A new species belonging to the genus Steromphala Gray, 1847 (Gastropoda Trochidae), based on shell characters is described from the Sicily Channel. Steromphala federicii n. sp. is here compared with the most closely related species showing marked sculpture, namely S. racketti (Payraudeau, 1826), and S. nivosa (A. Adams, 1853) which is endemic of the close area of Malta. The new species, exclusively found in the Skerki Bank, cannot yet be confirmed as endemic, due to the present limited knowledge about the Sicily Channel banks.

Notwithstanding few more or less recent contributions, taxonomy of the raphitomid extant species of the genus Clathromangelia Monterosato, 1884 (Gastropoda Caenogastropoda) remains almost controversial. Fossil materials revealed a wide diversity from Miocene to Pleistocene. Representatives in this genus seem to be almost exclusively Mediterranean, with only few doubtful taxa described for extra-Mediterranean localities. Species in the C. granum (R.A. Philippi, 1844) complex are here revised starting from the type material, among which the lectotype here designed. Two species are here described as new: C. fatamorganae n. sp. and C. martinastellae n. sp.

We reported the first record of Tarentola parvicarinata Joger, 1980 (Squamata Phyllodactylidae) from Mondoukou, Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire based on photographic and genetic evidence. A breeding population was observed near human settlement in the area. Morpho logically, the specimens were consistent with the original descriptions of T. parvicarinata from Mali. Genetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene fragment revealed low genetic divergence between the Côte d’Ivoire and Mali popula tions. Phylogenetically, the samples clustered with the sequence of T. parvicarinata from Mali and Mauritania. We also provided additional data on its natural history in Côte d’Ivoire. Future in-depth studies and broader scale sampling in the country are needed to investigate its distribution, ecology and genetic diversity.

During a study on the reproduction of Elaphe quatuorlineata (Bonnaterre, 1790) (Reptilia Serpentes) bifid clear formations were occasionally observed being expelled by gravid females along with false feces (without the figurative component). These occurrences were typically noted approximately two weeks prior to ovodeposition, often in conjunction with the pre-ovodeposition molt. Through comparative bibliographic research, these structures were identified as copulatory spines or plugs produced by males during copulation. Their expulsion, occurring about two weeks prior to ovodeposition, was likely caused by the pressure exerted by the eggs along the oviducts.

The occurrence of the dwarf snake Eirenis modestus (Martin, 1838) (Reptilia Squamata) in the Dodecanese Islet of Telendos (Greece) is reported here for the first time.

Maraone islet is located 6,700 m from the north-western coast of Sicily (Italy) and 5,000 m from the island of Levanzo island and has a surface area of 31,000 m² and a maximum height of 5 m above sea level. In recent years, we have conducted naturalistic research on this islet and in the following paper provide an initial checklist of the fauna that we have recorded there. The largest group of animal species was Insecta (49.6%), representing almost half of the total number of animal species present on Maraone islet. No previous faunistic research has been conducted on Maraone islet and almost all of the species recorded are new to the island. Among the most interesting findings was the discovery, for example, of the Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia Gekkonidae) for the first time on the islet and the description of Alphasida (Glabrasida) grossa livrerii n. ssp. (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae). Several taxa are still the subject of more in-depth studies, as most of the sampling was extremely conservative in respect of the small size of the island, the small fauna populations living there, and the delicate ecological balance present. Finally, some ecological observations are provided on the fauna surveyed, their trophic niches and the ecological role of Malva arborea, the most common plant on Maraone islet and of vital importance to most species in this faunal community.

Hygienic behaviour in honey bees is known for associating with parasite and disease resistance but the mechanisms influencing this behaviour are not well known. We studied the hygienic relationship between the age of combs and colony strength of East African lowland honey bees Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera Apidae) in Top-bar hives (n = 24) selected from an apiary located in an African tropical rainforest. The findings indicated that over 24 hours, there was no interaction between hygienic behaviour and colony strength (P=0.9707). Hygienic behaviour was also independent of the age of the honeycomb (P=0.9859). There was a non-significant difference in the number of cells cleaned, for both Young and Old combs; and between two levels of colony strength (Strong Vs Weak) during the day, with that number getting closer after 24 hours. There was an efficient rate of hygienic response during the night than during daytime when strong colonies cleaned 32.35% of debris while the weak colonies did 20.55%; but at night, the cleaning rate rose to 65.85% in strong and 73.9% among the weak colonies. Overnight, weak and new colonies cleaned >96% of the cells attributable to the presence of a big population of worker bees at night, and minimal colony activities notably foraging activity at that time. Whereas hygienic behaviour was not directed towards colony strength and age of the combs in 24 hours, there is a need for maintaining strong colonies. Since the rate of cell cleaning was higher at night than during the day, colony operations and hive disturbances should be done at night as opposed to daytime.

The Sanderling Calidris alba (J.F. Gmelin, 1788) overwinters along the sandy coasts of Italy with an average of about 546 individuals for the years 2006–2010, showing a positive long-term increase. The species regularly overwinters in Sicily, for which the latest estimate reports 30–130 individuals in the years 2000–2004. Since no further updated estimates are available, new data were collected every winter on the field during the years 2015–2022, monitoring the most suitable stretches of beaches and collecting additional data from birdwatchers and photographers. A wintering regional population with an average of 100 individuals per year (65–136) was recorded, with an estimate of 145 individuals per year (110–180). The sandy coast of the Gulf of Gela hosts 54% of the recorded regional wintering population and about 10% of the whole Italian population and can therefore be considered a “site of national importance”. Other important areas are the Gulf of Catania, which hosts 24% of the regional population and 4.57% of the Italian population, and some sandy coasts of Ragusa’s province. This survey shows an increase of the regional wintering population in the last decades, highlighting Sicily’s role at national level for the wintering of the species. Conservation measures and sustainable management of Sicilian sandy coasts are strongly recommended to support the wintering of C. alba and other species of shorebirds.

The land planarian Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878 (Tricladida Geoplanidae) is a native flatworm species from Southeast Asia, but it has been introduced to about 50 countries, where it represents a dangerous alien organism.In this note, we report the first record of this species for the island of Ischia (Campania, Italy).

On 9 July 2021 the Museum of Zoology of the University of Catania (Italy), the oldest Sicilian zoological museum whose foundation dates back to 1853 by Prof. Andrea Aradas, reopened to the public with a new layout, which involved the elimination of all the showcases in which the specimens were displayed. The new project instead envisaged that all the vertebrate specimens present in the main room, around 170, are arranged on open platforms and grouped according to systematic or biogeographical criteria. An emotional museum was thus created in which the elimination of the showcases and the possibility to walk among the exhibits without barriers or limitations increase the emotional and emphatic involvement of the visitor, helping the transmission of information on biodiversity and the relationship between man and nature.