Novi podaci o vrsti Potamophylax rotundipennis (Brauer, 1857) i prvi nalaz vrste Stenophylax permistus McLachlan, 1895 (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) s Kosova

In this paper we report two new records of the rare limnephilid species Potamophylax rotundipennis (Brauer, 1857) from the Balkan Peninsula, more precisely from the Republic of Kosovo. The first sampling station is located around the spring area of the only stream inside Blinajë Hunting Reserve in central Kosovo, and the second one in the middle section of the Turuqicë tributary of the Llap River in northern Kosovo. From Blinajë Hunting Reserve we also report Stenophylax permistus McLachlan, 1895 for the first time from the Republic of Kosovo.U ovom radu su prikazana dva nova nalaza rijetke vrste porodice Limnephilidae, Potamophylax rotundipennis (Brauer, 1857) s Balkanskog poluotoka, točnije iz Republike Kosovo. Prvi lokalitet se nalazi na izvorišnom području jedinog potoka unutar lovnog rezervata Blinajë u središnjem Kosovu, a drugi na srednjem dijelu pritoke rijeke Llap, Turuqicë, na sjeveru Kosova. U Blinaji je također utvrđena po prvi puta na području Kosova vrsta Stenophylax permistus McLachlan, 189

The first record of the micro-caddisfly genus oxyethira eaton, 1873 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Serbia

We report the frst record of the genus Oxyethira Eaton, 1873 from Serbia. This fnding increases the number of known hydroptilid genera from Serbia to four. A total of 14 larval specimens were collected in November 2015 from a small stream at the town of Indija (SW Vojvodina, Serbia). Since there are no descriptions of larvae of Oxyethira spp., it is not possible to identify the collected specimens at the species level

The first record of the micro-caddisfly genus oxyethira eaton, 1873 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Serbia

We report the frst record of the genus Oxyethira Eaton, 1873 from Serbia. This fnding increases the number of known hydroptilid genera from Serbia to four. A total of 14 larval specimens were collected in November 2015 from a small stream at the town of Indija (SW Vojvodina, Serbia). Since there are no descriptions of larvae of Oxyethira spp., it is not possible to identify the collected specimens at the species level

Filling gaps in the DNA barcode library - Aquatic insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) from semi-mountainous and mountainous rivers of Ecoregion 6 (North Macedonia)

This research provides pivotal molecular genetic data on the community structure of aquatic insects from semi-mountainous and mountainous rivers from the 6th Ecoregion that belongs to the territory of North Macedonia. The aim of this research is to fill the gaps for barcoding the aquatic macroinvertebrates from the Balkan Peninsula and check if the existing barcode library could provide improved identifications for the specimens that were not taxonomically determined to the lowest level possible. We analyzed 95 specimens from which total DNA was extracted and the COI barcode region amplified and sequenced. The taxa were selected from 20 different localities of the territory of western part of North Macedonia. The selected specimens were not determined to species-level in order to test the efficiency of the DNA barcoding methodology and what is missing in the DNA barcoding data library.From the result from one plate (95 specimens) we obtained: 16 samples without barodes, or failed and 10 samples did not have a match in the BOLD database. In the remining 69 samples, three were misidentified. In the total of 69 barcoded species new for the fauna of North Macedonia, 11 are mayflies: Baetis melanonyx, Ecdyonurus vitoshensis, E. macani; stonefly Isoperla vjose; and caddisflies: Agapetus delicatulus, Athripsodes bilineatus, Glossosoma klotho, Lepidostoma basale, Helicopsyche bacescui, Tinodes unicolor and Odontocerum hellenicum. We have also four rarely found species: Zwicknia bifrons, Drussus tenellus, Hydropsyche botosaneanui and Hydropsyche bulbifera, and one species without barcode available as Ecdyonurus sp. SK2 (potential new species). We found 83% efficiency of DNA barcoding, where some samples failed or were with low or medium quality for some specimens, as for the representatives from the genera Baetis, Oxietyra and Rhyacophila.In conclusion we can confirm that 10 of the selected vouchers need to be further identified by morphology and to be added in the BOLD barcode library, and maybe we'll have the possibility to describe a new species as well

Trophic Structure of Macrozoobenthos in Permanent Streams in the Eastern Balkans

The present study provides data on the trophic structure of the benthic macroinvertebrate communities in mountainous and semi-mountainous small streams and river sections belonging to Mesta, Struma and Vardar River catchments from 7th Ecoregion. The benthic macroinvertebrates were assigned to seven Functional Feeding Groups. We analyzed their trophic structure and the dynamics in different seasons. The level of similarity between the sampling localities was analyzed in the context of both the river typology and the water catchment. A comparison between the two trophic indices was conducted in order to analyze the advantages of the application of these indices for assessment of the ecological status at the studied sites. We found that the trophic structure of the benthic macroinvertebrate communities in ostensibly typologically similar river sections differs at the undisturbed vs the impacted sampled sites. To a large extent, these differences were also determined by the presence of anthropogenic influence that resulted in the predominance of deposit feeders amplifying on higher disturbance on some of the studied rivers. Long-term negative pressure has led to changes in microhabitats that affect the structure and functioning of the aquatic ecosystem by transformation of the trophic structure of the macrozoobenthos

Glochidia Infection of Endemic Fishes from Lake Prespa, N. Macedonia

Large freshwater mussels (Unionida) are long-lived, have large bodies, and produce thousands to millions of larvae (glochidia) that usually must attach to host fish tissue to complete their life cycle. This is an obligate parasitic stage of mussel larvae. However, less than one in onemillion find a suitable host and survive. The degree of host specificity varies among unionid species, from specialists that can successfully parasitize only one or a few closely related fish species to generalists that can complete development on a taxonomically broad range of fish species. In addition, freshwater mussels are among the most threatened groups of animals. This is due to habitat destruction, the introduction of non-native species, and the loss of host fish on which their larvae (glochidia) are obligate parasites. Glochidiosis harms fish by affecting their growth; on the other hand, freshwater mussels play an important role in freshwaters by improving water quality and ridding the water of bacteria, algae, and pollutants, they are an indicator species of water quality. During our parasitological survey of fish from the Macedonian part of Lake Prespa in April 2022, many glochidia were found on the gills, skin, and fins of two endemic fishes, Prespa roach (Rutilus prespensis) and Prespa nase (Chondrostoma prespense), in the range of tens to thousands on one host. We thus recorded these two endemic species as new hosts of A. cygnea.peerReviewe

First Record of the Genus Helicopsyche von Siebold, 1856 (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) from the Republic of Macedonia

Larvae of the genus Helicopsyche von Siebold, 1856 (Trichoptera, Helicopsychidae) are reported for the first time from the Republic of Macedonia, extending the known distribution of this taxon on the Balkan Peninsula. Additionally, data on the zoogeography and ecology of the taxon are given

First Record of the Genus Helicopsyche von Siebold, 1856 (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) from the Republic of Macedonia

Larvae of the genus Helicopsyche von Siebold, 1856 (Trichoptera, Helicopsychidae) are reported for the first time from the Republic of Macedonia, extending the known distribution of this taxon on the Balkan Peninsula. Additionally, data on the zoogeography and ecology of the taxon are given

The ecological role of permanent ponds in Europe ::a review of dietary linkages to terrestrial ecosystems via emerging insects

Permanent ponds are valuable freshwater systems and biodiversity hotspots. They provide diverse ecosystem services (ES), including water quality improvement and supply, food provisioning and biodiversity support. This is despite being under significant pressure from multiple anthropogenic stressors and the impacts of ongoing global change. However, ponds are largely overlooked in management plans and legislation, and ecological research has focused on large freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers or lakes. Protection of ponds is often insufficient or indirectly provided via associated habitats such as wetlands. This phenomenon is likely exacerbated due to lacking a full-scale understanding of the importance of ponds. In this review, we provided a detailed overview of permanent ponds across Europe, including their usages and the biodiversity they support. By discussing the concepts of pondscape and metacommunity theory, we highlighted the importance of connectivity among and between ponds and identified fluxes of emerging insects as another ES of ponds. Those insects are rich in essential nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are delivered through them to the terrestrial environment, however the extent and impact of this ES remains largely unexplored. Several potential stressors, especially related to ongoing global change, which influence pond diversity and integrity were discussed. To conclude this review, we provided our insights on future pond management. Adaptive measures, taking into account the pond system per se within the pondscape, were found to be the most promising to mitigate the loss of natural ponds and restore and conserve natural small water bodies as refuges and diversity hotspots in increasingly urbanized landscapes

The ecological role of permanent ponds in Europe: a review of dietary linkages to terrestrial ecosystems via emerging insects

Permanent ponds are valuable freshwater systems and biodiversity hotspots. They provide diverse ecosystem services (ES), including water quality improvement and supply, food provisioning and biodiversity support. This is despite being under significant pressure from multiple anthropogenic stressors and the impacts of ongoing global change. However, ponds are largely overlooked in management plans and legislation, and ecological research has focused on large freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers or lakes. Protection of ponds is often insufficient or indirectly provided via associated habitats such as wetlands. This phenomenon is likely exacerbated due to lacking a full-scale understanding of the importance of ponds. In this review, we provided a detailed overview of permanent ponds across Europe, including their usages and the biodiversity they support. By discussing the concepts of pondscape and metacommunity theory, we highlighted the importance of connectivity among and between ponds and identified fluxes of emerging insects as another ES of ponds. Those insects are rich in essential nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are delivered through them to the terrestrial environment, however the extent and impact of this ES remains largely unexplored. Several potential stressors, especially related to ongoing global change, which influence pond diversity and integrity were discussed. To conclude this review, we provided our insights on future pond management. Adaptive measures, taking into account the pond system per se within the pondscape, were found to be the most promising to mitigate the loss of natural ponds and restore and conserve natural small water bodies as refuges and diversity hotspots in increasingly urbanized landscapes