The distribution of crested newts in Serbia: An overview and update

Four, morphologically similar species of crested newts (genus Triturus) meet and hybridize in Serbia, making a complex system with several hybrid zones. The puzzling and rapidly changing taxonomic status of crested newts has been a major issue in getting hold of their distribution. We provide an overview of the current knowledge on Triturus taxonomy and compile available faunistic data into a distribution map, highlighting the species contact and hybrid zones. At the present state of faunistic and genetic research, the northwestern , northeastern , Eastern and southeastern parts of Serbia transpire as areas that are exceptionally important for the diversity of crested newts.

Addition of data to the checklists of fungi of the classes Leotiomycetes and Pezizomycetes of Serbia

Biodiversity of Ascomycota fungi in Serbia is still scarcely known although mostly phytopathogenic literature data can be found from the last decade, including previous checklists for classes Leotiomycetes and Pezizomycetes. This paper presents data on the new findings of fungal species of the classes Leotiomycetes and Pezizomycetes in Serbia, found mainly in the period from 2016 to 2020. Only those species whose presence is not mentioned in the existing checklists are included in the presented list.

Material on the annotated checklist of vascular flora of Serbia: Nomenclatural, taxonomic and floristic notes II

The paper propose nine new nomenclature combinations and indicate eight new synonyms. There are 12 taxa (species and subspecies) of vascular flora which are new for the flora of Serbia (of which nine are autochthonous and three 88 N iketić, M. etal. : Annotated Checklist of Vascular Flora of Serbia II allochtonous plants). An old or unreliable literature records for three autochthonous and one allochthonous plant in the flora of Serbia has been confirmed. Eight plant taxa are a novelty for proper Serbia, Vojvodina, or Kosovo and Metohija, and for three plants, presence in certain administrative units in Serbia has been proved. The last part of the paper contains information on eight taxa whose presence in Serbia or in its territorial units has been refuted.

Natural history museum: A journey through time and space

The occasion of a great jubilee - 125 years since the founding of the Natural History Museum in Belgrade - merits highlighting certain historical circumstances, important events and personalities, as well as significant research and activities from the first 80 years of its existence. The fact that this paper will not be covering the modern period of the Museum is a consequence of the author's desire to have that time period reviewed and interpreted by other researchers - those who are still active witnesses. Extensive archive materials and the photo library of the Museum were used in the process of preparation, together with the reports on the work of the Museum, documents from the personal legacy of the first director Petar Pavlovic, and memoirs of antecedent museologists Petar Stevanovic and Sergei Matveyev.

Materials for a flora of Serbia from the Herbarium collection PZZP (3)

This article presents the third part of data on selected new and noteworthy taxa ensuing from the revision of Herbarium collection of the Institute for Nature Conservation of the Vojvodina province (PZZP). Selected taxa include 11 species, three subspecies, three varieties, one infraspecific taxon with indetermined status [stat. indet.] and one nothospecies placed within seven genera (Filago L., Ludwigia L., Luzula DC., Lycopus L., Lythrum L., Phlomis L. and Silene L.). Two varieties (Luzula campestris subsp. campestris var. elata, Silene flos-cuculi subsp. floscuculi var. latifolia) and one infraspecific taxon with indetermined status (Luzula multiflora subsp. multiflora [stat. indet.] b. uliginosa) are new for a flora of Serbia. Additionally, one species (Ludwigia palustris) and one nothospecies (Lythrum ×scabrum) are confirmed for Serbia.

A contribution to the knowledge of the genus Psallus (Heteroptera: miridae) in Serbia

Identification and revision of specimens from genus Psallus in the Study Collection of Heteroptera at the Natural History Museum in Belgrade revealed presence of 14 species, including five new species for Serbia: Ps. henschi, Ps. anaemicus, Ps. lentigo, Ps. lucanicus and Ps. pardalis.

Distribution of the slow worm (Anguis fragilis complex) with possible species delimitation in Serbia

U ovom radu, prikazujemo ažurirane podatke o distribuciji kompleksa vrsta slepića (Anguis fragilis complex) u Srbiji. Podaci se sastoje iz nalaza objavljenih u literaturi ili na Internetu, zajedno sa prethodno neobjavljenim distribucionim podacima sakupljenim na terenu. Od dve vrste kompleksa prisutne u Srbiji, Anguis fragilis je rasprostranjen u zapadnim i južnim krajevima naše zemlje dok je Anguis colchica prisutan u severoistočnim i istočnim krajevima. U najsevernijim delovima naše zemlje konstatovano je odsustvo obe vrste, zbog nedostatka odgovarajućeg staništa. Nalazi su brojniji u planinsko-kotlinskom regionu i ređi i raštrkaniji u peripanonskom i panonskom regionu, što se delimično može objasniti nesistematskim uzorkovanjem. Lokacija i širina kontaktne zone dve vrste slepića u Srbiji je još uvek nedovoljno poznata. Pretpostavlja se da se pruža duž doline Velike Morave ka jugu a zatim prati granicu između Rodopskog i Karpatsko-Balkanskog planinskog masiva ka jugo-istoku, ali postoje indicije da se hibridna zona nalazi i zapadnije. Postoji izvesno neslaganje, u literaturi, između kontaktne zone predložene na osnovu morfoloških analiza i one predložene na osnovu molekularnih analiza. Ovo ukazuje na potrebu za opsežnijim uzorkovanjem i daljim analizama. Konačno, pošto razdvajanje dve kriptičke vrste slepića do sada nije prepoznato u našoj nomenklaturi, u ovom radu predlažemo zvanične srpske nazive za navedene vrste. Vrsta Anguis fragilis će zadržati standardno srpsko ime "Slepić", dok za vrstu Anguis colchica predlažemo ime "Istočni slepić".

Amaranthus tuberculatus (moq.) J. D. Sauer: A new naturalized alien species in Serbia

Tokom istraživanja ruderalne vegetacije u gradovima širom Srbije, u tri grada u dolini reke Save zabeležena je nova strana vrsta za floru Srbije, Amaranthus tuberculatus (Amaranthaceae). A. tuberculatus je jednogodišnja biljka poreklom iz Severne Amerike i za sada jedina dvodoma vrsta roda Amaranthus u Srbiji. Naturalizovane populacije su primarno zabeležene u remećenim staništima na obali reke Save u Sremskoj Mitrovici, Šapcu i Beogradu. Vrsta A. tuberculatus je nedavno po prvi put registrovana u dve susedne zemlje, što dodatno ukazuje na širenje areala vrste na Balkanu.

Diversity of reptiles in the settlement Mareza (Montenegro)

Diversity of reptile fauna, as well as threat factors were investigated during April and May 2019 in the settlement Mareza. Field methodology included active searching and visual observation of species along defined transects. In total, 20 reptile species were recorded, what comprises about 55 % of reptile fauna known for Montenegro. According to obtained results, area of Mareza can be considered as important reptile diversity hotspot in Montenegro. First finding of Xerotyphlops vermicularis in this area contribute to knowledge of its distribution range. Three identified species (Emys orbicularis, Testudo hermanni and Elaphe quatuorli-neata) are listed on Annex II of the Habitat Directive. None of identified species are vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered, upon the IUCN Red List. Almost all identified species are protected on national level. Main threat factors for reptile fauna in the area of Mareza are: urbanization, habitat fragmentation and destruction, fires, illegal landfills, direct killing by locals and road killing.

New data on the stratigraphy of Badenian from Krčedin area (Northern Serbia, Central Paratethys)

Badenian sediments are found for the first time in the surroundings of the Krcedin village. They represent remnants of the Central Paratethys marginal sea. The sediments are represented by a basal conglomerate unit overlain by pure and sandy marl. Foraminifera and rare ostracods are present, limited to the marls. Normal gradation and the prevalence of planktonic foraminifera suggest a rapidly deepening basin.