Allozyme variability and differentiation in Serbian roe deer populations Capreolus capreolus

The present study investigates the genetic structure of 12 roe deer Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758 population samples from Serbia, by screening a total of 334 individuals. We examined whether genetic differentiation exists in local populations in Serbia, and addressed the question whether management policies may affect genetic structure. The populations were analysed by multilocus protein electrophoresis, with 33 protein loci examined. Screening of 20 enzymes and one group of general proteins revealed polymorphism at the following 12 loci: Sdh, Mdh-1, Me-1, Idh-2, 6-Pgd-1, alpha Gpd, Ak, Pgm-1, Pgin-2, Ca, Mpi and Gpi. Among samples, the proportion of polymorphic loci varied between 3-15.2% (mean 11.9%), while the average gene diversity was in the range of 1.1-4.2%. The overall genetic differentiation was low (theta = 0.03). The comparison of two regional population groups (northern-southern, separated by the Danube River) showed an absence of genetic differentiation between regions. Gene flow was estimated at 8.96 migrants per generation, and was higher in the lowland than in the highland group. Three loci (Ca, 6-Pgd and Gpd-1) showed clinal variation along a geographical gradient. Additional five alleles of four loci (Ak, Pgin-1, Gpi, 6-Pgd) showed significant spatial autocorrelation. Genetic distances were small (D = 0-0.004). Northern and southern populations clustered separately. For at least three populations game management practices provide evidence for outlying genetic parameters. The observed heterogeneity in the inbreeding level was deemed more under the influence of non-random mating strengthened by game management, than by overall selective pressure.nul

Allozyme variability and differentiation in Serbian roe deer populations Capreolus capreolus

The present study investigates the genetic structure of 12 roe deer Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758 population samples from Serbia, by screening a total of 334 individuals. We examined whether genetic differentiation exists in local populations in Serbia, and addressed the question whether management policies may affect genetic structure. The populations were analysed by multilocus protein electrophoresis, with 33 protein loci examined. Screening of 20 enzymes and one group of general proteins revealed polymorphism at the following 12 loci: Sdh, Mdh-1, Me-1, Idh-2, 6-Pgd-1, alpha Gpd, Ak, Pgm-1, Pgin-2, Ca, Mpi and Gpi. Among samples, the proportion of polymorphic loci varied between 3-15.2% (mean 11.9%), while the average gene diversity was in the range of 1.1-4.2%. The overall genetic differentiation was low (theta = 0.03). The comparison of two regional population groups (northern-southern, separated by the Danube River) showed an absence of genetic differentiation between regions. Gene flow was estimated at 8.96 migrants per generation, and was higher in the lowland than in the highland group. Three loci (Ca, 6-Pgd and Gpd-1) showed clinal variation along a geographical gradient. Additional five alleles of four loci (Ak, Pgin-1, Gpi, 6-Pgd) showed significant spatial autocorrelation. Genetic distances were small (D = 0-0.004). Northern and southern populations clustered separately. For at least three populations game management practices provide evidence for outlying genetic parameters. The observed heterogeneity in the inbreeding level was deemed more under the influence of non-random mating strengthened by game management, than by overall selective pressure.nul

Spatial organization and home range of Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius on Mt. Avala, Serbia

Spatial organization and home range size of Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius were studied in a forest community (Orno-Quercetum petraeae) at Avala mountain (Serbia). From 1997-1999 a mark-recapture method on a 4 ha study plot was used to follow both species. Observed range length (ORL) and home range area (HR) were calculated for individuals recaptured 4-6 times. A. flavicollis had a smaller home range than A. agrarius, while males of both species had larger home ranges than females. The differences were significant for species but not for sexes. Both species had similar values of ORL and HR in periods of low density of both species, high density of both species and in periods of high density when the other species had low density. The magnitude of ORL and HR expansion in periods of low density was significantly smaller when the other species was in present in high density. This effect was more pronounced in A. agrarius than in A.flavicollis. We suggest that differential micro-habitat utilization within the study area by the two species was partly responsible for this phenomenon.nul

First case report on pathogenic fungus Fonsecaea sp. Negroni from skin of Pelophylax kl. esculentus L. in Serbia

Non-harmful adhesive tape method was applied directly on the skin surface of edible frog (Pelophylax kl. esculentus), captured in vernal ponds on the locality “Stevanove ravnice” within the Special Nature Reserve „Deliblatska peščara“, in order to detect fungal dwellers of frogs’ skin. Light microscopy analyses of Lactophenol Cotton Blue mounted adhesive tape samples taken from frog’s ventrum revealed the presence of melanized septate hyphae, branched conidiophores with chains of single-celled ovoid conidia, arising directly from the skin, which corresponds to morphological features of dematiaceous hyphomycete - Fonsecaea sp. Since members of genus Fonsecaea are frequently cited as causative agents of chromomycosis in amphibians, as well as human phaeohyphomycosis, world­wide, it is of great significance to study the presence of this fungal pathogen on amphibians in Serbia in order to make the basic reference data of the incidence of these pathogens in this region. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 173032

The modular organization of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) body during ontogeny: the effects of sex and habitat

Abstract Background As a small artiodactyl, the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) is characterized by biological plasticity and great adaptability demonstrated by their survival under a wide variety of environmental conditions. In order to depict patterns of phenotypic variation of roe deer body this study aims to quantify variation during ontogenetic development and determine how sex-specific reproductive investment and non-uniform habitat differences relate to phenotypic variation and do these differential investments mold the patterns of phenotypic variation through modular organisation. Results Patterns of phenotypic correlation among body traits change during the ontogeny of roe deer, with differential influence of sex and habitat type. Modularity was found to be a feature of closed habitats with trunk+forelimbs+hindlimbs as the best supported integration/modularity hypothesis for both sexes. The indices of integration and evolvability vary with habitat type, age and sex where increased integration is followed by decreased evolvability. Conclusion This is the first study that quantifies patterns of correlation in the roe deer body and finds pronounced changes in correlation structure during ontogeny affected by sex and habitat type. The correlation structure of the roe deer body is developmentally written over the course of ontogeny but we do not exclude the influence of function on ontogenetic changes. Modularity arises with the onset of reproduction (subadults not being modular) and is differentially expressed in males and females from different habitats. Both adult males and females show modularity in primordial, closed habitats. Overall, all these findings are important as they provide support to the idea that modularity can evolve at the population level and change fast within a species