The first record of Eucoleus aerophilus in the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This paper represents the first report on the presence of a cardiorespiratory nematodes in the gray wolf from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The heart and lungs with corresponding trachea from wolves that were legally hunted from 2009 to 2019 have been analysed by routine post mortem macroscopical examination. A total of 25 heart samples were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum, while five lungs with trachea samples were examined for the presence of lung nematodes. There was no confirmed presence of Dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum, while the presence of species Eucoleus aerophilus was established in one case (20%). This study confirms that the gray wolf is a source of infection with Eucoleus aerophilus to other natural hosts.

THE CONTROL OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF WILD BOAR MEAT

Game meat production differs significantly from production of domestic animals meat. Common measures applied in the control of zoonotic pathogens in farm breeding are not always applicable in hunting estates. Thus, the main objective of this study is to present the methods that should be introduced in the hunting estates to assure production of microbiologically safe wild boar meat. The measures that can be applied before hunting include the control of newly acquired animals, vaccination, control of the population density and sanitary shooting. The most important measures applied during hunting and carcase processing includes the applicaton of good hunting and good hygiene practices. Particular emphasis is laid on inadequate knowledge and skills of hunters in view of proper washing and handling of carcases, which can lead to substantial microbial contamination of wild boar meat. Reduction of microbial contamination of game meat can be achieved only by applying relevant control measures along the entire production chain – from monitoring of health status of game in the hunting estate to adequate carcase storage. Particular attention should be given to the training of all hunting participants and adequate monitoring and control during carcase processing procedures.

Review of genetic monitoring programs of wildlife species in Serbia

Genetic monitoring, as one of the main aspects in long-term population monitoring, has a crucial role in establishing an effective management strategy and biological conservation of wildlife. Determination and monitoring of genetic variability as well as identification of management units, represents the best estimator of natural population potential for adaptation and survival. Here we present a comparative overview of data obtained through genetic monitoring of three wildlife species in Serbia - brown hares, wild boars and grey wolves. First determination of genetic variability in brown hares from Serbia recommended an optimal three-year monitoring period for this species and continual genetic monitoring has revealed maintenance of moderate genetic diversity over a twenty-year period. Furthermore, it is suggested that future genetic monitoring should encompass more informative molecular markers, such as those linked to adaptive traits. Microsatellite molecular markers have provided much of the required information about the wild boar population. The wild boar is one of the most important game species and is crucial to estimate adequate management measures in order to preserve genetic variability, but also, to prevent possible territorial expansion of the species. Panel of 18 microsatellite loci proved to be very informative when it comes to the grey wolf population. Serbian wolf population is relatively stable for now, but it is very important to maintain appropriate genetic monitoring to preserve this valuable reservoir of genetic variability. The results, obtained through genetic monitoring of these three species in Serbia, support integration of genetic information with other traditional methods for hunting management strategy in order to provide a long-term sustainability.

Effects of natural and artificial barriers on the genetic diversity of game species: a review.

Barriers are various natural or artificial borders that fragment the landscape. They reduce the habitat, block pathways and separate the populations into smaller segments. A natural barrier may be a sierra, a valley, a river, a sea, the distance between optimal habitats etc. Human-related barriers are the roads, fences and cities. The following hypothesis was tested: the barrier-effect’s strength depends on the barrier itself as well as on the size, migratory behavior and other properties of the affected species. This review was written with the focus on the species size, the barrier type and the effect’s strength in the case of multiple species and barriers. The results are mostly in agreement with this hypothesis, but it is revealed that the evaluation is not fully standardized yet. Wright’s Fst value is an exact number, but researchers have handled it differently. In some cases they were more permissive and ascribed less impact (mostly in the case of low Fst values). On the other hand, there are authors who valorized the low Fst values because of the possible cascade effect caused by genetic division and changing behaviour. This review describes the possible effects of barriers, but every species and habitat is unique, therefore the method described should not be regarded as 100% accurate. With this comparing technique the effects may be predicted more precisely prior to carrying out the impact studies, thus the additional costs and the impact on the actual species will be easier to estimate.

Planned and rational management of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas,1778) population in Vojvodina region (Serbia) for the past 50 years (1967-2016)

Research on the percentage of young in the brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.) population in Vojvodina has been carried out since 1967 until 2016. The number of hare in this period ranged from minimum 154,990 individuals (with an average density of the population of 8,06) in 2014 to a maximum recorded in 1975 with 301,680 individuals (with an average population density of 15.10). An average number of hares recorded during annual spring counts was 265,070 with an average population density of 13.15 individuals per 100 ha. The average annual recorded cull was 40,495 hares (15.28% of spring hare count). For this period, each year in the Laboratory for Hunting, tests were carried out on hare (eye lens), and all hunting clubs were obliged to deliver samples in order to be given permission to hunt. In total, there were 9,648 samples, which on average for the 49-year research period amounted to 197. The largest number of samples was in 2009, when 300 hunting clubs, or two-thirds, delivered eye lenses to the laboratory for analysis. For the 1967-2015 period an average of 7,967 rabbits eye lenses (years 1971 and 1972 must be excluded with 605 and 587 eye lenses when a total hunting ban was made, and only hunting was carried out for scientific research). The average share of young for the observed period was 57.6%, with the minimum recorded in 2014 of 35.9% and a maximum of 70.3% in 1994. The reproductive index ranged from 1.09 to 2.33 rabbits per rabbit in 1994. The results of our research showed the diversity of selected population dynamics indicators for all hunting grounds in Vojvodina that were compared with similar research in Europe. Hunting, as shown, doesn't jeopardize the population, but other factors such as intensive soil cultivation with large agricultural plots and excessive use of pesticides followed by improper use.