Publications by authors named "N Spassov"
Article Synopsis
- Anthropogenic activities have significantly affected the diversity and evolution of species, with European fallow deer (Dama dama) as a prime example of this impact.
- Using time-calibrated mitochondrial DNA data, researchers analyzed the historical distribution changes and lineage structure of fallow deer across Europe, highlighting founder effects in northern regions compared to consistent populations in the south.
- The study suggests that human intervention has played a key role in deer recolonization and indicates that the lineage found in modern Italy is closely related to fallow deer from the Eemian interglacial period, providing insights into how anthropogenic and natural factors intertwine in species evolution.
The 10,000-year biocultural history of fallow deer and its implications for conservation policy.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
February 2024
Article Synopsis
- - Over the past 10,000 years, humans have actively influenced fallow deer populations, leading to various outcomes, including the endangered Persian fallow deer and the widespread European fallow deer, which holds unique statuses in different regions.
- - Genetic and archaeological studies reveal that European fallow deer have two main genetic groups in Anatolia and the Balkans, which served as their primary glacial refuges, and demonstrate how humans translocated these deer across regions, often sourcing them from distant populations.
- - The historical movement of fallow deer, influenced by myths and cultural practices, highlights the complexity between wild and domestic species, providing insights that could inform modern wildlife management strategies.
The fossil colobine genus Mesopithecus is the oldest European monkey, ranging from the Late Miocene to the earliest Pleistocene. It is one of the most successful genera of Old World monkeys since the late Neogene. Its ecology, as an indicator of Late Miocene environments, is of particular interest.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUntil recently, the Bulgarian bear population ( L.) was considered one of the significant ones in Europe and one of the few with more than 500 bears. While the numbers of some neighboring populations may be increasing, the Bulgarian population has been on a downward trend since the early 1990s.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF