Status of the Italian snake fauna and assessment of conservation threats

The status of the Italian snake fauna and assessment of conservation threat s are examined. Ten independent variables, known to influence survival of f ree-ranging snake populations, were scored 0-3 for each of the 19 Italian s nake species. Some of these variables were related to natural-history and e cological traits, others with distribution and adaptation to altered habita ts, and others with non-natural factors (illegal trade). An overall index o f relative environmental sensitivity for each of the 19 species was obtaine d by simple summation of scores. Principal Component Analyses were also use d to classify the species into groups vulnerable to particular threats. It was concluded that more than 50% of the Italian snake-fauna is currently un der serious threats, and that the majority of the species could decline bec ause of distribution-related parameters. Trade could negatively affect five species, especially when specific life-history attributes of these species (e.g. synchronized mating season, communal hibernacula, etc) could favour easy collection of high numbers of specimens by illegal hunters. Vipera urs inii was the one species potentially threatened by all types of threatening parameters. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.