At the southern limit of its range the endangered butterfly Coenonympha oedippus inhabits grasslands (wet, dry) that differ significantly in the abundance of its larval hostplants (wet > dry) and ...mean annual air temperature (wet < dry). We determined the difference in the wing morphology of individuals in the two contrasting habitats to test whether and how traits associated with wing size, shape and eye like spots vary in the sexes and two ecotypes. We show that sexual dimorphism follows the same (wing size and shape, number of eyespots on forewing) or different (relative area of eyespots on hindwings) patterns in the two contrasting habitats. Irrespective of ecotype, females had larger, longer and narrower wings, and more forewing eyespots than males. Sexual dimorphism in the relative area of eyespots on hindwing was female-biased in the wet, but male-biased in the dry ecotype. Ecotype dimorphism in wing size and the relative area of eyespots on the hindwing is best explained by mean annual air temperature and abundance of host-plants. While ecotype dimorphism in wing size did not differ between sexes, neither in direction (wet > dry) or in degree, in the two sexes the relative area of eyespots on hindwing had opposite patterns (males: dry > wet; females: wet > dry) and was more pronounced in males than in females. The differences in wing shape between ecotypes were detected only in the hindwings of males, with more rounded apex in the dry than in the wet ecotype. We discuss the life-history traits, behavioural strategies and selection mechanisms, which largely account for the sex- and ecotype-specific variation in wing morphology.
Apart from being against the law, illegal waste dumping also poses a threat to human health and to the environment. Solid and decomposing waste is an ideal breeding ground for a number of rodents, ...insects, and other vermin that pose a health risk through the spread of infectious diseases. The main objective of this study was to survey disease vectors and rodents for the presence of
sp. from waste sites along the Istrian Peninsula in Slovenia and Croatia.
During the survey five sandfly (
,
) and five rodent species were collected (
,
,
,
and
).
Sandflies and rodents were screened using a molecular probe to amplify an approximately 120 bp fragment of the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircle for the detection of
sp. parasites.
DNA was detected in the spleen of one juvenile black rat (
). Despite few published records on
sp. infection in black rats, the addition of our record highlights the importance of further investigation into the frequency and distribution of such occurrences so that we may better classify the role of rodents as potential reservoirs of leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin.
We studied a population of the regionally endangered marsh fritillary butterfl y Euphydryas aurinia inhabiting a system of loosely connected dry calcareous grasslands in sub-Mediterranean Slovenia. ...Our goal was to set the basis for a long-term monitoring of this butterfl y in four meadows using mark-release-recapture (MRR). We determined its demographic parameters, dispersal, behaviour and utilization of nectar plants in different quality patches. Total population size was estimated to be approximately 347 males (95% confl dence interval: 262-432) and 326 females (95% confl dence interval: 250-402), with an unbiased sex ratio. The average lifespans were 6.3 and 8.6 days, respectively. Daily population sizes followed a parabola with marked protandry. Both sexes were relatively highly mobile with both occasionally moving over half a kilometre. The spatial distribution of animals seemed to be associated with patch size, host plant densities and nectar sources, resulting in much higher population densities in the largest patch. Adult behaviour differed between the sexes, with females resting more and flying less than males. Behaviour also changed during daytime and with the progression of the season. Adults were confl rmed to be opportunistic feeders, since as many as ten nectar sources were detected. We conclude that demographic parameters differ greatly among regions and habitats, thus conservation aims should be planned accordingly. Although the population studied is apparently in good condition, there are threats that may hamper the long-term persistence of the species in this area: succession, intensifl cation of mowing and overgrazing.
Maintenance of traditional cultural landscapes largely depends on traditional agricultural practices, which are nowadays in decline as a result of increasingly intensive and mechanised land use. ...Losing traditional practices may result in impoverishing of picturesque mosaic landscape and biodiversity. This research focuses on land-use changes in two time periods (2002–2008; 2013–2016) and effects of changes reflecting on populations of critically endangered butterfly. False Ringlet,
(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), is a habitat specialist, which in Slovenia inhabits two geographically distinct contrasting habitats – dry meadows in south-western and wetlands in central Slovenia. We compared nine environmental parameters to assess environmental differences, which shape species habitat; seven parameters significantly differ among the four geographical regions and five among the two habitat types. Four parameters significantly differ (i.e. at least in two regions) when tested for homogeneity, while in dry habitat type all (except slope) were significant and none in wet habitat. Changes in land use in two studied periods lit up two processes: transformation of meadows into agricultural land and overgrowing of the meadows, both processes affecting species severely. We believe that maintaining of traditional landscapes in future could serve as a good conservation practice for this endangered species.
The Transphlebotomus subgenus has been drawing attention in last decade due to the uncertain vector capacity and cryptic life history of the group. During a 2015 entomological survey, Phlebotomine ...flies were collected in western locations of Slovenia, with a total of 22 specimens of the Transphlebotomus subgenus collected. In addition to morphological identifications, we confirmed the presence of Phlebotomus mascittii Grassi, 1908 (Diptera: Psychodidae) by nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. During the study, we found that P. mascittii is most abundant in the area of coastal–karst region of Slovenia, while in rare occasions can also be collected in Northeastern part of the country, near the Austrian border. Vector competence of P. mascitii, like all other member species of the Transphlebotomus subgenus, is unclear, but potential to transmit Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) pathogens or phleboviruses is strongly suspected.
The Slovenian False Ringlet
Coenonympha oedippus
populations are under serious threat, as in the last two decades have witnessed a sharp decline in population distribution and size due to ...destruction, fragmentation and/or habitat quality degradation through intensive agriculture, abandonment of use and urbanization. We investigated the genetic diversity and structure of
C. oedippus
from the entire range of the species in Slovenia. Our results showed that the genetic variation in the Slovenian
C. oedippus
populations agrees with the geographical structure and the ecotypes previously determined by morphological and ecological data. We confirmed the existence of four genetically divergent and spatially non-overlapping geographical groups (Istria, Karst, Gorica, Ljubljansko barje) and two ecotypes ("wet" and "dry"). Despite small sample sizes due to critically threatened species, the results indicated significant nuclear and mitochondrial genetic diversity within the spatial groups. By gaining new insights into the evolutionary history of the
C. oedippus
population, we have recommended to consider the Slovenian population as one Evolutionary Significant Unit, and four spatial populations as Management Units for conservation purposes.
Barjanski okarček se v Sloveniji edinstveno pojavlja tako na vlažnih (Ljubljansko barje z okolico) kot na suhih traviščih (slovenska Istra, Kras, Goriška brda). Med naravnimi nesrečami, ki ogrožajo ...njegove habitatne krpe, so požari in poplave. Njihovo pogostost pojavljanja v nekdanjih in obstoječih bivališčih barjanskega okarčka smo ugotavljali s χ2-testom. Pokazali smo, da so življenjska okolja na vlažnih traviščih požarno manj ogrožena kot na suhih traviščih. Med slednjimi so najbolj ogrožene habitatne krpe na Krasu in v slovenski Istri. Habitatne krpe barjanskega okarčka so poplavno ogrožene le v slovenski Istri in na Ljubljanskem barju. Glede na stopnjo požarne in poplavne ogroženosti ter razdrobljenosti življenjskih okolij barjanskega okarčka v Sloveniji domnevamo, da lahko tovrstne naravne nesreče povzročijo lokalno izumrtje vrste.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In Slovenia the False ringlet Coenonympha oedippus uniquely occurs both on wet (Ljubljana Marsh and surroundings) and dry grasslands (Slovenian Istria, Karst, Gorica Hills). Natural hazards that ...threaten its habitats include fires and floods; the frequency of their occurrence in the former and existing habitats of C. oedippus was determined using the χ2-test. We showed that habitats on wet grasslands are less threatened by fire than those on dry grasslands. Among the latter, habitats in the Karst and Slovenian Istria are the most threatened. Habitats of C. oedippus are threatened by flooding only in Slovenian Istria and Ljubljana Marsh. Considering the extent of fire and flood risk and fragmentation of C. oedippus habitats in Slovenia, we assume that such natural hazards may lead to local extinction of the species.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
The genetic structure of a species is influenced by its history and by current gene flow. Using a population genomics approach, we infer the demographic history of the false ringlet ...(Coenonympha oedippus) in Europe based on 1594 genome-wide double digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing loci from 96 individuals (32 localities) sampled throughout the fragmented species range. In contrast to the weak geographical structure in mitochondrial DNA, a clear nuclear differentiation was observed between the westernmost Atlantic localities, those from the western Alps and all other sampled localities. Mountain ridges were the main factor explaining population divergence at the European scale, while isolation by distance was found at a regional scale. We applied Approximate Bayesian Computation in a coalescent framework to infer past and contemporary demographic parameters. The best scenario suggested a first divergence between French and all other European populations around 66000 years ago, such that the species survived the Last Glacial Maximum in at least two distinct areas separated by the Alps. This scenario fits species distribution modelling identifying variation of suitable areas with past climatic modifications. The Atlantic and western Alps lineages separated about 6000 years ago. Strong population decline was inferred in these lineages during historical time, in agreement with multiple records of recent decline of this species in Europe.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
The
B
ukovina blind mole rat
S
palax graecus
is the westernmost representative of the genus and one of the least known
E
uropean mammals. As currently understood, the species contains three ...isolates on both sides of the south‐eastern
C
arpathian
M
ountains. Our focus was on
B
ukovina blind mole rats from north‐eastern
R
omania and adjacent
U
kraine, i.e. on the nominal subspecies
Spalax graecus graecus
Topachevskii 1976.
Phylogenetic reconstruction based on 1140‐bp‐long cytochrome
b
sequence revealed a sister position of
S
palax graecus
against the genus
N
annospalax
. Pairwise
K
imura two‐parameter genetic divergences were evidently higher between
S
palax graecus
and the three species of
N
annospalax
(mean distances ± standard errors between 0.177 ± 0.014 and 0.197 ± 0.016) than between the three species of
N
annospalax
(up to 0.128 ± 0.010). The two genera were separated by 178 mutational steps.
The
B
ukovina blind mole rat is so far known from 13 localities in north‐eastern
R
omania and adjacent
U
kraine.
The most influential environmental factors in the
S
palax graecus
habitat model were seasonality in precipitation, type of soil and altitude. The elevational range of suitable habitats is 39–848 m. The area occupied is estimated at 15581 km
2
, but patches with high habitat suitability cover only 1604 km
2
.
The main habitat for the
B
ukovina blind mole rat is likely to degrade and the conservation needs of the species will soon have to be taken into account. We recommend the inclusion of the species on
A
nnex II or IV of the
E
uropean
U
nion's
H
abitats
D
irective on grounds of its (i) narrow endemism, (ii) small range of occupancy, (iii) small overall population size and (iv) vulnerability to changes in agricultural land use.
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