The extinct Sicilian wolf shows a complex history of isolation and admixture with ancient dogs.

The Sicilian wolf remained isolated in Sicily from the end of the Pleistocene until its extermination in the 1930s-1960s. Given its long-term isolation on the island and distinctive morphology, the genetic origin of the Sicilian wolf remains debated. We sequenced four nuclear genomes and five mitogenomes from the seven existing museum specimens to investigate the Sicilian wolf ancestry, relationships with extant and extinct wolves and dogs, and diversity.

The Sicilian Wolf: Genetic Identity of a Recently Extinct Insular Population.

Historically, many local grey wolf () populations have undergone substantial reductions in size or become extinct. Among these, the wolf population once living in Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, was completely eradicated by human activity in the early decades of the 20th century. To gain a better understanding of the genetic identity of the Sicilian wolf, we used techniques for the study of ancient DNA to analyze the mitochondrial (mt) variability of six specimens stored in Italian museums.

The role of indirect evidence and traditional ecological knowledge in the discovery and description of new ape and monkey species since 1980.

Although empirical data are necessary to describe new species, their discoveries can be guided from the survey of the so-called circumstantial evidence (that indirectly determines the existence or nonexistence of a fact). Yet this type of evidence, generally linked to traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), is often disputed by field biologists due to its uncertain nature and, on account of that, generally untapped by them. To verify this behavior and the utility of circumstantial evidence, we reviewed the existing literature about the species of apes and monkeys described or rediscovered since January 1, 1980 and submitted a poll to the authors.

Assessing uncertainty in sighting records: an example of the Barbary lion.

As species become rare and approach extinction, purported sightings can be controversial, especially when scarce management resources are at stake. We consider the probability that each individual sighting of a series is valid. Obtaining these probabilities requires a strict framework to ensure that they are as accurately representative as possible.

Development of mucoadhesive patches for buccal administration of ibuprofen.

A new formulation for topical administration of drugs in the oral cavity has been developed using several film-forming and mucoadhesive polymers. The films have been evaluated in terms of swelling, mucoadhesion and organoleptic characteristics. The best film, containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as film-forming polymer and carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (NaCMC) as mucoadhesive polymer, was loaded with ibuprofen as a model compound and in vitro and in vivo release studies were performed.