species. Starting from 2007 we intensively monitored nesting activity , gathering data on the reproductive phenology, the size of eggs and hatching success. In parallel, in an attempt to make a contribution to understand the biogeographical structure of Mediterranean populations, we began a molecular analysis of blood samples taken from birds belonging to different Italian and European populations. The results collected so far should be considered preliminary. INTRODUZIONE L'Occhione Burhinus oedicnemus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Fig. 1) è presente in Europa orientale ed occidentale, dove occupa prevalentemente regioni step-piche, aride e desertiche. È incluso nella lista delle specie d'interesse con