1. Ekspertno svetovanje na terenu pri odstranjevanju starejših dreves in monitoring puščavnika, močvirskega krešiča in velikega studenčarja na območju Krajinskega parka Tivoli, Rožnik in Šišenski hrib v letu 2025 : končno poročiloAl Vrezec, Špela Ambrožič Ergaver, Andrej Kapla, Stiven Kocijančič, Matjaž Bedjanič, final research report Abstract: Poročilo zajema rezultate ekspertnega svetovanja na terenu pri odstranjevanju starejših dreves in monitoringa izbranih vrst nevretenčarjev na območju Krajinskega parka Tivoli, Rožnik in Šišenski hrib. V letu 2025 smo izvedli pet strokovnih svetovanj pri odstranjevanju dreves na območju krajinskega parka. Podani so rezultati monitoringa zahodnega puščavnika (Osmoderma eremita) v letu 2025, glede na shemo razširjenega monitoringa, ki vključuje tudi monitoring ob saniranih drevesnih deblih iz Jakopičevega drevoreda, ki se izvaja že od leta 2013 dalje. V letu 2025 smo opravili šesti popis v sklopu monitoringa močvirskega krešiča (Carabus variolosus) na območju Krajinskega parka Tivoli, Rožnik in Šišenski hrib, glede na obseg predvidenega rednega vsakoletnega monitoringa. Podani so tudi rezultati monitoringa velikega studenčarja (Cordulegaster heros), po vzpostavljeni shemi. Rezultati kažejo na stabilno stanje populacij močvirskega krešiča in velikega studenčarja v krajinskem parku, vendar je za natančnejšo analizo trenda časovni niz vzorčenj še prekratek. Rezultati naših raziskav v krajinskem parku potrjujejo dejstvo, da je biodiverziteta tega zelenega dela naše prestolnice izjemna ter vredna občudovanja in ohranjanja.
Keywords: Ljubljana, krajinski park, monitoring, hrošči, raki, kačji pastirji, poročila
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 126; Downloads: 0
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2. Distribution and habitat selection of Western (Osmoderma eremita) and Eastern hermit beetle (O. barnabita) in the contact area in SloveniaAl Vrezec, Špela Ambrožič Ergaver, Andrej Kapla, Maarten De Groot, Andrej Kobler, Klemen Čandek, Alenka Žunič Kosi, 2025, published scientific conference contribution abstract Keywords: pheromone traps, Hermit Beetle, genetic structure
Published in DiRROS: 21.01.2026; Views: 147; Downloads: 84
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5. Data from: A metabolic syndrome in terrestrial ectotherms with different elevational and distribution patternsAnamarija Žagar, Miguel A. Carretero, Diana Marguč, Tatjana Simčič, Al Vrezec, 2018, complete scientific database of research data Abstract: The metabolic performance of ectotherms is expected to be driven by the environment in which they live. Ecologically similar species with contrasting elevation distributions occurring in sympatry at mid-elevations, provide good models for studying how physiological responses to temperature vary as a function of adaptation to different elevations.. Under sympatry, at middle elevations, where divergent species ranges overlap, sympatric populations are expected to have similar thermal responses, suggesting similar local acclimation or adaptation, while observed differences would suggest adaptation to each species’ core range. We analysed the metabolic traits of sympatric species pairs from three ectotherm groups: reptiles (Reptilia: Lacertidae), amphibians (Amphibia: Salamandridae) and beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), living at different elevations, in order to test how adaptation to different elevations affects metabolic responses to temperature. We experimentally tested the thermal response of respiration rate (RR) and estimated potential metabolic activity (PMA) at three temperature regimes surrounding the groups’ optimal activity body temperatures. RR was relatively similar among groups and showed a positive response to increasing temperature, which was more pronounced in the high-elevation species of reptiles and beetles. Relative to RR, PMA displayed a stronger and more consistent positive response to increased temperature in all three groups. For all three groups, the average biochemical capacity for metabolism (PMA) was higher in the range-restricted, high-elevation species, and this difference increased at higher temperatures in a consistent manner. These results, indicating consistent pattern in three independently evolved animal groups, suggest a ubiquitous adaptive syndrome and represent a novel understanding of the mechanisms shaping spatial biodiversity patterns. Our results also highlight the importance of geographic patterns for the mechanistic understanding of adaptations in physiological traits, including species’ potential to respond/adapt to global climate changes.
Keywords: lizards, morphology, physiology, metabolism, climate change, data
Published in DiRROS: 27.10.2025; Views: 316; Downloads: 185
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6. Data from: Towards a functional understanding of species coexistence: ecomorphological variation in relation to whole-organism performance in two sympatric lizardsAnamarija Žagar, Miguel A. Carretero, Al Vrezec, Katarina Drašler, Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou, 2018, complete scientific database of research data Abstract: 1. We examined intra- and interspecific variation in functional morphology and whole-organism performance in a sympatric lizard species pair, Iberolacerta horvathi and Podarcis muralis, in the area with a high potential for competition. 2. The biggest variation between species was found in two functional traits, bite force and climbing speed, linked with corresponding morphological traits. 3. The species with larger and taller heads, P. muralis, exhibited correspondingly stronger bite forces. The other species exhibited smaller and flatter head. Both traits may potentially promote segregation between species in trophic niche (stronger bites relate to harder prey) and in refuge use (flatter heads allow using narrower crevices, hence, influencing escaping from common predators). Stronger bites and larger heads also provide one species with a dominant position in interspecific agonistic interactions. 4. Females had longer trunks that impacted negatively on climbing speed, which may lower anti-predator escape abilities of the more trunk-dimorphic species, but positively influence reproductive effort. 5. Our results exemplify how the joint examination of morphological and functional traits of ecologically similar and sympatric species can provide a mechanistic background for understanding their coexistence, namely syntopic populations that are frequent in the study area. 6. The identified roles of functional morphology in this system of sympatric rock lizards support the contribution of functional diversification for the complexity of community structure via coexistence.
Keywords: lizards, morphology, ecology, data
Published in DiRROS: 24.10.2025; Views: 376; Downloads: 210
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7. Sensory pollutants have negative but different effects on nestbox occupancy and breeding performance of a nocturnal raptor across EuropeGiuseppe Orlando, Luca Nelli, Paul Baker, Patrik Karell, Al Vrezec, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Anthropogenic noise and artificial light at night (ALAN) are expanding globally, acting as pervasive sensory pollutants that can disrupt wildlife behaviour and reproduction. While most research has focused on diurnal species, the effects of these pollutants on the ecological response of nocturnal predators remain poorly understood. Using data from nine European countries, we investigated the effects of traffic noise, ALAN, and road proximity on nestbox occupancy and reproduction in the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), a nocturnal raptor widespread across Europe. Traffic noise consistently reduced both nestbox occupancy and reproductive success regardless of road proximity. ALAN also impaired occupancy and reproduction, but its negative effect on reproduction changed based on the proximity to roads. Interestingly, the negative effect of ALAN was stronger in sites further from roads, but it attenuated in their proximity, where owls' hatching success and brood size moderately improved. This finding suggests that near roads, where prey abundance and availability are also generally high, owls may either find the prey regardless of ALAN or they may exploit it to facilitate hunting and brood provisioning. However, vicinity to roads might enhance mortality by vehicle collisions, which represents one of the greatest threats for the conservation of owls. Our findings highlight that anthropogenic noise and the co-occurrence between ALAN and roads can affect settlement decisions and breeding performance in nocturnal raptors, with potential consequences across the food chain. Mitigating anthropogenic noise and promoting nighttime-lighting systems that minimize owls' presence close to roads will represent valuable actions to improve their conservation.
Keywords: ALAN, anthropogenic noise, owls, reproductive fitness, roadside habitats, raptor conservation, conservation biology
Published in DiRROS: 14.10.2025; Views: 321; Downloads: 149
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8. Extinction risk alert: evaluating conservation trends for the Golden-dimpled Ground Beetle (Carabus clatratus auraniensis J. Müller, 1903) in Western BalkansAndreja Brigić, Lea Ružanović, Mihaela Kristina Mlinarić, Snježana Vujčić-Karlo, Toni Koren, Al Vrezec, Andrej Kapla, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Due to extensive habitat loss and specialised ecological niche, the Golden-dimpled Ground Beetle (Carabus clatratus) became a locally extinct species with fragmented distribution throughout Europe. The subspecies C. clatratus auraniensis J. Müller, 1903 was described from the Vrana Lake in the Mediterranean biogeographical region of Croatia. This study aims to: assess conservation status of C. clatratus auraniensis in the Western Balkans through a chronogeonemy analysis; evaluate habitat suitability at the type locality by analyzing historical land use changes; and determine the effectiveness of protected area networks in ensuring the long-term survival of the species in core area of its distribution in Western Balkans. The chronogeonemy analysis reveals the extinction of C. clatratus auraniensis in the Mediterranean biogeographical region, including in its type locality. This is most likely caused by land use changes such as ongoing habitat degradation and wetland drainage, primarily driven by urbanisation and agriculture. However, the gap analysis indicated a good coverage by protected areas, contradicting previous results. The protected areas were established after the subspecies extinction and therefore have no impact on its conservation success. This indicates that gap analysis must be combined with other methods, e.g. chronogeonemy analysis, in order to detect real-time conservation trends. The conservation status of C. clatratus auraniensis in the Continental biogeographical region is stable, with continuous occurrence since the late 19th century and an increase in records in the last three decades, even with long dispersal records (e.g. Mura River in NE Slovenia). Records increase are linked to large well-preserved semi-natural wetlands along the Sava, Drava and Danube rivers, reflecting the subspecies’ good prospects. Reintroduction into protected areas in the Mediterranean region of Croatia could be a viable strategy to support the survival of this subspecies, enhancing the conservation prospects for rare C. clatratus in Europe.
Keywords: chronogeonemy analysis, Croatia, gap analysis, habitat loss, land use change, local extinction, protected areas
Published in DiRROS: 25.09.2025; Views: 353; Downloads: 172
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10. Lifetime fitness variation across the geographical range in a colour polymorphic speciesGian Luigi Bucciolini, Chiara Morosinotto, Jon Brommer, Al Vrezec, Peter Ericsson, Lars-Ove Nilsson, Karel Poprach, Ingar Jostein Øien, Patrik Karell, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The maintenance of variation (i.e., different phenotypes) for heritable traits that are under selection, despite expectations of selection eroding variation and favouring only the fittest phenotype, represents an evolutionary paradox. Here, we studied variation in life-history traits in five populations of colour polymorphic tawny owls (Strix aluco) across Europe that have been individually studied for 13 years. Tawny owls show heritable plumage colour variation ranging from less pigmented (grey) to more heavily pigmented (brown-red). The breeding life span (BLS), lifetime egg production (LEP), lifetime reproductive success (LRS) and the number of years skipped between breeding attempts (NYS) varied between the study populations, with LEP and LRS varying across colour morphs in a population-specific fashion. Thus, grey tawny owl females have higher lifetime fledgling and egg production than brown-red females in some populations, but vice versa in others. Hence, our findings demonstrate disruptive selection of tawny owl plumage colourations across their European range, which may be one factor maintaining variation in heritable tawny owl colourations.
Keywords: colour polymorphism, fitness, geographical range, life-history traits, reproductive investment
Published in DiRROS: 07.05.2025; Views: 580; Downloads: 536
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