Sexual size and shape dimorphism, and allometric scaling in the pupal and adult traits of .

The patterns and amount of variation in size, shape, and/or life history traits between females and males are fundamentally important to gain the comprehensive understanding of the evolution of phenotypic diversity. In addition, the covariation of phenotypic traits can significantly contribute to morphological diversification and sexual dimorphism (SD). Using linear and geometric morphometrics, 237 specimens sampled from five populations were, therefore, comparatively assessed for the variation in sexual size dimorphism (SSD), sexual shape dimorphism (SShD), and life history traits, as well as for trait covariation (ontogenetic and static allometry).

Toward the conservation of the endemic monotypic fish genus from the Balkan Dinaric karst: Integrative assessment of introduced and natural population.

The complex biogeographical history of the Balkan Peninsula caused remarkable freshwater fish diversity and endemism, among which Cyprinidae fish dominate. The Dinaric karst was a Pleistocene refugium and it harbors ancient and endemic cyprinids, including , a sole representative of its genus. Being highly distributionally restricted, it faces various threats that promote a critical decline in population abundance and even population extinction.

Comparative Phylogeography and Integrative Taxonomy of Ochlerotatus caspius (Dipera: Culicidae) and Ochlerotatus dorsalis.

Given that accurately identifying pathogen vectors is vital for designing efficient mosquito control programs based on the proper surveillance of the epidemiologically important species, it has been suggested the complementary use of independently evolving genes and morphometric traits as a reliable approach for the characterization and delimitation of related species. Hence, we examined the spatial distribution of COI mtDNA and ITS2 rDNA variation from the historical perspective of Ochlerotatus caspius (Pallas, 1771) and O. dorsalis (Meigen, 1830), while simultaneously testing the utility of the two markers in integrative species delimitation when combined with phenotypic character analyses of larvae and adults.

DNA barcode assessment and population structure of aphidophagous hoverfly : Implications for conservation biological control.

With the advent of integrated pest management, the conservation of indigenous populations of natural enemies of pest species has become a relevant practice, necessitating the accurate identification of beneficial species and the inspection of evolutionary mechanisms affecting the long-time persistence of their populations. The long hoverfly, , represents one of the most potent aphidophagous control agents due to a worldwide distribution and a favorable constellation of biological traits. Therefore, we assessed five European populations by combining molecular (cytochrome oxidase subunit I- , internal transcribed spacer 2- , and allozyme loci) and morphological (wing size and shape) characters.

Genetic and phenotypic variation in central and northern European populations of Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera, Culicidae).

The floodwater mosquito Aedes vexans can be a massive nuisance in the flood plain areas of mainland Europe, and is the vector of Tahyna virus and a potential vector of Dirofilaria immitis. This epidemiologically important species forms three subspecies worldwide, of which Aedes vexans arabiensis has a wide distribution in Europe and Africa. We quantified the genetic and phenotypic variation in Ae.

Shift in phenotypic variation coupled with rapid loss of genetic diversity in captive populations of Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphidae): consequences for rearing and potential commercial use.

Because of its importance as a pollinator and its potential economic usefulness for the biodegradation of organic animal waste, the genetic and phenotypic diversity of the drone fly, Eristalis tenax L. (Diptera: Syrphidae), was studied in both wild and captive populations from southeastern Europe. Wild specimens from a natural protected habitat (with low human impact), field crop habitat (semisynanthropic condition), and intensive pig farming habitat (synanthropic condition) were compared with a laboratory colony reared on artificial media An integrative approach was applied based on allozyme loci, cytochrome c oxidase I mitochondrial DNA, wing traits (size and shape), and abdominal color patterns.

Genetic diversity and differentiation between Palearctic and Nearctic populations of Aedimorphus (=Aedes) vexans (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera, Culicidae).

Genetic diversity was studied at allozyme loci in two Palearctic and one Nearctic population of Aedimorphus (=Aedes) vexans, a species of public health and veterinary importance. The population from Serbia was the most polymorphic (P= 35%) with the highest observed heterozygosity (H(o) = 0.027).

Wing geometric morphometric inferences on species delimitation and intraspecific divergent units in the Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera, Syrphidae) from the Balkan Peninsula.

A study of the Merodon taxa on the Balkan Peninsula, a region with a number of Pleistocene refugia, provides a useful framework for examining evolutionary processes and detecting hidden biodiversity. The phenotypic diversity of 22 samples of the Merodon ruficornis group on the Balkan Peninsula was examined using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. The boundaries of the species M.