Alien shades of grey: new occurrences and relevant spread of Sciurus carolinensis in Italy

摘要: The eastern grey squirrel is listed among the worst invasive species throughout world. This of American origin currently replacing native Eurasian red in most Great Britain, as well parts of Ireland and Italy. It may debark trees exert damages to woodlands tree plantations. Therefore, its spread be deleterious for biodiversity environment, emphasising need a rapid detection new areas occurrence. In this work, we reported first time, presence new populations invasive species Tuscany (Central Italy) some updates analyses regarding status Veneto (North-Eastern Italy). Occurrences were collected through citizen-science contributory approach supported by photos, road-kills, and/or hair-tube sampling. Field investigations ad hoc carried out Veneto   to confirm repeated reports surroundings Arezzo province Siena. Although records can possibly related erratic or single individuals escaped from captivity, reproductive nuclei have also been detected both regions, with observations juveniles lactating females. The occurrence  species these regions still scarce localised, but considering surrounding favourable wooded habitats, removal animals would required prevent their spread.