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Studija predstavlja sveobuhvatnu analizu podataka dobijenih monitoringom populacije beloglavog supa (Gyps fulvus) u periodu 1985–2018. godine, kao i procenu uticaja hranilišta, kao mere zaštite, na populaciju. Nalazi obeleženih ptica dali su uvid u kretanja ptica. Videomonitoringom je dobijen uvid u sezonsku dinamiku korišćenja hranilišta, dok je satelitsko praćenje dalo uvid u veličinu područja pretraživanja, areal aktivnosti, osnovna i centralna područja. Dobijen je i uvid u polnu strukturu populacije. Sa porastom količine hrane na hranilištu ispitani parametri su rasli, dok su reproduktivni parametri sve vreme bili visoki. Prikupljeno je 2846 nalaza ptica, kao i 423 nalaza beloglavih supova sa stranim oznakama, dok je samo kamera tokom 142 dana na hranilištu zabeležila 1066 nalaza naših i 198 nalaza supova sa stranim oznakama. Analizom podataka satelitskog praćenja utvrđene su razlike u veličini svih analiziranih parametara tokom godina i između sezona, sa većim opsezima tokom proleća i leta, bez značajne razlike između gnezdeće i negnezdeće sezone. Ukupna površina područja pretraživanja je 11654,34 km2. Beležene su kratke dnevne razdaljine, sa najvećom distancom od 122,4 km. Odnos polova mužjaka i ženki bio je 32:39. Rezultati studije ukazuju na pozitivan efekat hranilišta na brojnost populacije. Pored hranilišta, tradicionalna područja stočarstva predstavljaju važne oblasti za supove. Uvid u godišnje i sezonsku dinamiku kretanja jedinki, veličinu područja koje koriste i informacije o migratornim putevima, važni su za dalje konzervacione korake. Kamera je omogućila dobijanje preciznijih podataka. Odstupanje od očekivanog odnosa polova 1:1 nije veliko, te su rezultati u saglasnosti sa očekivanim odnosom polova. Rezultati ove studije mogu poslužiti kao osnova za unapređenje očuvanja i upravljanja vrstom, kao i za planiranje programa reintrodukcije. The study presents a comprehensive analysis of data obtained by monitoring of the population of the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in the 1985–2018 period, as well as an assessment of the effects of feeding sites, as a conservation measure, on the population. Findings of marked birds provided insight into the birds movements. Insight into the seasonal dynamics of the feeding site usage was obtained through video monitoring, while satellite tracking provided insight into the size of the foraging area, home range, basic, and core areas. An insight into the sex ratio structure of the population was also obtained. With the increase in the amount of food on the feeding site, the examined parameters increased, while the reproductive parameters were high during whole time. 2846 findings of birds were collected, as well as 423 findings of the Griffon vultures with foreign tags, while the camera at the feeding site, just alone recorded 1,066 findings of ours and 198 findings of vultures with foreign tags, during the period of 142 days. The analysis of satellite tracking data revealed differences in the size of all analyzed parameters during the years and between seasons, with larger ranges during spring and summer, without significant differences between breeding and non-breeding seasons. The total foraging area was 11654.34 km2. Short distances were recorded, with the longest distance of 122.4 km. The sex ratio of males and females was 32:39. The results of the study indicate a positive effect of feeding sites on the population. Gaining insight into the annual and seasonal dynamics of the birds movement, the size and ranges of the areas they use, as well as information on migratory routes, is crucial for further conservation steps. The camera enabled to get more accurate data. In addition to feeding sites, traditional livestock areas are important areas for vultures. The deviation from the expected sex ratio of 1: 1 is not big, so the results are in accordance with the expected sex ratio for the species. The results of this study can be used as a basis for improving the conservation and management of the species, as well as for planning reintroduction program

U radu je analiziran odgovor lokalnih populacija tekunice u Vojvodini napromene uslova klime i korišćenja zemljišta. Odgovori populacija tekunice(tipičnog predstavnika otvorenih staništa i idealnog model organizma) napomenute promene omogućiće razmatranje kako mere na regionalnom nivou: i)mogu unaprediti zaštitu i očuvanje tekunice ii) ublažiti efekti promene klime ikorišćenja zemljišta iii) mogu usaglasiti razvoj poljoprivrede sa očuvanjembiodiverziteta travnatih ekosistema. Kako bi se odgovorilo na pitanja i postavljene hipoteze u radu sprovedeno je terensko istraživanje, korišćen standardni prostorni pristup i ekološko modelovanje. Sve primenjene tehnike su komplementarne jedna drugoj u dobijanju odgovora na postavljena pitanja gde rezultati jedne analize predstavljaju ulazne podatke za drugu analizu. U tezi su korišćeni podaci dobijeni na osnovu terenskog mapiranja lokalnih populacija i podaci iz eksperimenta modelovanja kao i serija podataka dobijena cenzusom kolonija tekunica i terenskim uzorkovanjem zemljišta i vegetacije. Rasprostranjenje populacija oblikuju klimatski uslovi ali pored abiotičkih faktora uslovljavaju ih i biotički faktori i kretanje jedinki. Promena klime direktno utiče na distribuciju optimalnih uslova. Istraženo je u kojoj meri će doći do promene u distribuciji optimalnih uslova sredine za tekunicu. Potencijalna promena analizirana je uzimajući u obzir klimatski scenario Max Plank Instituta sa tri rcp projekcije i tri generisana prostorna scenarijadistribucije otvorenih travnatih staništa u Vojvodini. Sagledavanje mogućih efekata promene sredinskih uslova dalo je mogućnost da se ukaže na zone koja će biti ključne za očuvanje populacija tekunica i travnatih ekosistema u Vojvodini. Sledeće, s obzirom da disperzija jedinki, dostupnost resursa kao i delovanje lokalnih faktora ugrožavanja (barijere, menadžment staništa, varijabilnost sredinskih uslova, predatorstvo, poljoprivredne aktivnosti) oblikuju distribuciju populacija u prostoru, u radu je analiziran i uticaj promene ovih faktora na distribuciju populacija. Na području lokalnog slatino-stepskog koridora srednjeg Banata istražene su kompozicija biljnih vrsta, upravljanje na staništu, promena u kompoziciji okolnih poljoprivrednih kultura i dinamika populacije. Dobijene su informacije o efektima lokalnih uslova na prisustvo kolonija, veličinu kolonija i kondiciono stanje jedinki. Informacije dobijene u ovim poglavljima su kasnije korišćeni za formiranju seta kriterijuma radi karakterizacije svih mapiranih staništa u Vojvodini. Dalje, veliku ulogu u poljoprivrednom predelu imaju tranziciona staništa koja povezuju lokalne populacije. Identifikovanje koja tranziciona staništa koriste jedinke tekunice je ključno za očuvanje populacija i ublažavanje trena opadanja brojnosti. Na terenu su mapirani distribucioni obrasci lokalnih kolonija tekunice i istraženo je da li postoje razlike na lokalnom i predeonom nivou u distribuciji nastanjenih i napuštenih staništa na području Vojvodine. U radu je dalje analizirana mapirana mreža staništa lokalnih populacija i pretpostavljano je da populacije funkcionišu i održavaju se u okviru metapopulacione strukture. Sa druge strane, veličina i površina koju zauzimaju potencijalne metapopulacione struktura mapirane mreže staništa koje se razlikuju u odnosu na okupiranost, kapacitet i povezanost nisu bile poznate. Kako bi se kvantifikovale potencijalne metapopulacione jedinice i utvrdila vijabilnost svake definisane pojedinačne metapopulacione mreže korišćen je metod ključnog fragmenta. Mapirane mreže evaluirane su iz perspektive samog taksona i testiran je potencijalni disperzioni kapacitet. Proverena je permeabilnost predeonog matriksa između mapiranih staništa i identifikovani su potencijalni koridori za jedinke. Ovakav pristup daje uvid u koji deo predela je značajno i neophodno ulagati ograničena sredstva za zaštitu prirode unutar regiona Vojvodine. U tezi je na kraju ocenjen doprinos trenutne regionalne konzervacione prakse zaštiti staništa tekunice, dat pregled slabih tačaka i predlog predeono adaptacionih mera koji će doprineti zaštiti i očuvanju populacije tekunice kao i mozaika otvorenih travnatih staništa., The study analyzes the European ground squirrel (EGS) population response to land use and climate change in Vojvodina. The response of the EGS population (typical species of open grassland habitats and the ideal model organism) to changes in environmental conditions in this region will enable consideration of following measures at the local and landscape level: i) effective protection andconservation of the EGS and habitat it relay on; ii) climate change and land use mitigation and adaptation iii) how can we harmonize the development of agriculture and preserve the biodiversity of grassland ecosystem in agricultural settings. In order to answer the questions of this study, the field research was conducted, standard spatial approach and ecological modeling were employed. All applied techniques are complementary to one another in obtaining responses to the questions asked. The results of one analysis represent the input data for the following one. The data for the study were obtained: from EGS local populations’ field mapping, from the modeling experiment, the census campaigned and the field sampling of soil and vegetation. Distribution of populations, which in addition to abiotic factors are conditioned by biotic factors and movement of individuals were evaluated in the context of climate change. Climate change directly affects the distribution of optimalconditions. The potential changes in distribution of optimal environmental conditions for EGS were assessed by considering changes in abiotic factors and the availability of grasslands. The climate scenario obtained using a dynamic vegetation map with three rcp projections and three spatial scenarios for the distribution of open grasslands were used. The extrapolation of a suitable area obtained by presence only model Maxent gives the possibility to point to the zones that will be crucial for preserving the populations and grassland ecosystems in future. Dispersion of individuals, availability of resources and the operation of local threats (e. g. barriers, habitat management, variability of the central conditions, predation, agricultural activities) shape the distribution of populations in space and time. In the area of the local saline steppe corridor of the central Banat in Vojvodina i) the composition of plant species, ii) open grassland habitat management iii) changes in the composition of surrounding crops and iv) population dynamics of EGS have been investigated. The effects of local conditions on the presence, size of colonies and condition of the individuals of EGS were assessed. The information obtained in these chapters was later used to form a set of criteria for the characterization of all mapped habitats in Vojvodina. In the agricultural area, transitional habitats connect local populations of many species. Identifying transitional habitats which potentially can be used by focal species is key to protect and mitigate population decline. For this purpose distribution patterns of the colonies were mapped in the field. The haracteristics and differences among mapped patches at the local and sub landscape scale were detected and evaluated. Later in the study the network of mapped habitats patches was evaluated. It was assumed that mapped populations in Vojvodina function within several metapopulations networks. However, the size and area of potential meta-population networks are likely to differ in relation to occupancy, capacity and habitat connectivity. The knowledge of potential population units was scarce. In order to quantify the potential population units, to determine the viability and conservation priority of each defined habitat network the key patch approach was used. Mapped networks were evaluated from the perspective of the taxon itself and potential dispersed capacity was tested. The ermeability of the matrix area, connectivity of the mapped habitats and the distribution of potential corridors was verified. This approach gives an opportunity to assess to which part of the area and population it is necessary to invest limited resources for nature protection in Vojvodina.The contribution of current regional conservation practice to protection of EGS was evaluated, a brief overview of the weak points and the proposal of preciseadaptation measures that should be taken in Vojvodina are presented in final chapter. The results of this study propose the development of spatial adaption measures and conservation design that will contribute not only in preserving EGS and habitats it relay on but also other wild plant and animal species in this intensively used agricultural settings.

Istraživanjem sprovedenim u okviru ove doktorske disertacije, po prvi put u Srbiji, analiziran je epizootiološko-epidemiološki značaj šakala (Canis aureus) kao potencijalnih rezervoara za uzročnike zoonoza koje se prenose vektorima. Molekularnim metodama (qPCR, konvencionalni PCR, RFLP, sekvenciranje) u slezinama šakala i krpeljima sakupljenim sa šakala, dokazivano je prisustvo vektorima prenosivih patogena iz rodova: Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Francisella spp., Bartonella spp., Leishmania spp., i vrsta u okviru Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato kompleksa i Coxiella burneti. Ukupno je analizirano 216 šakala poreklom sa 10 lokaliteta širom teritorije Republike Srbije. Na prisustvo patogena ispitano je i 118 sakupljenih krpelja koji su pripadali jednoj od tri vrste: Ixodes ricinus (54,2%), Dermacentor reticulatus (39,8%) i Haemaphysalis concinna (5,9%). Molekularnim metodama u slezinama šakala potvrđeno je prisustvo DNK Babesia canis sa prevalencijom od 4,2% (9/216), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0,9%, 2/216) i Leishmania spp. (6,9%, 15/216). U krpeljima sakupljenim sa šakala potvrđeno je prisustvo DNK dve vrste Babesia (Babesia canis, Babesia microti), Anaplasma phagocytophilum i tri vrste Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. kompleksa (Borrelia garinii, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia valaisiana)... epizootiological and epidemiological role of the golden jackals (Canis aureus) as potential reservoirs for zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, for the first time in Serbia. Jackal spleens and collected ticks were tested by molecular methods (qPCR, conventional PCR, RFLP, sequencing) for the presence of vector-borne pathogens from the genera: Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Francisella spp., Bartonella spp., Leishmania spp., and species from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex and Coxiella burneti. A total of 216 jackals originating from 10 localities throughout the territory of the Republic of Serbia were analyzed. Beside that, 118 ticks collected from jackals were also tested. The collected ticks belonged to one of three species: Ixodes ricinus (54,2%), Dermacentor reticulatus (39,8%) i Haemaphysalis concinna (5,9%). The presence of DNA of Babesia canis with the prevalence of 4.2% (9/216), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.9%, 2/216) and Leishmania spp. (6.9%, 15/216) was confirmed by molecular methods in the spleen of the tested jackals. In ticks collected from jackals, the presence of DNA from two Babesia spp. (Babesia canis, Babesia microti), Anaplasma phagocytophilum and three species from the Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. complex (Borrelia garinii, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia valaisiana) was confirmed...

epizootiological and epidemiological role of the golden jackals (Canis aureus) as potential reservoirs for zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, for the first time in Serbia. Jackal spleens and collected ticks were tested by molecular methods (qPCR, conventional PCR, RFLP, sequencing) for the presence of vector-borne pathogens from the genera: Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Francisella spp., Bartonella spp., Leishmania spp., and species from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex and Coxiella burneti. A total of 216 jackals originating from 10 localities throughout the territory of the Republic of Serbia were analyzed. Beside that, 118 ticks collected from jackals were also tested. The collected ticks belonged to one of three species: Ixodes ricinus (54,2%), Dermacentor reticulatus (39,8%) i Haemaphysalis concinna (5,9%). The presence of DNA of Babesia canis with the prevalence of 4.2% (9/216), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.9%, 2/216) and Leishmania spp. (6.9%, 15/216) was confirmed by molecular methods in the spleen of the tested jackals. In ticks collected from jackals, the presence of DNA from two Babesia spp. (Babesia canis, Babesia microti), Anaplasma phagocytophilum and three species from the Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. complex (Borrelia garinii, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia valaisiana) was confirmed... Istraživanjem sprovedenim u okviru ove doktorske disertacije, po prvi put u Srbiji, analiziran je epizootiološko-epidemiološki značaj šakala (Canis aureus) kao potencijalnih rezervoara za uzročnike zoonoza koje se prenose vektorima. Molekularnim metodama (qPCR, konvencionalni PCR, RFLP, sekvenciranje) u slezinama šakala i krpeljima sakupljenim sa šakala, dokazivano je prisustvo vektorima prenosivih patogena iz rodova: Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Francisella spp., Bartonella spp., Leishmania spp., i vrsta u okviru Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato kompleksa i Coxiella burneti. Ukupno je analizirano 216 šakala poreklom sa 10 lokaliteta širom teritorije Republike Srbije. Na prisustvo patogena ispitano je i 118 sakupljenih krpelja koji su pripadali jednoj od tri vrste: Ixodes ricinus (54,2%), Dermacentor reticulatus (39,8%) i Haemaphysalis concinna (5,9%). Molekularnim metodama u slezinama šakala potvrđeno je prisustvo DNK Babesia canis sa prevalencijom od 4,2% (9/216), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0,9%, 2/216) i Leishmania spp. (6,9%, 15/216). U krpeljima sakupljenim sa šakala potvrđeno je prisustvo DNK dve vrste Babesia (Babesia canis, Babesia microti), Anaplasma phagocytophilum i tri vrste Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. kompleksa (Borrelia garinii, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia valaisiana)...

Studija predstavlja prvo sveobuhvatno istraživanje faune, brojnosti, učestalosti i specifičnosti različitih vrsta ektoparazita u odnosu na vrstu domaćina, kao i analizu ekoloških faktora koji utiču na brojnost i reprodukciju ektoparazita litofilnih slepih miševa na teritoriji centralnog Balkana. Trogodišnje terensko istraživanje je sprovedeno na 45 lokaliteta u Srbiji, Bosni i Hercegovini, Bivšoj Jugoslovenskoj Republici Makedoniji i Crnoj Gori. Prikupljeno je i analizirano preko 3500 jedinki ektoparazita klasifikovanih u 21 vrstu: tri vrste krpelja, sedam vrsta parazitskih grinja (uključujući jednog predstavnika familije Trombiculidae), osam vrsta parazitskih muva i tri vrste buva, od čega je najveći broj nalaza prvi za teritorije istraživanih država. Identifikovano je 75 asocijacija ektoparazit-domaćin. Veći broj vrsta ektoparazita slepih miševa identifikovane su kao specijalisti. Miniopterus schreibersii je domaćin sa najvećim brojem vrsta ektoparazita. Najrasprostranjenije vrste ektoparazita u studiji su bile Spinturnix psi i Penicillidia dufourii. Kod tri vrste slepih miševa (Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis myotis i Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) utvrđeno je da postoji statistički značajan efekat pola domaćina na brojnost ektoparazita. Faza životnog ciklusa, pol, starost i reproduktivni status domaćina značajno su uticali na brojnost i reproduktivnu aktivnost vrsta ektoparazita karakterističnih za Miniopterus schreibersii. Osim originalnih podataka, studijom su obuhvaćeni i analizirani do sada objavljeni literaturni podaci o rasprostranjenju i domaćinima ektoparazita slepih miševa na istraživanoj teritoriji. The study represents first comprehensive research of fauna, abundance, prevalence and host specificity, as well as analysis of ecological factors influencing abundance and reproduction of ectoparasites parasitizing cave-dwelling bats at the territory of the central Balkans. Three years long field research was conducted at 45 localities in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Montenegro. Over 3,500 ectoparasite specimens belonging to 21 species were identified: three species of ticks, seven species of mites (including one specimen of Trombiculidae family), eight species of bat flies and three species of fleas, most being the first records at the territory of investigated countries. A total of 75 host-parasite associations were identified. A high level of host specificity in analysed ectoparasite species was registered. Miniopterus schreibersii was host species with the greatest number of ectoparasite species. Mite Spinturnix psi and bat fly Penicillidia dufourii were the most widely distributed species. There was significant effect of host sex on ectoparasite abundance in three bat species (Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis myotis and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Significant effects of host life cycle, age, sex and reproductive status on total number and reproductive activity were identified in the case of ectoparasite species characteristic for Miniopterus schreibersii. Besides original data, the study includes and analyses published literature data about ectoparasite hosts and distribution of bat ectoparasites at the studied territory.

Nažalost, usljed nepostojanja sistematskih ekoloških istraživanja, gotovo se ništa ne zna o njegovoj ekologiji, prostornoj distribuciji i gustinama populacija. Vuk ima različit status zaštite u Bosni i Hercegovini, i uslovljen je različitim entitetskim zakonima. Kako do sada na prostoru Bosne i Hercegovine nije bilo sveobuhvatnih, sintetičkih istraživanja ekologije, genetike, ili bilo koje vrste idioekoloških istraživanja ove krupne karnivore, to definisani ciljevi ove disertacije treba da daju doprinos poznavanju ekologije vuka i populacionog statusa vuka u BiH kao osnove za dalje održivo upravljanje, zaštitu i izradu nacionalnog akcionog plana. Ciljevi disertacije su: definisanje distribucije vuka na području BiH; definisanje prostora sa najvećim gustinama populacija; analiziranje prirode ishrane vuka u BiH; analiziranje sezonske varijabilnost ishrane vuka; analiziranje obima napada na domaće životinje i njihov prostorni i vremenski aspekt; da na osnovu genetičkih i morfometrijskih analiza odredi populacioni status u odnosu na susjedne dinarske populacije i prijedlože mjere za održivo upravljanje i očuvanje vuka u BiH. Analiza distribucije vuka u Bosni i Hercegovini je bazirana na prikupljenim statističkim podacima o odstrelu, anketama, evidenciji šteta, pregledom lovačke periodike i dnevnih novina za period 2003-2013. godine. Distribucija vuka u BiH je prikazana na UTM (MGS) koordinatnom sistemu sa veličinom kvadrata od 10x10 km. Analiza ishrane vuka na prostoru Bosne i Hercegovine je bazirana na analizi fecesa. Feces je prikupljan tokom perioda 2009- 2013. godine na dva transekta (Tisovac i Manjača) u dužini od po 10 km. Sastav ishrane vuka je izražen preko relativne učestalosti pronalaženja neke kategorije/tipa hrane (%O, broj nalaza neke kategorije hrane / ukupan broj nalaza svih kategorija x 100) i procenta konzumirane biomase (%B, masa određene kategorije hrane / ukupna masa svih kategorija x 100). Podaci o štetama su prikupljani za period od 2003 do 2014 godine. Za analizu šteta prikupljani su samo podaci zasnovani na direktinim opservacijama šteta na domaćim životinjama (vuk ili čopor viđeni na licu mjesta, odstreljena/e jedinka/e na mjestu štete i sl.). Štete su obrađene i prikazane prema vrsti stradale stoke (ovce, koze, goveda, svinje, konji, lovački psi, ostali psi) i godine u kojoj je šteta načinjena. Regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina territory, the wolf is an autochthonous and widely distributed species. Unfortunately, due to lack of systematic ecological studies, the knowledge of its ecology, spatial distribution, and population density is poor. The level of protection of wolves in Bosnia and Herzegovina varies as a result of different entity laws. Up to now, there have been no extensive and synthetic studies on the ecology, genetics, or any other idio-ecological studies on these large carnivores. Therefore, the defined aims of this dissertation should further account for the knowledge of the ecology of wolves and their population status in B&H as a background for future sustainable management, protection, and a national action plan. The aims of the dissertation are as follows: to define the wolf distribution in B&H territory; to define the area with the highest wolf population density; to analyze the wolf natural diet in B&H; to analyze the seasonal variability of wolf’s diet; to analyze the frequency of attacks on livestock, and their spatial and time framework; to determine the population status in comparison with the neighbouring populations based on the genetic and morphometric analyses and suggest measures of sustainable management and preservation of the wolf in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The analysis of the wolf distribution in Bosnia and Herzegovina is based upon the collected statistical data on wolf cull, questionnaires, damage records, and hunter journals and daily papers for 2003-2013 period. The wolf distribution in B&H is displayed on the UTM (MGS) coordinate system with the 10x10 km plot size. The wolf diet analysis in B&H was run on the faecal matter data. The feacal matter had been collected in 2009-2013 period at two transections (Tisovac and Manjača) each having been 10 kilometres long. The food content was expressed via the relative frequency of detection of the food type/category (%O, number of detections of a food category/the sum of all detections for all categories x 100) and percentage of the consumed biomass (%B, mass of a specific food category/ the total mass of all categories x 100). The damage records had been collected for 2003-2014 period. For the purpose of damage analysis, only data on direct observations from damages on domestic animals were used (a wolf or a pack of wolves seen on site, one or more individuals killed at site, etc.)...

Evropska tekunica (Spermophilus citellus, L. 1766) je endemična vrsta za područje Centralne i Jugoistočne Evrope. Recentni areal je karpatskim masivom podeljen na dva dela. Severni deo se karakteriše uniformnim stepskim staništima koja se javljaju na malim nadmorskim visinama, dok se južni deo areala nalazi na Balkanu, gde su prisutni različiti tipovi staništa sa različitim ekološkim uslovima i na različitim nadmorskim visinama. Najveći broj populacija na području Srbije nalazi se u njenom severnom delu, tj. Vojvodini, dok je svega nekoliko malih i izolovanih planinskih populacija prisutno u istočnom i jugoistočnom delu zemlje Tekunice naseljavaju isključivo stepska staništa, livade i pašnjake koji su obrasli niskom travom. Međutim, usled intenzivnog pretvaranja stepskih predela u poljoprivredno zemljište tokom proteklih nekoliko decenija, nestala su široka prostranstva na kojima je tekunica bila kontinuirano rasprostranjena. Danas vrsta opstaje samo na jako izolovanim stepsko-livadskim fragmentima koji su sačuvani unutar dominantnog poljoprivrednog matriksa. S obzirom da broj populacija konstantno opada na celom arealu i da je budući opstanak vrste doveden u opasnost, tekunica je od 2008. godine na IUCN Crvenoj listi ugroženih vrsta svrstana u kategoriji ranjiva (VU). Zakonski status tekunice u Evropi regulišu EU Direktiva o staništima (Aneks II i IV) i Konvencija o očuvanju evropske divlje flore i faune i prirodnih staništa, poznatija kao Bernska konvencija (Aneks II). Unutar mreže Natura 2000 do sada je u režim zaštite uključeno 414 staništa koja naseljava tekunica. Na nacionalnom nivou tekunica je zaštićena zakonom kao strogo zaštićena vrsta. U cilju analize genetičkog diverziteta i strukture populacija tekunice na teritoriji Srbije, u periodu 2007-2009. godine, prikupljeno je ukupno 180 uzoraka tkiva sa 11 lokaliteta (Krušedol, Neradin, Mala Remeta, Sremska Mitrovica, Banatska Palanka, Šušara, Mokrin, Lok i Tomislavci sa teritorije Vojvodine i po jedan lokalitet sa Vlasine i Stare planine). Procena gustine i brojnosti populacija tekunice vršena je u periodu 2004- 2014. godine na lokalitetima Krušedol i Neradin koji su smešteni na obodu fruškogorskog masiva, kao i lokalitetu Banatska Palanka koji se nalazi na obodu Deliblatske peščare... The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus, L. 1766) is endemic species to the Central and Southeastern Europe. Its recent range is divided in two main parts by the Carpathian Mountains. The northern part of the range is characterized by uniform steppe habitats at low altitudes, while the southern part is situated on the Balkan Peninsula, where different types of habitats, with different environmental conditions and at different altitudes are present. The majority of Serbian populations is located in the northern part of the country, i.e. in Vojvodina, while only a few small and isolated mountain populations are present in the east and southeastern part of the country. The European ground squirrel inhabits steppes, meadows and pastures covered with short grass. These once widely distributed habitats, which were commonly inhabited by European ground squirrels, had disappeared due to their intensive transformation into agricultural land during the past few decades. Today, species survives only in very isolated steppe-meadow fragments which are preserved within the dominant agricultural matrix. Given that a number of populations is continually declining throughout the range and that the future survival of the species is put in danger, the European ground squirrel has been protected since 2008 under the IUCN Red List of threatened species as a vulnerable species (VU). Its status in Europe is governed by the EU Habitats and Species Directive (Annexes II and IV) and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, known as the Bern Convention (Annex II). Also, 414 of its habitats are under protection regime within the Natura 2000 network. At the national level, European ground squirrel is protected by law as a strictly protected species. In order to analyze the genetic diversity and the structure of the European ground squirrel in Serbia, a total of 180 tissue samples from 11 localities (Krušedol, Neradin, Mala Remeta, Sremska Mitrovica, Banatska Palanka, Šušara, Mokrin, Lok and Tomislavci from area of Vojvodina, one locality from Vlasina and one from Stara Planina Mountain were collected during the 2007-2009. Density and abundance of the European ground squirrel populations were estimated during the period 2004-2014 on the localities Krušedol and Neradin, which are located on the periphery of Fruška Gora Mountain, as well as on the locality Banatska Palanka, which is located on the periphery of the Deliblato Sands...

Evropska tekunica (Spermophilus citellus, L. 1766) je endemična vrsta za područje Centralne i Jugoistočne Evrope. Recentni areal je karpatskim masivom podeljen na dva dela. Severni deo se karakteriše uniformnim stepskim staništima koja se javljaju na malim nadmorskim visinama, dok se južni deo areala nalazi na Balkanu, gde su prisutni različiti tipovi staništa sa različitim ekološkim uslovima i na različitim nadmorskim visinama. Najveći broj populacija na području Srbije nalazi se u njenom severnom delu, tj. Vojvodini, dok je svega nekoliko malih i izolovanih planinskih populacija prisutno u istočnom i jugoistočnom delu zemlje Tekunice naseljavaju isključivo stepska staništa, livade i pašnjake koji su obrasli niskom travom. Međutim, usled intenzivnog pretvaranja stepskih predela u poljoprivredno zemljište tokom proteklih nekoliko decenija, nestala su široka prostranstva na kojima je tekunica bila kontinuirano rasprostranjena. Danas vrsta opstaje samo na jako izolovanim stepsko-livadskim fragmentima koji su sačuvani unutar dominantnog poljoprivrednog matriksa. S obzirom da broj populacija konstantno opada na celom arealu i da je budući opstanak vrste doveden u opasnost, tekunica je od 2008. godine na IUCN Crvenoj listi ugroženih vrsta svrstana u kategoriji ranjiva (VU). Zakonski status tekunice u Evropi regulišu EU Direktiva o staništima (Aneks II i IV) i Konvencija o očuvanju evropske divlje flore i faune i prirodnih staništa, poznatija kao Bernska konvencija (Aneks II). Unutar mreže Natura 2000 do sada je u režim zaštite uključeno 414 staništa koja naseljava tekunica. Na nacionalnom nivou tekunica je zaštićena zakonom kao strogo zaštićena vrsta. U cilju analize genetičkog diverziteta i strukture populacija tekunice na teritoriji Srbije, u periodu 2007-2009. godine, prikupljeno je ukupno 180 uzoraka tkiva sa 11 lokaliteta (Krušedol, Neradin, Mala Remeta, Sremska Mitrovica, Banatska Palanka, Šušara, Mokrin, Lok i Tomislavci sa teritorije Vojvodine i po jedan lokalitet sa Vlasine i Stare planine). Procena gustine i brojnosti populacija tekunice vršena je u periodu 2004- 2014. godine na lokalitetima Krušedol i Neradin koji su smešteni na obodu fruškogorskog masiva, kao i lokalitetu Banatska Palanka koji se nalazi na obodu Deliblatske peščare. Na kraju je urađena procena minimalne vijabilne veličine populacije (MVP) uz pomoć programa Vortex. Rezultati dobijeni ovim istraživanjima nedvosmisleno ukazuju da je genetički diverzitet populacija tekunice sa teritorije Vojvodine značajno viši u odnosu na one sa periferije areala, kao i da je sličan genetičkom diverzitetu panonskih populacija iz okruženja koje zauzimaju centralni položaj u okviru severne filogeografske grupe. Sa druge strane, analize pokazuju da je genetički diverzitet planinskih populacija sa Vlasine i Stare planine znatno niži u odnosu na populacije iz Vojvodine. Sve ispitivane populacije tekunica iz Srbije su pokazale visok stepen genetičke diferencijacije, što ukazuje na međusobnu izolovanost i odsustvo protoka gena između populacija. Klaster analize su pokazale da je jedanaest ispitivanih populacija iz Srbije najoptimalnije grupisati u četiri klastera. U prva tri klastera su raspoređene populacije iz Vojvodine, dok su udaljene planinske populacije sa Vlasine i Stare planine izdvojene u četvrti klaster. Raspored vojvođanskih populacija po klasterima ukazuje da Dunav, za razliku od Tise, predstavlja značajnu barijeru za protok gena između posmatranih populacija. Gustina i brojnost posmatranih populacija tekunice su jako varirale tokom posmatranog perioda od jedanaest godina i to kako na istom lokalitetu, tako i između lokaliteta. Tokom posmatranog perioda pozitivan rast populacije registrovan je samo na lokalitetu Neradin, dok su na lokalitetima Krušedol i Banatska Planka zabeležene velike fluktuacije, kao i pad u brojnostima i gustinama ispitivanih populacija. Analiza MVP je pokazala da je za opstanak izolovane populacije tekunica, uz očuvanje 90 % genetičkog diverziteta i izbegavanje štetnog efekta inbridinga, neophodno obezbediti prisustvo bar 300 jedinki, posmatrano za period od 50 godina. Međutim, sa povećanjem demografske i sredinske varijabilnosti, veličina MVP se drastično povećava. Ovo ukazuje na potrebu uspostavljanja što optimalnijih uslova na postojećim staništima tekunice, čime bi se smanjile velike fluktuacije u brojnosti izazvane nepovoljnim faktorima i povećala verovatnoća opstanka populacija. Gubitak pogodnih staništa, kao i stvaranje barijera koje onemogućavaju migraciju jedinki i protok gena između populacija, trenutno predstavljaju najznačajnije faktore koji direktno i indirektno utiču na opstanak populacija tekunice. Dobijeni rezultati predstavljaju dobru konzervacionu osnovu i daju smernice za aktivan pristup zaštiti i očuvanju tekunice u Srbiji, izradu akcionog i plana upravljanja populacijama tekunice u Srbiji, kao i osnovu za dalja fundamentalno-ekološka i konzervaciona istraživanja ove krajnje ugrožene vrste kod nas. Buduće očuvanje tekunice na našim prostorima nema samo nacionalni značaj. Naime, među populacijama od najvećeg konzervaciong značaja za očuvanje evropske tekunice su upravo populacije sa područja Bugarske i Srbije, tj. sa prostora koji je u više navrata u prošlosti služio kao refugijum iz kog se vrsta tokom povoljnih klimatskih uslova širila ka Centralnoj Evropi. Samim time imamo veliku obavezu očuvanja vijabilnih populacija tekunice uz minimalni gubitak postojećeg genetičkog diverziteta. The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus, L. 1766) is endemic species to the Central and Southeastern Europe. Its recent range is divided in two main parts by the Carpathian Mountains. The northern part of the range is characterized by uniform steppe habitats at low altitudes, while the southern part is situated on the Balkan Peninsula, where different types of habitats, with different environmental conditions and at different altitudes are present. The majority of Serbian populations is located in the northern part of the country, i.e. in Vojvodina, while only a few small and isolated mountain populations are present in the east and southeastern part of the country. The European ground squirrel inhabits steppes, meadows and pastures covered with short grass. These once widely distributed habitats, which were commonly inhabited by European ground squirrels, had disappeared due to their intensive transformation into agricultural land during the past few decades. Today, species survives only in very isolated steppe-meadow fragments which are preserved within the dominant agricultural matrix. Given that a number of populations is continually declining throughout the range and that the future survival of the species is put in danger, the European ground squirrel has been protected since 2008 under the IUCN Red List of threatened species as a vulnerable species (VU). Its status in Europe is governed by the EU Habitats and Species Directive (Annexes II and IV) and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, known as the Bern Convention (Annex II). Also, 414 of its habitats are under protection regime within the Natura 2000 network. At the national level, European ground squirrel is protected by law as a strictly protected species. In order to analyze the genetic diversity and the structure of the European ground squirrel in Serbia, a total of 180 tissue samples from 11 localities (Krušedol, Neradin, Mala Remeta, Sremska Mitrovica, Banatska Palanka, Šušara, Mokrin, Lok and Tomislavci from area of Vojvodina, one locality from Vlasina and one from Stara Planina Mountain were collected during the 2007-2009. Density and abundance of the European ground squirrel populations were estimated during the period 2004-2014 on the localities Krušedol and Neradin, which are located on the periphery of Fruška Gora Mountain, as well as on the locality Banatska Palanka, which is located on the periphery of the Deliblato Sands. Finally, the minimum viable population size (MVP) was estimated using the Vortex software. The results gained in this study clearly indicated that the genetic diversity of populations from Vojvodina is significantly higher than those from the periphery of the species range, and similar to the genetic diversity of surrounding Pannonian populations which are occupying a central position within the Northern phylogenetic group. On the other hand, the results showed that the genetic diversity of mountain populations from Vlasina and Stara Planina Mountain is significantly lower compared to the populations from Vojvodina. All analyzed populations from Serbia showed high level of genetic differentiation, indicating the presence of isolation and the absence of gene flow between existing populations. According to the cluster analysis, eleven studied populations from Serbia are optimally grouped into four clusters. Populations from Vojvodina made first three clusters, while two far mountainous populations from Vlasina and Stara Planina made the fourth cluster. Arrangement of populations from Vojvodina by clusters indicates that the Danube River, but not the Tisza River, represents a significant barrier to gene flow among populations. Observed populations showed high fluctuations in density and abundance during the eleven studied years, both within and between localities. During this period, positive population growth was observed only in the locality Neradin, while large fluctuations were recorded on the localities Krušedol and Banatska Planka, followed by dramatic decline in density and abundance. According to the MVP analysis, for the survival of isolated populations of European ground squirrel, preservation of 90% of genetic diversity and avoidance of the harmful effects of inbreeding, it is necessary to ensure the presence of at least 300 individuals over 50 years. However, if we take into account different levels of demographic and environmental stochasticity, MVP would be considerably larger. This pointed out the need to establish more optimal habitat conditions and thus minimize large fluctuations in the abundance caused by extremely adverse factors and increase the likelihood of population survival. The loss of suitable habitats, as well as the formation of barriers that prevent the migration and gene flow between populations, currently represent the most important factors that directly and indirectly affect the survival of populations of the European ground squirrel. The results from this study represent a good conservation basis and provide guidance for an active approach to the protection and preservation of the European ground squirrel in Serbia, development of the Action and Management Plans, as well as a basis for the future fundamental ecological and conservation research of this endangered species. Future conservation of the European ground squirrel in Serbia has not only the national relevance. Namely, populations from Serbia and Bulgaria are of key importance for the future preservation of the whole species, as these areas served as refugia from which the species spread to the Central Europe during favorable climatic conditions in the past. Therefore, we have a great obligation to preserve viable populations of the European ground squirrel with a minimum loss of the existing genetic diversity.