Numerous phylogeographic studies tested the impact of glacial-interglacial climatic changes on biodiversity over the last 2 Myr by using widespread taxa but far less attention has been given to small range palaeoendemics. We studied the spatial genetic structure of Martino’s vole using DNA extracted from museum samples. Our results uncovered three independent glacial differentiation centres within the western Balkans and suggested a gradual southerly expansion of the animal in a pattern consistent with a stepping stone colonization.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1179859
Small mammals are just as likely to become extinct as larger species, although the latter receive disproportionate attention with respect to conservation activity and research. We focused on rarity and vulnerability to extinction for Martino's vole, the only living member of the Tertiary genus Dinaromys. The species shows all three attributes of rarity. Its Pleistocene range exceeded the recent one and its shrinking continued into the Holocene. Long-term sympatry of Martino's vole and the European snow vole Chionomys nivalis probably results in competitive exclusion of the former.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1436371
Current taxonomic richness in the subfamily Arvicolinae presumably results from two main pulses of radiation: an early pulse during the Miocene that gave rise to tribes and a more recent radiation leading to the species richness of prolific genera. We explored the early pulse by providing cytochrome b sequences for two previously unstudied monotypic genera: Dinaromys from the Balkans and Prometheomys from the Caucasus. Contrary to other phylogenetic reconstructions, these two genera formed a moderately-well supported monophyletic clade, possibly a sister group to subterranean Ellobius.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1473235
Goričko Landscape Park is an example of a well-preserved agricultural landscape typical of Central Europe. We described and classified different habitat types (HT), especially the riparian stream corridors and patches outside the closed woodland. The course of the intensification in agricultural impact produced two results: arable HT were united into large, homogeneous polygons, while less usable land was abandoned. Some of the landscape characteristics we used can be applied to detect the level of preserved traditional cultural landscape.
COBISS.SI-ID: 15674376
European pit-building antlions (Euroleon nostras) detect their prey by sensing the vibrations that prey generate during locomotory activity. In our study substrate particle size and the frequency of prey signals both influenced the propagation properties of vibratory signals. Vibrations in finer sand are attenuated more strongly than in coarser sand and, consequently, an antlion detects its prey only at a short distance. The mean reaction distance was less in the finest sand than in coarser sand. The most convenient sands for prey detection are considered to be medium particle-sized sands.
COBISS.SI-ID: 14077448