Publications by authors named "Ivan Cizelj"

Article Synopsis
  • Understanding phenotypic divergence is crucial in evolutionary biology, as seen in a 1971 experiment where Italian wall lizards were transplanted to a new island, leading to significant dietary and morphological changes over 35 years.
  • The study combines genomic and quantitative genetic methods to explore the influences of genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity on these changes.
  • Results indicate strong genetic differentiation and adaptive traits in the new population, with evidence that while some traits have genetic basis, environmental factors and phenotypic plasticity play a major role in shaping divergence at this early evolutionary stage.
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Emerging infections add to existing threats to the survival of amphibians worldwide. The olm (Proteus anguinus) is a vulnerable, troglobiont urodele species with a small European range and restricted to underground karstic systems. Population declines to emerging threats like the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, are likely to go unnoticed due to inaccessibility of the species' habitat.

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The olm (Proteus anguinus) is a troglomorphic, neotenous amphibian with extraordinary life expectancy and unique adaptations that deserve further investigation. A low reproductive rate and habitat decline render it threatened by extinction. Establishing captive populations for maintenance and artificial breeding may one day become crucial to the species.

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All physiological processes of ectotherms depend on environmental temperature. Thus, adaptation of physiological mechanisms to the thermal environments is important for achieving optimal performance and fitness. The European Common Frog, Rana temporaria, is widely distributed across different thermal habitats.

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