In populations of wild pigeons (Columba domestica Linnaeus, 1758), the cause of various phenotypic variations is the eumelanin pigmentation of feathers. Analysis of photographs taken in 2023 and 2024 at several locations (11) revealed (according to K. Seung-Gu et al. who defined four phenotypic variants) the presence of three phenotypic variants: darkly pigmented feathers on the entire surface of the body; intensely light wings, (so-called pigeon grey), with two always present dark stripes on the back (phenotype 2), other, darkly pigmented feathers on the whole body; light wings covered with dark spots or spots, with two dark stripes present, almost invisible (phenotype 3) and a third variant, with extremely dark feathers on the body and wings so that the wing patterns are not visible (phenotype 4). The variant with dark pigment of feathers on the body, very light wings (pigeon gray) without stripes (or possibly once) was not noted (phenotype 1). By applying basic statistical patterns according to: Petz, 1964, i.e. Lelo & Lukić-Bilela, 2012, average values (2.2-3.4) and standard error values (0.11-0.19) and coefficient variability (21-32). Based on the results of recalculated relative values, variant phenotype 2 is the most represented (57.78%), followed by variant phenotype 3 (22.22%) and variant phenotype 4 (20.00%).

During the 21st century, lepidopterological research on the Prenj mountain was performed on several occasions. The first such research by S. Lelo and M. Kašić-Lelo in 2007 resulted in the discovery of a small number of species (33), so the graduates of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, J. Karačić and S. Sućeska, did more thorough research (graduate thesis) at several sites during the vegetation season in 2011, which resulted in significantly better results (85 identified species). At the same time, it was agreed that A. Abaza and D. Žujo Zekić would conduct even more detailed research only at the Rujište site (during which 73 species were noticed). Based on earlier data from the 20th century, 89 species were noticed and described on Mount Prenj, while 113 species were noticed in research in the 21st century. According to recent data, the total number of species found so far on the Prenj mountain is 127. A significantly higher number of noticed species in the 21st century is the result of targeted and systematic research, during which a very small number of expected species were absent.

The Tortonese’s stingray (Dasyatis tortonesei Capapé, 1975) is a poorly understood species, likely endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, where its distribution remains inadequately delineated due to historical taxonomic uncertainty and misidentification with its closely related congeners. The present study reports the first well-documented records of D. tortonesei in the Adriatic Sea, based on six specimens collected during systematic field surveys off Vlorë, Albania. All specimens were identified through a comprehensive assessment of diagnostic morphological features, and detailed biometric data are provided. Notably, one individual exhibited a fully healed traumatic loss of both the tail and stinging apparatus, suggesting a degree of resilience to sub-lethal injury. The present findings extend the range of D. tortonesei and establish a valuable baseline for future biodiversity assessments. In addition, this paper underscores the urgent need for integrative taxonomic approaches and regional capacity-building to improve species-level identification and inform effective conservation of Mediterranean elasmobranchs (sharks and rays).

Angular rough shark, Oxynotus centrina (Linnaeus, 1758), is a poorly known and rare bathydemersal shark inhabiting continental shelves and upper slopes with a significant lack of data and almost no published records in the Adriatic Sea in this century. In this paper, we present 20 new occurrences recorded from May 2015 to September 2021, of which 19 are in Croatian and 1 in Montenegrin territorial waters. Records of juveniles, subadults and adults are reported. The number of described records and available data on HSI/BMI calculations points out that the living conditions are probably most favoured in the area off the Kornati archipelago (central Adriatic Sea), compared to the habitats in the Southern Adriatic where the populations might have significantly lower density. Due to the non-systematic research and non-probabilistic data collection, it is difficult to establish with certainty whether greater number of records in the continental shelf is just an ostensible phenomenon. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

In this study we present morphological, molecular and ecological features of the last instar larvae of Drusus bosnicus with data about distribution of this species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also included are the most important diagnostic features enabling separation of larvae of D. bosnicus from larvae of the other European Drusinae and Trichoptera species.

1Faculty of Teacher Education, Department in Petrinja, University of Zagreb, Trg Matice hrvatske 12, 44250 Croatia 2Department of Zoology, National Museum, Vaclavske nam. 68, 115 79 Prague 1, Czech Republic 3Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 100000 Zagreb, Croatia 4Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic 5Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 33, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 6Department of Biology (Laboratory for Entomology), Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia