The aim of this work was to summarize the most recent research focused on the study of plant–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis, both in a generic context and in the specific context of wheat cultivation. Taking into account the last 20 years, the most significant studies on the main plant advantages taken from this association are reviewed herein. Positive advances that have been reported stem from the mutualistic relationship between the plant and the mycorrhizal fungus, revealing better performance for the host in terms of nutrient uptake and protection from salinity, lack of water, and excess phytotoxic elements. Mycorrhiza studies and the recent progress in research in this sector have shown a possible solution for environmental sustainability: AMF represent a valid alternative to overcome the loss of biological fertility of soils, reduce chemical inputs, and alleviate the effects of biotic and abiotic stress.

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A trophic niche overlap in native and alien\ud turtle species can lead to competitive interactions\ud whereby allochthonous turtles may outcompete autochthonous\ud individuals and eventually affect viability\ud of natural populations. The European pond turtle\ud (Emys orbicularis) is an autochthonous species threatened\ud by habitat encroachment and competition with\ud the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). The\ud latter is an invasive species introduced in Europe from\ud midwestern United States as a pet and now widespread\ud in the natural habitats of E. orbicularis. The extent of\ud trophic competition between E. orbicularis and T. s.\ud elegans in northern Italy was assessed by nitrogen and\ud carbon stable isotope analysis (d15N and d13C). We\ud used blood and claw samples in order to obtain\ud information on diet components over a short-\ud (3–4 months) and long-term (12 months) time frame,\ud respectively. Analysis of claw samples showed a clear\ud separation between the diets of adults of the two\ud species, but suggested a trophic overlap among adult\ud invaders and young autochthonous turtles. Blood\ud samples, on the other hand, revealed a partial overlap between niches, indicating a short-term correspondence\ud in diet composition between species. We found\ud that, for specific life stages and times of the year, there\ud is potential for trophic competition, which may have\ud important consequences for the management and\ud conservation of E. orbicularis in Italy

Invasive species are one of the main threats to biodiversity worldwide and the processes enabling their establishment and persistence remain poorly understood. In generalist consumers, plasticity in diet and trophic niche may play a crucial role in invasion success. There is growing evidence that invasive ants, in particular, occupy lower trophic levels in their introduced range compared to the native one, but evidences remain fragmented. We conducted stable isotope analysis at five locations distributed on two continents to infer the trophic position of the invasive ant Formica paralugubris in the native and introduced part of the range. This species forms large colonies and can be a voracious predator while feeding on sugar-based resources as well. Whereas native populations had trophic positions comparable to that of an omnivore, the introduced populations varied from being honeydew specialists to top predators, or omnivore. Where other ant species co-occurred, there was no overlap in their trophic niches, and F. paralugubris occupied the lower position, suggesting that trophic displacement may enable the coexistence of different ant species. Taken together, our results suggest that shifts in diet associated with changes in the trophic niche of introduced species might mediate invasion success and enable long-term coexistence with native species.

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