Structure and meaning of the "G.P. Moretti" trichopterological collection

• Published in: Bollettino di zoologia 1994-01, Vol.61 (4), p.371-374
• Main Authors: Di Giovanni, MV, Gianotti, F S, Pirisinu, Q, Taticchi, MI, Goretti, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Freshwater; Trichoptera
• ISSN: 0373-4137

28 June 1989 to 20 December 1990: a hundred years of collecting Italian Trichopteran fauna. This work arranges the "G.P. Moretti collection" that includes 14341 regularly labelled specimens derived from 3922 sampling days in the peninsula and on the islands (Sardinia, Sicily, Caparaia and Elba). The most part (99.6%) of the samples were determined by G.P. Moretti and by other taxonomists (0.4%). The collection comprises larvae, pupae, adults and their esuviae dipped in 80% alcohol and also several dry specimens and some anatomical pieces fixed on slides. Samplings were done mostly in lotic ecosystems (3077) but also stagnant waters (539) and other different habitat (306) were widely investigated. On the whole the collection presents 311 species and 26 subspecies including 31 species and 15 subspecies all new to science. A different and significative presence of species is clearly evident in the 22 territories sampled. The specific composition of the Italian subtroglophil aphiletic Trichoptera is well-defined. On the contrary, it is not easy to well understand the zoogeographical Trichoptera distribution and further informations need for this purpose. The collection is greatly useful in programming future researches and to increase the knowledge. The collection also utilized in teaching zoology with the aim to demonstrate how a classification system can symbolize the living dynamism.