2021
Letnik 23 • Volume 23

Abstract. Harpacticoids are an important component of meiofaunal assemblages in hyporheic zone. The goal of this study was to investigate distribution patterns of interstitial harpacticoid assemblages from four pre-Alpine streams originating in the Dinaric Karst and flowing into the Ljubljanica River. The sampling was conducted in 2002 at 12 locations distributed at a distance of approximately 1 km along each stream including tributaries, at a depth of 30–60 cm in the wetted channel (three sites per location) and depths from 65 to 160 cm on the stream banks (one site per location) using a Bou-Rouch pump. Concurrently, the interstitial water's physical and chemical parameters were measured at two sites within each location (streambed, streambank). A total of 24 harpacticoid species were found, 12 of which were stygobionts (i.e., species living exclusively in groundwaters). Among them, two previously unknown species for science were found. Harpacticoid assemblage composition, with the exception of those from the Iška stream, did not differ significantly between the streams, indicating interconnectivity of the interstitial milieu. Sediment structure, amounts of particulate organic matter, conductivity and redox conditions seemed to have certain impacts, indicating the importance of hydrological and geological settings for harpacticoid assemblages.

Key words: microcrustacea, species-environment relationship, biodiversity, distribution, groundwater

Izvleček. Cilj študije je bil raziskati vzorce porazdelitve intersticijskih združb harpaktikoidov v štirih rečicah, ki izvirajo v Dinarskem krasu in se izlivajo v reko Ljubljanico. Vzorčenje je bilo opravljeno leta 2002 na 12 lokacijah vzdolž vsake rečice s pritoki v globini 30–60 cm v omočeni rečni strugi (3 mesta) in v globinah od 65 do 160 cm na rečnih bregovih (1 mesto) s pomočjo Bou-Roucheve črpalke. Izmerili smo tudi fizikalne in kemijske lastnosti intersticialne vode v dveh vzorcih na vsaki lokaciji (omočena struga, rečni breg). Skupno smo našli 24 vrst harpaktikoidov, od tega 12 stigobiontov (tj. vrst, ki živijo izključno v podzemni vodi). Najdeni sta bili dve novi vrsti za znanost. Sestava združb harpaktikoidov, razen tistih v Iški, se med rečicami ni statistično značilno razlikovala, kar kaže na medsebojno povezanost intersticijskega življenjskega okolja. Kljub temu rezultati kažejo, da so sestava sedimentov, količine organskih delcev, prevodnost in redoks razmere tisti, ki najbolj vplivajo na sestavo združbe, kar kaže na pomembnost hidroloških in geoloških značilnosti v porečjih na sestavo združb harpaktikoidov v hiporeiku.

Ključne besede: nižji raki, odnosi med vrstami in okoljem, biodiverziteta, porazdelitev, podzemne vode

Abstract. In our contribution we report on the local host ants of two threatened and protected butterfly species, the scarce large blue (Phengaris teleius) and the dusky large blue (P. nausithous) at Goričko (NE Slovenia), which hosts one of the largest and the most important metapopulation for both species of large blues in Slovenia. Larvae of both species are developing in Myrmica ant nests and different ant species may be used as larval hosts in different parts of the species range. During our study, seven species of potential host ants of the genus Myrmica were found at 12 selected sampling sites. A total of 142 ant nests were examined for the presence of Phengaris larvae. Larvae of P. teleius were found in 25 nests of three ant species: M. scabrinodis, M. rubra and M. gallienii, while larvae of P. nausithous were found in 9 nests, all of M. rubra. The results of the present study provide the first insight into the local host ants of the two Phengaris species in Slovenia and could serve as an important source for active conservation of both species in Slovenia.

Key words: Phengaris, Slovenia, host ants, Goričko, Myrmica

Izvleček. V prispevku predstavljamo rezultate prve raziskave gostiteljskih vrst mravelj dveh ogroženih in zavarovanih vrst dnevnih metuljev, strašničinega (Phengaris teleius) in temnega mravljiščarja (P. nausithous) v Sloveniji. Mravljišča in potencialne gostiteljske vrste mravelj smo vzorčili na Goričkem (SV Slovenija), kjer je središče razširjenosti obeh vrst v Sloveniji. Na dvanajstih lokacijah smo našli sedem vrst mravelj iz rodu Myrmica, ki so potencialne gostiteljske vrste gosenic mravljiščarjev. Prisotnost gosenic mravljiščarjev smo preverili v 142 mravljiščih. V 25 mravljiščih vrst Myrmica scabrinodis, M. rubra in M. gallienii smo našli gosenice strašničinega mravljiščarja, v devetih mravljiščih, vsa vrste M. rubra, pa gosenice temnega mravljiščarja. Rezultati raziskave dajejo prvi vpogled v gostiteljske vrste mravelj strašničinega in temnega mravljiščarja v Sloveniji in bodo lahko rabili kot pomembno izhodišče pri aktivnem ohranjanju teh dveh ogroženih vrst metuljev.

Ključne besede: mravljiščarji, Phengaris, Slovenija, gostiteljske mravlje, Goričko, Myrmica

Abstract. Amphipods are among the most species-rich orders of peracarid crustaceans, inhabiting marine and fresh waters, including subterranean waters, as well as semi-terrestrial environments. Data on amphipods from Slovenia are scattered among published and unpublished references. We gathered all available data on amphipods in the country, using published and unpublished records from two databases, supplemented by additional published information and unpublished records from two collections of two institutions. All data were critically evaluated and species names updated to the latest taxonomically valid name. In total, we listed 198 species, belonging to 85 genera and 41 families. About two thirds of the species are marine, while the rest are semiterrestrial, brackish and freshwater species. Among the latter, subterranean species dominate. In total, 26 species endemic to Slovenia were identified, one of which lives in surface freshwater, and the rest in groundwaters. Surprisingly, no presence of invasive freshwater amphipod species has currently been confirmed. We provided critical comments on nine amphipod species that were listed erroneously for the country. Our work revealed two major knowledge gaps. Marine species records come from occasional sampling campaigns, and we suggest that this group calls for a more systematic research. More work has been done on freshwater species, which revealed many taxonomic uncertainties that cannot be resolved at present and call for additional taxonomic research.

Key words: Amphipoda, checklist, marine, freshwater, subterranean, taxonomy, semiterrestrial

Izvleček. Postranice so eden izmed najbogatejših redov rakov valilničarjev, ki poseljujejo morske in sladke vode, površinske in podzemne, ter tudi obrežne habitate. O slovenskih postranicah so poročali številni raziskovalci, vendar so podatki raztreseni po številnih objavljenih in neobjavljenih virih. Zbrali smo vse razpoložljive podatke o postranicah v državi, tako objavljene kot tudi neobjavljene podatke iz dveh podatkovnih zbirk in zbirk preparatov dveh inštitucij. Vsi podatki so bili kritično vrednoteni, imena vrst pa posodobljena glede na zadnje veljavno taksonomsko ime. Skupno smo zbrali podatke o 198 vrstah postranic, ki pripadajo 85 rodovom in 41 družinam. Približno dve tretjini vrst je morskih, ostale pa so obrežne, brakične in sladkovodne. Med slednjimi prevladujejo podzemne vrste. Identificirali smo 26 vrst, ki so endemne za Slovenijo, od katerih vse žive v celinskih vodah, od teh le ena v površinskih, vse ostale pa v podzemnih vodah. Presenetljivo je, trenutno še nimamo potrjenega podatka o pojavljanju invazivnih vrst postranic v celinskih vodah v Sloveniji. Podajamo komentar devetih vrst, ki so jih napačno navajali kot živeče v Sloveniji. V našem delu smo zaznali dve vrzeli v raziskanosti postranic. Podatki o morskih vrstah prihajajo le z naključnih vzorčenj; to skupino bi morali raziskati sistematičneje. Več dela je bilo narejenega na sladkovodnih vrstah, kjer pa so problem številne taksonomske nejasnosti, ki jih lahko razrešimo šele z dodatnimi taksonomskimi raziskavami.

Ključne besede: Amphipoda, seznam vrst, morski, sladkovodni, podzemni, taksonomija, obrežne postranice

Abstract. One adult male dragonfly Violet Dropwing Trithemis annulata was recorded at Lake Vogršček in the Vipava Valley (W Slovenia) during the Biological Students Research Camp – Otlica 2021. This first record for the country is presented and the species’ distribution in Europe outlined. Behavioural observations and data on the accompanying Odonata fauna are included. This widespread Afrotropical species has rapidly expanded its range in south and south-western Europe in the recent two decades, with global warming apparently being the main driver of this expansion. Hence, 73 Odonata species belonging to 29 genera and nine families are now reported for Slovenia. Trithemis is the seventh genus to be added to the family Libellulidae for the country. The discovery of T. annulata in the Vipava Valley in Slovenia is significant for the fact of being the northernmost observation on the Balkan Peninsula to date.

Key words: dragonfly, Violet Dropwing, Trithemis annulata, first record, Slovenia, Vipava Valley, Lake Vogršček, climate change, Biological Students Research Camp

Izvleček. Na Raziskovalnem taboru študentov biologije – Otlica 2021 je bil na jezeru Vogršček v Vipavski dolini (Z Slovenija) zabeležen odrasel samec kačjega pastirja ciklamnega telovnikarja Trithemis annulata. Prva najdba vrste v Sloveniji je predstavljena skupaj s pregledom razširjenosti v Evropi. Dodani so opis vedenja opazovanega samca ter podatki o favni kačjih pastirjev na jezeru. Ta široko razširjena afrotropska vrsta kačjih pastirjev je v zadnjih dveh desetletjih občutno povečala območje razširjenosti, predvsem v južni in jugozahodni Evropi, kar se zdi zlasti posledica globalnega segrevanja. Skupaj je tako za Slovenijo znanih 73 vrst kačjih pastirjev, uvrščenih v 29 rodov iz devetih družin, rod telovnikarjev pa je sedmi rod družine ploščecev v državi. Odkritje T. annulata v Vipavski dolini v Sloveniji je pomembno, saj gre za najsevernejše opazovanje na Balkanskem polotoku doslej.

Ključne besede: kačji pastir, ciklamni telovnikar, Trithemis annulata, prvi podatek, Slovenija, Vipavska dolina, jezero Vogršček, podnebne spremembe, Raziskovalni tabor študentov biologije

Izvleček. Pojavljanje obalnega murna v Sloveniji je bilo prvič nedvoumno potrjeno z opazovanjem samcev, samic in ličink dne 25. 9. 2021 v slovenski Istri, na morskem nabrežju pod Belvederom pri Izoli in v Fiesi pri Piranu, zahodna Slovenija. Razširjenost in biologija te specializirane vrste, vezane na le ozek pas primernega obalnega habitata, sta nepopolno poznani. Zaradi pretekle degradacije in še vedno trajajočih različnih pritiskov na obalo slovenskega morja je vrsta ogrožena, za podrobnejšo oceno velikosti in ogroženosti njenih populacij v Sloveniji pa so potrebne nadaljnje terenske raziskave.

Ključne besede: kobilice, Pseudomogoplistes squamiger, razširjenost, ogroženost, Slovenija, slovenska Istra

Abstract. The occurrence of the Mediterranean Beach-cricket in Slovenia is confirmed herewith unambiguously for the first time, based on observations of males, females and larvae on 25. 9. 2021 in Slovenian Istria, on the seacoast below Belvedere near Izola and at Fiesa near Piran, western Slovenia. The distribution and biology of this specialised species, which is restricted to only a narrow belt of suitable costal habitat is incompletely known. Due to past degradation and still ongoing multiple pressures on the Slovenian seashore, the species is threatened and further field research is needed for a more detailed evaluation of the size and threat status of the species' population in Slovenia.

Key words: grasshoppers, Pseudomogoplistes squamiger, distribution, threat status, Slovenia, Slovenian Istria

Abstract. The ecology of the eastern eggar (Eriogaster catax) in Slovenia has not been well characterized to date. Within the framework of this study, focusing on the larval habitat of the species, a total of 489 caterpillar webs found in different areas of Slovenia were recorded and a number of important variables documented. These included the host plant species, the size of the web, the height of the web from the ground, the height of the host plant, the trunk diameter at ground level, the web aspect and the general habitat characteristics. The most important host plants turned out to be blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), with one web found on Pyrus pyraster and one on Amelanchier ovalis. The web sizes varied largely, with the median size reaching 54 cm². The position and height of the web from the ground was correlated with the height of the plant. Most caterpillar webs (67.4%) were oriented to the south, south-west or south-east. 61.5% of caterpillar webs were recorded in temperate heath and scrubs, with the majority of them found in sub-Mediterranean blackthorn-privet scrub (25.4%), followed by Atlantic and medio-European blackthorn-privet scrub (18.0%) and shrub woodland (13.1%). The present study provides the first insight into the ecology of the eastern eggar in Slovenia, focusing on larval habitat. The characterization of the larval habitat is of particular importance for the conservation of the eastern eggar and its potential habitat in Slovenia.

Key words: Eriogaster catax, ecology, habitat, caterpillar web, Slovenia, Natura 2000, Habitats Directive

Izvleček. V članku predstavljamo prvo študijo o ekologiji hromega volnoritca (Eriogaster catax) v Sloveniji, s poudarkom na larvalnem habitatu. Skupno smo popisali 489 gnezd gosenic hromega volnoritca v različnih delih Slovenije. Tem gnezdom smo določili oziroma izmerili različne parametre: vrsto hranilne rastline gnezda, njeno velikost, velikost gnezda gosenic, višino, na kateri je bilo gnezdo, usmerjenost gnezda glede na smeri neba, debelino debla rastline pri tleh in tip habitata na mestu lokacije gnezda gosenic. Najpomembnejši hranilni rastlini sta glog (Crataegus spp.) in črni trn (Prunus spinosa), po eno gnezdo gosenic pa smo našli tudi na drobnici (Pyrus pyraster) in šmarni hrušici (Amelanchier ovalis). Gnezda gosenic so bila različnih velikosti z mediano (dolžinaךirina) pri 54 cm². Mesto gnezda gosenic na rastlini, torej oddaljenost gnezda od tal, je odvisna od višine rastline. Večina gnezd gosenic (67,4 %) je bila orientirana proti jugu, jugozahodu ali jugovzhodu. Največ gnezd gosenic (61,5 %) smo našli v resavah in grmiščih v zmernih klimatskih predelih, med temi so gnezda gosenic prevladovala v submediteranskih listopadnih grmiščih (25,4 %), sledijo srednjeevropska toploljubna bazifilna grmišča s kalino in črnim trnom (18,0 %) ter mešani grmičasti gozdovi in površine, zaraščajoče se z listnatimi in iglastimi drevesnimi vrstami (13,1 %). Pričujoči prispevek predstavlja pomembne ugotovitve in predloge, ki jih lahko uporabimo pri varstvu hromega volnoritca v Sloveniji.

Ključne besede: hromi volnoritec, Eriogaster catax, ekologija, habitat, Slovenija, Natura 2000, Direktiva o habitatih

Abstract. An overview of the surveys of butterfly fauna of Mt. Blegoš, Mt. Koprivnik and their surroundings is provided. In 2018, 14 surveys were performed and 80 butterfly species on eight transects recorded in the process. Additional surveys in 2019 and 2020 yielded 5 additional butterfly species. Among the butterflies observed, Parnassius mnemosyne, Lycaena hippothoe, Euphydryas maturna, Euphydryas aurinia, Melitaea britomartis, Melitaea diamina, and Pyrgus alveus are identified as vulnerable species, while both Phengaris arion and Phengaris alcon are classified as endangered species in Slovenia. The latter was found on two occasions in July 2018 and July 2020 on a single locality. Eggs of P. alcon were found on the host plant Gentiana cruciata at the same locality. Despite the fact that many species characteristic of higher altitudes were observed, like Aricia artaxerxes, Pyrgus alveus, Erebia stiria and Lasiommata petropolitana, other, which had still been present a few decades ago, were not found (Parnassius apollo and Boloria pales). In this article, the problem of loss of important butterfly habitats in the region due to overgrowing, and the negative impacts of overgrazing is also highlighted.

Key words: transect surveys, grazing, overgrowing, Phengaris alcon, Phengaris arion, Slovenia

Izvleček. V članku predstavljamo popise favne dnevnih metuljev Blegoša in Koprivnika z njuno okolico. V letu 2018 smo opravili 14 popisov, med katerimi smo zabeležili 80 vrst metuljev na 8 transektih. Med dodatnimi popisi v letih 2019 in 2020 pa smo opazili še 5 dodatnih vrst. Izmed zabeleženih metuljev spadajo Parnassius mnemosyne, Lycaena hippothoe, Euphydryas maturna, Euphydryas aurinia, Melitaea britomartis, Melitaea diamina in Pyrgus alveus med ranljive vrste, medtem ko sta Phengaris arion in Phengaris alcon klasificirana kot ogroženi vrsti za Slovenijo. Slednji je bil najden zgolj med dvema popisoma v juliju 2018 in 2020 na eni sami lokaciji, prav tako pa smo na rastlini Gentiana cruciata našli njegova jajčeca. Kljub dejstvu, da smo opazili določene vrste značilne višje nadmorske višine, kot so Aricia artaxerxes, Pyrgus alveus, Erebia stiria in Lasiommata petropolitana, pa dveh, ki smo ju lahko opazovali še pred nekaj desetletji, nismo našli (Parnassius apollo in Boloria pales). V članku poudarjamo tudi problem izgube pomembnih habitatov v regiji zaradi zaraščanja in negativnega vpliva prekomerne paše.

Ključne besede: transektni popisi, pašništvo, zaraščanje, Phengaris alcon, Phengaris arion, Slovenija