Selezione dell’habitat di Testudo hermanni negli ecosistemi dunali della costa molisana.

The focus of this work was to analyze fine distribution and habitat selection of a population of Testudo hermanni occurring in a coastal sand dune area of Molise (Campomarino, Campobasso Province, Southern Italy). The analysis was performed using the Jacob’s preference index of frequencies of relative occurrence in seven EU habitat types. The analysis of 246 different spatial locations showed a marked preference of the local population for the EU habitat type “coastal dunes with Juniperus spp. (cod. 2250)”, with two peaks of activity (March and July). The Jacob’s preference index values for the other six EU habitat types were negative, indicating a reduced use of these habitat by the studied individuals. Non-random distribution of individuals across habitat types suggests that habitat selection is highly involved at the study area.