Destinations Magazine

The Fauna of the Apennine-Lucan Park, a Vast System of Protected Areas.

By Hugor @msdiaz61

The Park area influences and is influenced by the wildlife communities of the neighboring parks and guarantees genetic exchanges among the populations hosted in this vast system of protected areas.

The environmental variability is reflected in a good diversity of fauna.

Aquatic ecosystems are rich in Amphibians and Crustaceans. Among the Amphibians it is necessary to remember the widespread presence of the Italian newt (Lissotriton italicus) of the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina pachypus), of the spectacled salamander (Salamandrina tergiditata) and of Hyla Intermedia.

The most important crustaceans are: the Crab (Potamon fluvialis fluvialis) and the Shrimp (Austropotamobius pallipes); the latter, among other things, represents an important indicator of water quality.

These Crustaceans together with the rich Fishes present in Lake Pertusillo constitute an important aquatic community and represent an indispensable food source for rare and significant species such as the Otter (Lutra lutra).

Along with Cyprinids such as Cavedano (Leuciscus cephalus) and Rovella (Rutilius rubio), both the brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) and the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), the bleak (Alburnus alburnus alborella) are found in the waters of the lake , the Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and many other species.

The fauna of the Apennine-Lucan park, a vast system of protected areas.

Rivers and humid environments represent the ideal environment also for different species of birds frequenting inland waters, some of which are migratory, such as the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) which is a nesting species and the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia). Always among the waders are frequenters of the lake and of the swamps: the greater white Heron (Egretta alba), the red Heron (Ardea purpurea) and the more common Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea); species such as the Garzetta (Egretta garzetta), the Spatula (Platalea leucorodia) and the Cavaliere d'Italia (Himantopus himantopus) are easily seen as well as the Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). Another noteworthy presence is that of the Capovaccaio (Neophron percnopterus), a nesting species in the territory of the Park.

The open spaces at high altitudes, over 1500 meters, are the domain of the large birds of prey that for some years have seen the return of erratic individuals of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the stable presence of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the imperial crow (Corvus corax). A little further down, in ancient forests the presence of the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is also reported, while in the hilly areas the Red Kite (Milvus milvus) and the Poiana (Buteo buteo) are particularly abundant. In wet environments it is possible to spot the Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus).

Among the reptiles there is the water turtle (Hemys orbicularis) and the rare Hermann turtle of land (Testudo hermanni). Among the large snakes it is common to find the Cervone (Elaphe quatuorlineata) and the Saettone (Zamenis lineatus) and it is not rare to find

The fauna of the Apennine-Lucan park, a vast system of protected areas.
apparently in the Viper (Vipera aspis) frequenting warmer and dry environments. Very interesting are the colonies of Luscengola (Chalcides chalcides) in high altitude meadows where it is also possible to see the Orbettino (Anguis fragilis), Sauri with reduced or absent limbs.

The varied terrestrial environments are the kingdom of numerous species of small and rare carnivorous mammals such as the Puzzola (Mustela puteorius) and the wild cat (Felis silvestris). The Wolf (Canis lupus) is undoubtedly the terrestrial predator at the top of the food pyramid that sees among its favorite prey the Wild boar (Sus scrofa), very diffused in the Park.

The mountain and foothill meadows, in addition to offering shelter to the Porcupine (Hystrix cristata), are the elective environments of the timid European Hare (Lepus capensis) which is prey to the much more common Fox (Vulpes vulpes).

Among the insects, the presence of Rosalia alpina is worthy of note, a beetle that with its lively color makes its presence appear in the most mature forests along the entire mountain ridge.

avifauna

The fauna of the Apennine-Lucan park, a vast system of protected areas.

Chiotteri

The fauna of the Apennine-Lucan park, a vast system of protected areas.

Amphibians

The fauna of the Apennine-Lucan park, a vast system of protected areas.

Mammals

The fauna of the Apennine-Lucan park, a vast system of protected areas.

Back to Featured Articles on Logo Paperblog