Mammals

Texts by Mario Spagnesi
Drawings by Umberto Catalano

Taken from "Iconography of the Mammals of Italy", published by the Ministry of the Environment and the National Institute of Wildlife.

None of the mammals found in our country can be considered aquatic in the strict sense of the word, but some species lead aquatic lives, that is, they spend a large part of their lives in water, which is a basic, if not primary, component of their habitat. Among the latter, there are few that have adapted to brackish water. Much more numerous are the mammals that reside at the edges of wetlands or even in the areas that have been created, but they are not tied to aquatic ecosystems.

Species that are permanently or occasionally present in the Cannevié Valley

• Arvicola acquatica (Arvicola amphibius)
• Donnola (Mustela nivalis)
• Nutria (Myocastor coypus)
• Ratto nero (Rattus rattus)
• Riccio (Erinaceus europaeus)
• Surmolotto (Rattus norvegicus)
• Talpa europea (Talpa europea)
• Tasso (Meles meles)
• Volpe (Vulpes vulpes)

Fish

Texts by Mario Spagnesi
Drawings by Titti di Rousi

taken from "Iconography of the Fishes of the Inland Waters of Italy," published by: Ministry of the Environment and National Institute for Wildlife.

The fish fauna of Valle Cannevié is typical of brackish lagoons, environments where variable salinity and large temperature ranges are the most significant limiting factors. Few species are able to survive in such particular situations, but due to the lack of interspecific competition they give rise to populations with high numbers of individuals.

Species reported in Cannevié Valley

• Anguilla (Anguilla anguilla)
• Branzino (Dicentrarchus labrax)
• Cefalo (Mugil cephalus)
• Latterino (Atherina boyeri)
• Muggine musino (Liza saliens)
• Nono (Aphanius fasciatus)

Reptiles

Texts by Mario Spagnesi
Photo by Marco Andreani

There are few species of Reptiles that live permanently linked to the aquatic environment. Those present in Italy are moreover dulciacquicolous, so the environmental conditions of brackish water wetlands are not very favorable to them. For this reason, the herpetological fauna in Valle Cannevié is represented by few species.

Species reported in the Cannevié Valley

• Biacco (Coluber viridiflavus)
• Biscia dal collare (Natrix natrix)
• Lucertola campestre (Podarcis siculus)
• Ramarro (Lacerta viridis)

Birds

Texts by Mario Spagnesi
Drawings by Umberto Catalano

Taken from "Iconography of the Birds of Italy," published by: Ministry of the Environment and National Institute for Wildlife

Of the fascinating world of marshes and lagoons, animated by complex animal communities, ranging from the simplest microscopic organisms to mammals, it is the birds that most strike the naturalist for the high concentration of species and especially for the numerous forms, colors, and evolutionary adaptations that allow them to occupy the most diverse ecological niches offered by wetlands.

Valle Cannevié is of considerable interest to avifauna both as a place of temporary rest and feeding during the fall and spring migration flight, as a staging area for the winter period, and finally as a nesting area.

Airone bianco Airone cenerino Airone rosso Albastrello Allodola Alzavola Aquila minore Avocetta Ballerina bianca Barbagianni Beccaccino Canapiglia Cavaliere d’Italia Cigno reale Civetta Codone Colombaccio Combattente Cormorano Corriere piccolo Fagiano Falco di palude Fenicottero Fischione

Folaga Fraticello Gabbiano comune Gabbiano corallino Gabbiano reale Gabbiano roseo Gallinella d’acqua Garzetta Gazza Germano reale Gheppio Ghiandaia Gufo comune Marangone minore Martin pescatore Marzaiola Merlo Mestolone Moretta Moriglione Nitticora Pantana Passero Pavoncella

Pettegola Piovanello Piro piro boschereccio Piro-piro culbianco Piro piro piccolo Pittima reale Poiana Porciglione Quattrocchi Scricciolo Sgarza ciuffetto Sterna comune Sterna maggiore Sterna zampenere Storno Svasso maggiore Tarabusino Tordo bottaccio Tordo sassello Totano moro Tuffetto Volpoca