Natura Croatica

Sanja Kovačić

Stručni rad

Sanja Kovačić Botanical Garden, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Marulićev trg 9a, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

This sequel provides a historical overview of the Tradescantia genus and other members of the Commelinaceae family grown in the Zagreb Faculty of Science Botanical Garden between 1895 and 2023. The most recent nomenclatural views on the systematics of wild and cultivated taxa are applied, showing that at least 145 taxa of this family have been grown in the Botanical Garden during the last 128 years. Today we grow 95 taxa of wild species and cultivated taxa within this family.

Keywords

Zagreb Botanical Garden, Faculty of Science, historic plant collections, Tradescantia, Commelinoideae, Commelinaceae

Astrit Bilalli, Halil Ibrahimi, Milaim Musliu, Linda Grapci-Kotori, Valentina Slavevska-Stamenković, Jelena Hinić, Donard Geci, Ignac Sivec

Original scientific paper

Astrit Bilalli Faculty of Agribusiness, University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, “UÇK” street, 30 000 Pejë, Republic of Kosovo
Halil Ibrahimi Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, “Eqrem Qabej” p.n., 10 000 Prishtinë, Kosovo
Milaim Musliu Faculty of Agribusiness, University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, “UÇK” street, 30 000 Pejë, Republic of Kosovo
Linda Grapci-Kotori Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Mother Theresa p.n., 10 000 Prishtinë, Republic of Kosovo
Valentina Slavevska-Stamenković Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Gazi Baba bb, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Jelena Hinić Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Gazi Baba bb, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Donard Geci Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Mother Theresa p.n., 10 000 Prishtinë, Republic of Kosovo
Ignac Sivec Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Presernova 20, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

The knowledge about stoneflies of the Balkan Peninsula is still not complete, with many areas poorly investigated. During this investigation, we collected adult stonefly specimens from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro during the period 2014-2018. In total, we found 42 species belonging to 14 genera and 7 families. Five species are recorded for the first time for Kosovo (Leuctra cingulata Kempny, 1899, Leuctra cf. olympia Aubert, 1956 Nemoura cf. lucana Nicolai & Fochetti, 1991, Nemoura uncinata Despax, 1934 and Brachyptera macedonica Ikonomov, 1983), one is recorded for the first time for Serbia (Nemoura asceta Murányi, 2007) and one for Albania (Leuctra major Brinck, 1949). This investigation contributes to the knowledge of distribution patterns of stoneflies species in the Balkan Peninsula.

Keywords

Plecoptera, diversity, distribution, new records, Western Balkans Bilalli, A., Ibrahimi, H., Musliu, M., Grapci-Kotori, L., Slavevska-Stamenkovič, V., Hinič, J., Geci,

Teodora Koynova, Radoslav Tsvetkov, Nikolay Natchev

Short communication

Teodora Koynova Department of Biology, University of Shumen, Universitetska 115, 9700 Shumen, Bulgaria
Radoslav Tsvetkov Department of Biology, University of Shumen, Universitetska 115, 9700 Shumen, Bulgaria
Nikolay Natchev Department of Biology, University of Shumen, Universitetska 115, 9700 Shumen, Bulgaria; Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria

Abstract

In the present study, we report on a rare predatory behaviour in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758). In the early evening of 03.03.2023 we detected a red fox attacking and killing a coypu (Myocastor coypus Molina, 1782). We were able to document the event by the use of camera with tele-lens. The red fox was known to feed on smaller prey like insects, smaller rodents, lagomorphs, birds and others. Data on attacks on large and potentially dangerous prey are rather scarce and we discuss on the potential trigger for that predatory behaviour.

Keywords

ecology, feeding, diet, mammal, predator-prey interactions, killing behaviour

Donard Geci, Maria Naumova, Halil Ibrahimi, Linda Grapci-Kotori, Agim Gashi, Astrit Bilalli, Milaim Musliu

Original scientific paper

Donard Geci Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Mother Theresa p.n., 10 000 Prishtinë, Republic of Kosovo
Maria Naumova Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Halil Ibrahimi Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, “Eqrem Qabej” p.n., 10 000 Prishtinë, Kosovo
Linda Grapci-Kotori Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Mother Theresa p.n., 10 000 Prishtinë, Republic of Kosovo
Agim Gashi Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Mother Teresa street p.n., 10000 Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
Astrit Bilalli University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, Faculty of Agribusiness, Street “UÇK” 30000 Pejë, Republic of Kosovo
Milaim Musliu University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, Faculty of Agribusiness, Street “UÇK” 30000 Pejë, Republic of Kosovo

Abstract

Since Kosovo is the least explored territory in the Balkan Peninsula when it comes to the study of spider fauna, with large, untouched areas, we aim to explore it in detail. From Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains only 15 species have been reported. We collected and identified 323 spider specimens (88♂♂, 235♀♀) from April 2018 to August 2021 at 20 sites in Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park between 529 and 2066 m a.s.l. These specimens belong to 91 species, 65 genera, and 23 families. Of these, 42 species, 13 genera, and 2 families are new records for the spider fauna of Kosovo, and 90 species are new for the mountains. As a result of our research, the list of species known from the studied region increased from 15 to 105 and the number of known spiders in Kosovo increased to 248 species.

Keywords

Albanian Alps, Balkans, faunistic, new country records

Stjepan Krčmar, Mislav Kovačić

Original scientific paper

Stjepan Krčmar Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-3100 Osijek, Croatia
Mislav Kovačić Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

From 2018 to 2022, at 10 localities on Bansko Hill, 3,639 horseflies were sampled. Most specimens (3,404) were sampled in 2022 in the period from mid-May to mid-September. The horseflies sampled are classified into two subfamilies, six genera and 19 species. The species Hybomitra ukrainica (Olsufjev, 1952), Tabanus miki Brauer in Brauer and Bergenstamm, 1880, Haematopota grandis Meigen, 1820 and Haematopota pandazisi (Kröber, 1936) are new finds of horsefly species for the studied area. The species Tabanus tergestinus Egger, 1859 is the most abundant species and makes up 71.11% of the horseflies sampled. The species Tabanus bromius L., 1758 followed with 10.16% of the abundance, Tabanus sudeticus Zeller, 1842 with 8.82% and Atylotus loewianus (Villeneuve, 1920) with 5.74% of the horseflies sampled, while 15 other species of horseflies were represented by the remaining 4.17%. In the collected sample, male horseflies accounted for 51.71% of the sample; all of them were sampled with an oil liquid trap. The largest number of horseflies (84.14%) were sampled in localities on the northeastern side of Bansko Hill, covered with forest vegetation of secondary origin. Three species, T. bromius, T. tergestinus and Heptatoma pellucens, (Fabricius, 1776) have the longest flight period, from mid-May to mid-September. The highest peaks of abundance for T. tergestinus, T. bromius, and T. sudeticus were recorded in July, for H. pellucens in June and for A. loewianus in August. The greatest similarity in horsefly fauna (85.71%) was recorded in the localities Popovac and Karanac. 90.98% of horseflies were collected by liquid oil traps, followed by sticky traps (5.22%) and canopy traps (3.79%). Data from earlier studies from 2011 and data from the current studies in the area of Bansko Hill have yielded records of 22 species of horsefly.

Keywords

Horseflies, Tabanidae, Diptera, Bansko Hill, Baranja, Croatia

Valbona Hobdari, Sokrat Jani

Original scientific paper

Valbona Hobdari Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania
Sokrat Jani Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

Abstract

The potato is a very important crop in Albania and the cultivation of new cultivars with high productivity and better quality is very significant. This study was conducted to test some imported cultivars of potato and explore some features in their characterization and evaluation, with the aim of increasing interest in those that are the best for Albanian farmers, as well as for other studies. Thirteen potato cultivars of foreign origin were tested in a field trial for their morphological and agronomical characteristics under the climatic conditions of the Tirana region. It was found that among the potato cultivars studied there is a significant variation, both in the characterization traits (qualitative traits) and in the evaluation traits (quantitative traits). Drawing on the conclusions reached, we recommend the most suitable cultivars for cultivation in this region.

Keywords

cultivars, quality, potato, testing, variation

Danijela Gumhalter, Kai Berggren, Leif Aarvik, František Kosorin, Friedmar Graf

Original scientific paper

Danijela Gumhalter Azuritweg 2, D-70619 Stuttgart, Germany
Kai Berggren Bråvann terrasse 21, NO-4624 Kristiansand, Norway
Leif Aarvik Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172, NO-0318 Oslo, Norway
František Kosorin Kamenná brána 6, SK-93526 Starý Tekov, Slovakia
Friedmar Graf Burglehn 1, D-02625 Bautzen, Germany

Abstract

During the last few years, numerous surveys were undertaken to improve the knowledge of the Croatian pyraloid moth fauna. The first author carried out research from 2016 until 2022 on the island of Brač in Dalmatia. The second and third authors carried out research in 2018 and 2019 in the area around Zadar in Dalmatia and the region of Lika. The fourth author collected specimens in 2012 and 2022 in the area of Šibenik, Dalmatia, and the fifth author in 2008, in the area of Split, also in Dalmatia. A list of all recorded species from several locations in Dalmatia and Lika is presented, containing the first data on pyraloid moths from the island of Brač. Throughout these surveys, a total of 163 species were recorded, of which nine are new to the Croatian moth fauna. From the family Pyralidae, the following species were recorded for the first time: Aphomia foedella (Zeller, 1839), Apomyelois bistriatella (Hulst, 1887), Delplanqueia inscriptella (Duponchel, 1836), Epischnia asteris Staudinger, 1870, Melathrix coenulentella (Zeller, 1846), Phycita asselbergsi Slamka, 2019 and Phycitodes saxicola (Vaughan, 1870). From the family Crambidae the following species were reported for the first time from Croatia: Hyperlais lutosalis (Mann, 1862), and Pyrausta rectefascialis Toll, 1936. The rare and endangered thermophilic species Ostrinia quadripunctalis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) and the myrmecophilous Aglossa signicostalis Staudinger, 1870 were also identified. These findings are the second records from Croatia and hereby represent a contribution to their known distribution in Croatia. The finding of two specimens identified as Evergestis infirmalis Staudinger, 1870 – previously unreported from Croatia and the Balkan Peninsula – is presented. DNA barcode data reveal a possible misidentification with all the Evergestis caesialis (Herrich-Schäffer, [1849]) identified from Croatia. Images of the imago and the genitalia, as well as the DNA barcode sequences, are also presented. With these nine additions to the checklist, the Croatian pyraloid moth fauna now numbers 406 species.

Keywords

Pyralidae, Crambidae, fauna, Zadar, Brač, Šibenik, Croatia

Nenad Jasprica

Original scientific paper

Nenad Jasprica University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Kneza Damjana Jude 12, HR-20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia

Abstract

The Neretva delta (estuary) is an internationally important wetland included in the Ramsar list and is one of the Important Plant Areas (IPA) in Croatia. The paper presents data from phytosociological research collected in the lower Neretva delta in the period 2006-2021. Based on 28 phytosociological relevés, 15 associations and one subassociation were identified and classified into 13 alliances, 12 orders and 11 vegetation classes. The most valuable communities belong to halo-nitrophilous short-lived pioneer vegetation on sand and gravel beaches (Cakiletea maritimae) and salt-marsh herblands and scrub (Therosalicornietea, Salicornietea fruticosae). Anthropogenic impacts on the delta are strong, and the diversity of flora and vegetation is threatened by habitat degradation and loss, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, and pollution.

Keywords

Adriatic basin, coastal vegetation, ecological conditions, halophytes, NE Mediterrane- an, syntaxonomy, wetland

Vedran Šegota, Anja Rimac, Nina Vuković, Nikola Koletić, Antun Alegro

Original scientific paper

Vedran Šegota University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Anja Rimac University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nina Vuković University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nikola Koletić University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Antun Alegro University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Bryophyte flora of the Significant Landscape Lower ”Kamenjak and Medulin Archipelago” in Istria (western Croatia) was studied from 2019 to 2021. The study resulted in a list of 14 liverwort and 60 moss taxa. Tortula pallida, Bryum gemmilucens, Microbryum davallianum var. conicum and Microbryum muticum are new national records. The prevalence of Mediterranean-Atlantic, temperate and southern-temperate chorotypes corresponds well with the biogeographical characteristics of the studied area. The turf life-form and colonist life strategy, predominantly represented by small Pottiaceae species, prevailed within the study. They mostly inhabited periodically moist soil of open habitats in olive groves, maquis and garrigues. This study aimed to address the significant lack of current data on bryophytes in coastal parts of Croatia.

Keywords

life-forms, liverworts, maquis, Mediterranean, mosses, new national record, olive gro- ves, Pottiaceae

Brian Morton, Helena Bilandžija

Short communication

Brian Morton Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
Helena Bilandžija Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb; Croatian Biospeleological Society, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb

Abstract

Two extant cave-dwelling bivalves of the dreissenid genus Congeria were recently described by Morton et Bilandžija in Bilandžija et al. (2013) as Congeria jalzici Morton et Bilandžija and C. mulaomerovici Morton et Bilandžija. Unfortunately, the volume of the Frontiers in Zoology in which the descriptions were published was online-only and did not include a Zoobank registration number (LSID), which is required for validation of new names in electronic-only publications (ICZN, 2012). In consequence, the names C. jalzici and C. mulaomerovici should not be available according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999, 2012). Therefore, the present note serves to validate the names C. jalzici and C. mulaomerovici by fulfilling the ICZN conditions for nomenclatural availability. The holotypes of both species are deposited in the General Collection of Recent Molluscs, Croatian Natural History Museum, Zagreb and in The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo. Accordingly, the date and authorship of the new species names are those of this note and not those of Bilandžija et al. (2013).

Keywords

cave biology, subterranean biota, nomenclature, Zoobank registration number, mussels.

Mladen Šimala, Maja Pintar, Vjekoslav Markotić

Original scientific paper

Mladen Šimala Hrvatska agencija za poljoprivredu i hranu, Centar za zaštitu bilja, Gorice 68b, 10000 Zagreb
Maja Pintar Hrvatska agencija za poljoprivredu i hranu, Centar za zaštitu bilja, Gorice 68b, 10000 Zagreb
Vjekoslav Markotić Hrvatska agencija za poljoprivredu i hranu, Centar za zaštitu bilja, Gorice 68b, 10000 Zagreb

Abstract

The Camellia spiny whitefly Aleurocanthus camelliae Kanmiya & Kasai, 2011 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was intercepted for the first time during 2022 in consignments with ornamental Camellia spp. seedlings originating from Italy, in seven plant nurseries and garden centres in Croatia. This Eastern Palearctic whitefly species is an important pest, especially in tea cultivation of East Asia. However, in Croatia the species has been detected at very low population densities without any significant damage to the infested ornamental plants of the genus Camellia L. From the infested leaves collected on each location, whitefly puparia and pupal cases were slide-mounted and morphologically identified in laboratory as the species A. camelliae. It is assumed that in the case of spreading and domestication in Croatia, A. camelliae could potentially present a phytosanitary risk for the camellias planted in gardens and parks in the Kvarner area.

Keywords

Aleyrodidae, Aleurocatnhus camelliae, camellia, interception, Croatia

Vukašin Gojšina, Mihajlo Stanković, Ivaylo Dedov

Original scientific paper

Vukašin Gojšina Department of Morphology, Systematics and Phylogeny of Animals, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
Mihajlo Stanković SRP Zasavica – Pokret gorana, 22000 Sremska Mitrovica, Srbija
Ivaylo Dedov Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria, 2 Gagarin str., Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

Abstract

In this paper, we present the first records of the Budapest slug, Tandonia budapestensis (Hazay, 1880), from five localities in Bosnia & Herzegovina. We provide a detailed description of the external morphology and reproductive system of the specimens. We also speculate on the presence of Tandonia kusceri (H. Wagner, 1931) in Bosnia & Herzegovina, based on the present distribution and spread of the species and one photo posted on a social media platform.

Keywords

slugs, new findings, morphology, anatomy, distribution, alien species

Semir Maslo, Đorđije Milanović

Original scientific paper

Semir Maslo Primary School, Lundåkerskola, Gislaved, Sweden
Đorđije Milanović University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Forestry, Stepe Stepanovića 75A, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

New data concerning the distribution of native plant taxa vascular flora in Bosnia and Herzegovina are presented. They include new records as well as confirmations for taxa in the genera Aurinia, Hordeum, Molineriella and Prasium. New species for the country are Molineriella minuta and Prasium majus and the presence of two other species Aurinia sinuata and Hordeum bulbosum are confirmed.

Keywords

Aurinia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hordeum, Molineriella, new records, Prasium

Biljana Ječmenica, Jelena Kralj, Louie Thomas Taylor, Luka Jurinović

Original scientific paper

Biljana Ječmenica Croatian Veterinary Institute, Poultry Center, Heinzelova 55, Zagreb, Croatia
Jelena Kralj Institute of Ornithology, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Louie Thomas Taylor BIOM Association, Čazmanska 2, Zagreb, Croatia
Luka Jurinović Croatian Veterinary Institute, Poultry Center, Heinzelova 55, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Because of increasing urbanization, some opportunistic birds such as gulls, started to exploit various artificial marine and terrestrial food sources. To better understand urban gull ecology and habitat use, a study was done on a yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) during the breeding season in Zadar, a coastal city on the Adriatic Sea. Ten adult breeding yellow-legged gulls (five females and five males) were caught on building rooftops during the late incubation period and were fitted with GPS-GSM solar power transmitters. In total, 2377 trip segments (no. GPS points = 19906) were analyzed, with most of them being classified as nest attendance (56.32 %) and foraging movements (37.10 %). Tracking data showed that the gulls mostly use marine and urban areas, agricultural lands, a dump site, and grasslands. Females were more active while foraging, with a longer duration and trip segment length, travelling further away from the breeding colony, while males tended to rest more than females. Both males and females exploit various habitats for foraging and resting, however females used agricultural lands significantly more than males. Even though gulls are generalists, some individuals showed a preference for certain habitats. After calculating the proportional similarity index, individuals showed high specialization for a certain habitat.

Keywords

gulls, Laridae, GPS-GSM tracking, coastal Croatia, sex related difference, generalist, proportional similarity index

Dávid Schmidt, Réka Fekete, Szabolcs Kis

Original scientific paper

Dávid Schmidt Sopron University, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Botany and Nature conservation, Bajcsy- Zsilinszky str. 4., H-9400 Sopron, Hungary
Réka Fekete University of Debrecen, Department of Botany, H-4032 Debrecen, Egyetem sq. 1, Hungary
Szabolcs Kis ELKH-DE Conservation Biology Research Group, H-4032 Debrecen, Egyetem sq. 1, Hungary

Abstract

Our research was carried out in northern Croatia from 2018 to 2022 and we investigated the distribution of salt-tolerant plant species along roads (mainly along motorways) in a total of 51 study sites. We were the first to detect Cochlearia danica, a halophyte characterized by an Atlantic distribution, in the Croatian flora. We demonstrated the distinct roadside spread of Desmazeria marina, Parapholis incurva and Sagina maritima in a northerly direction towards the interior of the mainland. We recorded the mass occurrence of several salt-tolerant species already well documented in Central Europe along the surveyed motorways (e.g. Plantago coronopus, Spergularia marina) and provide data on other weeds that have spread along major roads. Three species found (Desmazeria marina, Puccinellia distans subsp. distans, Parapholis incurva) are included in the Croatian Red List.

Keywords

motorways, road ecology, rest area, salt tolerant species, propagation vector

Mirko Ruščić, Branimir Čorić

Original scientific paper

Mirko Ruščić Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, HR-21000 Split, Croatia
Branimir Čorić Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, HR-21000 Split, Croatia

Abstract

The flora of the Žeževica area was studied and listed in 2020. In all, 436 taxa from 286 genera and 83 families were recorded. Most taxa belong to the families Poaceae (9.63%) and Fabaceae (9.40%). The most abundant life forms are hemicryptophytes (34.63%) and therophytes (30.96%). As for the chorological analysis, most of the plants belong to Mediterranean (36.24%) and Southern European (22.02%) floral elements. A total of 14 endemic, 34 strictly protected and 22 threatened taxa were recorded. Most of the endemic species belong to the Illyrian Adriatic endemic plants. Of the alien flora, 23 taxa were listed, 16 plants of which are invasive. The greatest plant diversity was found in sites with different habitats, such as dry grasslands in olive groves and vineyards. The reduction of habitat diversity and the introduction of invasive taxa have proved to be the main problems leading to the reduction of plant richness. For this reason, the maintenance of diverse habitats with appropriate human influence are important for the conservation of the biodiversity in such areas.

Keywords

biodiversity, endangered taxa, endemics, floristic analysis, invasive taxa

Antun Alegro, Anja Rimac, Vedran Šegota

Original scientific paper

Antun Alegro University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Anja Rimac University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Vedran Šegota University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

During growing seasons 2018-2019 and in winter 2021, the flora of vascular plants and bryophytes of the Nature Monument Vrelo Une in southern Croatia was studied. The previous floristic data available for this area, covering 9.58 ha, are sparse, and this study recorded 219 taxa of vascular plants from 59 families. The species-richest families are Compositae (10.5%), Fabaceae (8.2%), Poaceae (7.8%), and Lamiaceae (6.4%). Additionally, 64 bryophyte species (14 liverworts and 50 mosses) were recorded. The spectrum of biogeographic elements of vascular plants places the study area in the Euro-Siberian region, at the meeting point of two vegetation sub-zones within the European broadleaf deciduous forests zone – thermophilic, sub-Mediterranean forests of the class Quercetea pubescentis and mesic forests of the class Carpino-Fagetea sylvaticae. The species of the South-eastern European and Illyrian elements give a local distinctiveness to the flora. The biogeographic elements of bryophytes are less sensitive but reflect the same biogeographical pattern. Since most of the researched area is covered by forests and thickets, the largest number of species of vascular plants are associated with these particular habitats, while rocks and aquatic habitats are the most important for bryophyte diversity. In terms of the IUCN categories, four species are classified as near threatened, three as least concern and three as data deficient. Invasive species have not been recorded.

Keywords

southern Croatia, biogeographical elements, habitat types, endangered species, prote- cted species, mosses, liverworts

Jakša Bolotin, Nikša Glavić, Jakica Njire, Valter Kožul, Nenad Antolović

Original scientific paper

Jakša Bolotin University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Damjana Jude 12, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Nikša Glavić University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Damjana Jude 12, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Jakica Njire University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Damjana Jude 12, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Valter Kožul University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Damjana Jude 12, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Nenad Antolović University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Damjana Jude 12, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Abstract

During November 2006 on a 500 m long experimentally placed ''Christmas tree'' rope collector for juvenile mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) placed the previous year a significant number of juvenile fan mussels (Pina nobilis Linnaeus, 1758) were observed. Live juvenile individuals (N=322) of P. nobilis with shell length from 17 to 93 mm were found in two sampling events. All juvenile fan mussels were found exclusively on deeper parts of the mussel rope. Observed population density was from 6 to 43 individuals per meter of the rope collector. The 120 smallest juveniles of P. nobilis were separated for the purpose of monitoring the growth rate in suspension, and the remaining juveniles were placed in the natural environment.

Keywords

fan mussel spat, ''Christmas tree'' rope, the Bay of Mali Ston

Elez Krasniqi, Naim Berisha

Original scientific paper

Elez Krasniqi Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo
Naim Berisha Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo

Abstract

This article presents the results of a floristic survey conducted between 2011 and 2021 on Mt. Kaznik, western Kosovo. In all, 361 plant taxa belonging to 75 families and 147 genera of vascular flora were recorded. These areas are dominated by serpentine soils, which are known for the increased occurrence of endemic plant taxa. Detailed analysis of chorological and biological data in conjunction with general vegetation data has highlighted the distinctive nature of Mt. Kaznik, making it a floristically important area. Of the taxa identified, 15 were classified as threatened plant taxa at the national level, while a total of 17 taxa are endemic plants. For each plant taxon, data on floristic element, habitat characteristics, life form, and general vegetation data are provided. A syntaxonomic analysis of the recorded taxa showed that they belong to nine vegetation classes, with the pubescent oak and mixed deciduous forest class Quercetea pubescentis being dominant. In addition, a floristic comparison was made between the serpentines of Kaznik and those in central and northern Kosovo. Considering the floristic importance and the high degree of diversity exhibited by the serpentines, the data presented are of particular importance to a better understanding of the floristic composition of Kosovo.

Keywords

vascular plants, chorology, syntaxonomy, plant diversity, serpentine

Vedran Šegota, Snežana Dragićević, Anja Rimac, Antun Alegro

Original scientific paper

Vedran Šegota University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Snežana Dragićević Natural History Museum of Montenegro, Trg Vojvode Bećir-bega Osmanagića 16, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
Anja Rimac University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Antun Alegro University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 20/II, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The rare boreo-alpine moss Herzogiella striatella was found on Mt Snježnik (W Croatia) in 2015 and constitutes the first national record. Two populations were recorded inside an old and hardly accessible spruce forest on steep boulders (Lonicero caerulae-Piceetum) along the Frankopanski Put hiking path. The markedly cool and humid microclimate ensured by small karst dolines within the forest shapes the specific bryophyte species composition with the elements of snowbed and timberline pine krummholz vegetation and the domination of boreal and arctic taxa. Due to its pronounced isolation from other European populations, the species is certainly of relict origin in Croatian Dinaric Alps.

Keywords

boreal taxa, bryophytes, Croatian Dinaric Alps, spruce forests, Mt Snježnik, snowbed vegetation

Natura Croatica, Vol. 32 No.2

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