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Za mladiče evropske srne (Capreolus capreolus) je značilna velika smrtnost. Študija je proučevala prostorsko aktivnost mladičev srnjadi v kritičnem obdobju, to je prve 3–4 tedne življenja, in vzroke njihove zgodnje smrtnosti. Podatke o prostorski aktivnosti v kritičnem obdobju smo pridobili s spremljanjem mladičev, opremljenih z mikro ušesnimi sponkami z vgrajenimi VHF-oddajniki, za analizo vzrokov zgodnje smrtnosti pa iz baze podatkov Lovskega informacijskega sistema Lisjak. Vsi podatki so bili obdelani v programu Microsoft Excel in/ali GIS programski opremi ArcGIS Pro. Metodološko je iskanje mladičev najuspešnejše pri opazovanju z visokih prež. Uporaba termovizijskih kamer je učinkovita za detekcijo živali v vertikalnem pogledu. Mladiči se v prvem mesecu življena zadržujejo predvsem na travnikih in v gosti gozdni vegetaciji na območjih, premera 100–150 m. Njihovi premiki so ob odsotnosti motečih dejavnikov krajši od 50 m. Glede na registrirane primere, tj. tiste, ki jih najdejo in evidentirajo lovci, v prvem poletju 2/3 poginulih mladičev pogine zaradi košnje, sledita promet in plenilstvo. Zgodnja smrtnost zaradi košnje vrhunec doseže v začetku junija, sledi vrhunec zaznanega plenjenja, vrhunec smrti zaradi prometa pa je konec avgusta. V neonatalnem obdobju celokupno pogine več mladičev ženskega spola. Prostorsko je razporeditev smrti mladičev glede na spol v Sloveniji precej enakomerna. Relativna evidentirana neonatalna smrtnost in relativna gostota srnjadi nista premosorazmerni. Evidentirano največ mladičev pogine 500–1000 m od naselij. Glede na oddaljenost od gozdnega roba jih največ pogine v rangu 0–200 m. Območja, na katerih pride do smrti, najpogosteje dosegajo vrednosti indeksa fragmentiranosti gozda 6000–7500.V prvem letu življenja največ osebkov pogine zaradi odstrela. Med ostalimi evidentiranimi vzroki prednjači promet, sledita mu košnja in plenilstvo. Pri tem največ mladičev zaradi povozov pogine v oktobru, zaradi evidentiranega plenjenja pa v decembru. Pomembno je, da se ob interpretaciji rezultatov zavedamo, da ti temeljijo na podatkih o evidentirani smrtnosti, zato zelo verjetno ne odražajo dejanskega stanja v naravi. European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) fawns are characterized by their high mortality rate. This study examined the spatial activity of young fawns during the critical period and the causes of their neonatal mortality. Data on the spatial activity during the critical period was obtained by monitoring subjects equiped with micro-ear clips with built-in VHF transmitters, and data for the analysis of neonatal mortality was taken from Hunting Information System Lisjak database. All data was processed in Microsoft Excel and/or ArcGIS Pro software. Methodologically, the search for fawns was most successful when observing from high perches. The use of thermal imaging cameras is effective for detecting animals in a vertical view. During the first month of life, the fawns stay mostly in meadows and in dense forest vegetation in areas of 100–150 m in diameter. Their movement in the absence of disturbing factors are shorter than 50 m. In their first summer, 2/3 of fawns are recorded killed by mowing, followed by traffic and predation. Early mortality caused by mowing peaks in early June, followed by predation and traffic mortality peaks in late August. In the neonatal period, many more female fawns die. Spatial distribution of mortality by gender in Slovenia is quite even. Relative recorded neonatal mortality and relative density of fawns are not directly proportional. In the records, maximum number of cubs die 500–1000 m from human settlements. Depending on the distance from the forest edge, most of them die in the range of 0–200 m. The areas where death occurs most often reach values of the forest fragmentation index of 6000–7500. In the first year of life, most individual die due to shooting (hunting). Among the other causes, traffic leads the way, followed by mowing and predation. Most of tbe fawns die from being run over in October, and from predation in December. It is important to be aware when interpreting the results that they are based on data on recorded mortality and therefore do not reflect the state in nature.

Encounter rates of carnivores with prey are dependent on spatial and temporal overlap, and are often highest with their preferred prey. The Critically Endangered Sumatran tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae is dependent on prey populations, but little is known about its prey preferences. We collected camera-trap data for 7 years (2010–2016) in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, to investigate spatial and temporal overlap of tigers with potential prey species. We also developed a novel method to predict predator–prey encounter rates and potential prey preferences from camera-trap data. We documented at least 10 individual tigers, with an overall detection rate of 0.24 detections/100 trap nights. Tigers exhibited a diurnal activity pattern and had highest temporal overlap with wild boar Sus scrofa and pig-tailed macaques Macaca nemestrina, but highest spatial overlap with wild boar and sambar deer Rusa unicolor. We created a spatial and temporal composite score and three additional composite scores with adjustments for the spatial overlap and preferred prey mass. Wild boars ranked highest for all composite scores, followed by sambar deer, and both are known as preferred tiger prey in other areas. Spatial and temporal overlaps are often considered as separate indices, but a composite score may facilitate better predictions of encounter rates and potential prey preferences. Our findings suggest that prey management efforts in this area should focus on wild boar and sambar deer, to ensure a robust prey base for this Critically Endangered tiger population.

Spomladi 2015 smo vzorčili nevretenčarje intersticiala reke Save na dvanajstih prodiščih med Medvodami in mejo s Hrvaško. Uporabili smo metodo vzorčenja z Bou-Rouch črpalko ter pridobili obsežne podatke o intersticialni favni Save. Na vsaki lokaciji smo po trikrat vzorčili 30 litrov vodnega vzorca, vsakič s treh globin: plitek hiporeik med 30 in 60 cm globine ter globoki hiporeik med 60 in 90 cm globine, slednjega enkrat v vodi in enkrat na bregu reke. V Kresnicah smo testirali učinkovitost metode vzorčenja in količino vodnega vzorca tako, da smo ločeno nabrali 10 in 20 litrov na ponovitev. Pregledali smo nevretenčarje iz frakcij zgoščenih na 0,5 mm mreži in vse osebke določili do prepoznavnih taksonomskih nivojev, kjer smo posebej beležili stigobionte. Med seboj smo primerjali števila taksonov in števila osebkov iz različnih količin vzorcev, hiporeikov in lokacij. Ugotovili smo, da je za splošen pregled favne prodišča dovolj črpanje 10-litrskih vzorcev iz plitkih hiporeikov, za zaznavo večine stigobiontov pa je potrebno črpanje tudi iz globljih plasti. V plitkem hiporeiku smo skupno našli največ taksonov, stigobiontskih vrst pa je bilo številčno enako v vseh treh hiporeikih. Po številu osebkov so v vseh hiporeikih dominirale žuželke. Najbolj vrstno bogate lokacije – tudi s stigobionti – so bile v zgornjem in še posebej v spodnjem delu vzorčenega odseka Save, v osrednjem delu pa smo našli manj taksonov zaradi nedostopnega terena in verjetnega vpliva niza hidroelektrarn ter onesnaženosti reke. Tekom vzorčenja smo našli tudi nove vrste za Slovenijo in znanost. In spring 2015 we sampled invertebrates of the Sava River interstitial from twelve gravel bars between Medvode and the Croatian border. We used the Bou-Rouch pump sampling method and collected extensive data on the interstitial fauna of the Sava River. We collected nine samples per site – three 30-liter samples of each of the three types of hyporheic habitat: shallow hyporheic zone (30 to 60 cm deep), deeper hyporheic zone and gravel bar (both 60 to 90 cm deep). In Kresnice, where we tested the sampling method and the sample volumes, we collected 10 and 20 liters per sample separately. Invertebrates from the 0.5 mm mesh size fractions were sorted and identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible with special attention given to stygobionts. We compared taxa numbers and specimen numbers from different sample volumes, hyporheic types and locations. Results showed that for a general overview of the interstitial fauna, extraction of 10l samples from shallow hyporheic is sufficient, whereas detection of most stygobionts require extraction from deeper layers as well. Overall, the shallow hyporheic was the most taxa rich, while the number of stygobiont species was similar in all types of hyporheic. In terms of number of specimens, insects were the most abundant in all types of hyporheic. The most species-rich locations were in the upper and in the lower sampling section, while few taxa were found in the middle part due to inaccessible terrain and probably also due to a series of hydroelectric power plants and pollution. We also found species new to Slovenia and to science.

Teaching in a formal learning environment mainly focuses on gaining knowledge, and scarcely on the development of pro-environmental attitudes. Knowledge can also be gained in informal learning institutions, such as zoos, and their potential use in general public education should not be neglected. This paper explores factors influencing the conservation beliefs of zoo visitors about brown bears, grey wolves, and Eurasian lynx. The study undertaken in Zoo Ljubljana (Slovenia) consisted of surveys performed in 2009 (n = 613) and in 2021 (n = 257). The levels of knowledge and education influenced both supporting and opposing beliefs about the three large carnivore species. The gender factor was less uniform: both supporting and opposing beliefs about lynx were demonstrated, but only opposing beliefs about brown bear and wolf. The study indicates that knowledge has the most significant influence on conservation beliefs, thus highlighting the importance of educational and communication activities in management and conservation actions regarding large carnivore species. The varied gender influence suggests that species-specific educational activities should be encouraged.

Terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea) are crustaceans that thrive in terrestrial environments. This study provides an overview of the major topics in terrestrial isopod research during the last 70 years in order to provide an example of publication practices in invertebrate zoology and to examine how basic research in this area is transferred to its applications. Co-citation analysis and bibliographic coupling based on citation data from the Web of Science Core Collection was used. Findings show that while research on terrestrial isopods expanded in applicative research prioritised by research policies, basic research continues to flourish. The most productive countries in the field include the major developed economies and several smaller nations. In the smaller countries, as well as in France and Italy, the bulk of woodlouse research is performed at a few institutions with traditions in this field. Some of the most influential works have been published in periodicals or monographs that are not indexed in Web of Science or Scopus and lack impact factors. Conference proceedings represent some of the most influential publications in the field. Our findings indicate that smaller and developing economies make significant contributions in invertebrate zoology if their research organisations can achieve continuity of research on a topic. Another conclusion is that journal metrics may be a misleading descriptor of the impact of studies and researchers in this field. Ultimately, these results identify several examples of how basic research in invertebrate zoology leads to applications with considerable socio-economic impact.

Simple Summary Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can cause serious disease in humans, especially in pregnant women. This parasite is found in many animals and people can be infected by eating raw or undercooked meat. Wild boar are known to harbor this parasite; populations and habitats have increased in the past decade, as it also increased the consumption of venison. The European population of wild boar has a mean prevalence of 26%. In our study, we found that the prevalence in the Slovenian wild boar population is 62%, the highest in the world to date. The prevalence was influenced by age and weight, but not by gender. In conclusion, the hunting community should be made aware of the high risk of parasite exposure when dealing with wild boar meat. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of great public health concern. Wild boars could be considered an emerging source of toxoplasmosis in humans due to the popularity of venison and their increasing population. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the Slovenian wild boar population and evaluate risk factors for human infection. Of 353 samples, 62% were positive for T. gondii using ELISA tests. This is the highest T. gondii seroprevalence reported to date in wild boar worldwide. The increase in prevalence with increasing age (p = 0.003) and weight (p = 0.002) were statistically significant, whereas gender was not (p = 0.781). Odds for being T. gondii-positive increased with age with the largest difference being between 2–3-year-old and 1–2-year-old animals (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.03–6.85). Animals weighing 20–40 kg had a higher risk than animals weighing 0–20 kg (OR = 2.74, 95%CI: 1.21–6.20), whereas a further increase in the weight was not associated with increasing the odds. Due to the high Toxoplasma prevalence, the study concluded that the risk of exposure to T. gondii from handling raw or undercooked wild boar meat is high. Surveillance protocols should be established at the national level together with increased awareness within the hunting community.

Mycotoxins are common fungal secondary metabolites in both animal feed and human food, representing widespread toxic contaminants that cause various adverse effects. Co-contamination with different mycotoxins is frequent, therefore, this study focused on feed contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins, namely, deoxynivalenol (5.08 mg/kg), zearalenone (0.09 mg/kg), and fusaric acid (21.6 mg/kg). Their effects on the liver of gilts and their piglets were chosen as the research subject as pigs are one of the most sensitive animal species that are also physiologically very similar to humans. The gilts were fed the experimental diet for 54 ± 1 day, starting late in their pregnancy and continuing until roughly a week after weaning of their piglets. Livers of gilts and their piglets were assessed for different histopathological changes, apoptosis, and proliferation activity of hepatocytes. On histopathology, gilts fed the experimental diet had a statistically significant increase in hepatocellular necrosis and apoptosis (p = 0.0318) as well as sinusoidal leukocytosis with inflammatory infiltrates of hepatic lobules (p = 0.0004). The amount of interlobular connective tissue in the liver of experimental gilts was also significantly decreased (p = 0.0232), implying a disruption in the formation of fibrous connective tissue. Apoptosis of hepatocytes and of cells in hepatic sinusoids, further assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay, showed a statistically significant increase (p = 0.0224 and p = 0.0007, respectively). No differences were observed in piglet livers. These results indicated that Fusarium mycotoxins elicited increased apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammation in the liver of gilts, but caused no effects on the liver of piglets at these concentrations.

Scent-marking is a predominant form of communication among felids, with urine spraying having a key role. Detectability and longevity of scent marks are recognized as crucial for efficiency of scent-marking, but there is limited research that has tested scent persistence with respect to various environmental factors. We used an experimental framework to measure human-perceived strength of felid urine smell and determine the effects of substrate, tilt and aspect of marked surfaces on persistence of the simulated scent marks. We used area under the curve (AUC), calculated for the scent strength of each scent-marked surface over time, as a proxy for urine scent preservation. Thereafter, we used ANOVA, followed by analysis of differences of interest between the marking sites, to assess the effect of environmental factors on human-perceived scent mark persistence. Odour persisted significantly better on rough surfaces, surfaces covered with moss and on surfaces with overhanging tilts, while there was no significant difference between the northerly- and southerly-oriented surfaces. The results are generally in accordance with the use and selection of marking sites previously reported for wild felids throughout the world, confirming that in their marking behaviour felids strive to prolong the persistence of scent marks. This knowledge will help researchers in interpretation of data on scent-marking and to evaluate the adaptive significance of this behaviour.

A challenge in freezing semen for short and long-term availability is avoiding damage to intact spermatozoa caused by the freezing process. Vitrification protocols provide better results through less manipulation of semen and shorter freezing time compared to slow freezing techniques. Our research was aimed at improving vitrification methods for canine semen. Semen quality was determined in 20 ejaculates after collection. Each ejaculate was divided into eight aliquots, each with a dfferent extender. The control extender contained TRIS, citric acid, fructose, and antibiotics. Soy lecithin and sucrose were added to the control extender at different concentrations to make up the test extenders and final concentration of 50 X 10[sup]6 spermatozoa/mL. From each group, a 33 [micro]L (1.65 X 10[sup]6 spermatozoa) suspension of spermatozoa was dropped directly into liquid nitrogen and devitrified at least one week later and evaluated as before. Soy lecithin at 1% and 0.25 M sucrose added to the base vitrification media effectively preserved all sperm qualities. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods. Vitrification media containing sucrose and soy lecithin cause a minimal decline in quality of canine semen after devitrification. Furthermore, extenders used in our research did not contain egg yolk, which was replaced by soy lecithin, thus allowing for ease of shipping to other countries with strict requirements.