From accidental citizen-science observations to genetic confirmation: how to spot new hidden invaders

摘要: The crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is the largest rodent in Italy; it strictly protected according to national and international laws. Despite this, porcupines Italy are still poached for meat complained crop damages. species almost exclusively nocturnal quite elusive. Its presence may be yet recorded through detection of quills lost on ground. In last 40 years, showed a remarkable range expansion Italy. 2013, framework www.naturaesocialmapping.it recording site, web page devoted H. was set up. aim project give people opportunity contribute continuous updating distributional map this rodent. Samples (quills) were also collected as being easily available sources DNA. 2016, some field samplings provided first time evidence another porcupine: Indian indica . Species identification carried out DNA barcoding analysis, since cannot performed only quill morphology. We increased genetic database with sequences both species, so allow rapid samples molecular analyses. Both introduced by man ( historical times). Our findings support relevance citizen science contribution process species’ distribution potential spotting new invasive species.