TY  - CONF
AU  - Milićević, Ana
AU  - Popović, Slađana
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Vasiljević, Božica
AU  - Krizmanić, Jelena
AU  - Jakovljević, Olga
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://15edm2024.mk/program/
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6709
AB  - Due to their high water temperature and special water chemistry, thermal springs offer unique ecological conditions for microbial communities. They are considered to be very interesting and important habitats for the study of algal flora, including diatom biodiversity. However, their occurrence in Serbian thermal springs is scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of the diatom community in five
thermal springs in central Serbia (Vrujci spa, Bukovička spa, Omoljica, Ovčanska spa and Poljane). Samples were collected from natural thermal springs except from Bukovička spa, where they were taken
from the tap. In Vrujci spa, samples were collected both from the tap and from the natural spring. During the autumn and winter in 2023, a total of 11 biofilm samples were collected with a sterile scalpel. The
samples were treated with HCl and KMnO4 in the laboratory, afterwards permanent diatom slides were made. The Carl Zeiss AxioImager.M1 light microscope with DIC optics, AxioCam MRc5 and AxioVision4.9
software were used for microscopic analysis. During survey, in total 82 diatom taxa belonging to 33 genera were identified. The most taxon-rich genera were Nitzschia and Navicula with 13 and 10 taxa, respectively. Our preliminary results show that the samples from the Vrujci spa have
the highest diatom diversity (62 taxa) and from Bukovička the lowest (5 taxa). In the Vrujci spa, 40 taxa were identified in the natural thermal spring, while 22 were recorded at the tap. The highest temperature
(25.1°C) was measured at this site compared to the other thermal springs. The dominant taxa were Staurosira venter and Achnanthidium straubianum, which distinguishes this natural thermal spring from the others. At the tap in Vrujci, the dominance of Navicula veneta, Nitzschia palea and Achnanthidium microcephalum showed that the communities at natural and artificial sites differ greatly. In Bukovička spa, the most abundant taxa included N. palea and N. veneta. In the Omoljica thermal spring, 19 taxa were identified with dominance of N. palea, followed by Gomphonema parvulum and N. veneta with slightly lower abundances. In Poljane, N. palea and A. microcephalum were dominant from 11 recorded taxa. In Ovčanska spa, Nitzschia thermaloides was found to be predominant. In addition, the other 18 taxa found at this thermal spring occur with very low abundances. Additional taxonomic insights are required to more precisely define the diatom communities and the ecology of the taxa inhabiting thermal springs. Besides, occurrence of rare species can be expected in this types of extreme habitats.
PB  - Skopje: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
C3  - Book of abstracts: 15th European Diatom Meeting; 2024 May 7-9; Ohrid, North Macedonia
T1  - Diatom diversity of five thermal springs in Serbia
SP  - 154
EP  - 155
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6709
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Milićević, Ana and Popović, Slađana and Bjelica, Vukašin and Vasiljević, Božica and Krizmanić, Jelena and Jakovljević, Olga",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Due to their high water temperature and special water chemistry, thermal springs offer unique ecological conditions for microbial communities. They are considered to be very interesting and important habitats for the study of algal flora, including diatom biodiversity. However, their occurrence in Serbian thermal springs is scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of the diatom community in five
thermal springs in central Serbia (Vrujci spa, Bukovička spa, Omoljica, Ovčanska spa and Poljane). Samples were collected from natural thermal springs except from Bukovička spa, where they were taken
from the tap. In Vrujci spa, samples were collected both from the tap and from the natural spring. During the autumn and winter in 2023, a total of 11 biofilm samples were collected with a sterile scalpel. The
samples were treated with HCl and KMnO4 in the laboratory, afterwards permanent diatom slides were made. The Carl Zeiss AxioImager.M1 light microscope with DIC optics, AxioCam MRc5 and AxioVision4.9
software were used for microscopic analysis. During survey, in total 82 diatom taxa belonging to 33 genera were identified. The most taxon-rich genera were Nitzschia and Navicula with 13 and 10 taxa, respectively. Our preliminary results show that the samples from the Vrujci spa have
the highest diatom diversity (62 taxa) and from Bukovička the lowest (5 taxa). In the Vrujci spa, 40 taxa were identified in the natural thermal spring, while 22 were recorded at the tap. The highest temperature
(25.1°C) was measured at this site compared to the other thermal springs. The dominant taxa were Staurosira venter and Achnanthidium straubianum, which distinguishes this natural thermal spring from the others. At the tap in Vrujci, the dominance of Navicula veneta, Nitzschia palea and Achnanthidium microcephalum showed that the communities at natural and artificial sites differ greatly. In Bukovička spa, the most abundant taxa included N. palea and N. veneta. In the Omoljica thermal spring, 19 taxa were identified with dominance of N. palea, followed by Gomphonema parvulum and N. veneta with slightly lower abundances. In Poljane, N. palea and A. microcephalum were dominant from 11 recorded taxa. In Ovčanska spa, Nitzschia thermaloides was found to be predominant. In addition, the other 18 taxa found at this thermal spring occur with very low abundances. Additional taxonomic insights are required to more precisely define the diatom communities and the ecology of the taxa inhabiting thermal springs. Besides, occurrence of rare species can be expected in this types of extreme habitats.",
publisher = "Skopje: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics",
journal = "Book of abstracts: 15th European Diatom Meeting; 2024 May 7-9; Ohrid, North Macedonia",
title = "Diatom diversity of five thermal springs in Serbia",
pages = "154-155",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6709"
}

Milićević, A., Popović, S., Bjelica, V., Vasiljević, B., Krizmanić, J.,& Jakovljević, O.. (2024). Diatom diversity of five thermal springs in Serbia. in Book of abstracts: 15th European Diatom Meeting; 2024 May 7-9; Ohrid, North Macedonia
Skopje: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics., 154-155.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6709

Milićević A, Popović S, Bjelica V, Vasiljević B, Krizmanić J, Jakovljević O. Diatom diversity of five thermal springs in Serbia. in Book of abstracts: 15th European Diatom Meeting; 2024 May 7-9; Ohrid, North Macedonia. 2024;:154-155.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6709 .

Milićević, Ana, Popović, Slađana, Bjelica, Vukašin, Vasiljević, Božica, Krizmanić, Jelena, Jakovljević, Olga, "Diatom diversity of five thermal springs in Serbia" in Book of abstracts: 15th European Diatom Meeting; 2024 May 7-9; Ohrid, North Macedonia (2024):154-155,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6709 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/view/83025
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6534
PB  - Bonn : Societas Europaea Herpetologica
T2  - Herpetology Notes
T1  - Defensive tail waving in the Caspian Whipsnake, Dolichophis caspius (Gmelin, 1789)
VL  - 17
SP  - 39
EP  - 41
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6534
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Lakušić, Margareta and Anđelković, Marko",
year = "2024",
publisher = "Bonn : Societas Europaea Herpetologica",
journal = "Herpetology Notes",
title = "Defensive tail waving in the Caspian Whipsnake, Dolichophis caspius (Gmelin, 1789)",
volume = "17",
pages = "39-41",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6534"
}

Bjelica, V., Lakušić, M.,& Anđelković, M.. (2024). Defensive tail waving in the Caspian Whipsnake, Dolichophis caspius (Gmelin, 1789). in Herpetology Notes
Bonn : Societas Europaea Herpetologica., 17, 39-41.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6534

Bjelica V, Lakušić M, Anđelković M. Defensive tail waving in the Caspian Whipsnake, Dolichophis caspius (Gmelin, 1789). in Herpetology Notes. 2024;17:39-41.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6534 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Lakušić, Margareta, Anđelković, Marko, "Defensive tail waving in the Caspian Whipsnake, Dolichophis caspius (Gmelin, 1789)" in Herpetology Notes, 17 (2024):39-41,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6534 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Milićević, Ana
AU  - Bugarčić, Marko
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
PY  - 2023
UR  - https://biozoojournals.ro/nwjz/content/v19n2.html
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6454
PB  - Oradea, Romania: Herpetological Club of Oradea (HCO)
T2  - North-Western Journal of Zoology
T1  - Winter activity of the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius, Gmelin, 1789) in Belgrade, Serbia
IS  - 2
VL  - 19
SP  - 212
EP  - 214
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6454
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Milićević, Ana and Bugarčić, Marko and Anđelković, Marko",
year = "2023",
publisher = "Oradea, Romania: Herpetological Club of Oradea (HCO)",
journal = "North-Western Journal of Zoology",
title = "Winter activity of the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius, Gmelin, 1789) in Belgrade, Serbia",
number = "2",
volume = "19",
pages = "212-214",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6454"
}

Bjelica, V., Milićević, A., Bugarčić, M.,& Anđelković, M.. (2023). Winter activity of the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius, Gmelin, 1789) in Belgrade, Serbia. in North-Western Journal of Zoology
Oradea, Romania: Herpetological Club of Oradea (HCO)., 19(2), 212-214.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6454

Bjelica V, Milićević A, Bugarčić M, Anđelković M. Winter activity of the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius, Gmelin, 1789) in Belgrade, Serbia. in North-Western Journal of Zoology. 2023;19(2):212-214.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6454 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Milićević, Ana, Bugarčić, Marko, Anđelković, Marko, "Winter activity of the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius, Gmelin, 1789) in Belgrade, Serbia" in North-Western Journal of Zoology, 19, no. 2 (2023):212-214,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6454 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Bugarčić, Marko
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Milićević, Ana
AU  - Pavlović, Anđela
AU  - Žunić, Lena
AU  - Czurda, Janis
PY  - 2023
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6132
AB  - The unken reflex (UR) is a deimatic behaviour in certain toad species, such as the European firebellied toad. These toads are cryptically coloured on their backs; however, when they feel threatened, they arch their backs and raise their limbs, revealing the brightly coloured ventral side of the body. This sudden appearance of bright colour has a startling effect and warns potential predators that the toad is poisonous. As an antipredator behaviour, UR should be under selection and adapt to different types of predators/predation pressure. We examined the occurrence and duration of UR in 106 individuals from three populations of the European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina). We gently tapped the toads’ heads (5 times) and grabbed them with rubber forceps to entice them to perform UR. We noted the occurrence of UR, whether the toads entered UR by tapping or grabbing and the duration of UR. We observed no significant differences in the occurrence of UR between the localities, but there was a significant difference in the duration of UR between localities. In the locality where UR lasted the longest, toads entered UR more often by grabbing than by tapping. UR was longest in the locality in an urban environment where there are far fewer predators (except cats and dogs) than at the other two localities (natural wetlands) where natural predators are abundant (snakes, water birds and small mammals). Our results may indicate potential local adaptations to different predators/predation pressures and deserve further attention. Future studies of UR should also include features such as belly colour, pattern, and contrast, as these features are also likely crucial to the occurrence and duration of deimatic displays in these toads.
PB  - Societas Europaea Herpetologica
C3  - Programme and Abstracts: 22nd European Congress of Herpetology; 2023 Sep 4-8; Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
T1  - Preliminary results indicate localised adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire- bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae)
SP  - 131
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6132
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Bugarčić, Marko and Anđelković, Marko and Milićević, Ana and Pavlović, Anđela and Žunić, Lena and Czurda, Janis",
year = "2023",
abstract = "The unken reflex (UR) is a deimatic behaviour in certain toad species, such as the European firebellied toad. These toads are cryptically coloured on their backs; however, when they feel threatened, they arch their backs and raise their limbs, revealing the brightly coloured ventral side of the body. This sudden appearance of bright colour has a startling effect and warns potential predators that the toad is poisonous. As an antipredator behaviour, UR should be under selection and adapt to different types of predators/predation pressure. We examined the occurrence and duration of UR in 106 individuals from three populations of the European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina). We gently tapped the toads’ heads (5 times) and grabbed them with rubber forceps to entice them to perform UR. We noted the occurrence of UR, whether the toads entered UR by tapping or grabbing and the duration of UR. We observed no significant differences in the occurrence of UR between the localities, but there was a significant difference in the duration of UR between localities. In the locality where UR lasted the longest, toads entered UR more often by grabbing than by tapping. UR was longest in the locality in an urban environment where there are far fewer predators (except cats and dogs) than at the other two localities (natural wetlands) where natural predators are abundant (snakes, water birds and small mammals). Our results may indicate potential local adaptations to different predators/predation pressures and deserve further attention. Future studies of UR should also include features such as belly colour, pattern, and contrast, as these features are also likely crucial to the occurrence and duration of deimatic displays in these toads.",
publisher = "Societas Europaea Herpetologica",
journal = "Programme and Abstracts: 22nd European Congress of Herpetology; 2023 Sep 4-8; Wolverhampton, United Kingdom",
title = "Preliminary results indicate localised adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire- bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae)",
pages = "131",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6132"
}

Bjelica, V., Bugarčić, M., Anđelković, M., Milićević, A., Pavlović, A., Žunić, L.,& Czurda, J.. (2023). Preliminary results indicate localised adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire- bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae). in Programme and Abstracts: 22nd European Congress of Herpetology; 2023 Sep 4-8; Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Societas Europaea Herpetologica., 131.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6132

Bjelica V, Bugarčić M, Anđelković M, Milićević A, Pavlović A, Žunić L, Czurda J. Preliminary results indicate localised adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire- bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae). in Programme and Abstracts: 22nd European Congress of Herpetology; 2023 Sep 4-8; Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. 2023;:131.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6132 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Bugarčić, Marko, Anđelković, Marko, Milićević, Ana, Pavlović, Anđela, Žunić, Lena, Czurda, Janis, "Preliminary results indicate localised adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire- bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae)" in Programme and Abstracts: 22nd European Congress of Herpetology; 2023 Sep 4-8; Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (2023):131,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6132 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Maričić, Marko
AU  - Arsovski, Dragan
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
AU  - Golubović, Ana
PY  - 2023
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5718
AB  - When captured by a predator, the prey’s options for escape decrease dramatically; however, some species, such as dice snakes, display a wide variety of behaviours in order to escape. We explored how factors such as locality, body temperature, body size, sex, reproductive status (i.e. gravid vs. non-gravid), presence and state of injuries, and the presence of food affect the occurrence of behavioural displays in a capture situation within and among four free-ranging populations of dice snakes, Natrix tessellata (Colubridae). Our study shows that dice snakes regularly hiss, discharge their cloacal glands, and coat themselves in musk when captured, while other behaviours were displayed only occasionally. Our study corroborates previous findings of local differentiation in snake behaviour, especially the case of supposed Batesian mimicry in dice snakes. In three of four localities where the dice snake lives in proximity or in sympatry with nose-horned vipers, they display fake striking, with additional head flattening as opposed to the viper-free locality. Larger snakes exhibit a wider array of antipredator behaviours, which commonly include musking and hissing. Expectedly, warmer snakes were more likely to display vigorous antipredator
behaviours such as struggling and striking. Injured snakes (a possible measure of a previous exposure to predation) displayed fewer behaviours and musked and hissed less. We call into question the analysis of isolated antipredator behavioural displays, and encourage using entire behavioural sequences in order to understand the complexity of antipredator behaviour.
PB  - New York: Springer Nature
T2  - Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
T1  - A dicey situation: capture behaviours in free‑ranging dice snakes
IS  - 5
VL  - 77
DO  - 10.1007/s00265-023-03323-9
SP  - 48
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Anđelković, Marko and Lakušić, Margareta and Maričić, Marko and Arsovski, Dragan and Tomović, Ljiljana and Golubović, Ana",
year = "2023",
abstract = "When captured by a predator, the prey’s options for escape decrease dramatically; however, some species, such as dice snakes, display a wide variety of behaviours in order to escape. We explored how factors such as locality, body temperature, body size, sex, reproductive status (i.e. gravid vs. non-gravid), presence and state of injuries, and the presence of food affect the occurrence of behavioural displays in a capture situation within and among four free-ranging populations of dice snakes, Natrix tessellata (Colubridae). Our study shows that dice snakes regularly hiss, discharge their cloacal glands, and coat themselves in musk when captured, while other behaviours were displayed only occasionally. Our study corroborates previous findings of local differentiation in snake behaviour, especially the case of supposed Batesian mimicry in dice snakes. In three of four localities where the dice snake lives in proximity or in sympatry with nose-horned vipers, they display fake striking, with additional head flattening as opposed to the viper-free locality. Larger snakes exhibit a wider array of antipredator behaviours, which commonly include musking and hissing. Expectedly, warmer snakes were more likely to display vigorous antipredator
behaviours such as struggling and striking. Injured snakes (a possible measure of a previous exposure to predation) displayed fewer behaviours and musked and hissed less. We call into question the analysis of isolated antipredator behavioural displays, and encourage using entire behavioural sequences in order to understand the complexity of antipredator behaviour.",
publisher = "New York: Springer Nature",
journal = "Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology",
title = "A dicey situation: capture behaviours in free‑ranging dice snakes",
number = "5",
volume = "77",
doi = "10.1007/s00265-023-03323-9",
pages = "48"
}

Bjelica, V., Anđelković, M., Lakušić, M., Maričić, M., Arsovski, D., Tomović, L.,& Golubović, A.. (2023). A dicey situation: capture behaviours in free‑ranging dice snakes. in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
New York: Springer Nature., 77(5), 48.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-023-03323-9

Bjelica V, Anđelković M, Lakušić M, Maričić M, Arsovski D, Tomović L, Golubović A. A dicey situation: capture behaviours in free‑ranging dice snakes. in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 2023;77(5):48.
doi:10.1007/s00265-023-03323-9 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Anđelković, Marko, Lakušić, Margareta, Maričić, Marko, Arsovski, Dragan, Tomović, Ljiljana, Golubović, Ana, "A dicey situation: capture behaviours in free‑ranging dice snakes" in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 77, no. 5 (2023):48,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-023-03323-9 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Maričić, Marko
AU  - Danon, Gorana
AU  - Urošević, Aleksandar
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4956
AB  - In Serbia, the southern and south-eastern parts of the country have the highest diversity of Reptile fauna. Due to the Mediterranean influence that is spreading across the North Macedonia to the north, some Mediterranean Reptile species have been recorded in Serbia, but there is a possibility that there are still unregistered ones. Concerning the importance of this part of Serbia, intensive faunistic research was done, which resulted in the discovery of L. trilineata, a new species for the herpetofauna of Serbia, in several localities. At each of explored localities, we found only one or few individuals of L. trilineata. This result lays the foundation for future population and conservation research of L. trilineata on the margins of its distribution.
PB  - Societas Europaea Herpetologica
T2  - Herpetology Notes
T1  - Balkan green lizard, Lacerta trilineata (Squamata: Lacertidae): a new species for the Serbian herpetofauna
IS  - 2022
VL  - 15
SP  - 211
EP  - 214
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4956
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Anđelković, Marko and Lakušić, Margareta and Bjelica, Vukašin and Maričić, Marko and Danon, Gorana and Urošević, Aleksandar and Tomović, Ljiljana",
year = "2022",
abstract = "In Serbia, the southern and south-eastern parts of the country have the highest diversity of Reptile fauna. Due to the Mediterranean influence that is spreading across the North Macedonia to the north, some Mediterranean Reptile species have been recorded in Serbia, but there is a possibility that there are still unregistered ones. Concerning the importance of this part of Serbia, intensive faunistic research was done, which resulted in the discovery of L. trilineata, a new species for the herpetofauna of Serbia, in several localities. At each of explored localities, we found only one or few individuals of L. trilineata. This result lays the foundation for future population and conservation research of L. trilineata on the margins of its distribution.",
publisher = "Societas Europaea Herpetologica",
journal = "Herpetology Notes",
title = "Balkan green lizard, Lacerta trilineata (Squamata: Lacertidae): a new species for the Serbian herpetofauna",
number = "2022",
volume = "15",
pages = "211-214",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4956"
}

Anđelković, M., Lakušić, M., Bjelica, V., Maričić, M., Danon, G., Urošević, A.,& Tomović, L.. (2022). Balkan green lizard, Lacerta trilineata (Squamata: Lacertidae): a new species for the Serbian herpetofauna. in Herpetology Notes
Societas Europaea Herpetologica., 15(2022), 211-214.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4956

Anđelković M, Lakušić M, Bjelica V, Maričić M, Danon G, Urošević A, Tomović L. Balkan green lizard, Lacerta trilineata (Squamata: Lacertidae): a new species for the Serbian herpetofauna. in Herpetology Notes. 2022;15(2022):211-214.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4956 .

Anđelković, Marko, Lakušić, Margareta, Bjelica, Vukašin, Maričić, Marko, Danon, Gorana, Urošević, Aleksandar, Tomović, Ljiljana, "Balkan green lizard, Lacerta trilineata (Squamata: Lacertidae): a new species for the Serbian herpetofauna" in Herpetology Notes, 15, no. 2022 (2022):211-214,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4956 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
AU  - Vučić, Tijana
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Urošević, Aleksandar
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Maričić, Marko
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Danon, Gorana
AU  - Ivanović, Ana
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5548
AB  - We present the updated distribution of batracho- and herpetofauna in southern
and south-eastern Serbia, based on literature and new field records for 16
amphibian and 22 reptile species. In these two biogeographic regions, already
recognized as biodiversity hotspots, we discovered two new amphibian species
with limited distribution: Hyla orientalis and Pelobates balcanicus. Also, one
species (Triturus ivanbureshi) has restricted distribution, while one (Bombina
bombina) is rare. Four reptile species have limited distributions and six are rare in
these regions. The presence of hybrid zones and the influence of the Mediterranean
climate make southern and south-eastern Serbia areas of great importance and the
target for future ecological and conservation studies in Serbia.
AB  - У овом раду дато је ажурирано и систематизовано распрострањење
батрахо и херепетофауне јужне и југоисточне Србије, на основу
публикованих литературних, као и нових теренских података за 16
врста водоземаца и 22 врсте гмизаваца. У ова два биогеографска
региона, претходно препознатих као подручја високог специјског
диверзитета, забележене су две нове врсте водоземаца са ограниченим
распрострањењем: Hyla orientalis и Pelobates balcanicus. Такође, једна
врста репатих водоземца (Triturus ivanbureshi) има ограничено распрострањење, док је Bombina bombina веома ретка. Четири врсте
гмизаваца су са ограниченом дистрибуцијом, а још шест су веома
ретке у ова два биогеографска региона.
Од укупно 38 врста водоземаца и гмизаваца потврђених у регионима јужне и југоисточне Србије, шест је рањиво/готово угрожено према
критеријумима IUCN-а, осам су на анексу II Директиве о стаништима,
а две су на апендиксу II CITES-а. На националном нивоу, 10 врста се
сматра критично угроженим, угроженим или рањивим по критеријумима IUCN-а, три врсте су заштићене, а 29 строго заштићене законом.
Као резултат ових истраживања, две локације у јужној Србији:
Левосоје (Бујановац) и Славујевац (Прешево), предложене су за
заштиту у окивиру успостављања националних еколошких мрежа у
Србији.
Присуство хибридних зона и утицаја Медитеранске климе чине
регионе јужне и југоисточне Србије подручјима од великог значаја за
диверзитет наше земље, и фокусом за будуће еколошке и конзервационе студије.
PB  - Belgrade: Natural History Museum
T2  - Bulletin of the Natural History Museum
T1  - Contribution to knowledge of batracho- and herpetofauna of southern and south-eastern Serbia
T1  - Прилог познавању батрахо- и херпетофауне југоисточне и јужне Србије
VL  - 15
DO  - 10.5937/bnhmb2215171T
SP  - 171
EP  - 189
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Tomović, Ljiljana and Vučić, Tijana and Anđelković, Marko and Urošević, Aleksandar and Bjelica, Vukašin and Maričić, Marko and Lakušić, Margareta and Danon, Gorana and Ivanović, Ana",
year = "2022",
abstract = "We present the updated distribution of batracho- and herpetofauna in southern
and south-eastern Serbia, based on literature and new field records for 16
amphibian and 22 reptile species. In these two biogeographic regions, already
recognized as biodiversity hotspots, we discovered two new amphibian species
with limited distribution: Hyla orientalis and Pelobates balcanicus. Also, one
species (Triturus ivanbureshi) has restricted distribution, while one (Bombina
bombina) is rare. Four reptile species have limited distributions and six are rare in
these regions. The presence of hybrid zones and the influence of the Mediterranean
climate make southern and south-eastern Serbia areas of great importance and the
target for future ecological and conservation studies in Serbia., У овом раду дато је ажурирано и систематизовано распрострањење
батрахо и херепетофауне јужне и југоисточне Србије, на основу
публикованих литературних, као и нових теренских података за 16
врста водоземаца и 22 врсте гмизаваца. У ова два биогеографска
региона, претходно препознатих као подручја високог специјског
диверзитета, забележене су две нове врсте водоземаца са ограниченим
распрострањењем: Hyla orientalis и Pelobates balcanicus. Такође, једна
врста репатих водоземца (Triturus ivanbureshi) има ограничено распрострањење, док је Bombina bombina веома ретка. Четири врсте
гмизаваца су са ограниченом дистрибуцијом, а још шест су веома
ретке у ова два биогеографска региона.
Од укупно 38 врста водоземаца и гмизаваца потврђених у регионима јужне и југоисточне Србије, шест је рањиво/готово угрожено према
критеријумима IUCN-а, осам су на анексу II Директиве о стаништима,
а две су на апендиксу II CITES-а. На националном нивоу, 10 врста се
сматра критично угроженим, угроженим или рањивим по критеријумима IUCN-а, три врсте су заштићене, а 29 строго заштићене законом.
Као резултат ових истраживања, две локације у јужној Србији:
Левосоје (Бујановац) и Славујевац (Прешево), предложене су за
заштиту у окивиру успостављања националних еколошких мрежа у
Србији.
Присуство хибридних зона и утицаја Медитеранске климе чине
регионе јужне и југоисточне Србије подручјима од великог значаја за
диверзитет наше земље, и фокусом за будуће еколошке и конзервационе студије.",
publisher = "Belgrade: Natural History Museum",
journal = "Bulletin of the Natural History Museum",
title = "Contribution to knowledge of batracho- and herpetofauna of southern and south-eastern Serbia, Прилог познавању батрахо- и херпетофауне југоисточне и јужне Србије",
volume = "15",
doi = "10.5937/bnhmb2215171T",
pages = "171-189"
}

Tomović, L., Vučić, T., Anđelković, M., Urošević, A., Bjelica, V., Maričić, M., Lakušić, M., Danon, G.,& Ivanović, A.. (2022). Contribution to knowledge of batracho- and herpetofauna of southern and south-eastern Serbia. in Bulletin of the Natural History Museum
Belgrade: Natural History Museum., 15, 171-189.
https://doi.org/10.5937/bnhmb2215171T

Tomović L, Vučić T, Anđelković M, Urošević A, Bjelica V, Maričić M, Lakušić M, Danon G, Ivanović A. Contribution to knowledge of batracho- and herpetofauna of southern and south-eastern Serbia. in Bulletin of the Natural History Museum. 2022;15:171-189.
doi:10.5937/bnhmb2215171T .

Tomović, Ljiljana, Vučić, Tijana, Anđelković, Marko, Urošević, Aleksandar, Bjelica, Vukašin, Maričić, Marko, Lakušić, Margareta, Danon, Gorana, Ivanović, Ana, "Contribution to knowledge of batracho- and herpetofauna of southern and south-eastern Serbia" in Bulletin of the Natural History Museum, 15 (2022):171-189,
https://doi.org/10.5937/bnhmb2215171T . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Arsovski, Dragan
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Maričić, Marko
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Avramović, Stefan
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://www.mjee.org.mk/index.php/mjee/article/view/173
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5477
AB  - Studies of body condition in snakes are generally lacking and were only done on a few species and with limited sample sizes. Additionally, almost no studies considered how different factors affect body condition. We used a large dataset amassed over a 15 year-long ecological study to make a preliminary screening of body condition index (BCI) variation in a metapopulation of dice snakes (Natrix tessellata) in the region of Lake Prespa. We considered how factors such as sex, food, colour morph, locality and time affect BCI. We demonstrate a positive effect of food (relatively less in males), and lower BCI in females. Importantly, there is a strong seasonal effect, summer months having a positive effect as opposed to spring. The results of our study raise important considerations for future studies on snake BCI, but also conservation of freshwater ecosystems.
PB  - Skopje: Macedonian Ecological Society
T2  - Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment
T1  - Preliminary overview of body condition variation among dice snake populations from transboundary Lake Prespa
IS  - 1
VL  - 24
SP  - 17
EP  - 25
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5477
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Arsovski, Dragan and Anđelković, Marko and Maričić, Marko and Lakušić, Margareta and Avramović, Stefan and Tomović, Ljiljana",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Studies of body condition in snakes are generally lacking and were only done on a few species and with limited sample sizes. Additionally, almost no studies considered how different factors affect body condition. We used a large dataset amassed over a 15 year-long ecological study to make a preliminary screening of body condition index (BCI) variation in a metapopulation of dice snakes (Natrix tessellata) in the region of Lake Prespa. We considered how factors such as sex, food, colour morph, locality and time affect BCI. We demonstrate a positive effect of food (relatively less in males), and lower BCI in females. Importantly, there is a strong seasonal effect, summer months having a positive effect as opposed to spring. The results of our study raise important considerations for future studies on snake BCI, but also conservation of freshwater ecosystems.",
publisher = "Skopje: Macedonian Ecological Society",
journal = "Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment",
title = "Preliminary overview of body condition variation among dice snake populations from transboundary Lake Prespa",
number = "1",
volume = "24",
pages = "17-25",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5477"
}

Bjelica, V., Arsovski, D., Anđelković, M., Maričić, M., Lakušić, M., Avramović, S.,& Tomović, L.. (2022). Preliminary overview of body condition variation among dice snake populations from transboundary Lake Prespa. in Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment
Skopje: Macedonian Ecological Society., 24(1), 17-25.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5477

Bjelica V, Arsovski D, Anđelković M, Maričić M, Lakušić M, Avramović S, Tomović L. Preliminary overview of body condition variation among dice snake populations from transboundary Lake Prespa. in Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment. 2022;24(1):17-25.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5477 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Arsovski, Dragan, Anđelković, Marko, Maričić, Marko, Lakušić, Margareta, Avramović, Stefan, Tomović, Ljiljana, "Preliminary overview of body condition variation among dice snake populations from transboundary Lake Prespa" in Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment, 24, no. 1 (2022):17-25,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5477 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Damm, Maik
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
AU  - Bonnet, Xavier
AU  - Süssmuth, Roderich
AU  - Calvete, Juan
AU  - Martínez-Freiría, Fernando
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5276
AB  - Snake venom is a complex secretion of proteins, peptides and small compounds. Being closely related to feeding, this important ecological trait is highly variable. The resulting variations are notably characterised by the abundance of different toxins, both at inter-and intraspecific levels. Here we addressed variation in venom composition of two populations of Vipera ammodytes from North Macedonia. One population inhabits Golem Grad Island (Prespa Lake) where vipers feed mainly on ectotherms, and the other is from the nearby mainland (Konjsko village) where endotherms are included in the diet. Using the bottom-up protocol for venom proteome analysis, five pools (insular juveniles, subadults, adult males and adult females, and adults from the mainland) were analysed, from a total of 50 individuals (46 from the island and four from the mainland). The venom profiles of the insular and mainland population differed, likely reflecting prey divergence between the sites. At the population level, in Golem Grad, venom composition showed an ontogenetic shift in the relative occurrence of different toxin families. This change is probably due to the shift in the diet; juveniles feed mainly on centipedes and small lizards, while adults essentially consume lizards. On the contrary, there was negligible variation in venom profiles of island adult males and females, likely due to their similar diet. Our results reveal fine-tuned and rapid (ontogenetic) parallel shifts in diet and venom composition and highlight the need to consider species' ecology in any causal model of venom variability.
PB  - Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade
C3  - Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
T1  - Food for thought: Venom composition of Vipera ammodytes from the island and mainland population is likely related with diet
SP  - 159
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5276
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Lakušić, Margareta and Damm, Maik and Bjelica, Vukašin and Anđelković, Marko and Tomović, Ljiljana and Bonnet, Xavier and Süssmuth, Roderich and Calvete, Juan and Martínez-Freiría, Fernando",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Snake venom is a complex secretion of proteins, peptides and small compounds. Being closely related to feeding, this important ecological trait is highly variable. The resulting variations are notably characterised by the abundance of different toxins, both at inter-and intraspecific levels. Here we addressed variation in venom composition of two populations of Vipera ammodytes from North Macedonia. One population inhabits Golem Grad Island (Prespa Lake) where vipers feed mainly on ectotherms, and the other is from the nearby mainland (Konjsko village) where endotherms are included in the diet. Using the bottom-up protocol for venom proteome analysis, five pools (insular juveniles, subadults, adult males and adult females, and adults from the mainland) were analysed, from a total of 50 individuals (46 from the island and four from the mainland). The venom profiles of the insular and mainland population differed, likely reflecting prey divergence between the sites. At the population level, in Golem Grad, venom composition showed an ontogenetic shift in the relative occurrence of different toxin families. This change is probably due to the shift in the diet; juveniles feed mainly on centipedes and small lizards, while adults essentially consume lizards. On the contrary, there was negligible variation in venom profiles of island adult males and females, likely due to their similar diet. Our results reveal fine-tuned and rapid (ontogenetic) parallel shifts in diet and venom composition and highlight the need to consider species' ecology in any causal model of venom variability.",
publisher = "Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade",
journal = "Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia",
title = "Food for thought: Venom composition of Vipera ammodytes from the island and mainland population is likely related with diet",
pages = "159",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5276"
}

Lakušić, M., Damm, M., Bjelica, V., Anđelković, M., Tomović, L., Bonnet, X., Süssmuth, R., Calvete, J.,& Martínez-Freiría, F.. (2022). Food for thought: Venom composition of Vipera ammodytes from the island and mainland population is likely related with diet. in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade., 159.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5276

Lakušić M, Damm M, Bjelica V, Anđelković M, Tomović L, Bonnet X, Süssmuth R, Calvete J, Martínez-Freiría F. Food for thought: Venom composition of Vipera ammodytes from the island and mainland population is likely related with diet. in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia. 2022;:159.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5276 .

Lakušić, Margareta, Damm, Maik, Bjelica, Vukašin, Anđelković, Marko, Tomović, Ljiljana, Bonnet, Xavier, Süssmuth, Roderich, Calvete, Juan, Martínez-Freiría, Fernando, "Food for thought: Venom composition of Vipera ammodytes from the island and mainland population is likely related with diet" in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia (2022):159,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5276 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Divac, Marko
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5277
AB  - Sexual dimorphism in body size has been observed in several snake species. Natural and sexual selections and their interaction lead to differences in morphological traits between males and females. During the ontogeny, various changes in body parts can occur between the sexes. Different body sizes can reflect different behaviours and reduce interpopulation competition for resources. We examined sexual dimorphism in Caspian Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius). We analysed the suburban population in Belgrade (Serbia). The sample consists of 72 females and 66 males of three age categories (juveniles < 40 cm of SVL, subadults from 40.1 to 70 cm of SVL and adults > 70.1 cm of SVL). We analysed eight morphometric parameters (standard body length - SVL, tail length - TL, jaw length - JL, cranial length - CL, postparietal length - PPS, head width - HW, mouth length - ML and mouth width - MW) and body weight - BM. Descriptive statistics showed that the values of all analysed traits were higher in adult males (the mean values of total body length were 137 and 117 cm for adult males and females, respectively), and ANOVA showed that these differences were statistically significant. The same analyses showed significant sexual dimorphism in the relationship between body length and tail length (SVL/TL). After correction for body size (ANCOVA with SVL as a covariate), sexual dimorphism was not expressed in any of the analyzed traits. In juvenile and subadult individuals, sexual dimorphism is not pronounced. The observed differences in morphological traits may be related to distinct features of life history, so our further research will consider the differences between the sexes in the growth rate, the size at which they reach sexual maturity, diet, predation, and activity patterns.
PB  - Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade
C3  - Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
T1  - Ontogenetic aspects of sexual dimorphism in the Caspian Whip Snakes (Dolichophis caspius)
SP  - 259
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5277
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Anđelković, Marko and Bjelica, Vukašin and Lakušić, Margareta and Divac, Marko",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Sexual dimorphism in body size has been observed in several snake species. Natural and sexual selections and their interaction lead to differences in morphological traits between males and females. During the ontogeny, various changes in body parts can occur between the sexes. Different body sizes can reflect different behaviours and reduce interpopulation competition for resources. We examined sexual dimorphism in Caspian Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius). We analysed the suburban population in Belgrade (Serbia). The sample consists of 72 females and 66 males of three age categories (juveniles < 40 cm of SVL, subadults from 40.1 to 70 cm of SVL and adults > 70.1 cm of SVL). We analysed eight morphometric parameters (standard body length - SVL, tail length - TL, jaw length - JL, cranial length - CL, postparietal length - PPS, head width - HW, mouth length - ML and mouth width - MW) and body weight - BM. Descriptive statistics showed that the values of all analysed traits were higher in adult males (the mean values of total body length were 137 and 117 cm for adult males and females, respectively), and ANOVA showed that these differences were statistically significant. The same analyses showed significant sexual dimorphism in the relationship between body length and tail length (SVL/TL). After correction for body size (ANCOVA with SVL as a covariate), sexual dimorphism was not expressed in any of the analyzed traits. In juvenile and subadult individuals, sexual dimorphism is not pronounced. The observed differences in morphological traits may be related to distinct features of life history, so our further research will consider the differences between the sexes in the growth rate, the size at which they reach sexual maturity, diet, predation, and activity patterns.",
publisher = "Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade",
journal = "Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia",
title = "Ontogenetic aspects of sexual dimorphism in the Caspian Whip Snakes (Dolichophis caspius)",
pages = "259",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5277"
}

Anđelković, M., Bjelica, V., Lakušić, M.,& Divac, M.. (2022). Ontogenetic aspects of sexual dimorphism in the Caspian Whip Snakes (Dolichophis caspius). in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade., 259.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5277

Anđelković M, Bjelica V, Lakušić M, Divac M. Ontogenetic aspects of sexual dimorphism in the Caspian Whip Snakes (Dolichophis caspius). in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia. 2022;:259.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5277 .

Anđelković, Marko, Bjelica, Vukašin, Lakušić, Margareta, Divac, Marko, "Ontogenetic aspects of sexual dimorphism in the Caspian Whip Snakes (Dolichophis caspius)" in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia (2022):259,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5277 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Maričić, Marko
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Golubović, Ana
AU  - Ajtić, Rastko
AU  - Sterijovski, Bogoljub
AU  - Arsovski, Dragan
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
AU  - Bonnet, Xavier
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5278
AB  - Golem Grad island, better known as “Snake Island” due to the large population of dice snakes
(Natrix tessellata) is a strictly protected area within National Park Galičica (North Macedonia). From
2008, the snakes’ tale started slowly unravelling, thanks to the start of mark-recapture monitoring.
More than 6.000 snakes were marked during >15 years. Opportunistic dissections provided information
about fecundity and body condition. Three distinct colour morphs coexist: ‘green back with dark spots’
is the most common, but uniformly green and melanistic individuals are not rare either. Furthermore,
this population exhibits gigantism, possibly due to the abundance of food: the largest island male
and female measured 113cm and 129cm, respectively, in contrast to maximal body sizes from other
populations reported in literature: 95cm and 122.5cm. Worryingly, this island population faces serious
threats, especially fish poaching. Hundreds of snakes meet their untimely fate tangled and ultimately
drowned in fishing nets, or even persecuted, while small individuals are crushed by the rocks they hide
under by wandering tourists. Despite continuous conservation efforts, this snake population is rapidly
declining, particularly since 2011 when poaching pressure increased. More recently, additional dice
snake population surveys were launched in Prespa, in Konjsko village (MK) and on Mal Grad Island (AL).
The conservation status differs among the three localities. According to IUCN Red Lists, the dice snake
is considered as Near Threatened (NT) in North Macedonia, while in Albania it is still classified as Not
Evaluated (NE; however in the new, updated list of 2019 (still unpublished) is has been evaluated as
Least Concern (LC)). We plan to use genetics and recapture analyses to assess the genetic structure and
the degree of (possible) connectivity among sites. This information will be especially useful in order to
understand how viable Prespa Lake’s dice snake population(s) are, despite the various pressures they
face. Efficient conservation actions rely on such insight, while a species conservation action plan at the
transboundary level is required.
PB  - Skopje: Macedonian Ecological Society
C3  - Abstract book: 6th Congress of Ecologists of the Republic of North Macedonia, with International Participation; 2022 Oct 15-18; Ohrid, North Macedonia
T1  - A twist of fate: Conservation of Lake Prespa’s iconic snakes
SP  - 159
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5278
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Maričić, Marko and Anđelković, Marko and Golubović, Ana and Ajtić, Rastko and Sterijovski, Bogoljub and Arsovski, Dragan and Tomović, Ljiljana and Bonnet, Xavier",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Golem Grad island, better known as “Snake Island” due to the large population of dice snakes
(Natrix tessellata) is a strictly protected area within National Park Galičica (North Macedonia). From
2008, the snakes’ tale started slowly unravelling, thanks to the start of mark-recapture monitoring.
More than 6.000 snakes were marked during >15 years. Opportunistic dissections provided information
about fecundity and body condition. Three distinct colour morphs coexist: ‘green back with dark spots’
is the most common, but uniformly green and melanistic individuals are not rare either. Furthermore,
this population exhibits gigantism, possibly due to the abundance of food: the largest island male
and female measured 113cm and 129cm, respectively, in contrast to maximal body sizes from other
populations reported in literature: 95cm and 122.5cm. Worryingly, this island population faces serious
threats, especially fish poaching. Hundreds of snakes meet their untimely fate tangled and ultimately
drowned in fishing nets, or even persecuted, while small individuals are crushed by the rocks they hide
under by wandering tourists. Despite continuous conservation efforts, this snake population is rapidly
declining, particularly since 2011 when poaching pressure increased. More recently, additional dice
snake population surveys were launched in Prespa, in Konjsko village (MK) and on Mal Grad Island (AL).
The conservation status differs among the three localities. According to IUCN Red Lists, the dice snake
is considered as Near Threatened (NT) in North Macedonia, while in Albania it is still classified as Not
Evaluated (NE; however in the new, updated list of 2019 (still unpublished) is has been evaluated as
Least Concern (LC)). We plan to use genetics and recapture analyses to assess the genetic structure and
the degree of (possible) connectivity among sites. This information will be especially useful in order to
understand how viable Prespa Lake’s dice snake population(s) are, despite the various pressures they
face. Efficient conservation actions rely on such insight, while a species conservation action plan at the
transboundary level is required.",
publisher = "Skopje: Macedonian Ecological Society",
journal = "Abstract book: 6th Congress of Ecologists of the Republic of North Macedonia, with International Participation; 2022 Oct 15-18; Ohrid, North Macedonia",
title = "A twist of fate: Conservation of Lake Prespa’s iconic snakes",
pages = "159",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5278"
}

Bjelica, V., Maričić, M., Anđelković, M., Golubović, A., Ajtić, R., Sterijovski, B., Arsovski, D., Tomović, L.,& Bonnet, X.. (2022). A twist of fate: Conservation of Lake Prespa’s iconic snakes. in Abstract book: 6th Congress of Ecologists of the Republic of North Macedonia, with International Participation; 2022 Oct 15-18; Ohrid, North Macedonia
Skopje: Macedonian Ecological Society., 159.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5278

Bjelica V, Maričić M, Anđelković M, Golubović A, Ajtić R, Sterijovski B, Arsovski D, Tomović L, Bonnet X. A twist of fate: Conservation of Lake Prespa’s iconic snakes. in Abstract book: 6th Congress of Ecologists of the Republic of North Macedonia, with International Participation; 2022 Oct 15-18; Ohrid, North Macedonia. 2022;:159.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5278 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Maričić, Marko, Anđelković, Marko, Golubović, Ana, Ajtić, Rastko, Sterijovski, Bogoljub, Arsovski, Dragan, Tomović, Ljiljana, Bonnet, Xavier, "A twist of fate: Conservation of Lake Prespa’s iconic snakes" in Abstract book: 6th Congress of Ecologists of the Republic of North Macedonia, with International Participation; 2022 Oct 15-18; Ohrid, North Macedonia (2022):159,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5278 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Maričić, Marko
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Arsovski, Dragan
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
AU  - Golubović, Ana
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5274
AB  - Prey animals have developed a wide array of antipredator behaviours to confront, dissuade or escape a predator. Death feigning (DF), where prey animals get in a tonic immobile state and resemble dead animal, is a sort of a last-ditch attempt to escape consumption. Even if this behaviour works, it is vitally important that the prey chooses the right time to escape: a quick decision may attract the predators' attention, while waiting too long might prolong exposure. In the field, we measured both the occurrence and the duration of DF in three distinct colour morphs of dice snakes; the most common dice morph, uniformly green, and melanistic individuals. We sampled only adult individuals and considered factors such as sex, size, body temperature, injuries, and presence of food, gravidity as well as absolute crawling speeds on the occurrence and duration of DF. Our results suggest that females DF more often than males and that gravid females DF the least often. Snakes that crawled faster were less likely to DF, but interestingly, gravid females that crawled faster were more likely to DF. Diced and green gravid snakes spent far less time in DF than nongravid individuals, while in melanistic snakes gravidity did not affect DF duration. These differences are especially pronounced in the uniformly green snakes. Additionally, colder, bigger and faster snakes DF for longer intervals. Larger snakes cannot be immediately consumed and thus can afford to try a risky strategy such as DF, which is supposedly used as a hard reset in a predator-prey interaction. Gravidity undoubtedly imposes significant constraints on snakes and probably limits escape options and makes DF too risky. However, melanism can offer certain advantages to gravid individuals, notably thermal benefits and in turn a higher metabolic rate and locomotor capacity which can prove beneficial in a DF situation.
PB  - Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade
C3  - Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
T1  - Drop dead gorgeous: death feigning behaviour in three distinct colour morphs. of dice snakes
SP  - 103
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5274
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Maričić, Marko and Anđelković, Marko and Lakušić, Margareta and Arsovski, Dragan and Tomović, Ljiljana and Golubović, Ana",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Prey animals have developed a wide array of antipredator behaviours to confront, dissuade or escape a predator. Death feigning (DF), where prey animals get in a tonic immobile state and resemble dead animal, is a sort of a last-ditch attempt to escape consumption. Even if this behaviour works, it is vitally important that the prey chooses the right time to escape: a quick decision may attract the predators' attention, while waiting too long might prolong exposure. In the field, we measured both the occurrence and the duration of DF in three distinct colour morphs of dice snakes; the most common dice morph, uniformly green, and melanistic individuals. We sampled only adult individuals and considered factors such as sex, size, body temperature, injuries, and presence of food, gravidity as well as absolute crawling speeds on the occurrence and duration of DF. Our results suggest that females DF more often than males and that gravid females DF the least often. Snakes that crawled faster were less likely to DF, but interestingly, gravid females that crawled faster were more likely to DF. Diced and green gravid snakes spent far less time in DF than nongravid individuals, while in melanistic snakes gravidity did not affect DF duration. These differences are especially pronounced in the uniformly green snakes. Additionally, colder, bigger and faster snakes DF for longer intervals. Larger snakes cannot be immediately consumed and thus can afford to try a risky strategy such as DF, which is supposedly used as a hard reset in a predator-prey interaction. Gravidity undoubtedly imposes significant constraints on snakes and probably limits escape options and makes DF too risky. However, melanism can offer certain advantages to gravid individuals, notably thermal benefits and in turn a higher metabolic rate and locomotor capacity which can prove beneficial in a DF situation.",
publisher = "Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade",
journal = "Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia",
title = "Drop dead gorgeous: death feigning behaviour in three distinct colour morphs. of dice snakes",
pages = "103",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5274"
}

Bjelica, V., Maričić, M., Anđelković, M., Lakušić, M., Arsovski, D., Tomović, L.,& Golubović, A.. (2022). Drop dead gorgeous: death feigning behaviour in three distinct colour morphs. of dice snakes. in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade., 103.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5274

Bjelica V, Maričić M, Anđelković M, Lakušić M, Arsovski D, Tomović L, Golubović A. Drop dead gorgeous: death feigning behaviour in three distinct colour morphs. of dice snakes. in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia. 2022;:103.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5274 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Maričić, Marko, Anđelković, Marko, Lakušić, Margareta, Arsovski, Dragan, Tomović, Ljiljana, Golubović, Ana, "Drop dead gorgeous: death feigning behaviour in three distinct colour morphs. of dice snakes" in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia (2022):103,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5274 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
AU  - Vučić, Tijana
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Maričić, Marko
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Danon, Gorana
AU  - Urošević, Aleksandar
AU  - Ivanović, Ana
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5272
AB  - The establishment of ecological networks (including Natura 2000) is one of the priorities in the conservation of important species and habitats in the Republic of Serbia. During the last three years (2020-2022), we conducted field research on amphibian and reptile species listed in the Annexes II & IV of the Habitat Directive. The main goals were to obtain data about precise geographic distribution, estimate population statuses and conservation threats, as well as to propose conservation measures for the studied populations and their habitats. Field studies lasted more than 70 days and included over 60 locations across the country. Focal groups were species listed in Annex II: Triturus cristatus, T. dobrogicus, T. ivanbureschi, T. macedonicus, Testudo graeca, T. hermanni, Emys orbicularis, Elaphe quatuorlineata and Vipera ursinii. Results of these studies provided a more precise geographic distribution of crested newts and their hybrid zones in Serbia. For two species, we proposed the protection of two locations at the national level: one in eastern Serbia (for T. ivanbureschi) and one in southern Serbia (for T. macedonicus). The most threatened regions, where massive habitat losses and changes were detected, are the valleys of Velika and Zapadna Morava rivers, as well as wetlands along the Danube and Sava rivers. Populations of crested newts in Serbia are endangered by several threatening factors: habitat destructions/alterations, agriculture, water pollution and climatic changes. For reptiles, the most important locations for conservation of species listed in Annex II were detected in southeastern, southern and southwestern Serbia. For three reptile species with limited distribution and small populations, we proposed two locations in southern and southwestern Serbia for protection at the national level. The main threats for those species are habitat destruction/alternation and climatic changes. Results of these studies pointed out inconsistencies in conservation priorities between the national and European levels.
PB  - Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade
C3  - Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
T1  - Establishment of ecological networks in Serbia – field research of batracho- and herpetofauna
SP  - 71
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5272
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Tomović, Ljiljana and Vučić, Tijana and Anđelković, Marko and Bjelica, Vukašin and Maričić, Marko and Lakušić, Margareta and Danon, Gorana and Urošević, Aleksandar and Ivanović, Ana",
year = "2022",
abstract = "The establishment of ecological networks (including Natura 2000) is one of the priorities in the conservation of important species and habitats in the Republic of Serbia. During the last three years (2020-2022), we conducted field research on amphibian and reptile species listed in the Annexes II & IV of the Habitat Directive. The main goals were to obtain data about precise geographic distribution, estimate population statuses and conservation threats, as well as to propose conservation measures for the studied populations and their habitats. Field studies lasted more than 70 days and included over 60 locations across the country. Focal groups were species listed in Annex II: Triturus cristatus, T. dobrogicus, T. ivanbureschi, T. macedonicus, Testudo graeca, T. hermanni, Emys orbicularis, Elaphe quatuorlineata and Vipera ursinii. Results of these studies provided a more precise geographic distribution of crested newts and their hybrid zones in Serbia. For two species, we proposed the protection of two locations at the national level: one in eastern Serbia (for T. ivanbureschi) and one in southern Serbia (for T. macedonicus). The most threatened regions, where massive habitat losses and changes were detected, are the valleys of Velika and Zapadna Morava rivers, as well as wetlands along the Danube and Sava rivers. Populations of crested newts in Serbia are endangered by several threatening factors: habitat destructions/alterations, agriculture, water pollution and climatic changes. For reptiles, the most important locations for conservation of species listed in Annex II were detected in southeastern, southern and southwestern Serbia. For three reptile species with limited distribution and small populations, we proposed two locations in southern and southwestern Serbia for protection at the national level. The main threats for those species are habitat destruction/alternation and climatic changes. Results of these studies pointed out inconsistencies in conservation priorities between the national and European levels.",
publisher = "Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade",
journal = "Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia",
title = "Establishment of ecological networks in Serbia – field research of batracho- and herpetofauna",
pages = "71",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5272"
}

Tomović, L., Vučić, T., Anđelković, M., Bjelica, V., Maričić, M., Lakušić, M., Danon, G., Urošević, A.,& Ivanović, A.. (2022). Establishment of ecological networks in Serbia – field research of batracho- and herpetofauna. in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade., 71.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5272

Tomović L, Vučić T, Anđelković M, Bjelica V, Maričić M, Lakušić M, Danon G, Urošević A, Ivanović A. Establishment of ecological networks in Serbia – field research of batracho- and herpetofauna. in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia. 2022;:71.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5272 .

Tomović, Ljiljana, Vučić, Tijana, Anđelković, Marko, Bjelica, Vukašin, Maričić, Marko, Lakušić, Margareta, Danon, Gorana, Urošević, Aleksandar, Ivanović, Ana, "Establishment of ecological networks in Serbia – field research of batracho- and herpetofauna" in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia (2022):71,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5272 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Maričić, Marko
AU  - Arsovski, Dragan
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
AU  - Golubović, Ana
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5275
AB  - Prey animals have a wide array of strategies that they use to avoid or deter predators. In some cases, these strategies include warding off a predator attack by advertising strong chemical defences, such as venom, or by mimicking sympatric species, which do possess such defences (i.e. bluffing/mimicry). Dice snakes are nonvenemous natricine snakes that often live in sympatry with vipers. These snakes also have an ample arsenal of antipredator behavioural displays that include bluffing, characterized by hissing (auditory mimicry) with head flattening and fake strikes (visual mimicry). We measured the occurrence of bluffing displays in four different localities; on Golem Grad Island and in Konjsko (North Macedonia), where dice snakes share their habitat with nose-horned vipers (Vipera mmodytes) while in the other two localities, Mal Grad Island (Albania) and Pančevački rit Serbia), vipers are not present. We analysed the effect of locality, size (snout to vent length) nd sex on occurrence of bluffing as an antipredator strategy. Our results show that the ccurrence of bluffing was significantly affected by locality and body size. Notably, in the two localities where dice snakes share the same habitat with vipers the occurrence of bluffing displays is significantly higher than in the two localities where vipers are not present. This possibly indicates a case of Batesian mimicry, reported for the first time in dice snakes. Additionaly, our analysis shows that the predicted probabilities of the occurrence of bluffing increased with size. This seems intuitive, as bluffing behaviours should have a certain size threshold when they become effective, since small snakes can be easily consumed.
PB  - Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade
C3  - Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
T1  - Barking Dogs Never Bite: Bluffing behaviour in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata)
SP  - 117
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5275
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Anđelković, Marko and Lakušić, Margareta and Maričić, Marko and Arsovski, Dragan and Tomović, Ljiljana and Golubović, Ana",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Prey animals have a wide array of strategies that they use to avoid or deter predators. In some cases, these strategies include warding off a predator attack by advertising strong chemical defences, such as venom, or by mimicking sympatric species, which do possess such defences (i.e. bluffing/mimicry). Dice snakes are nonvenemous natricine snakes that often live in sympatry with vipers. These snakes also have an ample arsenal of antipredator behavioural displays that include bluffing, characterized by hissing (auditory mimicry) with head flattening and fake strikes (visual mimicry). We measured the occurrence of bluffing displays in four different localities; on Golem Grad Island and in Konjsko (North Macedonia), where dice snakes share their habitat with nose-horned vipers (Vipera mmodytes) while in the other two localities, Mal Grad Island (Albania) and Pančevački rit Serbia), vipers are not present. We analysed the effect of locality, size (snout to vent length) nd sex on occurrence of bluffing as an antipredator strategy. Our results show that the ccurrence of bluffing was significantly affected by locality and body size. Notably, in the two localities where dice snakes share the same habitat with vipers the occurrence of bluffing displays is significantly higher than in the two localities where vipers are not present. This possibly indicates a case of Batesian mimicry, reported for the first time in dice snakes. Additionaly, our analysis shows that the predicted probabilities of the occurrence of bluffing increased with size. This seems intuitive, as bluffing behaviours should have a certain size threshold when they become effective, since small snakes can be easily consumed.",
publisher = "Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade",
journal = "Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia",
title = "Barking Dogs Never Bite: Bluffing behaviour in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata)",
pages = "117",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5275"
}

Bjelica, V., Anđelković, M., Lakušić, M., Maričić, M., Arsovski, D., Tomović, L.,& Golubović, A.. (2022). Barking Dogs Never Bite: Bluffing behaviour in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata). in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade., 117.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5275

Bjelica V, Anđelković M, Lakušić M, Maričić M, Arsovski D, Tomović L, Golubović A. Barking Dogs Never Bite: Bluffing behaviour in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata). in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia. 2022;:117.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5275 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Anđelković, Marko, Lakušić, Margareta, Maričić, Marko, Arsovski, Dragan, Tomović, Ljiljana, Golubović, Ana, "Barking Dogs Never Bite: Bluffing behaviour in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata)" in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia (2022):117,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5275 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Tomović, Ljiljana
PY  - 2022
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5273
AB  - The meadow viper is the smallest and most endangered European viper, mostly due to the high level of habitat specialisation, low dispersal ability and fragmented distribution. In the Balkan Peninsula, isolated populations of Vipera ursinii macrops inhabit alpine and subalpine meadows above 1000 m. Here we updated the distribution of the meadow viper in the Mokra Gora Mt., SW Serbia, and revised the conservation threats affecting this subspecies and its habitats. Field sampling effort totalled 25 field days in spring and summer 2020-2022. A total of 8 vipers were found, distributed by three 1x1 km grid cells. Ecological models (developed using Maxent) based on climate and land-cover variables identified 28 grid cells on Mokra Gora Mt. with suitable conditions for the occurrence of meadow viper. The most important environmental factors related to its distribution were maximum temperate of the warmest month, precipitation of the driest and warmest quarters, annual potential evapo-transpiration, and land-cover (moors and heathlands, natural grasslands). Local conservation threats (following IUCN standard threats) include the potential development of tourism and recreation areas, renewable energy (windmill farms), logging and wood harvesting, with associated developments of road networks, and habitat shifting and alteration (abandonment of traditional pastoral farming and climate change). The low number of individuals detected in comparison to other Balkan populations suggests very small local populations. Additional localities in Serbia were identified as suitable for meadow viper occurrence (e.g. Jadovnik and Javorje Mts.) and they should be targeted for future sampling. Long-term conservation of the subspecies at the Mokra Gora Mt. requires a better regulation of logging and building activities, in order to safeguard the currently occupied habitats. The region should be considered for classification as a protected area, given the occurrence of other animal and plant species, which might lead to better habitat protection.
PB  - Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade
C3  - Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
T1  - Updated distribution of the endangered and highly specialised meadow viper (Vipera ursinii macrops) in Serbia
SP  - 95
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5273
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Lakušić, Margareta and Bjelica, Vukašin and Anđelković, Marko and Tomović, Ljiljana",
year = "2022",
abstract = "The meadow viper is the smallest and most endangered European viper, mostly due to the high level of habitat specialisation, low dispersal ability and fragmented distribution. In the Balkan Peninsula, isolated populations of Vipera ursinii macrops inhabit alpine and subalpine meadows above 1000 m. Here we updated the distribution of the meadow viper in the Mokra Gora Mt., SW Serbia, and revised the conservation threats affecting this subspecies and its habitats. Field sampling effort totalled 25 field days in spring and summer 2020-2022. A total of 8 vipers were found, distributed by three 1x1 km grid cells. Ecological models (developed using Maxent) based on climate and land-cover variables identified 28 grid cells on Mokra Gora Mt. with suitable conditions for the occurrence of meadow viper. The most important environmental factors related to its distribution were maximum temperate of the warmest month, precipitation of the driest and warmest quarters, annual potential evapo-transpiration, and land-cover (moors and heathlands, natural grasslands). Local conservation threats (following IUCN standard threats) include the potential development of tourism and recreation areas, renewable energy (windmill farms), logging and wood harvesting, with associated developments of road networks, and habitat shifting and alteration (abandonment of traditional pastoral farming and climate change). The low number of individuals detected in comparison to other Balkan populations suggests very small local populations. Additional localities in Serbia were identified as suitable for meadow viper occurrence (e.g. Jadovnik and Javorje Mts.) and they should be targeted for future sampling. Long-term conservation of the subspecies at the Mokra Gora Mt. requires a better regulation of logging and building activities, in order to safeguard the currently occupied habitats. The region should be considered for classification as a protected area, given the occurrence of other animal and plant species, which might lead to better habitat protection.",
publisher = "Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade",
journal = "Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia",
title = "Updated distribution of the endangered and highly specialised meadow viper (Vipera ursinii macrops) in Serbia",
pages = "95",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5273"
}

Lakušić, M., Bjelica, V., Anđelković, M.,& Tomović, L.. (2022). Updated distribution of the endangered and highly specialised meadow viper (Vipera ursinii macrops) in Serbia. in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"– National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade., 95.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5273

Lakušić M, Bjelica V, Anđelković M, Tomović L. Updated distribution of the endangered and highly specialised meadow viper (Vipera ursinii macrops) in Serbia. in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia. 2022;:95.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5273 .

Lakušić, Margareta, Bjelica, Vukašin, Anđelković, Marko, Tomović, Ljiljana, "Updated distribution of the endangered and highly specialised meadow viper (Vipera ursinii macrops) in Serbia" in Program and Book of Abstracts: the 21st European Congress of Herpetology; 2022 Sep 5-9; Belgrade, Serbia (2022):95,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_5273 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
PY  - 2021
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5208
AB  - Although color variation in Natrix species is relatively well documented, information on a local scale can still be considered lacking. Here we report on melanistic Natrix natrix individuals in an urban population from Belgrade, along with the occurrence of other interesting color morphs simultaneously. The reasons behind the occurrence of such peculiar coloration are also discussed. At the same time, this is the first documented occurrence of melanism in N. natrix in Serbia.
PB  - Centre for Biodiversity of Montenegro
T2  - Ecologica Montenegrina
T1  - Different shades of snake: Peculiar coloration in an urban population of the Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758)
VL  - 39
DO  - 10.37828/em.2021.39.9
SP  - 81
EP  - 86
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Bjelica, Vukašin and Anđelković, Marko",
year = "2021",
abstract = "Although color variation in Natrix species is relatively well documented, information on a local scale can still be considered lacking. Here we report on melanistic Natrix natrix individuals in an urban population from Belgrade, along with the occurrence of other interesting color morphs simultaneously. The reasons behind the occurrence of such peculiar coloration are also discussed. At the same time, this is the first documented occurrence of melanism in N. natrix in Serbia.",
publisher = "Centre for Biodiversity of Montenegro",
journal = "Ecologica Montenegrina",
title = "Different shades of snake: Peculiar coloration in an urban population of the Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758)",
volume = "39",
doi = "10.37828/em.2021.39.9",
pages = "81-86"
}

Bjelica, V.,& Anđelković, M.. (2021). Different shades of snake: Peculiar coloration in an urban population of the Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758). in Ecologica Montenegrina
Centre for Biodiversity of Montenegro., 39, 81-86.
https://doi.org/10.37828/em.2021.39.9

Bjelica V, Anđelković M. Different shades of snake: Peculiar coloration in an urban population of the Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758). in Ecologica Montenegrina. 2021;39:81-86.
doi:10.37828/em.2021.39.9 .

Bjelica, Vukašin, Anđelković, Marko, "Different shades of snake: Peculiar coloration in an urban population of the Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758)" in Ecologica Montenegrina, 39 (2021):81-86,
https://doi.org/10.37828/em.2021.39.9 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Lakušić, Margareta
AU  - Billy, Gopal
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin
AU  - Golubović, Ana
AU  - Anđelković, Marko
AU  - Bonnet, Xavier
PY  - 2020
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4848
AB  - Theoretically, animals integrate intrinsic and extrinsic factors to
respondappropriately to thewide range of stressors they encounter
during their life span. We examined how stress response varies
betweensexes andamongmorphotypes inwild dice snakes (Natrix
tessellata).Wealso considered reproductive and feeding status and
antipredator behavior. We used two indicators of stress (glucose
[GLUC] and corticosterone [CORT] levels) at eight sampling time
intervals (immediately after capture, up to 17 h after) and a large
sample size (N p 113 snakes). Concentrations of both markers
increased sharply after capture (an equivalent of predation). This
acute phase occurred earlier for GLUC (30 min) compared to
CORT (60 min). Then the values plateaued to very high levels
without decline over time, indicating prolonged saturation of the
hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. In contrast to our expectations,
we found no effect of sex, morphotype, or reproductive status.
Yet the CORT stress response of those individuals displaying
death-feigning (DF) antipredator behavior was attenuated
compared to those that did not. Low stress hormones levels may
facilitate the expression of DF (high levels supporting fleeing
behavior). The presence of partially digested material in the
stomach was associated with higher blood GLUC during the
plateau. Assaying bloodGLUCrequires very little blood butwas
as good as CORT at gauging acute stress response. The prolonged
plateau suggests that captivity should be minimized
during field studies.
PB  - NLM (Medline)
T2  - Physiological and Biochemical Zoology
T1  - Effect of Capture, Phenotype, and Physiological Status on Blood Glucose and Plasma Corticosterone Levels in Free-Ranging Dice Snakes
IS  - 6
VL  - 93
DO  - 10.1086/711958
SP  - 477
EP  - 487
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Lakušić, Margareta and Billy, Gopal and Bjelica, Vukašin and Golubović, Ana and Anđelković, Marko and Bonnet, Xavier",
year = "2020",
abstract = "Theoretically, animals integrate intrinsic and extrinsic factors to
respondappropriately to thewide range of stressors they encounter
during their life span. We examined how stress response varies
betweensexes andamongmorphotypes inwild dice snakes (Natrix
tessellata).Wealso considered reproductive and feeding status and
antipredator behavior. We used two indicators of stress (glucose
[GLUC] and corticosterone [CORT] levels) at eight sampling time
intervals (immediately after capture, up to 17 h after) and a large
sample size (N p 113 snakes). Concentrations of both markers
increased sharply after capture (an equivalent of predation). This
acute phase occurred earlier for GLUC (30 min) compared to
CORT (60 min). Then the values plateaued to very high levels
without decline over time, indicating prolonged saturation of the
hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. In contrast to our expectations,
we found no effect of sex, morphotype, or reproductive status.
Yet the CORT stress response of those individuals displaying
death-feigning (DF) antipredator behavior was attenuated
compared to those that did not. Low stress hormones levels may
facilitate the expression of DF (high levels supporting fleeing
behavior). The presence of partially digested material in the
stomach was associated with higher blood GLUC during the
plateau. Assaying bloodGLUCrequires very little blood butwas
as good as CORT at gauging acute stress response. The prolonged
plateau suggests that captivity should be minimized
during field studies.",
publisher = "NLM (Medline)",
journal = "Physiological and Biochemical Zoology",
title = "Effect of Capture, Phenotype, and Physiological Status on Blood Glucose and Plasma Corticosterone Levels in Free-Ranging Dice Snakes",
number = "6",
volume = "93",
doi = "10.1086/711958",
pages = "477-487"
}

Lakušić, M., Billy, G., Bjelica, V., Golubović, A., Anđelković, M.,& Bonnet, X.. (2020). Effect of Capture, Phenotype, and Physiological Status on Blood Glucose and Plasma Corticosterone Levels in Free-Ranging Dice Snakes. in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology
NLM (Medline)., 93(6), 477-487.
https://doi.org/10.1086/711958

Lakušić M, Billy G, Bjelica V, Golubović A, Anđelković M, Bonnet X. Effect of Capture, Phenotype, and Physiological Status on Blood Glucose and Plasma Corticosterone Levels in Free-Ranging Dice Snakes. in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. 2020;93(6):477-487.
doi:10.1086/711958 .

Lakušić, Margareta, Billy, Gopal, Bjelica, Vukašin, Golubović, Ana, Anđelković, Marko, Bonnet, Xavier, "Effect of Capture, Phenotype, and Physiological Status on Blood Glucose and Plasma Corticosterone Levels in Free-Ranging Dice Snakes" in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 93, no. 6 (2020):477-487,
https://doi.org/10.1086/711958 . .