A CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA) FROM THE RIVER MORAČA (MONTENEGRO)

Fauna of dragonflies (Odonata) of the Morača River (Montenegro) was studied during 2007 and 2008. Samples were collected in five localities along the river. Examined sites provide specific living conditions of differently adopted species of dragonflies. During the study 934 individuals classified into 35 species were collected. One of them, Trithemis annulata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805), was collected for the first time and thereby confirmed the record of this species for fauna of Odonata in Montenegro

REVIEW OF FAUNISTICAL DATA ON ODONATA IN BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

This paper deals with faunistical data and taxonomic notes on Odonata in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A database containing all available published, previously unpublished, and new data was made in order to create a review of the current knowledge of the country’s Odonata fauna and point out the priorities in future investigations. 57 Odonata species are listed as resident species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Of that number, exact data on the occurrence of 6 species (Lestes parvidens, L. macrostigma, Erythromma viridulum, Aeshna grandis, Lindenia tetraphylla and Somatochlora flavomaculata) are presented and discussed here for the first time

Expansıon Of Harmonıa Axyrıdıs (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccınellıdae) In South-Eastern Europe

In this paper, we report the first records of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) from Republic of Kosovo as well as new records from Albania, Greece, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia. So far, the species is reported from 25 localities in Kosovo (first record in 2013) and 13 localities all over Montenegro. H. axyridis was found at different habitats and elevations, from sea level up to 1700 m above sea level, frequently being associated with seven coccinellid species. Our results clearly indicate that the harlequin ladybird is well established all over South-eastern Europe. Future studies should focus on its potential impact on native ladybird fauna. © 2022, Croatian Natural History Museum. All rights reserved

Expansion of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in South-Eastern Europe

In this paper, we report the first records of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) from Republic of Kosovo as well as new records from Albania, Greece, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia. So far, the species is reported from 25 localities in Kosovo (first record in 2013) and 13 localities all over Montenegro. H. axyridis was found at different habitats and elevations, from sea level up to 1700 m above sea level, frequently being associated with seven coccinellid species. Our results clearly indicate that the harlequin ladybird is well established all over South-eastern Europe. Future studies should focus on its potential impact on native ladybird fauna

Faunistic patterns and diversity components of leech assemblages in karst springs of Montenegro

The aim of this study was to reveal faunistic and diversity patterns and to assess the effects of environmental factors on the differentiation of leech communities. This study covers investigations of 82 karst springs in Montenegro from 2009–2017. The communities were analyzed in respect to five wellspring types – caves, sublacustrine, limnocrene, rheo-limnocrene and rheocrene. The percentage of substrate types and aquatic vegetation cover was recorded alongside water parameters. In total, 18 leech species were identified, of which two were recently described as new species for science (Dina minuoculata Grosser, Moritz and Pešić, 2007 and Glossiphonia balcanica Grosser and Pešić, 2016). K-means clustering was used to classify leech assemblages into three homogenous groups. The patterns of leech communities and the components of both alpha and beta diversity were examined in identified groups of assemblages. The significance of environmental factors and the impact of selected factors were assessed through forward selection analysis, CCA and RDA. Our results indicate that the type of spring and the environmental variables, as well as the combination of biotic and abiotic factors in a microhabitat dictate the distribution of leeches

Ecological patterns of Odonata assemblages in karst springs in central Montenegro

Karstic springs are important habitats for maintaining freshwater biodiversity. However, little is known about Odonata larvae assemblages in karstic springs, and studies about the ecological factors that determine species distribution in these habitats are still lacking. In this study the composition of Odonata larvae communities from 91 springs located in the central part of Montenegro was investigated. The richest fauna was found in sublacustrine springs, followed by limnocrenes, while that of the rheocrenes was less rich. The results obtained confirm the main research hypothesis that Odonata larvae assemblages in the karstic springs in the central part of Montenegro were comparably influenced by the environmental parameters acting on the level of individual springs as well as the factors acting at the landscape level. Odonata larvae assemblages divided springs into four groups. On the other hand, the springs could be divided into three groups based on habitat and landscape characteristics. CCA indicates that disturbance factors such as the permanence and directness of human influence on springs for use as drinking water sources are foremost in determining Odonata assemblages at the level of individual springs. The habitat scale considered several factors that influence Odonate assemblages, including altitude and riparian vegetation. This study proves that further odonatological studies in springs should include both types of factors and their interactions

The Chironomidae (Diptera) diversity in the Balkan Peninsula spring systems and other small water bodies

Chironomidae are known to occur in small, even astatic water bodies like seepages, rheocrens, pools and wells. The Balkan Peninsula reveals a high variability of small water bodies, with springs (rheocrens, limnocrens and helocrens) being the most widely distributed. In this review, we give a brief presentation of the Chironomidae communities in valley and mountain small water bodies, and in Lake Skadar (Shkodra) spring system. River valleys offer a large variety of small freshwater habitats. Their presence strongly increases of midge (Chironomidae) diversity, providing a habitat for the cold-stenotherms and semiterrestrial taxa that do not occur in rivers and lakes. The species richness in small water bodies strongly depends on their hydrological conditions (i.e. perennial vs. astatic water bodies), size and microhabitat complexity. Mountain spring communities depend on precipitation and exhibit altitudinal zonation. The higher mountain zones (1400–1500 m a.s.l.) have the most diverse midge assemblages, due to their stable perennial hydrological conditions. Human activity may alter species composition in riparian springs, favouring taxa that are not typical to the local fauna. By studying these small aquatic habitats, the significance of their Chironomidae fauna is being recognised, thereby filling a gap in the knowledge of freshwater insects biodiversity in the Balkan region.There are many types of small waters in the Balkans. They are habitats for Chironomidae. Mountain rheocrenes are inhabited by cold-adapted midges. The fauna of springs in the river valleys is diverse. Midges living in the Skodra L.’ spring system prefer higher water temperatures and hard substrates

Faunistic patterns and diversity components of leech assemblages in karst springs of Montenegro

The aim of this study was to reveal faunistic and diversity patterns and to assess the effects of environmental factors on the differentiation of leech communities. This study covers investigations of 82 karst springs in Montenegro from 2009–2017. The communities were analyzed in respect to five wellspring types – caves, sublacustrine, limnocrene, rheo-limnocrene and rheocrene. The percentage of substrate types and aquatic vegetation cover was recorded alongside water parameters. In total, 18 leech species were identified, of which two were recently described as new species for science ( Dina minuoculata Grosser, Moritz and Pešić, 2007 and Glossiphonia balcanica Grosser and Pešić, 2016). K -means clustering was used to classify leech assemblages into three homogenous groups. The patterns of leech communities and the components of both alpha and beta diversity were examined in identified groups of assemblages. The significance of environmental factors and the impact of selected factors were assessed through forward selection analysis, CCA and RDA. Our results indicate that the type of spring and the environmental variables, as well as the combination of biotic and abiotic factors in a microhabitat dictate the distribution of leeches

Ecological patterns of Odonata assemblages in karst springs in central Montenegro

Karstic springs are important habitats for maintaining freshwater biodiversity. However, little is known about Odonata larvae assemblages in karstic springs, and studies about the ecological factors that determine species distribution in these habitats are still lacking. In this study the composition of Odonata larvae communities from 91 springs located in the central part of Montenegro was investigated. The richest fauna was found in sublacustrine springs, followed by limnocrenes, while that of the rheocrenes was less rich. The results obtained confirm the main research hypothesis that Odonata larvae assemblages in the karstic springs in the central part of Montenegro were comparably influenced by the environmental parameters acting on the level of individual springs as well as the factors acting at the landscape level. Odonata larvae assemblages divided springs into four groups. On the other hand, the springs could be divided into three groups based on habitat and landscape characteristics. CCA indicates that disturbance factors such as the permanence and directness of human influence on springs for use as drinking water sources are foremost in determining Odonata assemblages at the level of individual springs. The habitat scale considered several factors that influence Odonate assemblages, including altitude and riparian vegetation. This study proves that further odonatological studies in springs should include both types of factors and their interactions