Indagine, tramite fototrappolaggio su siti di attrazione, sulla distribuzione dei carnivori di medio-piccola taglia nelle Prealpi orientali del veneto: sviluppo di una metodica ripetibile (CARNIVORA)

Survey of small and medium-size Carnivores in the Eastern Venetian Prealps, based on camera-trapping in attraction sites: development of a replicable methodology.Ecological data, especially distribution, on medium and small-size Carnivores in the Veneto region appear to be scarce, poorly updated and of low quality. The present field survey was developed with the contribution of the Associazione Faunisti Veneti, within the framework of the Atlas of the Mammals of Veneto. The survey focused on four areas in the Eastern Prealps of the Veneto region (Alpago, Integral Nature Reserve Piaie Longhe-Millifret, Grappa Massif and Cesen-Col Visentin ridge). The survey employed two different methods: the collection of traces of presence of target mammals along predetermined transects (“naturalistic” method) and infrared camera trapping at baited sites. A total of four species of medium and small-sized carnivores were identified through this survey: Martes martes, Martes foina, Meles meles, Vulpes vulpes. Animals identified through camera trapping allowed a higher level of confidence in species determination with respect to the naturalistic method. Taking together both methods, Vulpes vulpes was the most frequently detected species (85), followed by Martes foina (42), M. martes (33) and Meles meles (3). Even though data are preliminary, the two mustelids (M. martes and M. foina) seem to be mutually exclusive (Grappa massif vs. Alpago), suggesting different ecological requirements for these two species that are considered sympatric.