Search

Tick-borne diseases are a serious threat to both public and veterinary health. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to characterize the virome of three tick species implicated in the spread of vector-borne disease throughout Croatia. Ten viruses were identified, including seven potential novel species within the viral families

Altitudinal distributions, population structures and seasonal dynamics of tick fauna at three localities in Continental Croatia (Medvednica and Papuk) and an alpine biogeographic region (Gorski Kotar) were studied. Sampling of questing ticks was performed twice a year (spring and autumn, from 2019 to 2021) at different altitudes (200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 m above sea level) using the flagging method. In total, 2942 ticks (53.9% larvae, 40.1% nymphs, 6.0% adults) were sampled and 2937 (99.83%) were determined as Ixodes ricinus, 4 (0.14%) as Haemaphysalis concinna and 1 (0.03%) as Ixodes frontalis. Ixodes ricinus was the only species found at all altitudes and sampling sites. The highest tick abundance was recorded at higher altitudes (800–1000 m asl.) on Medvednica and in Gorski Kotar within mixed forests of European beech and European silver fir, while on Papuk most of the ticks were sampled at lower altitudes (200 m asl.) in Sessile oak forest. From 27 pools containing 305 ticks, 1 (3.7%) was positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 20% (1/5) of the pools containing nymphs and adults collected in Gorski Kotar (600 and 800 m asl.). Sequencing of the ospA gene and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto genotype.

Leptospiroza je (re)emergentna zarazna bolest mnogih domaćih i divljih životinja i čovjeka uzrokovana patogenim bakterijama iz roda Leptospira. Epizootiologija ove bolesti usko je vezana uz različite životinjske vrste koje nose i izlučuju pojedine serovare leptospira u okoliš. Ipak, glavni su rezervoari leptospiroze glodavci koji nakon infekcije ne obolijevaju i ostaju doživotni kliconoše. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi učestalost infekcije u mišolikih glodavaca u endemijskim područjima leptospiroze u Republici Hrvatskoj. Metodom lančane reakcije polimerazom u stvarnom vremenu pretraženi su bubrezi 186 mišolikih glodavaca, a specifičan odsječak DNK patogenih leptospira dokazan je u 20 pretraženih uzoraka, dajući nam prosječan stupanj kliconoštva od 10,75 %. Bakterije iz roda Leptospira utvrđene su u pet od sedam pretraživanih vrsta glodavaca i lokaliteta izlova, što potvrđuje ulogu mišolikih glodavaca u održavanju endemijskih žarišta leptospiroze. Najviši stupanj kliconoštva (30 %) utvrđen je na širem području Velike Gorice. Takav se rezultat može pokušati objasniti činjenicom da to područje pripada u sliv rijeke Save i da ima velik poplavni potencijal, a vlažna područja omogućuju dulji opstanak leptospira u okolišu. Potrebna su daljna longitudinalna istraživanja kako bi se ustvrdili biotički i abiotički čimbenici koji utječu na brojnost populacije mišolikih glodavaca te postotak inficiranosti leptospirama, odnosno kliconoštvo., Leptospirosis is a (re) emerging zoonosis of many domestic and wild animals and humans, caused by pathogenic bacteria from the genus Leptospira. It is a natural foci disease with epizootiology and epidemiology closely linked to reservoir species that excrete certain serovars of Leptospira into the environment. Rats and small rodents are the main reservoirs and lifelong carriers of pathogenic Leptospira. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of infection of small rodents in areas where leptospirosis appears endemic. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to test kidney specimens of 186 animals, that were trapped in seven endemic regions of Croatia. Using this method, we obtained 20 positive samples, giving a Leptospira shedding rate of 10.75%. During this investigation Leptospira spp. were detected in five out of seven small rodent species, with the highest degree of shedding (30%) detected in the Velika Gorica municipality. These findings may be explained by the fact that this area belongs to the River Sava basin. High flooding potential and humid areas allow the longer survival of Leptospira in the environment. Further longitudinal studies are needed in order to identify all the abiotic and biotic factors that can affect the density of rodent population and shedding rates.

Brijestova osa listarica je invazivni štetnik, podrijetlom iz Japana i Kine. Unesena je u Europu posredstvom egzotičnih vrsta brijesta. U Bosni i Hercegovini je prvi puta otkrivena ovim nalazom 2017. godine na području općine Vareš na nekoliko lokaliteta. Ni na jednom od lokaliteta štetnik nije uzrokovao značajniju defolijaciju. Budući da je ovo strana i potencijalno invazivna vrsta, može se očekivati njeno širenje po čitavom području Bosne i Hercegovine.

Obična bukva (Fagus sylvatica L.) u Hrvatskoj ima najveći areal, najzastupljenija je vrsta na obraslom šumskom zemljištu i pojavljuje se u velikom broju šumskih zajednica. Urod bukvice bilježi se kao bitan faktor porasta populacije sitnih glodavaca, koji su poznati prijenosnici niza zaraznih bolesti opasnih za čovjeka. Cilj ovog istraživanja je praćenje populacija sitnih glodavaca i hantavirusa u bukovim šumama. U okviru rada obavljen je izlov u periodu od 2011. do 2014. godine na ukupno 7 lovnih ploha raspoređenih na dva lokaliteta (NP Plitvička jezera i PP Medvednica). Ulovljene jedinke obrađene su na prisutnost hantavirusa. Na lovnim plohama u NP Plitvička jezera mjeren je i urod bukvice. Rezultati ovoga rada pokazali su da u bukovim šumama dominiraju žutogrli šumski miš i šumska voluharica te zajedno čine 99 % ulova. Brojnost sitnih glodavaca karakterizirale su povišene vrijednosti u 2012. godini i visoka brojnost („mišja godina“) u 2014. godini, dok je 2011. i 2013. godinu karakterizirala niska brojnost. Kod obrađenih glodavaca potvrđena je prevalencija 3 vrste hantavirusa. Puumala virus bio je zastupljen u 50 % ulova šumske voluharice, Dobrava (DOBV) u 5 % ulova žutogrlog šumskog miša i hantavirus Seewis (SWSV) u jednoj od dvije ulovljene jedinke šumske rovke. Urod bukvice na lovnim plohama NP Plitvička jezera zabilježen je povišen u 2011. godini i obilan u 2013. godini. Iz podataka utvrđujemo pozitivnu vezu između količine jesenskog uroda bukvice te porasta populacija sitnih glodavaca, porasta prevalencije hantavirusa i epidemije mišje groznice u godinama nakon obilnog uroda., The European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is at present considered to be the most common economically important and widespread tree species in Europe. In contrast to other tree species and economically important species in Croatia European beech has the largest areal and can be found in variety of plant communities. As the most specious and widely distributed mammalian group, rodents are the wildlife reservoir for many zoonoses which can infect humans and other wildlife. Rodent outbreaks tend to follow years with increased seed production of oak and beech. Many authors have linked fluctuations in abundance of rodent reservoirs with increase of human zoonotic infections. Aim of this research is monitoring of rodent populations and hantaviruses in beech forests. At two locations (National park Plitvice lakes and Nature park Medvednica) seven trapping plots were set, each containing 1 or 2 grids size 100m x 100m (100 traps). Rodent capturing was done from year 2011 until 2014 in summer and autumn. Beech mast was recorded in NP Plitvice lakes each year in autumn. Trapped rodents were screened for hantaviruses. Results show two dominant rodent species, yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank vole (Myodes glareolus) in beech forests of NP Plitvice and NP Medvednica. Both species make 99 % of total captures. Rodent abundance showed increase in year 2012 and outbreak in year 2014 measuring on one grid max abundance of 45 animals/ha, whereas year 2011 and 2013 had lowest abundance. In beech forests of National Park Plitvice lakes and Nature Park Medvednica 3 different hantaviruses were found within their typical rodent host species: Puumala (PUUV) in bank voles (Myodes glareolus), hantavirus Dobrava (DOBV) in yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and Seewis (SWSV) in common shrew (Sorex araneus) which makes first molecular evidence of shrew-borne Seewis virus in Croatia. Highest infection rate was found in bank voles with 50 % of Puumala positive individuals. Dobrava was found in 5 % of trapped yellow-necked mouse. In 2011 there was slight increase in beech seed production reported in comparison to year 2012 and 2014. In year 2013 beech seed production was the highest with mean beech seeds/m2 23x higher than in year 2012. From the rodent abundance and beech mast data we see the trend of mast years being followed with high rodent abundance. Highest proportion of hantavirus positive rodents was found in year 2014 when their abundance was also reported highest. From this data the connection of beech mast year and rodent abundance following next year as well as high infection rates of rodents is confirmed. In same years with increased rodent abundance there was high number of human HFRS cases (hemorrhagic fever with renal failure syndrome).

As tick-borne disease incidence and distribution is increasing worldwide, there is a true need for better understanding of the distributional ecology of their vectors. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of hard ticks fauna (Acari: Ixodidae) and their seasonal dynamics in different habitats at three urban recreational sites in Croatia’s capital, the City of Zagreb, known as the natural foci of Lyme borreliosis and tick borne encephalitis. Within a three-year period (2016 - 2018), the only species detected was Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus, 1758. Using flag dragging method 506 ticks were sampled; 273 (54%) in their nymphal stage, 166 (33%) as larvae and 64 (13%) as adults. The highest abundance of ticks was recorded at forest habitat. Seasonal activity showed their peaks at midspring and midsummer. Continuous monitoring of hard tick population in urban areas should and could become a standard method of tick-borne diseases prevention.

Kako se učestalost i rasprostranjenost krpeljnih bolesti širom svijeta povećava, postoji stvarna potreba za boljim razumijevanjem distribucijske ekologije njihovih vektora. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je odrediti raznolikost faune tvrdih krpelja (Acari: Ixodidae) i njihovu sezonsku dinamiku na različitim staništima u tri urbana rekreacijska odredišta u glavnom gradu Hrvatske, Zagrebu, poznatom kao prirodnom žarištu lajmske borelioze i krpeljnog meningoencefalitisa. Tijekom trogodišnjeg razdoblja (2016. - 2018. god.) jedina determinirana vrsta bila je Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus, 1758. Metodom krpeljne zatege, prikupljeno je 506 jedinki tvrdih krpelja, od čega 273 (54%) u razvojnom stadiju nimfe, 166 (33%) u stadiju ličinke i 64 (13%) u odraslom stadiju. Najveći broj krpelja sakupljen je u šumskom staništu. Sezonska aktivnost krpelja dosezala je maksimume sredinom proljeća i sredinom ljeta. Kontinuirano praćenje populacije tvrdih krpelja u urbanim područjima trebalo bi, i moglo bi, postati standardna metoda prevencije bolesti koje prenose krpelji., As tick-borne disease incidence and distribution is increasing worldwide, there is a true need for better understanding of the distributional ecology of their vectors. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of hard ticks fauna (Acari: Ixodidae) and their seasonal dynamics in different habitats at three urban recreational sites in Croatia's capital, the City of Zagreb known as the natural foci of Lyme borreliosis and tick borne encephalitis. Within a three-year period (2016 - 2018), the only species detected was Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus, 1758. Using flag dragging method 506 ticks were sampled; 273 (54%) in their nymphal stage, 166 (33%) as larvae and 64 (13%) as adults. The highest abundance of ticks was recorded at forest habitat. Seasonal activity showed their peaks at midspring and midsummer. Continuous monitoring of hard tick population in urban areas should and could become a standard method of tick-borne diseases prevention.

Croatia is a focus for many rodent-borne zoonosis. Here, we report a survey of 242 rodents and small mammals, including 43 Myodes glareolus, 131 Apodemus flavicollis, 53 Apodemus agrarius, three Apodemus sylvaticus, six Sorex araneus, four Microtus arvalis, one Microtus agrestis, and one Muscardinus avellanarius, collected at eight sites in Croatia over an 8-year period. Multiplex MassTag polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of Borrelia, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Francisella tularensis, and Coxiella burnetii. Individual PCR assays were used for detection of Leptospira, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, orthopoxviruses, flaviviruses, hantaviruses, and Toxoplasma gondii. Of the rodents, 52 (21.5%) were infected with Leptospira, 9 (3.7%) with Borrelia miyamotoi, 5 (2%) with Borrelia afzelii, 29 (12.0%) with Bartonella, 8 (3.3%) with Babesia microti, 2 (0.8%) with Ehrlichia, 4 (1.7%) with Anaplasma, 2 (0.8%) with F. tularensis, 43 (17.8%) with hantaviruses, and 1 (0.4%) with an orthopoxvirus. Other agents were not detected. Multiple infections were found in 32 rodents (13.2%): dual infections in 26 rodents (10.7%), triple infections in four rodents (2.9%), and quadruple infections in two rodents (0.8%). Our findings indicate that rodents in Croatia harbor a wide range of bacteria and viruses that are pathogenic to humans.

U ovome radu opisan je prvi nalaz hrastove mrežaste stjenice (Corythuca arcuata) na području centralne Bosne, na dva lokaliteta. Kako je ovo prvi nalaz ove vrste na području Bosne i Hercegovine, potrebna su dodatna istraživanja biologije i štetnosti ovog insekta. Budući da je ovo strana i potencijalno invazivna vrsta, može se očekivati njeno širenje po teritoriji čitave Bosne i Hercegovine., This research is first record of oak lace bug (Corythuca arcuata) in the municipality of Vareš, Bosnia and Herzegovina on two localities. It was found eggs, nymphs and adult insects of oak lace bug on the leaves of sessile oak. Since this is a foreign and potentially invasive species, its spread throughout the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be expected.

Francisella tularensisis is a causative agent of tularemia a zoonotic disease that infects wide range of hosts including arthropods, mammals and birds. In this study, the prevalence of tularemia among small mammals in Croatia was investigated. The 444 samples of small rodents and insectivores were collected in eight different localities in continental Croatia during the 2-year study. Spleen samples of: 197 Apodemus agrarius (striped field mouse), 78 Apodemus sylvaticus (wood mouse), 92 Apodemus flavicollis (yellow-necked mouse), 17 Myodes glareolus (bank vole), 27 Mycrotus agrestis (field vole), 20 Microtus arvalis (common vole) and 13 Sorex araneus (common shrew) were investigated for the presence of DNA of Francisella spp. using qRT-PCR method. Two striped field mouses and one wood mouse, originated from the same area - locality of Lipovljani, were found to be positive on Francisella spp. revealing the presence of bacteria among small mammals population in Croatia., Francisella tularensisis uzročnik je zoonoze tularemije, koja ima široki raspon domaćina, uključujući člankonošce, sisavce i ptice. Dvije podvrste F. tularensis, subsp. tularensis (Tip A) i subsp. holartica (Tip B), opisane su kao najčešći uzročnici bolesti u ljudi (Kingry and Petersen, 2014; Kuehn et al., 2013). Tip A i Tip B razlikuju se po svojim biokemijskim značajkama, patogenosti, ekologiji, epidemiologiji te geografskoj rasprostranjenosti. Rasprostranjenost Tipa A uglavnom je ograničena na sjevernoamerički kontinent, za razliku od Tipa B, koji se javlja duž cijele sjeverne polutke, a ujedno je i najčešći uzročnik tularemije u Europi(Keim et al., 2007; Kuehn et al., 2013). No ekologija i kruženje ove bakterije u prirodi do danas još nisu u potpunosti razjašnjeni. Različiti glodavci (voluharice, miševi, tekunice, bizantski štakori, dabrovi) te dvojezupci (kunić i zec) opisani su kao mogući rezervoari F.tularensis. Zadnja epidemiološka i epizootiološka istraživanja tularemije u Hrvatskoj datiraju iz šezdesetih i sedamdesetih godina prošloga stoljeća(Borcić et al., 1975). Stoga je cilj ovoga rada bio prikupiti nove podatke o prevalenciji tularemije u populaciji sitnih sisavaca u Hrvatskoj. Ukupno 444 uzoraka sitnih glodavaca i kukcojeda sakupljeno je u razdoblju od dvije godine na osam različitih lokaliteta u šumama kontinentalne Hrvatske: Lipovljani, Nova Subocka, Velika Gorica, Stara Gradiška, Županja, Sunja, Koprivnica i Čakovec (Slika 1). Pretraženi su uzorci slezene od: 197 Apodemus agrarius (poljski miš), 78 Apodemus sylvaticus (šumski miš), 92 Apodemus flavicollis (žutogrli miš), 17 Myodes glareolus (šumska voluharica), 27 Mycrotus agrestis (livadna voluharica), 20 Microtus arvalis (poljska voluharica) te 13 Sorex araneus (rovka). Uzorcisu pretraženi na prisutnost DNA Francisella spp. koristeći qRT-PCR metodu. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da su od ukupno 444 prikupljene životinje tri uzorka (0.67%), od kojih dva poljska miša te jedan šumski miš, bili pozitivni su na francizelu (Tablica 1). Sva tri pozitivna uzorka prikupljena su na istom području – lokalitetu Lipovljani. Tularemija je bolest koja se primarno povezuje s „nizinskim“ i „vodenim“ ekosustavima (Borcić, 1973). Područje duž toka rijeke Save (Posavina) opisuje se kao prirodno žarište tularemije u Hrvatskoj (Borcic et al., 1976), akao glavni rezervoar tularemije na tom području navodi se poljska voluharica (Borcic et al., 1976). Trimiša pozitivna na F. tularensis upućuju da je ova bakterija i dalje prisutna u populaciji sitnih glodavaca u Hrvatskoj. Nadalje, svi pozitivni uzorci prikupljeni su na lokalitetu Lipovljani, smještenom u srednjem dijelu toka rijeke Save, stoga ova regija zadržava obilježje prirodnog žarišta tularemije u Hrvatskoj.

The aim of this study was to determine and compare fi eld dressing percentage in free-living wild boars from lowland (Spačva) and hilly (Papuk) habitats in Croatia. The obtained data indicate a better dressing percentage for wild boars from the Papuk region, with mean values of 77.35% for piglets, 79.61% for yearlings, 80.1% for subadults and 81.93% for adults. The dressing percentage for wild boars from the Spačva region was on average 75.10% for piglets, 73.68% for yearlings, 74.85% for subadults and 63.24% for adults. Furthermore, the internal organs were divided into eatable (heart, liver and kidneys) and non-eatable viscera. Of the complete viscera weight, the eatable part represented 17.57% in piglets, 17.97% in yearlings, 13.37% in subadults and 15.69% in adult boars from the Papuk region. The same values for the Spačva region were 19.79% in piglets, 14.06% into yearlings, 12.87% in subadults and 8.67% in adults. The results obtained in this study indicate a better growth rate and dressing percentage for wild boars from the Papuk region. When the similar feeding potential and habitat characteristics of both hunting grounds are taken in consideration, the most possible explanation for the observed differences is crossbreeding of wild boars with domestic pigs. The nomadic keeping of domestic pigs in the area of Spačva remains a huge problem for the preservation of the pure, autochthonous wild boar genome.

To determine whether some of the B. burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies associate with fat dormouse as a reservoir host, we investigated the prevalence of infection in questing animals. A total of 45 adult fat dormice (30 female and 15 male) were captured by hunters during their hunting season in the region of Gorski Kotar, Croatia. Dead animals were aseptically dissected, and the urinary bladder tissue was used for isolation attempt and for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction. Out of 45 DNA samples extracted from urine bladder tissue, we found four (8.88%) to be polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive. The RFLP analysis of the PCR product after cleavage with DraI and MseI distinguished between the three major genospecies: B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii and B. afzelii. All positive samples were typed as B. afzelii with a unique DraI or MseI pattern. The results of the analysis of urinary bladder tissue samples culture for the presence of Borrelia were negative. Results showed that a prevalence of the Borrelia infection among population of fat dormice indicated their epizootiological involvement as a reservoir of Borrelia spirochetes. Furthermore, this work is an initial step in the investigation of the molecular epidemiology/epizootiology of Lyme borreliosis in Croatia.

In total the samples of blood and kidneys of 379 small rodents and 154 wild swine were analysed. The antibodies to different serovars of leptospirosis were determined in 12.7% of small rodents, most often in the species Mus musculus (34.4%), A. agrestis (14.8%), A. flavicolis (10.8%), C. glareolus (9.4%) and A. sylvaticus (6, 5%). Most frequent were the findings of antibodies to sv. pomona (27.1%), sv. sejroe (20.8%) and sv. australis (14.6%)and the antibodies to sv. hardjo, sv. saxkoebing, sv. tarassovi, sv. grippotyphosa, sv. bataviae and sv. icter-haemorrhagiae were also established. Seventeen (4.5%) isolates were identified, belonging to the serogroups sejroe (10 isolates), pomona (4 isolates), and australis (1 isolate) and one isolate was not identified. In wild swine positive reactions were established in 26% of blood sera analysed. Most frequently the antibodies to sv. pomona (47.5%), sv. australis (40%), sv. grippotyphosa (10%) and sv. icterohaemorrhagiae (2.5%) were established. Thirteen (8.4%) isolates belonging to the serogroups pomona (10 isolates), australis (2 isolates) and icterohaemorrhagiae (1 isolate) were identified.

We report the isolation and characterization of 16 Leptospira spp. strains isolated from small rodents captured in 11 different regions of inland Croatia. Large NotI and SgrAI restriction fragment allowed us to assign 10 isolates to the serovar istrica, 5 isolates to the serovar tsaratsovo and I isolate to the serovar lora. The phylogenetic analysis conducted from the sequences of the first 330 bp from the 16S rDNA gene revealed that the strains belonged to three different species, L. borgpetersenii, L. kirschneri and L. interrogans. Carrier rates in eight rodent species varied from 0 to 71.4 %. Mus musculus showed the highest infection level and confirmed its role as a major reservoir of the serogroup Sejroe. For the first time we reported the occurrence of serovars tsaratsovo and lora in Croatia.

Zaštita šuma obuhvaća ukupnost svih raspoloživih mjera koje mogu biti preventivnog ili represivnog karaktera kojoj je cilj održivost kvalitete šumskih sastojina. Kako bi se spriječio kalamitet određenih štetnika u slavonskim šumama hrasta lužnjaka (Quercus robur L.) na području kojim gospodari Uprava šuma Podružnica Vinkovci, u razdoblju od 2009. do 2011. godine, poduzete su mjere zaštite protiv malog (Operophthera brumata L.) i velikog mrazovca (Hibernia defoliaria Cl.), gubara (Lymantria dispar L.), hrastove pepelnice (Microsphaera alphitoides Griff. et. Maubl.), sitnih glodavaca, te korovske vegetacije. Prije poduzimanja mjera zaštite utvrđena je brojnost glodavaca, te je procijen intenziteta napada kukaca i pepelnice. Ukupno je protiv biotskih štetnika tretirano 15 717, 6 ha sastojina pri čemu je utrošeno 7 882 607 kn (približno 1 065 000 € obračunato prema srednjem tečaju HNB koji je vrijedio u vrijeme izvođenja radova). Kukci su tretirani na površini od 6 508 ha preparaom Match 0, 5 EC. Intenzitet njihovoga napada je bio i do 80 %. Hrastova pepelnica je suzbijana na površini od 2 372, 87 ha korištenjem preparata Artea plus, Artea 330 EC i Rubigan EC. Najveći intenzitet napada ove bolesti je zabilježen 2011. godine kada je na pojedinim lokalitetima iznosio i do 100%. Te je godine bolest suzbijana na 1 694, 40 ha. Mjere zaštite protiv sitnih glodavaca su primjenjene 2009. i 2011. godine na površini od 4 657, 67 ha korištenjem rodenticida Brodilon uz prethodno utvrđivanje relativne brojnosti koja je iznosila od 61 do 100 %. Korovska vegetacija je suzbijana preparatima Cidokor, Ouragan Sistem 4, Total 480 i Herbocor na površini od 2 372, 87 ha. Kontrola uspjeha nakon svake od poduzetih mjera je bila zadovoljavajuća.

U sklopu monitoringa dabrova u Hrvatskoj i Srbiji nakon njihove reintrodukcije, evidentiraju se gubici dabrova prema mjestu i vremenu uginuća, uzroku, spolu i starosti jedinke. Podaci se prikupljaju pomoću mreže suradnika, odnosno po evidenciji događaja. Na temelju analize prikupljenih podataka o stradanju dabrova u proteklih 18 godina, uočava se porast stradalih dabrova, posebice nakon porasta populacije i prostornog širenja dabrova, odnosno 10 godina nakon ispuštanja u Hrvatskoj. U promatranom razdoblju u Hrvatskoj je evidentirano ukupno 111 gubitaka dabrova, dok je u Srbiji taj broj znatno manji i iznosi 36 jedinki. U Srbiji nije primjetan proporcionalni porast stradanja dabrova u odnosu na dinamiku populacije. Najviše dabrova stradava u prometu, 40 % u Hrvatskoj i 17 % u Srbiji, te nezakonitim lovom i ribolovom 22 % u Hrvatskoj i 19 % u Srbiji. Iznimku čini jedna jedinka koja je stradala uslijed pada stabla na odraslog dabra. Često se kod pronalaska lešine ne može utvrditi uzrok uginuća 21 % u Hrvatskoj i 28 % u Srbiji. U Srbiji je utvrđen značajan udio uginuća zbog bolesti, čak 25 % evidentiranih gubitaka. Što se tiče starosne strukture stradalih dabrova, najvećim dijelom stradavaju adultne jedinke a potom subadultne, dok je, s obzirom na brojne nepotpune informacije, često starost nepoznata. Kada se analizira spol stradalih jedinki, također je nepoznato najviše zastupljeno, što je donekle razumljivo jer ne postoji kod dabra izraženi spolni dimorfizam, a kod utvrđenog spola neznatno više stradava mužjaka. S obzirom na vrijeme stradavanja, najviše jedinki je evidentirano u proljeće i jesen, dok najmanje dabrova stradava tijekom zime. Kao mjere zaštite dabrova u prvom redu poziva se na poštivanje zakonskih propisa vezano za ilegalni lov i ribolov, a stradavanju u prometu moguće je smanjiti ili ponegdje u potpunosti spriječiti postavljanjem žičane ograde uz prometnicu na problematičnim prijelazima. Također se mogu uspješno spriječiti gubici kod radova na vodotocima u području koje nastanjuju dabrovi, da se stručno i tehničko osoblje koje obavlja zahvat na uređenju vodotoka educira i orijentira na mjere zaštite dabrova kod izvođenja radova (zaštita nastambi i jedinki od radnih strojeva). Takozvani „opasni“ objekti u koje dabrovi mogu upasti i u njima stradati, mogu se prilagoditi na način da se dabrovima onemogući ulazak u takav prostor ili da se osigura mogućnost izlaska iz takovog prostora. U biti, zaštita dabrova provodi se dobrom medijskom prezentacijom i informiranjem javnosti o dabru i njegovom način života, mjerama zaštite i edukacijom građana. Takva izravna komunikacija omogućava i jednostavnije prikupljanje podataka o dabrovima, uključujući i podatke o stradalim ili uginulim jedinkama., Population monitoring of beavers in Croatia and Serbia is being continuously run since the first release of beavers in 1996. in Croatia(Grubešić i Krapinec, 1998, Grubešić, 2014). Serbia has started with monitoring in 1999. When the first beak has been registered in the north of Vojvodina and it has been intensified since 2004. when they started with inhabitation – reintroduction (Ćirović, 2010). As a part of monitoring beavers in Croatia and Serbia since their reintroduction, beaver losses are being recorded by place and time of death, cause, sex and age of individuals. Information is being gathered with help of a network of associates, and by evidence of events. Based on the analysis of gathered information on beaver killings in the past 18 years a growth of killed beavers has been noticed, especially after the population growth and territorial expansion of beavers, and 10 years after the release in Croatia. In the observed period in Croatia a total of 111 beaver losses have been registered, while in Serbia this number is significantly lower and amounts to 36 individuals. Based on registered beaver losses a significant rise in beaver losses in the past 7 years has been noticed on the territory of Republic of Croatia. Actually the number of killed individuals has risen significantly when the beaver population has stabilized and increased its numbers and after 10 years since the inhabitation. In Serbia, despite the stabilization and territorial expansion, registered losses are relatively small, and stagnation or slight drop in killed or died animals has been noted. The main factor of mortality in Croatia and Serbia has been traffic. About one third of beavers (50 individuals) have been killed in traffic accidents. Traffic share in beaver mortality is equal or even somewhat smaller when compared to results from some parts of Germany, where this share is from 50 % to even 86,5 % (Pokorny and associates 2014., Muller 2014).Strangulation in fishing nets has been the second most significant beaver loss in populations on the territory of Posavina and Podravina (22 beavers – 15 %). Autopsy unquestionably proved that 17 beavers (11.6 %) died from illness. For 33 of them (22,4 %), due to untimely findings or delivery to autopsy, a precise cause of death could not have been determined. When we look at beaver loss causes on the territory of Republic of Croatia traffic absolutely dominates, followed by unknown causes, and in third place illegal hunting and fishing (especially gillnets). In Serbia alongside unknown causes significant influences have diseases. From all 147 losses, only one beaver has been killed underneath a tree. Even though it has been noted he has been “killed at work” the position of the beavers body and tree points that the killing was not a consequence of knocking down the tree in question (Picture 1 and 2), but that the tree fell on the beaver as it has been passing by, most likely as a consequence of wind blowing the bitten tree down or exceptionally that an another individual knocked down the tree and it fell on the beaver passing by.Mostly adult individuals are being killed (Croatia 39, Serbia 14 beavers) which is linked to their increased activity in search for food and in moving about in general. Reasearch of other authors also shows that adult individuals are mostly being killed and mainly females (Pokorny and associates 2014).Sub adult individuals are being killed when exploring the territory (new locations) or when they inhabit a zone where the get killed easily, especially in traffic. This age group has mostly been killed in Serbia (15 beavers).In relation to sexual structure in Croatia and in Serbia a larger number of males were killed than females. Unfortunately, for half of killed beavers we were not able to tell the sex.If we look at beaver killing on a seasonal level, then two periods stick out, mostly spring then autumn. In spring beavers move more, especially the sub adult ones in search for foo and exploration of new habitats, while in autumn when they are more active in agricultural lands, they are being killed in traffic or in illegal hunting (this influence is most likely significantly bigger than the recorded one, but the prefix “illegal” points to unavailability of information and data on individuals killed this way).Illness for now are not a more significant cause of population loss, but in the future, especially in areas overcrowded by beaver, the might have a more significant role in the reduction of population, considering that we are dealing with a species (rodents) that are sensitive to certain diseases (leptospirosis, tularemia) (Parker and ass. 1951, Hopla 1974, Hornfeldti sur. 1986, Morneri sur., 1988, Wolli sur. 2012).Certain problems or flaws in delivering information on losses emerge due to associates not being educated; these are accidental findings by people who have seen this species most likely for the first time. Apart from that some information has been delivered without details that would give a clearer picture in determining a cause of death, age and sex.As a measure of protecting beavers first in line is respecting the legislation connected to illegal hunting and fishing, and the traffic killing might be decreased or somewhere completely prevented by setting up a wire fence alongside roads in troubling crosses. Also losses can be successfully prevented in watercourse construction in territories inhabited by beavers, that the personnel that is carrying out the construction is being educated and pointed to beaver protection measures while carrying out the work (lodge and animal protection from excavators). So called “dangerous” objects in which beavers can fall into and get hurt, can be adjusted in a way that beavers are enabled to get into such spaces but also to ensure the possibility of getting out from such a space. Beaver protection is being carried out by good media presentation and informing the public of beavers and their way of life, protection measures and citizen education. Such direct communication enables and simplifies information gathering on beavers, also including information on killed or died individuals.

130 kg of acorns of Common Oak (Quercus robur L.) were distributed on an area of 1.44 ha in an oak forest near Zagreb (Croatia), where acorns were lacking. The influence of this surplus of food on the development of mice and voles was observed from September 1999 till February 2000 on the experimental plot and on an untreated control area before and after offering the acorns. The Redbacked Vole Clethrionomys glareolus was the most abundant and dominant species in both observed areas. After distribution of the acorns, all species of mice, e. g. the Yellownecked Fieldmouse Apodemus flavicollis, the Longtailed Fieldmouse A. sylvaticus, and the Striped Field Mouse A. agrarius, increased up to 4 times in number on the area treated with a surplus of acorns. On the same area, however, all species of voles, e. g. the Redbacked Vole C. glareolus, the Field Vole Microtus agrestis, and the Common Vole M. arvalis, decreased. The numbers of captured and recaptured rodents before and after offering acorns on the treated and the untreated control area were compared by statistical analysis (Chi2-test). The results show how food can influence the competitive relations between mice and voles.

SUMMARYAn outbreak of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) started on Medvednica mountain near Zagreb in January 2012. In order to detect the aetiological agent of the disease in small rodents and to make the link with the human outbreak, rodents were trapped at four different altitudes. Using nested RT–PCR, Puumala virus (PUUV) RNA was detected in 41/53 (77·4%) bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and Dobrava virus (DOBV) RNA was found in 6/61 (9·8%) yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis). Sequence analysis of a 341-nucleotide region of the PUUV S segment, obtained from all infected bank voles and five HFRS patients, showed 98·8–100% sequence similarity, indicating that the patients were probably exposed to PUUV on Medvednica mountain. A very large bank-vole population combined with an extremely high infection rate of PUUV was responsible for this unusual winter outbreak of HFRS in Croatia.

The present study reports for the first time on the helminth species occurring in the gastro-intestinal system of fat dormice (Glis glis) in Croatia. Out of 55 dormice, 63.7 % harboured helminths belonging to two species, the nematode Paraheligmonina gracilis (syn. Longistriata elpatievskii) (Heligmonellidae, Trichostrogyloidea) in the prevalence of 52.7 %, and the cestode Hymenolepis sulcata (Hymenolepididae, Cyclophyllidea) in the prevalence of 32.7 %. Concurrent infections of both parasites were found in 12 fat dormice, P. gracilis alone was detected in 17 hosts and H. sulcata alone in 6 samples. No influence of parasitic infestation on animal weight was observed. Glirid helminths do not represent zoonotic pathogens despite the fact that dormice occasionally inhabit cottages and village houses, and are used in human nutrition.

Leptospirosis and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome are public health problems in Croatia. Diagnosis and epidemiology of these diseases are complicated because these two diseases are sympatric in certain areas. We describe a natural dual infection of Puumala virus and a leptospire in a bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus).

In Croatia, several rodent- and vector-borne agents are endemic and of medical importance. In this study, we investigated hantaviruses and, for the first time, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Rickettsia spp. in small wild rodents from two different sites (mountainous and lowland region) in Croatia. In total, 194 transudate and tissue samples from 170 rodents (A. flavicollis, n=115; A. agrarius, n=2; Myodes glareolus, n=53) were tested for antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assays (IIFT) and for nucleic acids by conventional (hantaviruses) and real-time RT-/PCRs (TBEV and Rickettsia spp.). A total of 25.5% (24/94) of the rodents from the mountainous area revealed specific antibodies against hantaviruses. In all, 21.3% (20/94) of the samples from the mountainous area and 29.0% (9/31) from the lowland area yielded positive results for either Puumala virus (PUUV) or Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) using a conventional RT-PCR. All processed samples (n=194) were negative for TBEV by IIFT or real-time RT-PCR. Serological evidence of rickettsial infection was detected in 4.3% (4/94) rodents from the mountainous region. Another 3.2% (3/94) rodents were positive for Rickettsia spp. by real-time PCR. None of the rodents (n=76) from the lowland area were positive for Rickettsia spp. by real-time PCR. Dual infection of PUUV and Rickettsia spp. was found in one M. glareolus from the mountainous area by RT-PCR and real-time PCR, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Rickettsia spp. in small rodents from Croatia. Phylogenetic analyses of S- and M-segment sequences obtained from the two study sites revealed well-supported subgroups in Croatian PUUV and DOBV. Although somewhat limited, our data showed occurrence and prevalence of PUUV, DOBV, and rickettsiae in Croatia. Further studies are warranted to confirm these data and to determine the Rickettsia species present in rodents in these areas.

Sitni glodavci iz podporodica Murinae (pravi miševi) i Arvicolinae (voluharice) u šumama hrasta lužnjaka (Quercus robur L.) tijekom godina masovne pojave otežavaju prirodnu obnovu šuma, uzrokujući štete na sjemenu, stabljici i korijenu mladih hrastovih biljaka. U okviru istraživanja provedenih od 2011. g. do 2013. g. na području šumarije Lipovljani utvrđena je relativna brojnost glodavaca zajedno s udjelom dominantnih podporodica u populaciji te njihovim prostornim rasporedom. Analizirane su također štete od glodavaca na stabljici i korijenu lužnjakovog pomlatka, u okviru čega je provedena morfološka obrada oštećenoga i neoštećenoga korijenja te njihova usporedba. Utvrđeno je da pri relativno niskoj brojnosti glodavaca (0–16 %) više od petine hrastova pomlatka (22 %) može biti uništeno zbog posljedica grizenja korijena, osobito ako u strukturi populacije glodavaca dominiraju voluharice. Nadalje, pokazalo se da hranjenje glodavaca korijenjem hrasta starosti do pet godina posljedično znači gubitak do 77 % volumena korijena, 96 % korijenovih vrhova te smanjenje duljine korijena i do 97 %, čime je potvrđeno da je preživljavanje oštećenih biljaka potpuno onemogućeno. Hranjenje glodavaca korom stabljike za posljedicu je imalo stvaranje grizotina površine od 16,5 mm2 do 766,5 mm2 i to prosječno na 1,6, a najviše na pet mjesta na stabljici. Utvrđeno je da su štete na korijenu i stabljici rasle sa starošću biljaka. Usporedbom prosječnih vrijednosti volumena, duljine i broja vrhova korijena oštećenih i neoštećenih biljaka, ustanovljeno je da su razlike među njima statistički značajne kod gotovo svih visinskih kategorija biljaka i debljinskih kategorija korijena za koje je provedena usporedba. Ovim je istraživanjem dobiven kvalitativni nalaz šteta od glodavaca na korijenu hrastova pomlatka, te je potvrđeno da je sustavno praćenje dinamike, ali i udjela podporodica u strukturi populacija sitnih glodavaca, zajedno s evidentiranjem stanišnih prilika i prouzročenih šteta, preduvjet ekološki i ekonomski odgovornoj zaštiti šuma., Small rodents from subfamilies Murinae (real mice) and Arvicolinae (voles) during the years of their mass occurrence can impede natural regeneration of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) forests by causing damage to seeds, stem and roots of young plants.. Such damage on different tree species is being recorded throughout Europe periodically. In Croatian forestry an area size on which rodent damage occures in the years of their high abundance extends on 4500 hectars on average. The mere observing of the damage and of rodent presence is the most common method of evaluating rodent abundance while thorough analysis of the two is generally missing.The aim of this research was to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of rodent damage made to stem and root system of pedunculate oak saplings in accordance to rodent abundance, dynamics and population structure in young-growth pedunculate oak forest (Genisto elatae – Quercetum roboris Ht. 1938) situated within the region of Central Posavina (Lipovljani, Opeke). Quantitative analysis included monitoring of rodent abundance (linear transect method, three transects, 112 snap traps) and counting oak saplings on five experimental plots (5m 5m) where saplings that had gnawing marks on their stem or roots were sampled and counted as damaged. Qualitative analysis included measuring dimension of gnawing marks (widh x hight) along with scaning, analysing and comparing damaged and undamaged root systems of sampled oak saplings. The latter was done using scaner Epson Expression 10000 XL while the WinRhizo software was used to determine root varables: lenght, volume and the number of root tips. Data classification of the root lenght and number of root tips was made in accordance to four categories depending on the diamentar of root sections: 0–1 mm, 1–2 mm, 2–5 mm, > 5 mm. Roots of 115 damaged and 33 undamaged oak saplings was sampled, scaned and sorted into three categories depending on a plant hight: 80 cm. Plant and rodent sampling were done in November 2011, April 2012 and in May 2013. Morphological determination of rodents was done according to Niethammer and Krapp. Georeferencing of trapped animals was made using the GPS (Garmin Oregon 450). Collected data was analysed using Garmin MapSource ver. 6.16.3., Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and STATISTICA 8. Differences between undamaged and damaged roots of the saplings were tested by Student t-test, or in case of inhomogeneous variences, by nonparametric Mann-Whintey U-test. In all the analyzes 5 % error was considered statistically significant. Monitoring of the rodent population showed that in period from November 2011 till May 2013 rodent abundance varied from 0 % to 16 % and that ratio of subfamilies Arvicolinae and Murinae changed seasonally (Graph 1). Analysis of the rodent spatial distribution showed that most of real mice were trapped on transect covered by dense vegetation, while voles were mostly trapped on other two transects with less vegetation coverage. Quantitative analysis showed that the ratio of damaged pedunculate oak saplings varied from 0,0 % to 42,05 % within individual experimental plots, while the highest overall recorded ratio was 22 %. Qualitative analysis showed that the extent of damage made by rodents increased with the age of oak saplings (1–5 years), both on the root system (Graphs 2–6) and on the stam. Feeding on the stems of the saplings resulted in gnawing marks that varied from 16,5 mm2 to 766,5 mm2 in size and were 182,5 mm2 on average. Number of gnawing marks recorded on individual plant varied from one to five and was 1,6 on average. Rodent feeding on root system resulted in loss of 57–77 % of root volume, 71 %–97 % of root lenght and 65 %–96 % of root tips of pedunculate oak saplings depending on the hight of a plant. Statistically significant difference in volume, rooth lenght and number of root tips between damaged and undamaged oak saplings within almost all high and root categories was determened. This research confirmed that rodent abundance and population structure varies seasonally and is therefore important to be aware of it while it provides basic information for predicting the damage made by rodents on the pedunculate young-growth. It also showed that, in accordance to root volume, lenght and number of root tips of pedunculate oak saplings damaged by rodents – that were measured for the the first time within this research – the plant itself cannot recover from the loss.

In this survey we investigated a population of small mammals in Eastern Croatia in order to determine Leptospira carriage rates and identify circulating serovars. Out of 67 trapped animals, 20 (29.9%) isolates were obtained. Identification of isolates using microscopic agglutination test, pulsed field gel electrophoresis and multi locus sequence typing revealed that 10 (50.0%) isolates belong to serogroup Pomona, serovar Mozdok, 6 (30.0%) isolates to serogroup Australis, serovar Jalna, 2 (10.0%) isolates to serogroup Sejroe, serovar Saxkoebing, and 1 (5.0%) isolate to serogroup Grippotyphosa, serovar Grippotyphosa. One isolate from serogroup Bataviae was unable to be identified to the serovar level. Amplification of a 331-bp region of the locus LA0322 using real- time polymerase chain reaction determined that 12 (60.0%) isolates belong to L. kirschneri, 6 (30.0%) isolates to L. interrogans, and 2 (10.0%) isolates to L. borgpetersenii. Leptospira carriage rate was high (29.9%), which corresponds to a high incidence of human and domestic animal leptospirosis in Eastern Croatia. Furthermore, 90.0% of the isolates belong to serogroups Pomona, Australis and Sejroe which are also the most prevalent serogroups in humans in this area. These findings suggest that small mammals might be an important source of Leptospira spp. infection in Eastern Croatia.

Utvrđivanje utjecaja stanišnih elemenata na prisutnost šumske voluharice i žutogrlog šumskog miša provedeno je u Bosni na tri lokaliteta (Bitovnja, Zvijezda i Igman) u šumama bukve, jele i smreke. U svrhu definiranja uvjeta staništa, na svakoj plohi minimalnog kvadrata procjenjivani su i mjereni sljedeći parametri: prekrivenost zemljišta krošnjama stabala, ekspozicija, mikroreljef, prisutnost vode, drvnih ostataka, starost drvnih ostataka i prekrivenost zemljišta vegetacijom. Dobivenim rezultatima utvrđen je utjecaj navedenih stanišnih parametara na prisutnost šumske voluharice (Myodes glareolus) i žutogrlog šumskog miša (Apodemus falvicollis). Omjer smjese vrsta drveća, ponajprije veća prisutnost listača, kao i sama strukturna izgrađenost sastojine, utječu na povećanu prisutnost sitnih glodavaca. Manje vrijednosti veličine prekrivenosti zemljišta krošnjama stabala omogućavaju značajniju prisutnost šumske voluharice, dok staništa čije su vrijednosti ovog parametra veće, više pogoduju za nastanjivanje žutogrlog šumskog miša. Razvijen sloj prizemne vegetacije i grmlja kao što je Rubus sp., ima pozitivan utjecaj na prisutnost M. glareolus. Šumska voluharica bila je prisutnija na dijelovima sastojine koje su južno i istočno eksponirane u odnosu na druge strane. Količina drvnih ostataka u sastojini kao neophodan zaklon od prirodnih neprijatelja i mjesto na kojemu nalaze hranu, imala je važan utjecaj za prisutnost sitnih glodavaca na svim lokalitetima istraživanja., The increase of the number of population of small rodents, when they can cause significant damage, among the other impacts also depends on the characteristics of the habitat. In this paper was tested the impact of habitats elements to the presence of bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and yellow necked mouse (Apodemus falvicollis). The researches were undertaken in the area of Bosnia (Bitovnja, Zvijezda and Igman) in the period 2008 and 2009. Different level of composition of plant communities and the character of human-caused impact on the object of research have enabled the identification of their impact to the presence of small rodents. Defining of types of habitat conditions for these animals was conducted according to the importance of their presence at the parts of plots of minimal square (Picture 1). This method means the determination of numerousness (abundance) of the population of small rodents based on the number of units collected at the total of 64 hunting locations/places. Hunting places of the plot were defined as small plots (micro-localities) the size of which was 15 x 15 m. For the needs of this paper, in the period of research, were placed 9 plots with minimal square, and the assessment of habitat parameters was conducted at the total of 576 small plots. The description of the habitat was intended to find the dependence between the numerousness (abundance) and living ambiance of the present species of small rodents at the researched localities. The pattern for typing (standardization) of the habitat contained the basic factors which individually or in combination describe the living space of these animals. The level of land coverage by tree crowns was defined with three categories: (1) covered, (2) partially covered, and (3) not covered. The assessment of exposure of the small plot had five categories, (1–4) for main sides of the world and (5) flat surface of the small plot. The category micro-relief has contained five elements: (1) flat small plot, (2) small plot with hollows, (3) small plot with elevations, (4) uniformly inclined surface and (5) ') INSERT INTO sve VALUES(201309,56,' 9-10/2013',438,'8,91',' combination of micro-hollows and micro-elevations. Coverage of the land with leaf litter and vegetation as the category had six elements: (1) covered with leaf litter, (2) grass vegetation, (3) combination of two previous elements, (4) without leaf litter or grass vegetation, (5) less presence of weed and (6) weeds more represented. Availability of water was reviewed through two categories: (1) available water, (2) waterless habitat. Quantity of wood remains (1) no remains, (2) medium quantity and (3) more remains present. Age of wood remains had three categories: (1) fresh remains, (2) medium-fresh remains and (3) completely decomposed. For this analysis was used the statistical program SPSS Statistics 17.0. Testing of the importance of the impact of particular ecological parameters was conducted by the analysis Cross Tab, by implementing of the method: Analyze/Descriptive/Crosstab and correlative connection Correlation, Bivariate Correlation, Correlation Coefficient, Spearman, Test of Significance Two – tailed. Based on the examination of the caught species of small rodents (Table 1) was visible its significant representation in forests of beech and fir with spruce in Bosnia and Herzegovina. By conducted analyses was identified the existence of statistically important impact of particular parameters of micro-habitat at plots of all localities to the presence of M. glareolus and A. flavicollis (Tables 2–4). At particular parts of plots, or small plots, the more significant increase of the openness of the surface has contributed to forming of rich layer of ground vegetation. The change of micro-habitat conditions in this sense also had positively reflected to the numerousness (abundance) of M. glareolus (Tables 2 and 4). The favorable impact to its presence also had the intensively developed floor of herbaceous plants in the forest which provides the necessary food. From the aspect of the protection, the dense vegetation cover provides to this species a safe shelter from predators, especially at dusk, and partially also during the day time. The existence of the connection between this habitat parameter and the presence of A. flavicollis was not identified. Such result was expected due to significantly different demands of this species regarding the habitat conditions. This species prefers a dry habitat with almost complete level of canopy, poorly developed layer of brush and ground vegetation and large quantity of leaf litter at the ground with plenty of beech seeds. Significant correlation connection was identified between the presence of species from the genus Rubus and bank mole at Mt. Bitovnja. Namely, Rubus species create favorable place for living of animals at particular micro-habitat providing an adequate shelter and during the ripening of fruits (July-August) also the plenty of food. Significant differences regarding the numerousness of M. glareolus were identified in comparison of numerousness at southern-exposed small plots compared to other exposures (Table 2), and numerousness at eastern-exposed parts of plots compared to the other (Table 3). The impact of the exposure as the result represents in essence the demand of this species for increased heat and light. According to the results of these researches, one could say that for bank mole are favorable habitats with micro-hollows (Table 3). High numbers of these animals are related to the presence of small hollows, or it indicates its preference for moist or wet surfaces of the habitat. There were identified significant differences in numerousness of M. glareolus and A. flavicollis depending on the presence of dead wood (Tables 2, 3 and 4). Different dead wood remains like: assortments, logs and branches, ensure shelter for these animals. It covers underground passages and nests, and, what is also important, indirectly, by growing of plants, moss, lichens and fungi on it, also provide food for it. Fallen trees help the inhabiting of insects and other invertebrates which represent significant share in the nutrition of small rodents. Identified impacts of the presence of different tree species and its structure, and the other parameters of habitat to the representation and abundance of species of small rodents can represent a good starting basis in creating the silviculture works and other activities in the forest, or the forming of conditions of stands unfavorable for their living.

Hantaviruses, Leptospira spp., and Babesia spp. are rodent-borne pathogens present worldwide. We studied multiple co-infections of small rodents in Croatia with all three pathogens. Twenty-eight Apodemus flavicollis and 16 Myodes glareolus were tested for the presence of hantavirus RNA by real-time RT-PCR, Leptospira strains by renoculture method and Babesia DNA by PCR. Anti-hantavirus antibodies and anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected by serological methods. Very high infection rates with each pathogen were found in A. flavicollis: 20 of 28 rodents (71%) were infected with Dobrava virus, 13 rodents (46%) were infected with Leptospira, and 5 rodents (18%) were infected with Babesia. Multiple co-infections with all three pathogens were found in 3 of 28 (11%) A. flavicollis animals, suggesting that the same rodent host can be infected with several pathogens at the same time. Dual infections with both hantaviruses and Leptospira were found in 7 of 44 rodents (16%), with hantaviruses and Babesia in 2 rodents (5%), and double infection with both Leptospira and Babesia were found in 1 rodent (2%). Since hantaviruses, Leptospira, and Babesia have similar geographical distributions, it is to be expected that in other parts of the world multiple co-infections, representing a serious threat to public health, can be found.

U šumama Gorskoga kotara najbrojnija je vrsta puha sivi puh (Glis glis L.) koji u godinama povećane brojnosti često uzrokuje oštećenja u šumi izgrizajući koru stabala. Najčešće oštećuje kulture obične smreke (Picea abies /L./ Karst.).Uradu su analizirani morfološki parametri ove vrste (duljina tijela s repom i masa tijela) na uzorku od 248 jedinki (119 mužjaka i 129 ženki) ulovljenih u šumama kojima gospodari poduzeće »Hrvatske šume« d.o.o. Zagreb, Uprava šuma podružnica Delnice, Šumarije Delnice i Mrkopalj. Izlov životinja je obavljen 2001., 2007. i 2009. godine na području šumarije Delnice u kulturi obične smreke te na području šumarije Mrkopalj u kulturi obične smreke i prirodnoj šumi obične bukve (Fagus sylvatica L.). Ukupno je tijekom 2001. godine na sva tri lokaliteta ulovljeno 127 životinja, 2007. godine 53, a 2009. godine 68 jedinki. Godine 2001. zabilježena je najveća brojnost puhova u promatranom razdoblju na svim trima lokalitetima, dok je u iduće dvije godine praćenja varirala ovisno o lokalitetu. Godine u kojima su zabilježene najveće prosječne vrijednosti analiziranih parametara poklapaju se s godinama najmanje utvrđenih brojnosti. Omjer ulovljenih jedinki po spolu na svim je lokalitetima iznosio približno 1:1. Najveće i najmanje vrijednosti analiziranih parametara utvrđene su u smrekovim kulturama, dok su najveće prosječne vrijednosti utvrđene u prirodnim bukovim šumama. Potvrđeno je postojanje statistički značajnih razlika između analiziranih varijabli po godinama unutar lokaliteta i između njih. Razlike u vrijednostima prosječne duljine i mase tijela utvrđenih između lokaliteta upućuju na ovisnost tih morfoloških parametara o habitatu, tj. moguće postojanje više lokalnih rasa sivog puha. Definiranje temeljnih uzročnika tih razlika navodimo kao potencijalnu svrhu budućih istraživanja., In forests of Gorski kotar, Croatia the fat dormouse (Glis glis L.) is the numerous dormouse species. In years with high population densities fat dormice start cause damage on trees. Mainly they damage the bark of common spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). This work presents the analysis of morphological parameters of 248 caught individuals (119 males and 129 females) of fat dormouse. Animals were caught on three locations from year 2001 to 2009 in forests managed by »Hrvatske šume« d.o.o. Zagreb, forest administration Delnice. First location represents forest culture of common spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) (location »a«) under management of forest office Delnice. Second and third locations under management of forest office Mrkopalj represent forest culture of common spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) (location »b«) and natural forest of common beech (association Fagetum montanum croaticum Ht.) (location »c«). Animals were caught with snap traps set individually or in pairs in trees around 1 to 5 meters above ground. Ripe pods of the carob tree were used as bait. Traps were set late afternoon and checked next day early in the morning or during the day. Body length as morphological parameter was measured with steel tape and body mass with one gram accuracy scale. In total on all three locations 127 individuals were caught in year 2001, 53 individuals in year 2007 and 68 individuals in year 2009. For the whole time period 102/248 animals were caught on location »a«, 64/248 on location »b« and 82/248 on location »c«. On all 3 locations in year 2001 the highest number of animals was recorded reflecting favorable trophical conditions. Analysis of animals showed for all three locations 1:1 sex ratio with small difference on location »c« with sex ratio of 1:1.16 (m:f). The data shows max body length with 43.0 cm that was recorded on location »b« and min with 23.5 cm on location »a«. Max and min body mass (250g, 55g) were recorded on location »a». The maximal body length with tail and body mass were recorded in years with small population densities, which corresponds to previous findings of increased body mass in years with unfavorable trophic conditions (Bieber 1997). Sheffe’s post hoc test shows significant differences and fluctuations of measured parameters between different locations and years. Result also show on average larger and heavier animals in natural forests of common beech and smaller and lighter animals in forest culture of common spruce. These interesting findings show different body weight and length depending on habitat of dormouse.

International audience; In Europe, Dobrava-Belgrade (DOBV), Saaremaa (SAAV) and Puumala (PUUV) viruses are known to cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). All three hantaviruses are now found in Croatia. Lung tissue samples of 315 Apodemus mice trapped in 2003-2004 were screened for the presence of hantaviral N-Ag and 20 mice (6.3%) were found either strongly positive or weak/suspected-positive. Partial sequences of hantavirus M and S segments were recovered by RT-PCR from six mice and subjected to (phylo)genetic analysis that revealed the presence of four novel strains of DOBV and one of SAAV. Curiously, one of the newly described DOBV strains was found in A. agrarius mouse, i.e. not in the traditional host, A. flavicollis mice, suggesting a spillover event. S segment sequences recovered previously from HFRS cases (Markotic et al., 2002) were confirmed as DOBV sequences; one of which appeared particularly close to the prototype Slovenian DOBV isolate. Taken together with earlier data on PUUV in Croatia, these results show a co-circulation of three European hantavirus pathogens in this country. So far, not a single SAAV sequence has been recovered from HFRS patients either in Croatia or neighbouring Slovenia and Hungary nor in Slovakia suggesting a somewhat lower fequency of acute SAAV infection in humans in this part of Europe than for example in the Baltics.

Babesia divergens and B. divergens-like organisms are the main causative agents of human babesiosis in Europe. Recently, the first case of human infection with Babesia microti was confirmed in Germany, implicating the presence of zoonotic isolates. To estimate the presence of zoonotic B. microti in Croatia we analyzed 120 small wild mammals that serve as its reservoir by polymerase chain reaction. Yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) were both found to be infected with prevalence of 16.2%. Sequence analysis of the portion of 18S rDNA gene demonstrated that six polymerase chain reaction-positive samples, detected in both rodent species, were identical to that of the human Jena/Germany strain (EF413181). The other two isolates were identical to the nonzoonotic Munich strain (AB071177). The results of this study indicate the presence of zoonotic B. microti in A. flavicollis and M. glareolus in Croatia and a potential risk for human health.

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases create constant and serious concerns for public health. The majority of emerging infectious diseases (EID) are wildlife zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases. Croatia has a long tradition in the control, management and research of EID zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases. There has also been a long and advantageous tradition in the collaboration of different experts and professionals in EID research in Croatia involving physician clinicians in infectious diseases, microbiologists, pathologists, veterinarians and animal scientists, ecologists, forestry experts, wildlife scientists, public health specialists and epidemiologists and laboratory scientists. The University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb established the Centre for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in liaison with national and international partners from Europe and the United States. This Centre is working in line with the 'One Health initiative' which recognises the inter-relationships between human, animal and environmental health.

Šume i šumska zemljišta zauzimaju oko 43 % ukupne površine Hrvatske. Zbog velikoga šumskog bogatstva gospodarenje šumama ima posebnu ulogu u Hrvatskoj. Šumsko sjemenarstvo i rasadničarstvo važna su sastavnica gospodarenja šumama koje obuhvaća jednostavnu i proširenu biološku reprodukciju. Niz različitih negativnih pojava, kao što su sušenje šuma, štete i nestanak šuma nakon požara, napadi raznih štetnika, jaki vjetrovi te u najnovije vrijeme promijenjene klimatske prilike, utjecale su na potrebu unapređenja šumskog sjemenarstva radi poboljšanja rasadničke proizvodnje te osnivanja kultura i plantaža. Klonske sjemenske plantaže najvažnijih autohtonih vrsta šumskog drveća, njih 18, te 140-ak registriranih priznatih sjemenskih sastojina dobra su podloga za kontinuiranu i kvalitetnu proizvodnju šumskog sjemena. U Republici Hrvatskoj registrirana su 43 rasadnika za proizvodnju šumskoga reprodukcijskog materijala bjelogorice i crnogorice. U ovom radu prikazani su svi rasadnici prema vlasničkoj strukturi, teritorijalnom smještaju, ukupnoj površini, proizvodnom programu, vrstama drveća i načinu proizvodnje šumskoga reprodukcijskog materijala. Proizvodi se oko 20 vrsta četinjač (sjeme se skuplja na 1350 ha priznatih ili izabranih sjemenskih sastojina) te oko 20 vrsta listopadnog drveća (sjeme se skuplja na 16 309 ha priznatih ili izabranih sastojina). Količina i kvaliteta proizvedenoga šumskog reprodukcijskog materijala varira od godine do godine, a prikazana je za razdoblje od 1992. do 2008. Najzastupljenije su sljedeće vrste bjelogorice: hrast lužnjak, hrast kitnjak i poljski jasen. Od četinjača najzastupljenija je obična smreka. Analiziran je trend proizvodnje za isto razdoblje. Prikazani su i najčešći uzročnici šteta u rasadničkoj proizvodnji (gljive, kukci, glodavci, ptice, puževi, korovi) te utjecaj abiotskih čimbenika. Svi analizirani parametri upućuju na veliku važnost rasadničke proizvodnje, a daljnjom modernizacijom proizvodnog procesa osigurava se kvalitetnija proizvodnja šumskoga reprodukcijskog materijala u rasadnicima., Forests and forest land occupy approximately 43% of total surface in Croatia. Due to significant forest wealth forest management has a special role. Forest seed production and nursery production are integral components of forest management which encompasses basic and extended biological forest reproduction. Series of different negative effects; such as forests dieback, damages and disappearance of forests due to fires, attack of various pests, strong winds, and subsequently climate changes; had impact on the necessity of improving the forest seed production with the aim of improving the nursery production and establishing forest plantations and seed orchards. Clone seed orchards of the most important domestic tree species, 18 of them; same as the 140 yet registered recognized seminal stands are good foundation for continuous and qualitative production of forest seed. In Republic of Croatia there are 47 registered nurseries dealing with the production of forest reproductive material for broadleaves and conifers. This work shows all nurseries according to their ownership structure, territorial distribution, overall surface, production programme, tree species and production methods of forest reproductive material. Approximately 20 species of conifers are produced there (seed is collected at 1350 ha of recognized or selected seminal stands) and 18 species of broadleaves tree species (seed is collected at 16309 ha of recognized or selected stands). The quantity and quality of produced forest reproductive material varies from year to year, and is presented for last 15 years. The most common are following species of broadleaves: common oak, sessile oak and english elm. Among conifers most common is Norway spruce. Trend of production for the same period is analyzed. The most frequent causes of calamities in nursery production are shown (fungi, insects, rodents, birds, gastropods, weed) same as the influence of abiotic factors. All analyzed parameters show great importance of nursery production, and by further modernization of production process is assured more qualitative production of forest reproductive material in nurseries.

Background and Purpose: One of the most productive and economically important tree species in the USA is Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.)). Because of its broad natural range, in the horizontal as well as in the vertical sense (from California to British Columbia and from sea level up to an altitude of 1500 m), a variety of its provenances has been differentiated. European foresters, thanks to their insight into Douglas fir productivity and usage in its native country, initiated at the beginning of the 19th century the establishment of provenance tests and research on the success of individual provenances outside their natural distribution. In the framework of the IUFRO programme, numerous European countries, among them Croatia, started provenance tests with the aim of researching the adaptability of this valuable species. In several bioclimatic localities in Croatia (Istria, North-West, Central and Eastern Croatia) different provenances have shown good success. The importance of Douglas fir is becoming increasingly evident in conditions of a changing climate and when the possible application of Douglas fir in the establishment of forest cultures is taken into consideration. Douglas fir can be established on uncovered forest and non-forest areas for wood supply or as a potential renewable energy source. The exploitation of wood and biomass from forest cultures enables the conservation of biodiversity and the survival of our natural forest ecosystems. Material and Methods: This paper is based on research conducted on a Douglas fir provenance trial in the locality of »Kontija« in Istria. The trial, in which ten Douglas fir provenances were included, started in 1969. On the trial plots, dendrometric parameters such as DBH and tree heights were measured on the basis of which wood volume was calculated. Descriptive statistics were made for all analysed variables (DBH, h, V). The differences between the provenances for the investigated variables were tested with an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Provenances which differ between themselves were determined using the Tukey post hoc test. According to data on the survival rate for all provenances, the average survival rate inside the trial was estimated and tested with a test of proportion to determine which provenances differ statistically from the average survival rate. Using a non-hierarchical (κ-means) cluster analysis, provenances were grouped according to standardised variables (N, DBH, h, V). In the same way, the species’ health condition was determined, as was the resistance of provenances to forest pests. Results and Conclusion: The average survival rate of all provenances in the trial amounts to 64.8% (ranging from 52% for the provenance PE ALL to 77% for the provenance ELMA). The best height growth was identified in the provenance SHELTON which originates from lower altitudes in Washington while the provenance SHADE COVE from higher areas of Oregon shows lowest growth. High volume is evidenced in the provenance PE ALL. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) show that there is a statistically significant difference for all analysed variables for the investigated provenances. A κ-means cluster analysis grouped ten Douglas fir provenances in four clusters. In cluster 1, only the provenance SHADY COVE is included with a high number of trees with lower heights and smaller DBH and volume. Provenances from cluster 3 (PE ALL and YELM) have, in a small number of trees, higher DBH and volume. The rest of the provenances are grouped in two clusters (cluster 2 and cluster 4) with similar values but with the difference that the provenances SHELTON, CORVALIS, ELMA and HVIDILDE (cluster 2) have higher values than average for the analysed parameters, while the provenances [IPKA, BUZET and CASTLE ROCK (cluster 4) have lower than average values. In general, all the provenances in the trial are vital and show a good health condition without any determined pests.

Tick-borne protozoan parasites from the genus Babesia continuously emerge worldwide and are recognized as a substantional public health threat for humans. The main causative agents of human babesiosis in Europe are Babesia divergens, B. divergens-like organism, provisionally designated as EU-1, and recently B. microti. In order to estimate the presence of zoonotic B. microti in Croatia we have analyzed 120 spleen samples from small mouse-like rodents (48 woodmice Apodemus sylvaticus, 37 yellow-necked mice Apodemus flavicolis, 2 striped field mice Apodemus agrarius and 33 bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus) which serve as its reservoir. To determine the role of cervids as potential Babesia reservoirs, spleens of 55 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and a single roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were also analyzed by PCR and subsequent sequencing of the portion of 18S rDNA. B. microti was detected in 6 yellow-necked mice and 2 bank voles (6.6%). Five of these isolates, detected in both rodent species, had rDNA sequence identical to that of the human Jena/Germany strain (Acc.No. EF413181). The other two isolates were identical to Munich B.microti strain (Acc.No. AB071177) isolated from Mus musculus. In 63.63 % of deer samples only Theileria sp., 99.6% identical to Spanish isolate 3185/02 (DQ866842) was identified. In the single roe deer Babesia was detected that is 100% identical to B. capreoli (AY726010) from roe deer and B. divergens (AY098643) from reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). The results of this study indicate the presence of zoonotic B. microti organisms in mouse-like rodents Apodemus flavicolis and Clethrionomys glareolus and, at the same time, the absence of zoonotic B. divergens isolates from cervids.

U posljednjih 60 godina zabilježeno je nekoliko velikih gradacija gubara (Lymantria dispar L.). Prisutnost gubara različitog intenziteta u 2002. godini zabilježena je na 58 458 ha šuma, 2003. godine na 84 409,56 ha, a 2004. godine na 149 153,39 ha. Na temelju procjene brojnosti u jesen 2004. godine, u proljeće 2005. godine očekivala se povećana brojnost ove vrste, te su organizirane mjere zaštite na ukupnoj površini od 31 304 ha šuma kojima gospodare Uprave šuma Podružnice Vinkovci, Osijek, Našice, Zagreb, Sisak i Nova Gradiška. Tijekom 2005. godine, za suzbijanje gubara korišteni su sljedeći preparati: Foray 48 B (22 311 l), Match 050 EC (6 229 l), Karate 2,5 EC (2 525 l), Decis 2,5 EC (884 l) i Dimilin SC 48 (210 l). Na temelju cijene preparata, njegovog utroška po jedinici površine (ha) te cijene rada zrakoplova, trošak suzbijanja po jedinici površine za korištene preparate iznosio je: 488,00 kn/ha (Foray 48 B); 234,00 kn/ha (Match 0,5 EC); 242,00 kn/ha (Dimilin SC 48 ); 106,00 kn/ha (Decis 2,5 EC) i 99,00 kn/ha (Karate 2,5 EC). Trošak suzbijanja gubara tijekom 2005. godine (ukupno sve tretirane površine u Republici Hrvatskoj) iznosio je 6106190,00 kn ili prosječno 195,06 kn/ha., The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) is a polyphagous pest that in the caterpillar stage causes defoliation (eating leaves) on the following tree species: common oak (Quercus robur L.), European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.), poplars (Populus spp.) willows (Salix spp.), alders (Alnus spp.), plums (Prunus spp.), apples (Malus spp.) and others. At the time of massive appearances, they can damage tree leaves over a large area. In the past 60 years, several large gradations of this type were recorded in the following periods: 1945–1950, 1953–1956, 1963–1967, 1969–1975 and 2002–2005. Defoliation damage is manifested in the reduction of the growth interval and the lack of fruit. In the case of total defoliation, the growth interval can be reduced up to 30%. In the event that the leaves appearing after defoliation are destroyed by the powdery oak mildew (Microsphaera alphitoides Griff. et Maubl.), it has been established that the reduction of the growth interval is even greater, thereby creating the conditions for massive forest drying. Forest protection tasks, one of the core activities of the state-held company Croatian Forests d.o.o. Zagreb, are organized in a three tier system (Direction, District forest management, forest district), in which each level has clearly defined tasks as prescribed by the Forests Act, the Plant Protection Act, the Fire Protection Act, general company acts and a series of other laws and by-laws. Assessments of the abundance of the gypsy moth in the forests of Croatia have been carried out by determining the abundance of egg masses along a diagonal line laid down in the forest stand. The intensity of representation is divided into five degrees depending on the percentage of trees on which egg masses are recorded. In 2002, the presence of the gypsy moth was recorded of varying intensity on 58,458 ha of forest, in 2003 on 84,409.56 ha, and in 2004 on 149,153.39 ha. Based on the abundance assessment for autumn 2004, the assumption was that the abundance of this species was expected to rise in spring 2005, and protection measures were organized on an overall area of 31,304 ha of forests managed by the District Forest Managements of Vinkovci, Osijek, Našice, Zagreb, Sisak and Nova Gradiška. Controlling actions included the following activities: determining the areas for control, determining the method of control, preparing maps with areas where the pest was recorded, determining the type of insecticide to be used and procuring the same, determining the airport to be used, ensuring a sufficient number of transport vehicles for the supply of insecticide and personnel to the airport and informing the public (particularly bee-keepers) of the time of implementing the activities. The decision to use certain substances was made based on the following criteria: percentage of trees where egg batches were recorded (intensity of the “attack”), status of individual stands (whether they lie in a protected area or not), the available quantity of all types of protective measures, meteorological conditions, technical aircraft equipment and a study of caterpillar development. Pursuant to these criteria, the following substances were used to control gypsy moths in 2005: Foray 48 B (22,311 l), Match 050 EC (6,229 l), Karate 2.5 EC (2,525 l), Decis 2.5 EC (884 l) and Dimilin SC 48 (210 l). Based on the price of the substance, its consumption per unit area (ha) and the aircraft costs, the control costs per unit area by substance were: 488 HRK/ha (Foray 48 B); 234 HRK/ha (Match 0.5 EC); 242 HRK/ha (Dimilin SC 48); 106 HRK/ha (Decis 2.5 EC) and 99 HRK/ha (Karate 2.5 EC). The costs of controlling gypsy moth during 2005 (the total of all treated areas in the Republic of Croatia) totalled 6,106,190 HRK or an average of 195.06 HRK/ha, regardless of the type of substance used. To determine the success of the control measures, visual observation and the method of setting up control plates were used.

Istraživanje utjecaja europskoga dabra (Castor fiber L.) na šumski ekosustav gospodarske jedinice “Turopoljski lug” obavljeno je u lipnju 2006. godine u šumskoj zajednici Genisto elatae-Quercetum roboris Ht. 1938. Rad se sstojao od analize zastupljenosti vrsta biljaka na terenu, broja oštećenog drveća i grmlja od dabrova, te mjerenja visine oštećenja i promjera ispod mjesta oštećenja na šest transekata dužine od 16,50 m do 37,80 m i širine dva metra. Aktivnost dabrova duž korita rijeke Odre analizirana je na transektu dužine 250 metara, postavljenog paralelno na 15 metara od obale s vodotokom. Postotak oštećenog drveća i grmlja utvrđen je na uzorku od 523 biljke, dok je mjerenje visine oštećenja i promjera ispod mjesta oštećenja obavljeno na uzorku od 200 biljaka. U uzorku pregledanih biljaka utvrđeno je da je bilo 85,09 % neoštećenih, 4,02 % staro oštećenih, 7,65 % staro oborenih, 0,19 % svježe oštećenih, te 3,06 % svježe oborenih. Najčešće oštećivane vrste bile su A. campestre (37 %) i Crataegus sp. (12 %)., The following of the European beaver (Castor fiber L.) after its reintroduction in Croatia has been carried out continuously since first individuals were released in 1996. The results of such a paper were data about inhabited sites (active habitats), locations where a beaver has been noticed, traces of its presence, scope and types of activities, the time of the first registration of the activity on the site and removal of beavers. The beaver settled into the area of the management unit “Turopoljski lug” after 1998 upon the completion of the project of its return into Croatia. The research of the influence of this species on the forest ecosystem of the management unit “Turopoljski lug” was published in June, 2006 in a forest stand Genisto elatae- Quercetum roboris Ht. 1938. The researched area is between 16o05’ and 16o15’ of the east geographical longitude and 45o35’ and 45o40’ of the northern geographical latitude on the average altitude between 97 and 109 meters. The complex situated along the river Odra comprises the biggest part of the management unit where beavers spread looking for suitable habitats and own grounds. The paper consisted of the analysis of the number of damaged trees and bushes, representation of certain plant species on the terrain and measuring the damage height and diameter under the damage place. The research was carried out on six parallel transects from 16.50 to 37.80 m long and two meters wide on the mutual distance of 50 meters, vertical on the river Odra, by which the possibility of their mutual intersection was prevented. The length of transects was measured from the bank to the farthest plant which belonged to the transect and where the signs of a beaver’s activity were noticed (bites). All woody species were listed along the whole transect and their damages from beavers were categorised into the following five categories: undamaged plants, freshly damaged, but unfelled plants, freshly felled plants, old damaged, but unfelled plants and old felled plants. The intensity of beavers activity was analysed on a transect 250 meters long, placed 15 meters from the bank, parallel with the river Odra water course. A habitat was put every five meters (the total of 49) of the square meter 10 m2 where the activity of beavers was estimated in the following five categories: 1. no activity, 2. very little activity, 3. medium activity, 4. much activity and 5 very much activity. The percentage of the damaged trees and bushes was determined on the smple of 523 plants, while the measurement of the damage height and diameter under the place of damage was done on the smple of 200 plants. The following plant species were determined: Corylus avellana L., Cornus snguinea L., Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl., Ulmus minor L., Carpinus betulus L., Salix alba L., Rhamnus catharticus L., Crataegus sp., Euonymus europaeus L., Pyrus pyraster Burgsd., Acer campestre L., Rubus fruticosus L. and Quercus robur L.) and Crataegus sp. (12 %). In the smple of examined plants 85.09 % were undamaged, 4.02 % old damaged, 7.65 % old felled, 0.19 % freshly damaged and 3.06 % of freshly felled. Most frequently damaged species were A. campestre (37 %) and Crataegus sp. (12 %). By examining the smple of 200 damaged plants it was established that the average height of damages was 32.57 cm and the average diameter of plants under the place of damage was 3.45 cm. It was determined that beavers move mostly in the zone 15 m from the bank and that there maximum activities were 42 m from the water course.

Leptospirosis and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome are public health problems in Croatia. Diagnosis and epidemiology of these diseases are complicated because these two diseases are sympatric in certain areas. We describe a natural dual infection of Puumala virus and a leptospire in a bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus).

HFRS is an endemic disease throughout Croatia. The incidence of HFRS varies in a cyclic fashion, with peaks occurring every couple of years, coinciding with peaks in vole populations. PUUV was shown to be dominant pathogen during the last HFRS outbreak in Croatia in 2002. We focused our research on two newly discovered localities (Okučani and Nova Gradiška) with a high number of reported HFRS cases and a significant increase in rodent population. PUUV infection was verified in 84.2% of patients at this region during the 2002 outbreak. Genetic analysis of wild-type (wt) PUUV strains was performed. Fifty seven bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus originating from PUUV-associated HFRS areas were screened for the presence of PUUV N antigen and 15 (26 %) were found positive. Total RNA isolated from rodent lung tissues was reverse transcribed followed by PCR amplification with primers specific for PUUV medium (M) or small (S) genome segments. Partial PUUV M segment sequences (approximately 450 bp long) were recovered from five bank voles and partial S segment sequences (app. 250 nt long) - from two bank voles. Genetic analysis of Croatian wt-PUUV strains revealed their close relatedness suggesting that the two localities belong to the same natural focus of infection. On phylogenetic trees Croatian PUUV strains clustered together with the strains from Slovenia and Austria forming distinct Alpe-Adrian genetic lineage.

Due to numerousness of populations and width of ecologic valence, small rodents are important parts of almost any forest ecosystem. The represent an important animal group, which connects primary makers with higher trophic levels. They transmit various infectious diseases dangerous for the health of people and domestic and wild animals (trichinosis, leptospirosis, tick encephalitis, Lyme disease, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, etc.). The following species of small rodents live in forest ecosystems of Croatia: Chletrionomys glareolus Schreib., Arvicola terrestris L, M. subterraneus de Sel., M. arvalis Pall., M. agrestis L, M. multiplex Fat., Apodemus agrarius Pall., A. sylvaticus L. and A. flavicollis Melch. Small rodents transmit causative agents of diseases in active (excretion products) of passive (ectoparasites and endoparasites) ways. Their multiplication potential is quite high. Transmission of certain disease sometimes takes place extremely fast due to the high number of rodents, their high movability and distribution, and the fact that they easily get in touch with men and domestic and wild animals. The number of population of each species is directly influenced by abiotic and biotic factors and changes during one year and in a several year period. In a year when the influence of ecologic factors is favorable, it is presumed that the number of these rodents will significantly increase, by which the danger of their damaging effect also increases. The following factors influence the increase of a small rodent population: number and physiologic condition of the population, meteorologic conditions, habitat, food sources, natural enemies, and diseases. The occurrence of an epidemic is closely connected to the number and infectivity of causative agents. Regular control of the number of rodent population and their infectivity can help in planning preventive epidemiologic and sanitary measures to preclude the occurrence of epidemics and individual cases of disease among animals and humans who come in contact with forest (forest workers, holiday makers, hikers, soldiers, tourists, etc.).

The fat dormouse (Glis glis) is a traditional game species in the Republic of Croatia. Although today the fat dormouse is not frequently caught as game, it is still a source of animal protein in human nutrition in certain rural areas of Croatia. In this paper the chemical analysis of fat dormouse meat is presented. The average values for the quantity of water, fat, protein and ash in dormouse meat are comparable with the chemical composition of the meat of rabbits and brown hares, except for the important fact that rabbit and hare meat contains a greater quantity of fat on average. According to our results, the meat of fat dormice can be categorised as dietary food, characterised by a small percentage of fat (mean 2.83%) and a high amount of protein (mean 21.01%).

In the year 2000, three hundred and eighty-one animals werw caught in 11 locations in the pedunculate oak forests extending across the wider region of the Sava River valley, an area known as an old natural focus of leptospires. Two hundred and twenty-seven animals were investigated for leptospiral carriership, 381 were tested for the existence of specific antibodies to leptospira. Through cultivation of kidney sections in the Korthof’s nutrient medium, 17 strains of leptospira were isolated from 3 species of myomorphous mammals, of which in the house mouse (Mus musculus) the serovar sejroe in 10 animals (71.4%), in the black-striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) the serovar pomona in 4 animals (5.4%) and in the yellownecked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) the serovars australis, pomona and one unindentified isolate in 3 animals (4.5%), representing a total of 7.5% of animals. Using the microscopic agglutination test in 47 animals (12.3%), antibodies to leptospira were found for 8 serovars, for the most part the serovar pomona, then (in decreasing order) for the serovars saxkoebing australis, and hardjo. The percentage of serologically positive animals ranged from 34.4% in the house mouse, 13,9% in the black-striped field mouse, 10.8% in the yellow-necked fieldmouse, 9.4% in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), to 6.5% in the long-tailed field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). The research results suggest that pedunculate oak forests can be considered as an integral part of a vast natural focus of leptospirosis. The specificity and role of this biotope in maintaining leptospira should be investigated to a greater extent in the future., U šumama hrasta lužnjaka, na 11 lokaliteta koji se prostiru u širem području rijeke Save, poznatom kao staro prirodno žarište leptospiroza, tijekom 2000. godine ulovljeno je 381 životinja. Na kliconoštvo leptospira pretraženo je 227 životinja i 381 životinja na prisutnost specifičnih protutijela za leptospire. Kultivacijom komadića bubrega u Korthof-ovom hranilištu, izdvojeno je 17 sojeva leptospira, u 3 vrste mišolikih sisavaca, od čega u kućnog miša (Mus musculus) serološka varijanta sejroe u 10 ili 71,4% životinja, u poljskog miša (Apodemus agrarius) serološka varijanta pomona u 4 ili 5,4% i žutogrlog miša (Apodemus flavicollis) serološka varijanta australis, serološka varijanta pomona i jedan nedeterminirani izolat u tri ili 4,5% životinja, što predstavlja ukupno 7,5% životinja. Reakcijom mikroskopske aglutinacije u 47 ili 12,3% životinja ustanovljena su protutijela za 8 seroloških varijanti leptospira, od čega najviše za serološku varijantu pomona, a zatim redom serološku varijantu saxkoebing, australis i hardjo. Postotak serološki pozitivnih životinja kretao se od 34,4% u kućnog miša, 13,9% u poljskog miša, 10,8% žutogrlog miša, 9,4% u riđe voluharice (Clethrionomys glareolus) do 6,5% u šumskog miša (Apodemus sylvaticus). Rezultati istraživanja upućuju na zaključak da šume hrasta lužnjaka možemo smatrati sastavnim dijelom velikog prirodnog žarišta leptospiroze. Specifičnosti i ulogu ovog biotopa u održanju leptospira trebalo bi u budućnosti opsežnije istražiti.