New evidence from the northern Apennines, Italy, suggests a southward expansion of Echinococcus multilocularis range in Europe.

Echinococcus multilocularis (Em) is a neglected zoonotic cestode circulating among wild canids and voles across the northern hemisphere, and is the aetiological agent of alveolar echinococcosis in humans. The expansion of the European distribution of this parasite has been raising public health concerns in recent decades. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of Em and other taeniids in wild carnivore faeces in the Apuan Alps Regional Park and the Monte Pisano mountain chain (northern Tuscany), a few hundred kilometres from the nearest report of Em in Italy.

Body mass mediates spatio-temporal responses of mammals to human frequentation across Italian protected areas.

Protected area (PA) networks are a pivotal tool to fight biodiversity loss, yet they often need to balance the mission of nature conservation with the socio-economic need of giving opportunity for outdoor recreation. Recreation in natural areas is important for human health in an urbanized society, but can prompt behavioural modifications in wild animals. Rarely, however, have these responses being studied across multiple PAs and using standardized methods.