Volume 1 (2008)
Geology
The karst bauxite areas of the Northern Apuseni Mts. in the SW Carpathians, and Vlasenica in the Inner Dinarides, are characterized by bauxites of Cretaceous age but vary in bauxite composition. The Vlasenica bauxites consist of boehmite, hematite and kaolinite, and locally are epigenetically kaolinized. The Apuseni Mts. bauxites in the Bihar Mts. and Pădurea Craiului are metamorphosed by banatite intrusions and consist of corundum, diaspore, boehmite, magnetite, hematite and kaolinite and locally some chlorite. The trace element geochemistry, based on studies of B, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, La, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sc, Sr, V, Y, Zn and Zr, indicate that both Vlasenica and Apuseni Mts. bauxites have been formed by in situ bauxitization but that their diagenesis and later histories differ. The bauxite diagenesis occurred in Vlasenica under oxic, and in Apuseni Mts. under unoxic, conditions. Later, the Vlasenica bauxites were locally epigenetically kaolinized, in geochemically open systems. The Apuseni Mts. bauxites have been metamorphosed due to the thermal influence of banatite intrusions, which produced corundum and magnetite in geochemically closed systems.
Key words: karst bauxite, mineralogy, geochemistry, bauxite alteration, Apuseni Mts., Carpatho-Balkanides, Vlasenica area, Dinarides
Ðorđević-Milutinović, D., Ćulafić, G.
Middle miocene flora of Jasikovac. Comparison with recent Pine-oak associations of Central America
This paper presents the collection of Middle Miocene flora from the locality Jasikovac (Berane-Police Basin) in Montenegro. The main feature and significance of this paleoflora is its unusual composition, expressed through domination of willow-type oaks, pines and sequoias, and an almost complete absence of other phanerophyte Gymnospermae and Angyospermae. The paleoflora with such composition was so far never recorded at other localities in Serbia and neighboring countries, and out of recent floras it is most similar to the montane pine-oak forests from Central America. The eco-climatic conditions and the large similarity of floristic composition between the recent and the fossil association indicate the possibility that the Middle Miocene flora of Jasikovac used to inhabit greater altitudes and that there is a great probability that it was a part of the vegetation belt with a broader distribution.
Key words: Quercus apocynophyllum, Quercus neriifolia, Miocene, Berane-Police Basin, Jasikovac
Geoconservation implies the identification and conservation of geodiversity phenomena (variety of geological, geomorphological and pedological features, systems and processes) for their intrinsic, ecological and heritage values. Among Balkan countries, it is necessary to provide relevant vital information at all levels of nature management and planning, and thereby raise awareness of the links between geodiversity and biodiversity as well as between geodiversity and cultural heritage. The main challenge is to accomplish a more effective collaboration between agencies responsible for the protection of nature and other governmental agencies in order to ensure systematic national surveys of geodiversity resources.
Key words: geodiversity, geoheritage, geoconservation, Balkan region, legislation, administration structures, management
Over 2500 items of vertebrate remains were discovered in the left, deadend passage at the entrance of Gradašnica cave (Miroč, east Serbia). This paper presents data on Rodentia and Lagomorpha. Sixteen species were determined. Fourteen are representatives of the order Rodentia – Sicista subtilis, Arvicola terrestris, Chionomys nivalis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus arvalis, Microtus subterraneus, Cricetulus migratorius, Cricetus cricetus, Mesocricetus newtoni, Apodemus flavicollis/sylvaticus, Rattus rattus, Muscardinus avellanarius, Glis glis, Nannospalax leucodon and two of the order Lagomorpha – Ochotona pusilla and Lepus sp. The main features of odontological material are presented, as well as a palaeoecological discussion.
Keywords: Gradašnica cave, small mammals, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Pleistocene
The dental remains of rodents from two localities – Lazarevac village and Bele Vode in Central Serbia – are used to determine the age of the sediments and to reconstruct the paleoecology of the habitat. The species recorded at Lazarevac village are Spermophilinus bredai, Miopetaurista dehmi, Cricetodon meini, Megacricetodon minor, Democricetodon mutilus and Miodyromys aegercii; species from Bele Vode are Cricetodon meini, Democricetodon mutilus and Miodyromys aegercii. The rodents’ assemblages can be placed in MN6.
Key words: Rodentia, MN6, Central Serbia
Biology
Sabovljević, M.
The preliminary survey of the bryophyte vegetation in Serbia
The investigation of bryophyte flora and vegetation in Serbia has been neglected for a long time. There is no evidence of what bryophyte vegetation exists, and the composition and structure of the vegetation were previously unknown. The preliminary overview of syntaxonomic categories of the bryophyte vegetation of Serbia has been made based on the floristic data and field observations, as well as on the author’s personal experience regarding the structure of the vegetation. With 144 communities, the presented list gives the first insight into the actual, but also expected, types of bryophyte vegetation in Serbia. Further studies will be needed to determine the complete and real composition and structure of the bryophyte vegetation in Serbia.
Keywords: bryophytes, vegetation, syntaxonomic classification, Serbia
Niketić, M., Tomović, G.
New chorological data of some rare and endangered plants in Serbia
The distribution of five threatened or rare subendemic and one endemic taxa in Serbia based on field research, herbarium and literature data is presented. These taxa were mapped on a 10×10 sq. km UTM grid. The following taxa were analysed: Silene fabarioides Hausskn., Hypericum annulatum Moris subsp. annulatum, Securigera elegans (Pančić) Lassen, Lathyrus hallersteinii Baumg., Pulmonaria rubra Schott and Achillea grandifolia Friv. The species Silene fabarioides Hausskn. is a new plant for the Flora of Serbia. Besides the distribution data for each of the analyzed taxa, the taxonomic status, ecological features, pharmacological values as well as the estimated IUCN threatened status, for some of the taxa, in Serbia are given. The study of the ecology and distribution in Serbia of these six plant species provided useful information for plant protection management in this region.
Key words: vascular flora, endangered plants, distribution, new chorological data, Serbia
This paper presents the results of an investigation into the diversity of echinoderms inside the Boka kotorska Bay, as well as their spatial and seasonal distribution. This area is characterized by a specific complex of physical-chemical parameters of the sea water and sediments, which make it a particular biotope. Regarding the biology of echinoderms as sessile and slowmoving animals, the environment has an important role in their distribution and abundance. Obtained results show the presence of 32 species, distributed over diverse kinds of sea bottoms and different depths. Statistical analyses of samples show very low seasonal differences. According to the bottom type, the highest average similarity is recorded from samples taken from Posidonia oceanica meadows and rocky bottoms.
Key words: Echinoderms, Boka Kotorska Bay, substrate, statistical analysis
Jović, M., Santovac, S., Andjus, Lj.
Leucorrhinia caudalis (Charpentier, 1840). A new or an ex dragonfly species in Serbian fauna?
The discovery of 11 specimens (4♂♂, 7♀♀) of Leucorrhinia caudalis in the entomological collection of the National Museum in Zrenjanin is presented. This material from the early 1970’s represents the first reliable data about the occurrence of this species in Serbian territory and should, therefore, be considered a new species of Serbian fauna. Contemporary literature data about this endangered species in the region are discussed. Attempts to find a present population in the locality cited on the specimen’s labels remained unsuccessful. Both the original list of the species collected together with the specimens L. caudalis and the list of those collected in the same locality thirty-five years later are given and commented upon. Remarks about habitat destruction and the possibilities of survival of this species in N Serbia are also presented.
Key words: Odonata, Serbia, Leucorrhinia caudalis
Thermothrips mohelensis Pelikan, 1949 was recorded for the first time in Slovenia and in the Balkan region. Its morphological characters, ecology, distribution and notice about threat status are given.
Key words: Thermothrips mohelensis, Thripidae, distribution, threat status, new record
This paper presents the data on specimens of genera Sericothrips and Neohydatothrips in the collection of the Natural History Museum in Belgrade. Most of these specimens were collected at several localities in Serbia. The paper quotes all relevant data on all collected specimens. Four species belonging to these genera were established in Central Europe, namely: Sericothrips bicornis, Sericothrips staphylinus, Neohydatothrips gracilicornis and Neohydatothrips abnormis. Two of them, S. bicornis and Neohydatothrips gracilicornis, were recorded previously in Serbia. Specimens of species Sericothrips staphylinus in the collection of Natural History Museum in Belgrade are the first records of this species in Serbia and the neighboring countries that used to be republics in the former Yugoslavia.
Key words: Thysanoptera, Sericothrips, Neohydatothrips, fauna, Serbia
The initial collection of Heteroptera at the Natural History Museum was formed by Dušan Stojićević, the first zoology curator, in the period from 1904-1926. This Collection includes 44 species and 130 specimens. The specimens were collected at 32 localities in Serbia and 5 localities in Macedonia. New data about the distribution of the species: Pinthaeus sanguinipes, Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale, Aquarius paludum, Gerris lacustris, Gerris lateralis, Horvathiolus superbus, Ranatra linearis is now available.
Key words: Heteroptera, Old Collection, Natural History Museum, Belgrade
Important biogeographical determinants which are responsible for the faunistic richness of Serbian butterflies are pointed out. The most important ways of anthropogenic pressures to the fauna are specified. Target species selection criteria were applied for the selection of Serbian butterfly species. General criteria for the selection of the PBA have been applied. The special criteria for the selection of PBA have been defined. From 50 potential PBAs, 40 have been selected on the basis of the field work results.
Key words: Butterflies, Target Species, Prime Butterfly Areas, Serbia
The present paper cites 19 gall midges species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), 17 of which are new to the fauna of Serbia. Of these, five are new to the fauna of the Balkan Peninsula and four are recorded for the first time for the republics of former Yugoslavia. Contarinia lini Simova & Skuhravá, the description of which was published in 2007, is a new species to science whose terra typica is Novi Beograd. Recorded in Serbia for the first time in 2007, Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman, 1847) is an invasive species introduced from North America.
Key words: Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, fauna, gall midges, new records
A list of 117 species of ants of Montenegro (Crna Gora) is presented. The finding of Lasius paralienus was the second record of that species in the myrmecofauna of Serbia and Montenegro. There are only three localities [Budva, Tivat (Vogrin 1955) and Belgrade (Petrov 2000)] known for Cataglyphis viaticus in Serbia and Montenegro. Allthough Karaman (2004) registered more species in Montenegro than presented here, he did not mention species: Myrmica specioides, M. sulcinodis, Messor denticulatus, Crematogaster scutellaris, Solenopsis latro, Tetramorium bicarinatum, T. lucidulum, Bothriomyrmex syrius and Tapinoma nigerrimum. In that way his list is now enriched with 9 more species, which were now specified for first time in the the myrmecofauna of Montenegro. Since Montenegro is a Mediterranean country, Mediterranean species were the most numerous species found in Montenegro.
Key words: ants, Formicidae, fauna, Montenegro
