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Therefore, it is time to reconcìle biodiversity conservation with the
over:~mphasis usually accorded to the protection of ungulates introduced an
smaJl islands. The populations of 'wild' goats in Montecristo and Dhia islands
(Fabbri, 1966; Greuter, 1979) should beat least 'controlled'. More recently
established populations such as the mouflons in the protected islands of
ZanJlone, Marettimo, and Capraia should be eradicateci. In the meantime, it
should be put a stop to further introductions sueh as those ofwild boar in Cyprus
(Hadjisterkotis, 2000) and in severa! Italian islands (see contributions to Giusti,
1995).

Srnall islands are considered one of the conservation priorities in the
Mediterranean region because oflack ofanti-grazing adaptations in the endemie
plan1s (Greuter, 2001). Furthermore, each of the major Mediterranean islands
comjllex is considered a biodiversity sub-hotspot (Médail and Quézel, 1999).
Logi<ally, overgrazing may have serious consequences for other organisms too.

Tbe great richness ofcoprophagous scarabeid beedes compared to plant-eaters
ones found in the protected Asinara Island confìrm the serìous impact of
dom<:stic and 'wild' ungulates on vegetation (Carpa11eto and Pianella, 1995).

It should be auspicial, however, a census of ali antropochorous taxa and feral
populations scanered in the Mediterranean Basin with the goal of protecting
their unique genetic resources, if necessary with ex situ conservation programs
as welL It should be emphasised that, while national and internationallaws
protect many anthropochorous taxa, many others, such as the several hares
subspecies of the Eastern Mediterranean islands (De Beaux, 1929), are
completely overlooked by legislation.
Exclusion of these taxa from conservation lists appear justifìed if aiming at the
preservation of the extreme biodiversity richness of the Mediterranean Basin.
W e aJso stress the need to educate the public opinion about the great threat
represented by present biological invasions (see Andreotti et al., 2001; and
Scalera, 2001 fora synthesis of vertebrate introductions in Italy). Without this
exdusion, we risk that conservatian measures, such as the establishment ofreserve
an islands, result in serious threats far the whole biodiversity.

Finally, if we want that our faunistic and biogeographic researches are
considered in the planning of conservation politics, a greater collaboration
between biogeographers and natural history museums, including botanical
gardens, is essential to reach a wider audience.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

W e wish to thank Massimo Capula, Alberto Fanfani, Andrea Pavesi, Emanuele
Pianella and Livia Speranza for d1eir precious help during the preparation of this
paper.

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