Good for management, not for conservation: an overview of research, conservation and management of Italian small mammals

摘要: Small mammals (Rodentia, Soricomorpha and Erinaceomorpha) play a crucial ecological role for their distribution importance in food chains, as well being considered environmental bioindicators. Thus, they represent excellent models understanding the evolutionary processes of ecosystems, population dynamics under changing conditions, habitat vulnerabilities. However, some rodents may help spread human diseases are responsible impacts on agriculture, forestry, ecosystems. Consequently, small mammal species often neglected conservation biology, only few them protected according to national European laws directives. In this work, we summarize open questions related Italian analyze issues linked these species. We address research, management priorities by considering ongoing activities novelties regards taxonomy zoogeography. Italy, 39 native species, including four out six endemic mammalspeciesandonequestionedasnative, and10alienspeciesarecurrentlyincludedwithinthe category “small mammals”. Although several studies revealed that be heavily impacted loss fragmentation forest management, three listed IUCN red list “Near Threatened”, remaining “Least Concern”. suggest due fact pertinent information, is not translated assessments line with those other taxonomic groups (e.g. bats). Conservation strategies still inadequate, alien partly unknown or neglected. wide monitoring projects, general public involvement eort should implemented, aim amend legislation, thus providing adequate protection status.