Natura Croatica

Mohcen Menaa, Lamia Boutabia, Salah Telailia

Short communication

Mohcen Menaa Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Mohamed Cherif Massaadia University of Souk Ahras, P.O. 1553, Annaba Road, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria
Lamia Boutabia Laboratory Agriculture and Ecosystem Functioning, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, P.O. Box 73, 36000 El Tarf, Algeria
Salah Telailia Laboratory Agriculture and Ecosystem Functioning, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, P.O. Box 73, 36000 El Tarf, Algeria

Abstract

The city of Thubursicum Numidarum is considered one of the most important and richest ancient archaeological sites in Algeria, in terms of magnitude and the diversity of archaeological buildings. This city is located in the far east of Algeria, specifically in the municipality of Khemissa, the state of Souk Ahras, distinguished most importantly by its Numidian origins, as indicated by its ancient name. In the context of this study, a Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) species was discovered in these Roman ruins. Blaps nitiduloides (Soldati, 2017) is a significant finding as it had been reported previously in Northeastern Algeria fauna biodiversity.

Keywords

Blaps nitiduloides, Coleoptera, fauna biodiversity, Thubursicum Numidarum, Algeria

Sebastian Ćato

Short communication

Sebastian Ćato University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Apart from being transferred via substrate samples or human activity, pseudoscorpions can also engage in phoresy. This involves them attaching themselves to more mobile animals and traveling long distances while investing small amounts of energy. Phoretic behaviour of a pseudoscorpion is newly documented in the coastal region of Croatia, marking the first confirmed record of such behaviour within the country. This is the first instance of the moth Tephronia sepiaria (Hufnagel, 1767) being identified as a phoretic host. The study entails a succinct discussion of the known lepidopteran hosts, as well as the ecology of the host species and its phoront.

Keywords

Croatia, dispersal, Lepidoptera, phoresy, Pseudoscopiones

Blertina Islami, Krenare Ibrahimi, Blearta Kastrati, Donard Geci, Halil Ibrahimi, Astrit Bilalli

Short communication

Blertina Islami Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Mother Teresa street p.n., 10000 Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
Krenare Ibrahimi Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Mother Teresa street p.n., 10000 Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
Blearta Kastrati Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Mother Teresa street p.n., 10000 Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
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
Halil Ibrahimi
Astrit Bilalli University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, Faculty of Agribusiness, Street “UÇK” 30000 Pejë, Republic of Kosovo

Abstract

The strawberry spider Araneus alsine (Walckenaer, 1802) is a Palearctic species that has been reported from most European countries, including several in the Balkans. In this contribution, for the first time, we report the presence of this species in Kosovo. A single specimen was observed on 24 August, 2023 in the Blinajë hunting reserve, in the municipality of Lipjan. The specimen was found on grass near a forest.

Keywords

Strawberry spider, Kosovo, Araneidae

Christoph Germann, Piotr Białooki

Original scientific paper

Christoph Germann Biosciences, Naturhistorisches Museum Basel, Augustinergasse 2, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
Piotr Białooki State Plant Health and Seed Inspection, ul. Na Stoku 48, 80-874 Gdańsk, Poland

Abstract

We describe Brachysomus bulbosus sp. nov. from Plav municipality in Montenegro. The habitus of the new species shows similarities with Brachysomus (Hippomias) albanicus (Apfelbeck, 1911), B. (Hippomias) commutatus Kostal, 1992, but also with B. (s. str.) deceptorius Białooki & Krátký, 2015. Based on characteristics of the head, vestiture and genitalia we suggest a placement in the Brachysomus simplex species group. The new species differs remarkably from all congeners by its comparatively bare, shiny and subglobose body.

Keywords

Brachysomus, taxonomy, new species, subalpine habitat, Montenegro

Adrian Doko, Valbona Hobdari, Evan Rroço

Original scientific paper

Adrian Doko Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Agricultural University of Tirana
Valbona Hobdari Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania
Evan Rroço Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Agronomic Sciences, Agricultural University of Tirana

Abstract

The aim of the study was to define the main morphological, biometric and production elements of 25 common wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) of Albanian origin. In the study the following data were registered: entire vegetation period (germination – ripening), vegetative growth period (germination – flowering), reproduction period (flowering – ripening), number of tiller per plant, plant height, length of the main spike, number of spikelet in the main spike, number of grains in the main spike, average number of grains in the spikelet, weight of grains in the main spike, weight of 1,000 grains and grain yield (dt/ha) calculated at 14% moisture. The experimental data showed that the genotypes under study have significant differences with respect to the characteristics and traits under study. The results obtained were also analyzed for correlation coefficient among traits, where several interesting relationships related to grain yield and production components were found.

Keywords

genotype, descriptors, production elements, grain yield

Andreja Brigić, Antun Alegro, Snježana Vujčić-Karlo

Original scientific paper

Andreja Brigić University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, HR–10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Antun Alegro Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Snježana Vujčić-Karlo National Museum Zadar, Natural History Department, Medulićeva 2, 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Abstract

Floods are one of the most important natural disturbance events in the terrestrial ecosystems of the European lowlands. River regulation has significantly altered the river banks and affected river dynamics worldwide. Lonjsko polje, a retention area along the Sava River, plays a crucial role in flood control. However, beyond its flood management function, it holds significant ecological value on regional and global scale. In this study, we aimed to assess the carabid beetle fauna of the flooded habitats of Lonjsko polje Nature Park, the forest remnant and the pasture, using pitfall traps. Altogether 3,369 carabid beetle specimens belonging to 64 species were sampled. Carabid beetle activity density was six times higher in the forest remnant than in the pasture. The assemblages of both habitat types were composed primarily of macropterous species with good dispersal abilities, which can easily move to other areas in response to flooding. In addition, open habitat and hygrophilous species prevailed in terms of abundance in both habitat types. The mosaicity of habitats, combined with traditional land management practices, pig foraging and livestock grazing, support carabid beetle fauna of high conservation value, including rare and threatened species such as Carabus clatratus auraniensis and Blethisa multipunctata.

Keywords

grazing, Carabus clatratus auraniensis, seasonal dynamics, temporal dynamics, functional traits, wetlands

Marija Bošnjak, Jasenka Sremac, Donat Petricioli, Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli, Nediljka Prlj Šimić, Davor Vrsaljko

Original scientific paper

Marija Bošnjak Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Jasenka Sremac Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Donat Petricioli D.I.I.V. for Marine, Freshwater and Subterranean Ecology, Sali, Croatia
Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nediljka Prlj Šimić Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Davor Vrsaljko Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Bivalves of the genus Neopycnodonte Stenzel, 1971 (Ostreida: Gryphaeidae) are known as common bioconstructors from the mesophotic marine environments of the Cenozoic era. Along with mussels, they are among the first taxa to colonize natural and artificial hard substrates, but they live somewhat deeper, being most common between 50 and 150 m. More than eighty specimens of fossil Neopycnodonte from the Neogene deposits of Mt. Medvednica, the Samoborsko gorje Hills, the Glinsko Pokuplje area and Siena (Italy) are housed in the Croatian Natural History Museum (CNHM) under the names: Ostrea cochlear Poli, 1795, Picnodonta cochlear (Poli, 1795) and Picnodonta (Ostrea) cochlear (Poli, 1795) var. navicularis (Brocchi, 1814). The presence of the Pycnodonteinae subfamily was also recorded from several areas in Croatia during the preparation of the Basic Geological Maps. Like many other oysters, pycnodonteins are highly variable in shape and there have been some doubts concerning their taxonomy. The authors support one of the previously suggested taxonomical schemes (Freneix, 1975), assigning the fossil specimens from CNHM to the species Neopycnodonte navicularis (Brocchi, 1814), which is considered a direct ancestor of the recent N. cochlear (Poli, 1795).

Keywords

Pycnodonteinae, Gryphaeidae, Croatian Natural History Museum, taxonomy, palae- obiogeography, palaeoenvironment

Martina Podnar, Jadranka Mauch Lenardić, Dejan Kulijer, Vinko Ljubas, Daniela Hamidović, Nikola Tvrtković

Original scientific paper

Martina Podnar Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Jadranka Mauch Lenardić Kraljevac 11a, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Dejan Kulijer National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zmaja od Bosne 3, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vinko Ljubas Bana Jelačića 25, BiH-80240 Tomislavgrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Daniela Hamidović Ministry of Environment and Green Transition, Radnička cesta 80, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nikola Tvrtković Croatian Biospeleological Society, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

After being presumed extinct, the blind mole rat was rediscovered in Vučedol, Croatia. Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial markers (cytochrome b and 16S rRNA) were conducted to classify the population. The results confirmed a distinct separation between the Lesser mole rats (Nannospalax leucodon clade) and Western mole rats (N. monticola clade). Within the N. monticola complex, six lineages were identified, which likely diverged during the Middle to Late Pleistocene. The Vučedol sample belongs to the montanosyrmiensis cytotype subclade, which was also found in Fruška Gora, Serbia. This subclade may represent a new species, showing K2P genetic distances of 4.3% to 5.7% from the "Pannonian Plain" subclade located on both banks of the Danube River. In two Pannonian localities, secondary contacts between populations of both subclades have been documented. One of them is the Kelebia – Subotička peščara population, where a unique subclade "Kelebia" was identified. Populations with montanoserbicus cytotype cluster within two distinct subclades, montanoserbicus A and montanoserbicus B, with K2P distances ranging from 4.6% to 5.3%, indicating potential species status for montanoserbicus A. In the most parsimonious network, montanoserbicus B exhibits a close relationship with the Pannonian Plain sublineage and a single sample from Bosnia and Herzegovina, showing K2P distances of 1.9% to 3.2%, suggesting that they may belong to the same species, N. monticola. Significant divergence between populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina highlights the need for further exploration of local variability and taxonomic status. Detailed analyses with additional markers from more localities are necessary before final species delimitation and taxonomic revision can occur. For now, Nannospalax monticola (Nehring, 1898) remains the sole valid name in the N. monticola complex.

Keywords

Spalacinae, molecular phylogeny, species delimitation, Pannonian area, Dinaric and Balkan mountains 318

Toni Koren

Original scientific paper

Toni Koren Association Hyla, Lipovac I 7, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The results of research into the moth fauna of Risnjak National Park (Primorje-Gorski Kotar County) are presented. The research was mainly conducted in two types of mountain habitats, beech forests and meadow-pastures. Prior to this three-year survey, only 70 moth species were known from the area. During the survey, 564 moth species were recorded at 15 sites, with many rare taxa found only for the second or third time in the country. Three new species were reported for the Croatian fauna: Pharmacis carna, Lasionycta imbecilla and Horisme aemulata. The survey provides valuable baseline data on the composition of moth species in the montane area of Risnjak National Park, which can be used for future research and conservation efforts. Succession is the main threat to habitats in this area, significantly affecting grassland areas in the park.

Keywords

Noctuidae, Geometridae, Pyraloidea, Gorski Kotar, faunistic, montane area

Milaim Musliu, Astrit Bilalli, Donard Geci, Halil Ibrahimi

Original scientific paper

Milaim Musliu Faculty of Agribusiness, University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, “UÇK” street, 30 000 Pejë, Republic of Kosovo
Astrit Bilalli Faculty of Agribusiness, University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, “UÇK” street, 30 000 Pejë, Republic of Kosovo
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
Halil Ibrahimi Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, “Eqrem Qabej” p.n., 10 000 Prishtinë, Kosovo

Abstract

Adult caddisflies were collected from the Bistrica River and Dërmjak Stream in Kosovo, during June 2020 and June 2023. Thirteen species were found, belonging to the following families: Rhyacophilidae, Glossosomatidae, Hydroptilidae, Philopotamidae, Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, Limnephilidae and Goeridae. Hydroptila kalonichtis Malicky, 1972, a rare species described from Greece, is reported for the first time from the Western Balkans. In addition to this, this study contributes to the expansion of the known distribution area of two other rare species endemic to the Balkan Peninsula; Polycentropus slovenica (Malicky, 1998) and Tinodes janssensi Jacquemart, 1957.

Keywords

caddisflies, aquatic insects, Kosovo, rare species, distribution

Danijela Gumhalter, Kai Berggren, Leif Aarvik, Giorgio Baldizzone, Imre Fazekas, Friedmar Graf, Martina Šašić

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
Giorgio Baldizzone Via Manzoni 24, I-14100 Asti, Italy; Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève, C.P. 6434, CH-1211 Geneva 6, Switzerland
Imre Fazekas Pannon Institute, Magaslati út 24, H-7625 Pécs, Hungary
Friedmar Graf Burglehn 1, D-02625 Bautzen, Germany
Martina Šašić Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The list has 416 species of Tortricidae. Altogether 31 species are new to the Croatian fauna: three species that are held in museum collections and 28 species that were collected by the authors. For each species, an exhaustive review of literature references is provided, from the oldest historical records to the recent ones. Data from the field surveys and/or a reference to the collection where vouchers are preserved are also provided. The taxonomic categories included are subfamilies, tribes, genera, subgenera, and species. In addition, distributional information for each species is given according to its occurrence in the three biogeographical regions of Croatia (Alpine, Mediterranean, and Continental regions).

Keywords

Tortricidae, pest species, agriculture, forestry, distribution, biogeography, Croatian Natural History Museum, Croatia

Natura Croatica, Vol. 33 No.2

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