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Oviposition preferences of the alcon large blue phengaris alcon (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) at a seasonal lake in Southwestern Slovenia

Jugovic Jure, Kostadinovski Luka, Kopač Klara

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2023

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Vol. 71, nr 1

15--25

EN

We investigated the oviposition preferences of Phengaris alcon in relation to the height of the host plant (Gentiana pneumonanthe), the number of flowers, and the choice of microsite for oviposition (part of the host plant, height of oviposition) in a local population of this species in SW Slovenia at a depression of a seasonal lake Petelinje. P. alcon prefers the tallest (most conspicuous) host plants and plants with a larger number of flowers (i.e., more than 90% of all eggs were deposited on 12% of the tallest plants ≥ 30 cm), where eggs are deposited in the upper quarter of the plant height, usually on calyx (66.1%) and corolla (29.9%), and rarely on leaves or stems. Eggs are mostly deposited singly or in groups of two (> 50%) on a single plant, and eggs were found only on less than 3% of examined plants. Butterfly density was estimated at about 60 individuals per hectare. Obtained results indicate that preferences for oviposition sites are not random, and monitoring population density may provide important insight into the future population status of P. alcon.

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Differences in Troglomorphism and Sexual Dimorphism in Two Sympatric Subtroglophile Crickets of Genus Troglophilus (Insecta: Orthoptera)

Jugovic Jure, Šumer Nika

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2021

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Vol. 69, nr 1

35--50

EN

We investigated morphological variation and sexual dimorphism in two species of syntopic cave crickets (Troglophilus neglectus and T. cavicola) from Northern Balkans. T. cavicola is able to penetrate deeper in caves and stays there for longer periods than T. neglectus. Yet, it has not exhibited clearly stronger constructive (body size, elongation of appendages, increased spinulation) or reductive (eye reduction) traits than T. neglectus. Moreover, contrary to expectation, there is no clear association between more prolonged staying in a stable cave environment and overall lower morphological variability in T. cavicola. Only some of its morphological traits actually showed less while other showed more variation than in T. neglectus. While T. cavicola males are larger than females, there is no such difference in T. neglectus. This may help males of T. cavicola being more competitive towards overall larger T. neglectus. With the exception of the body size, overall sexual dimorphism was better expressed in larger T. neglectus. The morphospaces occupied by males and females overlap more strongly in T. cavicola than in T. neglectus, indicating that ecological niches of both sexes are better separated in the latter species.

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Competition and Seasonal Co-Existence of Coprophagous Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) in Differently Managed Habitat Patches of Sub-Mediterranean Grasslands in Slovenia

Jugovic Jure, Koren Toni, Koprivnikar Nataša

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2019

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Vol. 67, nr 3

247--263

EN

We studied species composition and seasonal co-existence of coprophagous Scarabaeoidea from two study sites in karst meadows in sub-Mediterranean Slovenia. Each site consisted of three habitat patches with different impact of grazing (S1, the active part of the pasture; S2, the overgrown part of the pasture, mainly spiny shrubs; S3, a meadow with some overgrown patches of shrubs outside the fenced pasture). Four pitfall trapping events per month were conducted from March until November to test for temporal, spatial and habitat-related segregation of species. Primary results show a high level of temporal segregation of species within and between the guilds (Aphodiidae – dwellers, Geotrupidae – tunnelers, Scarabaeidae – tunnelers, Scarabaeidae – rollers). Temporal segregation of monthly samples was evident between Aphodiidae – dwellers (most active at the beginning and end of the season, with a month of complete inactivity during hot summer) and Scarabaeidae – tunnelers (present all the time, but with least species and specimens at the beginning and end of season). Intra-guild competition was most prominent for Aphodiidae – dwellers and Geotrupidae – tunnelers, where species show high rate of temporal avoidance to minimize interspecies competition for the same food source. Finally, geographical (site-related) and habitat-related (S1, S2, S3) differences were found in species composition, species richness and abundance, however for the latter two parameters only at habitat level (more species at S1, but higher abundances at S2 and S3). The results imply that the pronounced temporal and spatial segregation facilitate higher biodiversity in space and time, and allow more species to co-exist at the same sites over time.