Many examples of endemic insular faunas are documented by the paleontological record. The endemisms consist mainly in size variations, which affect mammals in particular. Significant cases are shown by the mammals of the Mediterranean islands, at least since the Eraly Tertiary. The insular mammal assemblages are characterized by a very low taxonomic diversity, due to the filtering effects of the connections with the mainland areas. The commonest trends of endemization are the size decrease of large-sized mammals, such as Proboscideans and Artiodactyks, and the size incease of micromammals, such as Insectivores and Rodents. These modifications are generally supposed to be most of all a consequence of a genetic isolation from continental populations, a quantitative and qualitative reduction of food supply, an alteration of intraspecific competition, the lack of large-sized carnivores, and possibly, in micromammals, also endothermic adaptations and/or a defence from birds of prey. Among the Mediterranean island faunas, significant examples are those for the Balearics, Corsica and Sardinia, the Tuscan archipelago, the "fossil islands" of Gargano and, Souther Calabria, Sicily, Malta, Crete, several Aegean islands and Cyprus. A relatively short time may be needed to produce these specializations, as the cases of the deer of Capri, Pianosa and of the extra-Mediterranean islands of Lersey and Oronsay and of the dwarf mammaoths of Wrangel Island, in the Arctic Ocean, seem to suggest. The constance of patterns shown by the insular mammals attest to the fact that their endemic modifications are the normality and not the exception.Is all this not a possible "treatment" for the "insular syndrome"?

Is there any paleontological "treatment" for the "insular syndrome"? / M. Masseti; P. Mazza. - In: VIE ET MILIEU. - ISSN 0240-8759. - STAMPA. - 46 (3/4):(1996), pp. 355-363.

Is there any paleontological "treatment" for the "insular syndrome"?

MAZZA, PAUL
1996

Abstract

Many examples of endemic insular faunas are documented by the paleontological record. The endemisms consist mainly in size variations, which affect mammals in particular. Significant cases are shown by the mammals of the Mediterranean islands, at least since the Eraly Tertiary. The insular mammal assemblages are characterized by a very low taxonomic diversity, due to the filtering effects of the connections with the mainland areas. The commonest trends of endemization are the size decrease of large-sized mammals, such as Proboscideans and Artiodactyks, and the size incease of micromammals, such as Insectivores and Rodents. These modifications are generally supposed to be most of all a consequence of a genetic isolation from continental populations, a quantitative and qualitative reduction of food supply, an alteration of intraspecific competition, the lack of large-sized carnivores, and possibly, in micromammals, also endothermic adaptations and/or a defence from birds of prey. Among the Mediterranean island faunas, significant examples are those for the Balearics, Corsica and Sardinia, the Tuscan archipelago, the "fossil islands" of Gargano and, Souther Calabria, Sicily, Malta, Crete, several Aegean islands and Cyprus. A relatively short time may be needed to produce these specializations, as the cases of the deer of Capri, Pianosa and of the extra-Mediterranean islands of Lersey and Oronsay and of the dwarf mammaoths of Wrangel Island, in the Arctic Ocean, seem to suggest. The constance of patterns shown by the insular mammals attest to the fact that their endemic modifications are the normality and not the exception.Is all this not a possible "treatment" for the "insular syndrome"?
1996
46 (3/4)
355
363
M. Masseti; P. Mazza
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/503859
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 7
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 6
social impact