New data on the Zygentoma (Insecta, Apterygota) from Italy

The fauna of Zygentoma from Italy is reviewed and extended by new data. Ctenolepisma guadianica and Allacrotelsa kraepelini are new to Italy (the second one is also a new genus for this country). Neoasterolepisma crassipes is new to continental Italy and Atelura formicaria is new to Sicily. Neoasterolepisma angustothoracica (Grassi & Rovelli, 1890) n. comb., is redescribed.The Zygentoma fauna of Italy is composed of 24 species, 2 of Ateluridae (Atelura formicaria and Proatelurina pseudolepisma), 16 of Lepismatidae (Allacrotelsa kraepelini, Ctenolepisma algharbica, C. ciliata, C. guadianica, C. lineata, C. longicaudata, C. targionii, Lepisma chlorosoma, L. saccharina, Neoasterolepisma angustothoracica, N. balcanica, N. crassipes, N. wasmanni, Thermobia domestica, Tricholepisma aurea and T. gyriniformis) and 6 of Nicoletiidae (Coletinia maggi, C. setosula, C. subterranea, Coletinia sp. III, Lepidospora sp. and Nicoletia phytophila). A key to the identification of all these species is given.     

Mendeschilis a new genus of Microcoryphia (Insecta, Apterygota, Machilidae) from Spain

A new species and genus of Microcoryphia is described as a result of the detailed comparison of specimens from Italy and Spain which had been initially identified as Praemachilis excelsior. The new genus, named Mendeschilis has as its most important distinctive taxonomic characteristic the presence, in the male, of parameres in the VIII^th and IX^th urosternites, while Praemachilis (from Italy) has only one pair of parameres in the IX^th urosternite. Other anatomical characteristics which allow us to differentiate the new genus and the new species are described.     

N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O,CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, Production,and C Sequestration in Vineyards: a Review

Even if it is less polluting than other farm sectors, grape growing management has to adopt measures to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to preserve the quality of grapevine by-products. In viticulture, by land and crop management, GHG emissions can be reduced through adjusting methods of tillage, fertilizing, harvesting, irrigation, vineyard maintenance, electricity, natural gas, and transport until wine marketing, etc. Besides CO₂, nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄), released from fertilizers and waste/wastewater management are produced in vineyards. As the main GHG in vineyards, N₂O can have the same harmful action like large quantities of CO₂. Carbon can be found in grape leaves, shoots, and even in fruit pulp, roots, canes, trunk, or soil organic matter. C sequestration in soil by using less tillage and tractor passing is one of the efficient methods to reduce GHG in vineyards, with the inconvenience that many years are needed for detectable changes. In the last decades, among other methods, cover crops have been used as one of the most efficient way to reduce GHG emissions and increase fertility in vineyards. Even if we analyze many references, there are still limited information on practical methods in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in viticulture. The aim of the paper is to review the main GHG emissions produced in vineyards and the approached methods for their reduction, in order to maintain the quality of grapes and other by-products.     

Water,land and health in urban and peri‐urban food production: the case of Kano,Nigeria

In sub‐Saharan Africa, urban and peri‐urban food production has been identified as an important resource for meeting the challenges of rapidly growing cities, and the positive aspects of such production have been well documented in the literature. This paper examines some of the health and environmental concerns associated with urban and peri‐urban agriculture (UPA). Empirical evidence from the city of Kano in northern Nigeria suggests that there is currently much reason for concern as industrial and domestic toxins are reaching dangerously high levels. As soils and water channels become increasingly polluted, the sustainability of urban and peri‐urban food production is questioned. Since the health implications of long‐term exposure to toxins are unclear, it is suggested that coordinated longitudinal research involving urban planners, agricultural scientists and health specialists is urgently needed. In addition, it remains crucial that government and institutional actors effectively monitor and enforce both environmental and zoning by‐laws, if the health and environmental constraints of UPA are to be overcome, and the future sustainability of production is to be assured. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.