Morphological correlates of prey consumed by Podarcis melisellensis (Braun, 1877) and P. siculus (Rafinesque, 1810) (Sauria, Lacertidae) from two mainland regions in the eastern Adriatic area

The correlation between trophic utilization and morphology was studied for two lizard species (Podarcis melisellensis and P. siculus) from two mainland localities in the eastern Adriatic area; this is the first report of trophic and morphometric data for P. melisellensis from mainland populations. Variance partitioning showed that most of the variation in morphological traits for the analyzed lizards was the result of differences between species, and to a lesser extent between sexes. Locality did not have a strong effect on the variation of morphological traits. Prey weight is the only characteristic of prey that generally exhibits correlations with morphological characteristics rather than prey size. The pattern of correlations is generally weaker for P. melisellensis than for P. siculus. Optimal foraging theory predictions were generally confirmed: P. siculus is more constrained by trophic resource availability, with a premium on larger and heavier prey consumed in the less productive locality (SM), which can be relaxed in more productive regions (KL). P. melisellensis shows such constraints only for males in the less productive region (SM). Females of both species consume heavier prey. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III43001 i br. 173011

Cases of spontaneous interbreeding of wolf and domestic dog in the region of Southeast Banat

The study presents the first documented data indicating the occurrence of spontaneous interbreeding of wolf and domestic dog in nature on the territory of Serbia, based on three specimens originating from the region of Southeast Banat. Some unique morpho-anatomical malformations of the cranium in two specimens are described. Based on complex morphological and craniometrical analysis of hybrid specimens and comparison with the corresponding material of authentic wolves from this region, it is possible to follow a local process of multiple wolf/dog hybridization and disturbance of the authentic genetic structure of wolf. The identification of wolf/dog hybrids is a subject of primary concern for the development of conservation and management strategies. Because of great vulnerability of the population of South-Carpathian wolves on the boundaries of their range in Serbia, there is a need for permanent and increased protection in order to maintain their adequately strong population in this region.U ovoj studiji po prvi put se prezentuju podaci o spontanom parenju vuka i domaćeg psa u prirodnim uslovima na teritoriji Srbije, zasnovani na tri hibridna primerka jugoistočnog Banata. Na osnovu složene morfološke i kraniološke analize hibrida i poređenjem sa "materijalom autohtonih" vukova iz tog regiona, moguće je pratiti proces lokalne multipne hibridizacije sa psima i poremećaja autentične genetičke strukture vuka. Identifikacija hibrida vuka i psa jeste od naročite važnosti u razviću konzervacije, zaštiti i strategiji menadžmenta.nul

Age structure of yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis Melchior, 1834) in two samples obtained from live traps and owl pellets

The age structure of yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis Melchior 1834) has been analyzed in individuals obtained by two methods: Trapping with Sherman live traps and obtainment of skulls from long-eared owl (Asio otus Linnaeus, 1758) pellets (predator diet analysis). One hundred and forty-four mice were analyzed for the degree of wear of the surface of molar crowns, and an additional 74 measurements were performed on captive-born Apodemus flavicollis individuals. We used a refined model of comparison that included seven classes of mouse age, rather than four classes, as suggested by other authors.Uzrasna struktura Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) analizirana je na uzorku pribavljenom primenom dve metode: izlovljavanjem Šermanovim klopkama i prikupljanjem lobanja miševa iz gvalica sove Asio otus Linnaeus. Kod ukupno 144 jedinke studiran je stepen izrabljenosti molarnih krunica; izvršena su i 74 dodatna merenja kod jedinki gajenih u laboratorijskim uslovima. Tokom istraživanja korišćen je redefinisani model kombinacije sedam uzrasnih klasa miševa (a ne četiri, kako su ranije sugerisali pojedini stručnjaci).Projekat ministarstva br. 156

Cases of spontaneous interbreeding of wolf and domestic dog in the region of Southeast Banat

The study presents the first documented data indicating the occurrence of spontaneous interbreeding of wolf and domestic dog in nature on the territory of Serbia, based on three specimens originating from the region of Southeast Banat. Some unique morpho-anatomical malformations of the cranium in two specimens are described. Based on complex morphological and craniometrical analysis of hybrid specimens and comparison with the corresponding material of authentic wolves from this region, it is possible to follow a local process of multiple wolf/dog hybridization and disturbance of the authentic genetic structure of wolf. The identification of wolf/dog hybrids is a subject of primary concern for the development of conservation and management strategies. Because of great vulnerability of the population of South-Carpathian wolves on the boundaries of their range in Serbia, there is a need for permanent and increased protection in order to maintain their adequately strong population in this region.U ovoj studiji po prvi put se prezentuju podaci o spontanom parenju vuka i domaćeg psa u prirodnim uslovima na teritoriji Srbije, zasnovani na tri hibridna primerka jugoistočnog Banata. Na osnovu složene morfološke i kraniološke analize hibrida i poređenjem sa "materijalom autohtonih" vukova iz tog regiona, moguće je pratiti proces lokalne multipne hibridizacije sa psima i poremećaja autentične genetičke strukture vuka. Identifikacija hibrida vuka i psa jeste od naročite važnosti u razviću konzervacije, zaštiti i strategiji menadžmenta.nul

Significance of diarylheptanoids for chemotaxonomical distinguishing between Alnus glutinosa and Alnus incana

Diarylheptanoids are a group of secondary metabolites widely distributed in the Betulaceae family and characteristic for Alnus species. In this study, the chemotaxonomic power of diarylheptanoids, such as hirsutanonol-5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, rubranoside A, oregonin, platyphylloside, alnuside A and hirsutanonol, has been investigated in combination with principal component analysis (PCA) for differentiation of Alnus species. Concentrations of six diarylheptanoids in the bark extracts of two natural populations of Alnus glutinosa (black alder) and Alnus incana (gray alder) were determined by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). PCA clearly shows the separation of three groups. Populations I (A. glutinosa) and II (A. incana) both consisted of individuals of the corresponding species. Four individuals from both sampled populations formed a separate group (population III), which possibly represents a hybrid group. Accordingly, diarylheptanoids may serve in combination with PCA as chemotaxonomic markers at the species level, which may also reveal hybrid species

Sex expression in Serbian dendroflora: A case study of Fraxinus ornus var. angustifolia

Out of a total number of tree species in Serbian flora, 28% are hermaphrodites, 43% are monoecious and 29% are dioecious. The dendroflora appears to have a larger proportion of unisexual than hermaphrodite species. The monoecious system is the dominant unisexual system within the tree species in Serbia. The possible sex differentiation by RAPD markers and Correspondence Analysis was examined in a population of Fraxinus ornus var. angustifolia. On the basis of 6 selected RAPD bands which contribute to the differentiation in frequency between male and hermaphrodite individuals, Correspondence Analysis visualized the following tendency: 20 trees of each variety were separated into two groups that mainly correspond to sexual types. Our results showed that RAPD markers assisted by Correspondence Analysis could be used in identifying male and hermaphrodite individuals in F. ornus varieties.Projekat ministarstva br. P17301

The effect of hydrothermal synthesis parameters on cation-doped calciumhydroxyapatite

Calcium hydroxyapatite (HAP) presents the main mineral component of human bones and teeth, and thus is widely used bioceramic material for thehard tissue repair and regeneration. The biological HAP is never found pure in nature butdoped with multiple therapeutic ions, such as Cu, Mg, Sr, Zn, etc., which are found to play important roles in bone metabolism and growth. Hence, foreign cations have been introduced into the synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite, in order to induce a specific biological response after implementation, such as osteogenesis, angiogenesis, improved cell attachment and proliferation. However, the presence of the cations leads to the lattice distortion of the calcium-hydroxyapatite, resulting in different physico-chemical and mechanical properties. The hydrothermal synthesis of calcium hydroxyapatite leads to nanosized rod-like particles, which were found to possess properties close to those of the biological HAP. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydrothermal synthesis parameters on physico-chemical and mechanical properties of mono- and binary cation-doped calcium hydroxyapatite by employing XRD, SEM and Hardness by Vickers tests. The temperature applied during the hydrothermal synthesis (150- 180 °C) was found to influence the hardness of the HAP based compacts sintered at 1200 °C.IX Serbian Ceramic Society Conference - Advanced Ceramics and Application : new frontiers in multifunctional material science and processing : program and the book of abstracts; September 20-21, 2021; Belgrad

Diversity of Fraxinus ornus from Serbia and Montenegro as revealed by RAPDs

PCR-RAPD markers revealed individual variation in F. ornus. A total of 122 fragments were amplified using 7 primers and of these 97 fragments were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic loci was between 53.3% and 74.6% with an average of 63.1%. The mean gene diversity for all populations was 0.30 and the mean Shannon's index was 0.44. Of the total genetic variation 87% was intra-population whilst 13% was inter-population. The Mantel test revealed significant correlation between genetic and geographical distance matrice. Results herein represent the first use of molecular genetic (DNA) markers to characterize genetic variation in F. ornus populations. The partition of total genetic variance indicates a relatively restricted population differentiation as expected in outcrossing species. Present and future information on genetic structure and variability in F. ornus needs to be incorporated into strategies for the preservation of genetic resources of tree species.U radu su korišćeni PCR-RAPD markeri radi procene individualnih varijacija kod vrste F. ornus. Ukupno 122 fragmenta je amplificirano korišćenjem 7 prajmera, i među njima je bilo 97 polimorfnih fragmenata. Procenat polimorfnih lokusa se kretao između 53.3% i 74.6% sa prosečnom vrednošću od 63.1%. Srednji diverzitet gena za sve ispitivane populacije je iznosio 0.30, dok je srednji Shannon's index imao vrednost 0.44. Od totalne genetičke varijabilnosti 87% pripada intra-populacionoj varijabilnost, a 13% inter-populacionoj. Mantel test je pokazao značajne korelacije između matrica genetičke i geografske distance. Rezultati ovog rada predstavljaju prvu upotrebu molekularno genetičkih (DNA) markera u cilju određivanja genetičke varijabilnosti populacija F. ornus. Odnosi unutar ukupne genetičke varijabilnosti ukazuju na relativno ograničenu populacionu diferencijacije u odnosu na vrednosti koje su očekivane kod stranooplodne vrste. Na osnovu ovih kao i budućih informacija koje se odnose na genetičku strukturu i varijabilnost vrste F. ornus potrebno je kreirati strategije za očuvanje genetičkih resursa drvenastih vrsta.Projekat ministarstva br. 17301

Age structure of yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis Melchior, 1834) in two samples obtained from live traps and owl pellets

The age structure of yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis Melchior 1834) has been analyzed in individuals obtained by two methods: Trapping with Sherman live traps and obtainment of skulls from long-eared owl (Asio otus Linnaeus, 1758) pellets (predator diet analysis). One hundred and forty-four mice were analyzed for the degree of wear of the surface of molar crowns, and an additional 74 measurements were performed on captive-born Apodemus flavicollis individuals. We used a refined model of comparison that included seven classes of mouse age, rather than four classes, as suggested by other authors.Uzrasna struktura Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) analizirana je na uzorku pribavljenom primenom dve metode: izlovljavanjem Šermanovim klopkama i prikupljanjem lobanja miševa iz gvalica sove Asio otus Linnaeus. Kod ukupno 144 jedinke studiran je stepen izrabljenosti molarnih krunica; izvršena su i 74 dodatna merenja kod jedinki gajenih u laboratorijskim uslovima. Tokom istraživanja korišćen je redefinisani model kombinacije sedam uzrasnih klasa miševa (a ne četiri, kako su ranije sugerisali pojedini stručnjaci).Projekat ministarstva br. 156

Mg/Cu co-substituted hydroxyapatite – Biocompatibility, mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity

The aim of this study was to improve the mechanical properties and to optimize antimicrobial activity of hydroxyapatite (HAP) by simultaneous doping with Mg and Cu ions in order to obtain material that would be able to assist in the bone/tooth healing process, prevent post-implementation infections and provide satisfying values of hardness and fracture toughness for biomedical application. Ion doping was done during the hydrothermal synthesis of HAP powders, whereby the content of Mg ions in the starting solution was varied between 1-20 mol. % with regard to Ca ions, while the amount of Cu ions was kept constant at 0.4 mol. %. The green compacts were sintered for 2 h at temperatures ranging 750–1200 °C depending on the Mg content, chosen in agreement with dilatometry results. Presence of Mg ions was found to favour transition from HAP to β−tricalcium phosphate phase (β−TCP), which enabled formation of biphasic HAP/β−TCP and pure β−TCP phase at 160 °C during hydrothermal synthesis. In vitro investigation of antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis showed satisfactory antimicrobial activity. MTT assay performed on MRC-5 and L929 cell lines showed excellent cytocompatibility and cell proliferation. Maximum hardness by Vickers and fracture toughness values, 4.96 GPa and 1.75 MPa m1/2 respectively, were obtained upon addition of 5 mol. % Mg, as a consequence of the lowest grain size and porosity, as well as the highest densification rate. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest fracture toughness for HAP or β-TCP ceramics reported thus far.This is the peer-reviewed version ofthe article: Veljović, Đorđe, Matić, Tamara, Stamenić, Tanja, Kojić, Vesna, Dimitrijević Branković, Suzana, Lukić, Miodrag J., Jevtić, Sanja, Radovanović, Željko, Petrović, Rada, Janaćković, Đorđe, "Mg/Cu co-substituted hydroxyapatite – Biocompatibility, mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity" in Ceramics International, 45, no. 17, Part A (2019):22029, [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.07.219