Collisions with vehicles are a major cause of wildlife mortality. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, many countries enforced lockdowns that reduced vehicular traffic and consequently wildlife‐vehicle ...collisions. However, no study has yet explored how traffic‐related mortality declined across multiple species of wildlife, leaving doubts about the species‐specific impact of COVID‐19 on wildlife ecology and management.
We modelled how two lockdowns (in spring and autumn 2020) influenced wildlife‐vehicle collisions throughout Slovenia, in central Europe, by comparing weekly roadkill in 2020 with 2010–2019 time series for European roe deer (n = 53,259), red fox (n = 9,889), Eurasian badger (n = 5,170), brown hare (n = 5,050), stone marten (n = 4,267), wild boar (n = 1,188) and red deer (n = 1,088).
During the spring lockdown (16 March–30 April 2020), we observed far fewer collisions than expected for roe deer and badgers. During the autumn lockdown (20 October–31 December 2020), we observed significantly fewer collisions for roe deer and wild boar, but we noted an excess of collisions with badgers. Traffic reduction had a major influence on roe deer, whose roadkill decreased between 156 and 321 individuals.
Heterogeneous changes in road mortality across the seven studied species indicate that reductions in human mobility can trigger complex species‐specific dynamics in wildlife assemblages, which may generate compensatory effects beyond lockdowns.
For some species, such as roe deer, local reductions in the number of roadkill attained a significant fraction of the overall mortality. This could affect local population dynamics in cases where lockdowns are repeated over a number of years.
Policy implications. Management aimed at reducing vehicular traffic, and therefore human disturbance and roadkill, can be evaluated using time‐series analysis of data on multiple species. During times of restricted human movement, local‐scale reductions should be estimated and accounted for in adaptive management, such as for planning culling quotas, to minimize their ecological and socio‐economic impacts while optimizing the outcomes of science‐based population management.
Izvleček
Trki z vozili so eden najpomembnejših dejavnikov smrtnosti prostoživečih živali. Med pandemijo bolezni covid‐19 so številne države uvedle omejitve javnega življenja (t.i. lockdown), kar je vplivalo na zmanjšanje prometa in posledično na trke s prostoživečimi živalmi. Vendar še ni bilo raziskano, kako se je zmanjšanje števila povoženih živali razlikovalo med vrstami; posledično vrstno specifični vplivi (ukrepov zoper) covid‐19 na ekologijo in upravljanje populacij so bili neznani.
Proučevali smo, kako sta dve omejitvi javnega življenja (spomladi in jeseni 2020) vplivali na število trkov z divjadjo v Sloveniji, in sicer s primerjavo tedenskega števila povoženih živali v letu 2020 z modelnimi napovedmi (upoštevaje povoz v obdobju 2010–2019) za naslednje vrste: evropska srna/srnjad (n = 53.259), navadna lisica (n = 9.889), evrazijski jazbec (n = 5.170), poljski zajec (n = 5.050), kuna belica (n = 4.267), divji prašič (n = 1.188) in navadni jelen/jelenjad (n = 1.088).
Med spomladansko omejitvijo javnega življenja (16.3. – 30.4.2020) smo glede na napovedi zaznali značilno manj povožene srnjadi in jazbecev. Med jesensko omejitvijo (20.10. – December 31, 2020) pa smo zaznali značilno manjše število povožene srnjadi in divjih prašičev, več od pričakovanega števila pa je bilo povoženih jazbecev. Zmanjšanje intenzitete prometa je imelo najbolj izrazit vpliv na trke s srnjadjo: v obeh obdobjih skupaj se je glede na modelne napovedi povoz te vrste zmanjšal za 156–321 osebkov.
Heterogene spremembe števila povoženih osebkov med sedmimi proučevanimi vrstami kažejo, da lahko ima zmanjšanje mobilnosti ljudi kompleksne posledice, in sicer zaradi vrstno specifičnih razlik, ki lahko vplivajo na populacijsko dinamiko in razmerja v številčnosti vrst; slednje lahko povzroča spremembe v življenjski združbi tudi kasneje, tj. v obdobjih brez omejitev javnega življenja.
Za nekatere vrste, npr. Srnjad, je zmanjšanje števila povoženih osebkov imelo lokalno pomemben vpliv na zmanjšanje smrtnosti populacij. V primeru, da bi se tako ekstremni dogodki, kot sta bila spomladanski in jesenski lockdown v letu 2020, ponavljaji skozi več let, bi to lahko pomembno vplivalo na populacijsko dinamiko teh vrst.
Pomen ugotovitev za odločevalski proces. Učinek ukrepov, usmerjenih v zmanjšanje prometa in posledično antropogenih motenj ter povoza prostoživečih živali, lahko uspešno presojamo z analizami časovnih vrst števila povoženih živali, če v analize vključimo več vrst. V adaptivnem upravljanju populacij je v primeru zmanjšanja prometa potrebno ugotoviti in upoštevati spremembe v številu povoženih živali na lokalni ravni. Le tako bo načrtovani odvzem ustrezen in bo zagotovil zmanjšanje ekoloških in socio‐ekonomskih posledic sprememb ob sočasnem optimiziranju učinkov upravljanja populacij, ki bo temeljilo na znanstvenih spoznanjih.
Management aimed at reducing vehicular traffic, and therefore human disturbance and roadkill, can be evaluated using time‐series analysis of data on multiple species. During times of restricted human movement, local‐scale reductions should be estimated and accounted for in adaptive management, such as for planning culling quotas, to minimize their ecological and socio‐economic impacts while optimizing the outcomes of science‐based population management.
Teeth exemplify architectures comprising an interplay of inorganic and organic constituents, resulting in sophisticated natural composites. Rodents (Rodentia) showcase extraordinary adaptations, with ...their continuously growing incisors surpassing human teeth in functional and structural optimizations. In this study, employing state-of-the-art direct atomic-scale imaging and nanoscale spectroscopies, we present compelling evidence that the release of material from ameloblasts and the subsequent formation of iron-rich enamel and surface layers in the constantly growing incisors of rodents are complex orchestrated processes, intricately regulated and independent of environmental factors. The synergistic fusion of three-dimensional tomography and imaging techniques of etched rodent́s enamel unveils a direct correlation between the presence of pockets infused with ferrihydrite-like material and the acid resistant properties exhibited by the iron-rich enamel, fortifying it as an efficient protective shield. Moreover, observations using optical microscopy shed light on the role of iron-rich enamel as a microstructural element that acts as a path for color transmission, although the native color remains indistinguishable from that of regular enamel, challenging the prevailing paradigms. The redefinition of “pigmented enamel” to encompass ferrihydrite-like infusion in rodent incisors reshapes our perception of incisor microstructure and color generation. The functional significance of acid-resistant iron-rich enamel and the understanding of the underlying coloration mechanism in rodent incisors have far-reaching implications for human health, development of potentially groundbreaking dental materials, and restorative dentistry. These findings enable the creation of an entirely different class of dental biomaterials with enhanced properties, inspired by the ingenious designs found in nature.
Species of the genus Bison, along with many other vertebrate taxa, represented an important part of Pleistocene megafauna. Following the Quaternary extinction event, however, only the American bison ...(Bison bison) and the European bison or wisent (Bison bonasus) survived to present times. The phylogeny of Bison species from the Late Pliocene to the end of the Middle Pleistocene is still uncertain. In comparison, the availability of genetic data has greatly improved our knowledge of Late Pleistocene and Holocene bison. In recent years, the phylogenetic approach has provided new details and insights into the evolution and phylogeny of the genus, such as i) Bison bison evolved from central North American bison populations and, contrary to earlier assumptions, was not the result of mixing with Beringian bison; ii) in Europe, the Late Pleistocene ancestors of Bison bonasus occupied the same areas as coeval Bison priscus; iii) admixture events between the genera Bos and Bison led to the introgression of Bos mitochondrial DNA into extant Bison bonasus, but the exact evolution of the latter remains unknown.
Although several studies have focused on the influence of moonlight on deer–vehicle collisions, findings have been inconsistent. This may be due to neglect of the effects of cloud cover, a major ...impediment to moon illumination and circannual variation in both deer and human activity.
We assessed how median cloud cover interacted with the illuminated fraction of the moon in affecting daily roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) roadkill in Slovenia (Central Europe). Data included nationwide roadkill (n = 49,259), collected between 2010 and 2019 by hunters, as required by law.
Roadkill peaked under medium to high cloud cover and decreased during nights with low or extremely high cloudiness. This pattern was more pronounced on nights with a full moon. However, the effects of moon illumination and cloud cover had a lower predictive potential than circannual variation, as collisions clearly peaked in April/May, July and August/September.
Our results suggest that moonlight could influence roe deer movements through compensatory foraging. However, on nights with a full moon, collisions could also be affected by weather. On bright nights, roe deer might be less active due to increased human presence and sustained vehicular traffic. Then, with medium to high cloud cover and also rainfall, human presence in the environment may be low enough to increase deer movements, but vehicular traffic can still be intermediate, maximizing the risk of collisions. Finally, with overcast skies, widespread rainfall can reduce both traffic volume and human outdoor activity, decreasing the risk of collisions.
Moon illumination may indeed affect wildlife–vehicle collisions and roadkill, but its effects should be quantified as a function of cloud cover. Moreover, to make studies truly comparable, research about wildlife–vehicle collisions should also account for time of the year.
Policy implications. Because collisions with roe deer peak at particular periods of the year, signs should be installed seasonally. By doing so, they would warn drivers about the risk, improve drivers' awareness and increase their safety. Moreover, as collisions also increase on nights with a full moon and overcast skies, interactive warning signs that are activated by ground illumination should also be useful.
Izvleček
V preteklosti je bil vpliv mesečine na trke vozil s prostoživečimi prežvekovalci (predstavniki družine jelenov) večkrat proučevan, vendar so bile ugotovitve nekonsistentne. To je lahko posledica zanemarjanja učinka oblačnosti, ki pomembno vpliva na osvetlitev zaradi lune, in sezonske variabilnosti v aktivnosti tako predstavnikov družine jelenov kot tudi ljudi.
Modelirali smo, kako je oblačnost skupaj z lunarno fazo vplivala na povprečni dnevni povoz evropske srne/srnjadi (Capreolus capreolus) v Sloveniji (srednja Evropa). Podatki so vključevali celokupen povoz (tj. smrtnost na cestah) srnjadi v vseh loviščih Slovenije v obdobju 2010–2019 (n = 49.259), ki so ga glede na zakonsko obvezo sistematično registrirali lovci kot dobro usposobljeni ljubiteljski (državljanski) znanstveniki.
Povoz srnjadi je kulminiral pri srednji do izraziti oblačnosti, zmanjšal pa se je v nočeh z (izjemno) majhno oblačnostjo. Ta vzorec je bil bolj izrazit v nočeh s polno luno. Vendar so imeli učinki lunine osvetlitve in oblačnosti bistveno manjši napovedni potencial kot sezonska variabilnost, saj je imel povoz izrazite viške v treh obdobjih, tj. aprila/maja, julija in avgusta/septembra.
Rezultati kažejo, da bi lahko mesečina vplivala na prostorsko vedenje srnjadi preko povečane aktivnosti (npr. kompenzacijskega prehranjevanja). Vendar na pogostnost trkov ob polni luni vpliva tudi vreme. V jasnih nočeh je morda srnjad manj aktivna zaradi večje prisotnosti ljudi v naravi in/ali povečanega prometa. V delno oblačnih in zmerno deževnih nočeh je prisotnost ljudi v okolju verjetno manjša, kar lahko povzroči večjo aktivnost/premike živali, a je tedaj gostota prometa še vedno tako velika, da povečuje tveganje za trke. Nasprotno pa lahko v povsem oblačnih nočeh intenzivne padavine zmanjšajo gostoto prometa in aktivnosti ljudi v naravi, posledično pa tudi tveganje za trke.
Lunarna faza oz. osvetlitev lahko vpliva na pogostnost trkov s prostoživečimi živalmi oz. smrtnost le‐teh na cestah, vendar pa je treba njene učinke količinsko opredeliti v odvisnosti od oblačnosti. Da bi bile različne študije medsebojno resnično primerljive, bi morale raziskave o trkih s prostoživečimi živalmi upoštevati tudi sezonsko variabilnost v številu trkov oz. bi morale temeljiti na analizi časovnih vrst.
Pomen za implikacijo. Trki s srnjadjo so najpogostejši v točno določenih obdobjih leta, zato bi lahko postavitev sezonske opozorilne signalizacije, ki bi voznike opozarjala na tveganje za nalet srnjadi, izboljšala pozornost voznikov in povečala njihovo varnost. Tveganje za trke se poveča v nočeh s polno luno in oblačnim nebom, zato bi lahko bila koristna tudi namestitev interaktivnih opozorilnih znakov, ki bi se aktivirali glede na stopnjo osvetlitve tal.
Because collisions with roe deer peak at particular periods of the year, signs should be installed seasonally. By doing so, they would warn drivers about the risk, improve drivers' awareness and increase their safety. Moreover, as collisions also increase on nights with a full moon and overcast skies, interactive warning signs that are activated by ground illumination should also be useful.
The translocation of wild animal species became a common practice worldwide to re-establish local populations threatened with extinction. Archaeological data confirm that chamois once lived in the ...Biokovo Mountain but, prior to their reintroduction in the 1960s, there was no written evidence of their recent existence in the area. The population was reintroduced in the period 1964-1969, when 48 individuals of Balkan chamois from the neighbouring mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina were released. The main objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the existing historical data on the origin of the Balkan chamois population from the Biokovo Mountain and to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the source and translocated populations 56 years after reintroduction. Sixteen microsatellite loci were used to analyse the genetic structure of three source chamois populations from Prenj, Čvrsnica and Čabulja Mountains and from Biokovo Mountain. Both STRUCTURE and GENELAND analyses showed a clear separation of the reintroduced population on Biokovo from Prenj's chamois and considerable genetic similarity between the Biokovo population and the Čvrsnica-Čabulja population. This suggests that the current genetic composition of the Biokovo population does not derive exclusively from Prenj, as suggested by the available literature and personal interviews, but also from Čvrsnica and Čabulja. GENELAND analysis recognised the Balkan chamois from Prenj as a separate cluster, distinct from the populations of Čvrsnica and Čabulja. Our results thus highlight the need to implement genetic monitoring of both reintroduced and source populations of endangered Balkan chamois to inform sustainable management and conservation strategies in order to maximise the chances of population persistence.
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.
Multi-proxy analysis of the coprolites which were found during excavations at two Late Neolithic (fourth millennium
bc
) pile-dwelling sites (Črnelnik and Stare gmajne) in Slovenia yielded some new ...insights into human–dog relations and behaviour. The digested content is presented in a multidisciplinary approach, in which palynological, palaeoparasitological, archaeobotanical and archaeozoological features are studied and genetic signs are tested. Beside the origin of the coprolites, the size of an animal and the diet, the faeces provided some additional information, such as health, status, nutrition habits, environment and season.
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) code for cell surface proteins essential for adaptive immunity. They show the most outstanding genetic diversity in vertebrates, which has been ...connected with various fitness traits and thus with the long-term persistence of populations. In this study, polymorphism of the MHC class II DRB locus was investigated in chamois with Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP)/Sanger genotyping and Ion Torrent S5 next-generation sequencing (NGS). From eight identified DRB variants in 28 individuals, five had already been described, and three were new, undescribed alleles. With conventional SSCP/Sanger sequencing, we were able to detect seven alleles, all of which were also detected with NGS. We found inconsistencies in the individual genotypes between the two methods, which were mainly caused by allelic dropout in the SSCP/Sanger method. Six out of 28 individuals were falsely classified as homozygous with SSCP/Sanger analysis. Overall, 25% of the individuals were identified as genotyping discrepancies between the two methods. Our results show that NGS technologies are better performing in sequencing highly variable regions such as the MHC, and they also have a higher detection capacity, thus allowing a more accurate description of the genetic composition, which is crucial for evolutionary and population genetic studies.
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.
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