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Map of Serbia indicating the study areas in Tara National Park and Mount C ˇ emerno in relation to the distribution of brown bears in Serbia (distribution of brown bears redrawn from Paunovic ́ et al. 2005b). The inset map indicates the location of Serbia in southeastern Europe in relation to the Alps–Dinaric–Pindos (ADP) and Carpathian bear populations.
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The Alps–Dinaric–Pindos (ADP) bear population is considered to be one of the largest
populations remaining in Europe. Despite its international importance for large-scale bear conservation, detailed and accurate information about the genetic and conservation status of some of its sub-populations is lacking. Serbia is located in the geographic cente...
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Context 1
... is located in the geographic center of the ADP population range, and its bears belong phylo- genetically to the western European lineage ( Randi et al. 1994, Taberlet andBouvet 1994). Two bear populations remain in geographically separated regions in the eastern and western parts of the country (Fig. 1). Bears in eastern Serbia are connected to the Stara Planina bear population in Bulgaria and the Carpathian population in Romania and are currently thought to be declining ( Kaczensky et al. 2013). The bear population in western Serbia belongs to the ADP ( Zedrosser et al. 2001) and is now considered stable ( Kaczensky et al. 2013). ...
Context 2
... genetic sampling of brown bears was conducted in 2 study areas in western Serbia, in the Tara National Park and at Mount C ˇ emerno (Fig. 1). Bears in these 2 study areas are considered to belong to the western Serbian bear sub-population ( Kaczensky et al. 2013). Tara National Park is geographically located around Mount Tara in west- ern Serbia (43u549240N, 19u189180E), and is part of the Dinaric mountain range. The slopes of the mountains are covered with dense forests ...
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Citations
... Furthermore, given the fact that the flux of animals appears relatively large and considering the number of migrants and admixed animals (i.e., > 10% of the total population), it should be expected that the current gene flow has resulted not only in genetic effects but also in population fragments/ subpopulations becoming demographically dependent ( Hastings 1993), which may be partially responsible for the demographic recovery of brown bears in western Greece ( Karamanlidis et al. 2015). However, although male Table 4 Comparison of genetic diversity of bears in Greece (in bold) with other brown bear populations in the region [values, except for the present study, are from Skrbinšek et al. (2012c) and Karamanlidis et al. (2014a, b)] Area (population) N NCL A (S.E.) He (S.E.) Art (S.E.) ...
Understanding the mechanisms and patterns involved in population recoveries is challenging and important in shaping conservation strategies. We used a recovering rear-edge population of brown bears at their southernmost European range in Greece as a case study (2007-2010) to explore the recovery genetics at a species' distribution edge. We used 17 microsatellite and a mitochondrial markers to evaluate genetic structure, estimate effective population size and genetic diversity, and infer gene flow between the identified subpopulations. To understand the larger picture, we also compared the observed genetic diversity of each subpopulation with other brown bear populations in the region. The results indicate that the levels of genetic diversity for bears in western Greece are the lowest recorded in southeastern Europe, but still higher than those of other genetically depauperate bear populations. Apart from a complete separation of bear populations in eastern and western Greece, our results also indicate a considerable genetic sub-structuring in the West. As bear populations in Greece are now recovering, this structure is dissolving through a "recovery cascade" of asymmetric gene flow from South to North between neighboring subpopulations, mediated mainly by males. Our study outlines the importance of small, persisting populations, which can act as "stepping stones" that enable a rapid population expansion and recovery. This in turn makes their importance much greater than their numeric or genetic contribution to a species as a whole.
... In areas with more fragmented habitats, such as Southeastern and Central Europe, slightly lower values of 0.61–0.77 were reported (Alps- Dinara-Pindos population (Croatia: Kocijan et al. 2011; Serbia: Karamanlidis et al. 2014; Slovenia: Skrbinšek et al. 2012; Greece: Karamanlidis et al., 2010); Austria (Kruckenhauser et al. 2009), Estonia (Waits et al. 2000) and Slovakia (Straka et al. 2012). In contrast , low values of H e ranging from 0.25 to 0.45 were found in southwestern Europe (Spain, Italy, France; Pérez et al. 2009, 2010; Lorenzini et al. 2004; Taberlet et al. 1997). ...
The Balkans are one of the last large refugia for brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations in Europe, and Bulgaria, in particular, contains relatively large areas of suitable brown bear habitat and a potential population of more than 600 individuals. Despite this, the majority of brown bear research remains focused on bear populations in Central and Western Europe. We provide the first assessment of genetic population structure of brown bears in Bulgaria by analysing tissue samples (n = 16) as well as samples collected with noninvasive genetic methods, including hair and faecal samples (n = 189 and n = 163, respectively). Sequence analysis of a 248 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region showed that two highly divergent mitochondrial European brown bear lineages form a contact zone in central Bulgaria. Furthermore, the analysis of 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers identified 136 individuals and found substantial genetic variability (He = 0.74; NA = 8.9). The combination of both genetic markers revealed the presence of weak genetic substructure in the study area with considerable degrees of genetic admixture and the likely presence of migration corridors between the two subpopulation in the Rhodope Mountains and Stara Planina as evidenced from the genetic detection of two male long-distance dispersers A detailed assessment from densely collected samples in the Rhodope Mountains resulted in a population size estimate of 315 (95% CI = 206-334) individuals, indicating that not all available habitat is presently occupied by bears in this region. Efficient management plans should focus on preserving connectivity of suitable habitats in order to maintain gene flow between the two Bulgarian brown bear subpopulations.
Genetic studies of the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos) have so far focused on populations from Europe and North America, although the largest distribution area of brown bears is in Asia. In this study, we reveal population genetic parameters for the brown bear population inhabiting the Grand Kaçkar Mountains (GKM) in the north east of Turkey, western Lesser Caucasus. Using both hair (N = 147) and tissue samples (N = 7) collected between 2008 and 2014, we found substantial levels of genetic variation (10 microsatellite loci). Bear samples (hair) taken from rubbing trees worked better for genotyping than those from power poles, regardless of the year collected. Genotyping also revealed that bears moved between habitat patches, despite ongoing massive habitat alterations and the creation of large water reservoirs. This population has the potential to serve as a genetic reserve for future reintroductions in the Middle East. Due to the importance of the GKM population for on-going and future conservation actions, the impacts of habitat alterations in the region ought to be minimized; e.g. by establishing green bridges or corridors over reservoirs and major roads to maintain habitat connectivity and gene flow among populations in the Lesser Caucasus.
Road network have changed landscapes and influenced nature in Serbia substantially. The most distinctive impact on animals is fatalities due to collision with vehicles, while populations are being impacted indirectly through barrier effect, habitat loss, disturbance and pollution. Roadkill mammals have been recorded extensively on Serbian roads 1990-2017. Species list is compiled showing frequency of casualties in three-level scale by road categories. From a total of 104 wild mammal species of Serbia, 44 are recorded as road casualties, most frequently Northern White-breasted Hedgehog, Red Fox, Beech Marten, Eurasian Badger, Black-bellied Hamster and Common Vole, while European Mole, Golden Jackal, Western and Steppe Polecat, Least Weasel, Eurasian Otter, European Hare, Eurasian Red Squirrel, European Ground Squirrel and Striped Field Mouse are moderately frequent; 5 domestic species are also recorded as casualties, most frequently dogs and cats. 3/4 of the affected species are protected by law, and threatened species' casualties are also recorded-Eurasian Lynx, European Ground Squirrel and Marbled Polecat. Systematic roadkill monitoring was carried out 1994-1996 on the stretch of road through the Obedska Bara Nature Reserve; the majority of casualties were small mammal species that are neither threatened nor protected. Relevant Serbian legislation is concluded to be adequate, but prescribed and contemporary technical solutions to avoid and mitigate adverse impacts are rarely implemented. Recommendations that can improve protection and conservation of mammals on Serbian roads are set forth.
Mreža puteva u Srbiji značajno je promenila predele i uticala na prirodu. Najinvazivniji uticaj na životinje nastaje direktnim usmrćivanjem usled sudara sa vozilima, a indirektno menjanjem demografskih populacionih parametara usled barijere, gubitka staništa, uznemiravanja i zagađenja. Stradanja sisara na drumovima Srbije ekstenzivno je beleženo 1990-2017. Sastavljena je lista vrsta sa frekvencijom stradanja u trostepenoj skali i prema kategoriji puteva. Od ukupno 104 divlje vrste zabeleženo je stradanje 44, od kojih najčešće stradaju jež, lisica, kuna belica, jazavac, hrčak i poljska voluharica, a umereno često krtica, šakal, stepski i mrki tvor, lasica, vidra, zec, veverica, tekunica i prugasti miš; zabeleženo je i stradanje 5 domaćih vrsta, a najčešće žrtve su psi i mačke. 3/4 vrsta čije je stradanje zabeleženo zaštićene su zakonom, a zabeleženo je i stradanje ugroženih vrsta-risa, tekunice i šarenog tvora. U periodu 1994-96. na deonici puta koji prolazi kroz SRP Obedska bara sistematski je vršen monitoring stradanja, a zaključeno da većinu žrtava čine sitni sisari koji nisu ugroženi ni zaštićeni zakonom. Zaključeno je da Srbija ima odgovarajuću legislativu, ali da se propisana i savremena tehnička rešenja za sprečavanje i smanjenje štetnih uticaja u praksi retko primenjuju. Date su preporuke koje mogu unaprediti zaštitu i očuvanje sisara na drumovima Srbije. Ključne reči: drumovi, Srbija, sisari, stradanje, zaštita i očuvanje.
We present satellite telemetry data for a subadult brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Serbia, documenting movements and activity for 273 days (Apr 2007 to Jan 2008). Average of daily movements was 4.29 (±2.99 SD) km. The longest daily movement was recorded in June (15.62 km), while the largest home range was recorded in May–June (1,060.9 km2). Total 95% minimum convex polygon home range was 4,366.5 km2, which is one of the largest home ranges recorded for a brown bear in Europe. During the monitoring period the bear moved throughout the western part of Serbia, and made movements into Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting the necessity of international coordination in the conservation of bears in the region. We propose an increase in brown bear research, and continued monitoring and management efforts at a national level.
