Life+ Trout Project (LIFE12 NAT/IT/0000940) for the recovery and conservation of Mediterranean trout (Salmo trutta complex) in the central Apennines (Italy).

• Published in: Frontiers in Marine Science
• Main Authors: Vincenzo Caputo Barucchi, Antonella Carosi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2015
• Subjects: biodiversity conservation; alien species; Genetic characterization; Demographic analysis; eradication program; Science; Q; General. Including nature conservation; geographical distribution; QH1-199.5; Iceland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00101; https://doaj.org/article/069b7ff502a94c3ba4000f0bfcd6e8b8

The Mediterranean brown trout (Salmo trutta complex) is one of the freshwater fish species complex at greater risk of extinction in the Mediterranean area. The introduction of alien invasive species and their interaction with the native fauna represent some of the major threats to the survival of this species (Caputo et al., 2004). Currently, the genetic integrity of the Mediterranean trout is being compromised by the introgressive hybridization with the Atlantic trout. This hybridization, which was favored by stocking programs carried out in the last century (Splendiani et al., 2013), is resulting in the loss of native genetic variability. The Life+ TROTA Project, which started in November 2013, is aimed to preserve the last populations of Apennine trout (Salmo cettii Rafinesque, 1810) and recover autochthonous genetic diversity. These action are being carried out in seven river basins of central Italy, where native populations have been threatened by stocking with Atlantic trout. The data collected are the indispensable premise for the adoption of the necessary strategies for conservation of the Apennine trout. The trout is a wide-ranging species complex native to Eurasia and North Africa. The northern limits to its range are represented by Iceland, northern Scandinavia and Russia, while the southern limits are represented by the mountain streams of northern Morocco. This species has also been introduced in several other locations around the world (North and South - America, Australia, etc). The Apennine trout is considered as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List of Italian vertebrates (Rondinini et al., 2013) due to water abstraction, overfishing and stocking with non-native trout (resulting in hybridization and competition). In the last 10 - 12 years the population has declined by almost 30%, and this trend is expected also in the future as water abstraction will most likely increase. The project focuses on 14 sites included in the Natura 2000 EU wide network of nature protection areas, established ...