The current state of knowledge on Euphorbia subgen. Chamaesyce sect. Anisophyllum in Croatia, based on literature analysis, herbarium specimens, data from the Flora Croatica Database (FCD) and personal field observations, is presented. Before this study, six species from this section have been reported several times for Croatia: two native (E. peplis and E. chamaesyce) and four introduced and naturalized (E. humifusa, E. maculata, E. nutans, and E. prostrata). Here, I report on the occurrence of two new species, E. glyptosperma and E. serpens, in the flora of Croatia, and confirm the presence of the recently published record of E. hypericifolia. Euphorbia serpens and E. hyperificifolia were found as weeds in several garden centers in the areas of Šibenik and Zadar, where they were recently introduced through seeds in the soil of pots with ornamental plants imported from Italy. On the other hand, E. glyptosperma has been present in Croatia for approximately ten years and can be considered a naturalized species. A brief description of the three newly recorded taxa is provided, along with notes on key characteristics. Data on taxonomy, ecology and current distribution for each species are given, as well as the data on the first occurrence and the dynamics of spread of the introduced taxa in Europe and Croatia. Finally, an updated identification key comprising the nine taxa of Euphorbia sect. Anisophyllum occurring in Croatia is provided.

The Smoothback angelshark Squatina oculata is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It has been extirpated from much of its historical range, resulting in a significantly reduced and fragmented current distribution across the Mediterranean. New occurrence records, combined with biological data, are crucial to guide effective conservation measures in the basin. Here, we report the bycatch of a Smoothback angelshark off El Kala waters, at the extreme eastern boundary of Algeria (GFCM-GSA 4), in June 2025. The specimen was identified as a subadult female, measuring 857 mm in total length and weighing 5606.5 g. For the first time in this subarea, morphometric characteristics of an angel shark species were documented, complemented by the integration of Local Ecological Knowledge from fishermen. The possible establishment of a viable S. oculata population in the fishing grounds remains an optimistic hypothesis that cannot be excluded. This rare record from Algerian waters provides valuable insights to help fill knowledge gaps on the species in the southwestern Mediterranean and underscores the urgent need for targeted monitoring and conservation actions in the region.

The shallow Vrana (Vransko) Lake in Dalmatia, Croatia, is a brackish water (oligohaline) lake that was artificially connected to the Adriatic Sea by the Prosika Canal, built in the 18th century. The aim of this study was to provide an updated overview of macro-crustacean diversity (class Malacostraca) in the Vrana Lake Basin. This synthesis includes all available records, combining the author’s field observations with data from the scientific literature, and focuses on macro-crustacean taxa within the orders Amphipoda, Decapoda, Isopoda, and Mysida. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled using a hand net between 2011 and 2022, while baited crayfish traps were deployed during a one-night sampling effort in May/June 2024. Specimens of the invasive blue crab were collected manually in 2023 and 2024. In total, 32 sites were surveyed, 29 with a hand net and three exclusively with baited traps. A total of 21 macro-crustacean taxa were recorded in the Vrana Lake Basin between 2011 and 2024, comprising 16 species and five genera. The order Amphipoda was the most taxonomically diverse, with 11 taxa, followed by Isopoda (4), Decapoda (4), and Mysida (2). The highest species richness (16 taxa) was observed at the mouth of the Prosika Canal into the Adriatic Sea. The macro-crustacean fauna of the Vrana Lake Basin represents a unique assemblage of freshwater/oligohaline and brackish/marine species. The freshwater/oligohaline species, including the isopod Proasellus coxalis, amphipod Niphargus dalmatinus, and decapods Palaemon antennarius and Austropotamobius fulcisianus, were more abundant and widely distributed in the tributaries, with P. coxalis and P. antennarius also occurring in the lake. Most of the brackish/marine species were recorded only at the mouth of the Prosika Canal into the Adriatic Sea. Amphipods Gammarus aequicauda and Pectenogammarus stocki, and the isopod Lekanesphaera hookeri, were dominant in the lake and the Prosika Canal during, and immediately after periods of increased salinity. A recent addition to the brackish/marine group is the invasive blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), whose continued spread may pose a serious threat to biodiversity in the Vrana Lake Basin. The endangered white-clawed crayfish (A. fulcisianus) was recorded only in the freshwater Lateral Canal. Its continued monitoring is essential to assess the effectiveness of conservation measures, especially in light of planned sediment and vegetation removal to maintain flow in the canal. Salinization remains the primary threat to aquatic biodiversity in the basin. Urgent implementation of active management strategies, such as construction of a movable gate on the Prosika Canal, is necessary to mitigate this risk. The data presented in this study are critical for understanding and anticipating future changes in the macro-crustacean assemblages of this ecologically sensitive ecosystem.

Xiphydria prolongata (Geoffroy, 1785) is reported in Greece for the first time, from a mixed riparian forest in the northeastern Peloponnese. The species’ distribution, ecology, and the characteristics of the collection site are briefly discussed and documented with habitat and specimen photographs.

During ongoing bryological surveys conducted in the Mt. Papuk, two significant sites, Sokolina Gosted and Svinjarevac, have been identified. These sites are characterized by unique acidophilic forests with a predominance of peat mosses on the forest floor. Sokolina Gosted represents the first documented locality in Croatia for four taxa: Andreaea rothii ssp. rothii, Grimmia donniana, G. montana, and Racomitrium affine. Furthermore, Buxbaumia aphylla and Dicranum spurium were observed for the first time at both Sokolina Gosted and Svinjarevac. Additionally, several extremely rare species have been reported at one or both locations, including Cynodontium polycarpon, Dicranum polysetum, Isopaches bicrenatus, Jungermannia pumila, Pleuridium acuminatum, Rhabdoweisia fugax, Syzygiella autumnalis and Ulota intermedia. Consequently, both locations serve as important bryological hotspots, exhibiting distinctive species assemblages within unique habitats relevant to Southeast Europe. While the significance of these sites in terms of bryophyte diversity is clear, the presence of the invasive species Campylopus introflexus underscores the necessity for ongoing research and monitoring efforts in the area.

New faunistic and distributional data are provided on scorpion fauna from the Oriental region of Morocco, a poorly studied area, covering 90,130 km2. Altogether 119 specimens belonging to eight species are recorded, allowing an update on the distribution of these species. A total of 12 scorpion species from four genera are recognized to occur in the Oriental region of Morocco presented here. We also provide new distribution records for newly described and micro-endemic scorpion species which is a key element in promoting their conservation in the country.

Based on the known available records of Croatia’s hawk moths, including more recent observations, this short communication provides an updated contribution to the known distribution of the broad-bordered bee hawk-moth in Croatia. Individuals of the species were recorded in the areas of Strmendolac and Vinine, Split-Dalmatia County. These observations confirm additional southern localities for the species in Croatia, beyond Makarska. Given the limited number of observations, a wider distribution of the species can be expected in the southern parts of the Mediterranean biogeographical region of Croatia.