Morphological, physiological and population traits of the peripheral populations of the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola) in Serbia

The meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola) is a small lacertid species that usually lives in shaded and moist, forest habitats. The western limit of its distribution range with peripheral populations is located in the territory of Serbia. Since peripheral populations can in many aspects be significantly different from central populations the subject of this dissertation was to: recognize the environmental parameters that limit the expansion of the species range, analyse populations’ traits and habitats, compare the levels of environmental stress in central and peripheral populations by analysing the levels of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and condition indices of mass, as well as to examine the ecophysiological traits of the species. Ecological niche modelling indicated two significant factors that limit the distribution of the meadow lizard – narrow climate tolerance and deforestation. Analysis of central and peripheral populations showed that they did not differ in density, that they had a similar proportion of adults and a similar sex ratio. Females were larger than males, while the body size was not correlated with altitude and latitude and it did not differ between the two types of populations. Condition indices were lower in males from central populations and from populations with a larger number of predatory reptile species. However, no differences in FA levels were observed between central and peripheral populations. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the meadow lizard had developed mechanisms for conserving water in the body and that its range of selected temperatures was lower than in most lacertid lizards. The conclusion is that the activity and distribution of the meadow lizard are likely limited by the thermal requirements of the species, and that its observed association with humid habitats is likely a result of the selection of habitats that match its preferred temperatures

Morphological, physiological and population traits of the peripheral populations of the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola) in Serbia

Šumski gušter (Darevskia praticola) je mala lacertidna vrsta koja živi na zasenčenim i vlažnim, najčešće šumskim staništima. Zapadna granica njegovog areala, sa perifernim populacijama, nalazi se na teritoriji Srbije. Kako periferne populacije u mnogim aspektima mogu biti značajno različite od centralnih populacija predmet ove disertacije je bio: prepoznavanje sredinskih parametara koji ograničavaju širenje areala vrste, analiza odlika populacija i njihovih staništa, poređenje nivoa sredinskog stresa u centralnim i perifernim populacijama analizom nivoa fluktuirajuće asimetrije (FA) i kondicionog indeksa mase, kao i ispitivanje ekofizioloških osobina vrste. Modeliranje ekološke niše je ukazalo na dva značajna faktora koji ograničavaju rasprostranjenje šumskog guštera – uska klimatska tolerancija i deforestacija. Analiza centralnih i perifernih populacija je pokazala da se one nisu razlikovale po gustini, da su imale sličnu proporciju adultnih jedinki i sličan odnos polova. Ženke su bile veće od mužjaka, pri čemu veličina tela nije bila korelisana sa nadmorskom visinom i geografskom širinom i nije se razlikovala između dva tipa populacija. Kondicioni indeksi su bili niži kod mužjaka iz centralnih populacija i iz populacija sa većim brojem predatorskih vrsta gmizavaca. Međutim, između centralnih i perifernih populacija nisu uočene razlike u nivou FA. Eksperimentalno je pokazano da šumski gušter ima razvijene mehanizme za očuvanje vode u telu i da je njegov opseg odabranih temperatura niži u odnosu na većinu lacertidnih guštera. Zaključak je da su aktivnost i rasprostranjenje šumskog guštera najverovatnije ograničeni termalnim potrebama vrste, a da je primećena asocijacija sa vlažnim staništima verovatno rezultat odabira staništa koja odgovaraju njegovim preferiranim temperaturama.The meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola) is a small lacertid species that usually lives in shaded and moist, forest habitats. The western limit of its distribution range with peripheral populations is located in the territory of Serbia. Since peripheral populations can in many aspects be significantly different from central populations the subject of this dissertation was to: recognize the environmental parameters that limit the expansion of the species range, analyse populations’ traits and habitats, compare the levels of environmental stress in central and peripheral populations by analysing the levels of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and condition indices of mass, as well as to examine the ecophysiological traits of the species. Ecological niche modelling indicated two significant factors that limit the distribution of the meadow lizard – narrow climate tolerance and deforestation. Analysis of central and peripheral populations showed that they did not differ in density, that they had a similar proportion of adults and a similar sex ratio. Females were larger than males, while the body size was not correlated with altitude and latitude and it did not differ between the two types of populations. Condition indices were lower in males from central populations and from populations with a larger number of predatory reptile species. However, no differences in FA levels were observed between central and peripheral populations. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the meadow lizard had developed mechanisms for conserving water in the body and that its range of selected temperatures was lower than in most lacertid lizards. The conclusion is that the activity and distribution of the meadow lizard are likely limited by the thermal requirements of the species, and that its observed association with humi

Morphological, physiological and population traits of the peripheral populations of the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola) in Serbia

Šumski gušter (Darevskia praticola) je mala lacertidna vrsta koja živi na zasenčenim i vlažnim, najčešće šumskim staništima. Zapadna granica njegovog areala, sa perifernim populacijama, nalazi se na teritoriji Srbije. Kako periferne populacije u mnogim aspektima mogu biti značajno različite od centralnih populacija predmet ove disertacije je bio: prepoznavanje sredinskih parametara koji ograničavaju širenje areala vrste, analiza odlika populacija i njihovih staništa, poređenje nivoa sredinskog stresa u centralnim i perifernim populacijama analizom nivoa fluktuirajuće asimetrije (FA) i kondicionog indeksa mase, kao i ispitivanje ekofizioloških osobina vrste. Modeliranje ekološke niše je ukazalo na dva značajna faktora koji ograničavaju rasprostranjenje šumskog guštera – uska klimatska tolerancija i deforestacija. Analiza centralnih i perifernih populacija je pokazala da se one nisu razlikovale po gustini, da su imale sličnu proporciju adultnih jedinki i sličan odnos polova. Ženke su bile veće od mužjaka, pri čemu veličina tela nije bila korelisana sa nadmorskom visinom i geografskom širinom i nije se razlikovala između dva tipa populacija. Kondicioni indeksi su bili niži kod mužjaka iz centralnih populacija i iz populacija sa većim brojem predatorskih vrsta gmizavaca. Međutim, između centralnih i perifernih populacija nisu uočene razlike u nivou FA. Eksperimentalno je pokazano da šumski gušter ima razvijene mehanizme za očuvanje vode u telu i da je njegov opseg odabranih temperatura niži u odnosu na većinu lacertidnih guštera. Zaključak je da su aktivnost i rasprostranjenje šumskog guštera najverovatnije ograničeni termalnim potrebama vrste, a da je primećena asocijacija sa vlažnim staništima verovatno rezultat odabira staništa koja odgovaraju njegovim preferiranim temperaturama.The meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola) is a small lacertid species that usually lives in shaded and moist, forest habitats. The western limit of its distribution range with peripheral populations is located in the territory of Serbia. Since peripheral populations can in many aspects be significantly different from central populations the subject of this dissertation was to: recognize the environmental parameters that limit the expansion of the species range, analyse populations’ traits and habitats, compare the levels of environmental stress in central and peripheral populations by analysing the levels of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and condition indices of mass, as well as to examine the ecophysiological traits of the species. Ecological niche modelling indicated two significant factors that limit the distribution of the meadow lizard – narrow climate tolerance and deforestation. Analysis of central and peripheral populations showed that they did not differ in density, that they had a similar proportion of adults and a similar sex ratio. Females were larger than males, while the body size was not correlated with altitude and latitude and it did not differ between the two types of populations. Condition indices were lower in males from central populations and from populations with a larger number of predatory reptile species. However, no differences in FA levels were observed between central and peripheral populations. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the meadow lizard had developed mechanisms for conserving water in the body and that its range of selected temperatures was lower than in most lacertid lizards. The conclusion is that the activity and distribution of the meadow lizard are likely limited by the thermal requirements of the species, and that its observed association with humi

Deliberate tail loss in Dolichophis caspius and Natrix tessellata (Serpentes: Colubridae) with a brief review of pseudoautotomy in contemporary snake families

Deliberate tail loss was recorded for the first time in three large whip snakes (Dolichophis caspius) and one dice snake (Natrix tessellata). Observations were made in different years and in different locations. In all cases the tail breakage happened while snakes were being handled by researchers. Pseudoautotomy was confirmed in one large whip snake by an X-Ray photo of a broken piece of the tail, where intervertebral breakage was observed. This evidence and literature data suggest that many colubrid species share the ability for deliberate tail loss. However, without direct observation or experiment it is not possible to prove a species' ability for pseudoautotomy, as a broken tail could also be evidence of an unsuccessful predator attack, resulting in a forcefully broken distal part of the tail.North-Western Journal of Zoology (2016), 12(2): 367-37

Contribution to the knowledge of spatial movements of adult Hermann’s tortoises

We recorded the movements of adult Eastern Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) in a local population situated in a complex forested habitat system. The average total movement range size (TMRS) calculated over three consecutive years was 4.56 ha and 7.53 ha for males and females, respectively. The largest estimated TMRS of male and female tortoises was 27 ha and 90 ha, respectively. Six females and three males (or 9% and 4%, respectively, of the overall sample) had a movement range size (MRS) greater than 10 ha. Significant differences between male and female MRS were not detected. Body size had no influence on the MRS of individuals in the sample, except on the core movement range size (CMRS) in males. Although the collected data did not enable calculation of the home range in the studied population, the results indicate that the calculated average TMRS of local Hermann tortoises is larger than the average home range in some other populations. Therefore, in the absence of information on the home range size of local adult tortoises, the MRS could be a suitable alternative for planning local species reserves.Archives of Biological Sciences (2017), 69(4): 671-67

konzumiranje Cigareta među studentima univerziteta Crne gore: prevalenCija i pušačke navike

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cigarette consumption and the differences in smoking habits among university students aged 18-26 years from different faculties in Montenegro. Method. This cross-sectional study was conducted in University of Montenegro in Podgorica and the data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results. The study enrolled 146 students of both genders (63 males and 83 females) with an average age of 21.63 ± 2.16 years. It was shown that overall prevalence of cigarette consumption was 52.05% among all participants i.e. 21.62% among the students of Faculty of Medicine (p < 0.001). Among the students who practiced smoking, 46.57% of them stated that it was in the period of high school. We did not estimate a significant difference in the daily smoking frequency (number of cigarettes per day) (p = 0.443). Also, study participants did not have a specific time during the day for cigarette consumption (67.20%). The largest number of students (40.70%) light the first cigarette more than half an hour after waking up. University students believed that cigarette smoking could help overcome stressful situations, and that it improved concentration and memory. Smoking status was found to be higher among the students of older age (p < 0.001) and advancing year of faculty (p = 0.002). The analysis showed no significant gender difference in smoking habits. Conclusion. Our investigation confirmed a high prevalence of cigarette consumption among university students in Montenegro, and therefore we recommend that appropriate programs for smoking prevention and cessation be developed.Publishe

Distribution and diversity of brown frogs (Rana spp., Anura, Amphibia) in Serbia

In this study, we present updated distribution data for all three brown frog species (Rana spp.) inhabiting Serbia. The data provided consists of newly collected field records and compiled data previously published in literature or via Internet. Of the three species found in Serbia, Rana dalmatina is the most widespread, present in all three altitudinal regions and all biogeographical regions. Rana graeca is confined to Mountain-valley altitudinal region in permanent fastflowing rivers or streams and it reaches its northern range boundaries in Serbia. Rana temporaria is the rarest of the three, with fragmented range restricted to the high mountains or few isolated lowland populations, and in the north-eastern Serbia, it is vicariant with R. graeca in canyons and gorges of montane rivers. The presence of Rana arvalis in Serbia is mentioned in literature but was not confirmed during the subsequent field surveys, so we consider it only as a potential species for the Serbian batrachofauna. The brown frog faunal composition of Serbia is identical to that of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia and Montenegro, while it is somewhat different from that of Hungary and Romania and the most different from Croatia and Slovenia. Serbian brown frogs belong to European (R. temporaria) and South-European (R. dalmatina, R. graeca) chorotypes. All species of brown frogs present or potentially present in Serbia and their habitats are identified as great conservation priorities

Aspects of thermal ecology of the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola)

We studied the thermal biology of the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola) in the peripheral part of its distribution range (westernmost edge of the distribution area). We assessed whether these lizards actively thermoregulate, estimated the accuracy and effectiveness of thermoregulation, and evaluated the thermal quality of the habitat using the standard thermal parameters: body (Tb), preferred (Tpref) with set-point range (Tset) and operative temperatures (Te). Tset of the meadow lizard under controlled laboratory conditions was between 27.8°C and 31.4°C. In the field Tb and Te averaged 29.0°C and 26.1°C, respectively. A large proportion of Tes fell below the Tset range of the meadow lizard, and lizard Tbs were substantially closer to the species’ Tset range. Obtained values of thermoregulatory indices suggested that the meadow lizard thermoregulated actively, with a rather high accuracy (d¯b=0.8) and effectiveness (E=0.8 and d¯e−d¯b=2.6), and that their habitat at this locality was thermally favourable during the spring. Our results suggest that thermal requirements of the meadow lizard resemble those of alpine lacertids, while their Tbs and Tset are lower than in most lacertid lizards. Further thermoregulation studies could be an important step in predicting the impact of the global climate change on the meadow lizard and the risks of local extinctions of its peripheral populations

New record of a Dalmatolacerta oxycephala (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) population in the northern part of Montenegro

Two previously known northernmost localities of Sharp-snouted rock lizard in Montenegro were the entrance of the Komarnica Canyon (Nevidio), and the middle part of the Tara River Canyon (village Tepca). It was presumed that Komarnica and Piva canyons were once corridors for the spreading of this species from the Eastern Adriatic sub-Mediterranean area to the Tara River Canyon in the north. However, it had not been hitherto known if there were any other relict populations in the area. In the autumn of 2019 a localized population of D. oxycephala was discovered in the middle part of the Komarnica Canyon

Deliberate tail loss in Dolichophis caspius and Natrix tessellata (Serpentes: Colubridae) with a brief review of pseudoautotomy in contemporary snake families

Deliberate tail loss was recorded for the first time in three large whip snakes (Dolichophis caspius) and one dice snake (Natrix tessellata). Observations were made in different years and in different locations. In all cases the tail breakage happened while snakes were being handled by researchers. Pseudoautotomy was confirmed in one large whip snake by an X-Ray photo of a broken piece of the tail, where intervertebral breakage was observed. This evidence and literature data suggest that many colubrid species share the ability for deliberate tail loss. However, without direct observation or experiment it is not possible to prove a species' ability for pseudoautotomy, as a broken tail could also be evidence of an unsuccessful predator attack, resulting in a forcefully broken distal part of the tail.North-Western Journal of Zoology (2016), 12(2): 367-37