Browse
Recent Submissions
Item MICROPLASTIC ACCUMULATION IN TWO INVASIVE MUSSEL SPECIES FROM CHEPINTSI SAND-PIT LAKE, BULGARIA(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-11-29) Terzieva, Vera; Rozdina, Desislava; Zaharieva, Zornitsa; Kozuharov, DimitarThis study aimed to assess the quantity and diversity of microplastics (MPs) accumulated in two invasive freshwater mussels: the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea Müller, 1774) and the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, 1771). Artificial lakes near large urban areas often support multiple human activities and are exposed to considerable anthropogenic pollution. For this reason, mussel samples were collected from the Chepintsi sand-pit lake near Sofia, Bulgaria. Sampling was conducted in the spring using a hand dredge (front edge, 17.5 cm; total length, 190 cm). The analysis detected microplastic particles - mainly fibers and fragments of different colors and sizes - in almost all specimens. Fragments were the most common type, and colorless particles were the dominant color category.Item Assessing environmental stress through lysosomal membrane stability in wild and farmed mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) across seasons(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-10-30) Yancheva, Vesela; Stoyanova, Stela; Georgieva, Elenka; Antal, Laszlo; Uzochukwu, Ifeany Emmanuel; Nagy, Laszlo; Nyeste, Krisztian; Samogyi, DoraThis study assessed lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) in hemocytes of Mytilus galloprovincialis from wild and farmed populations, using the Neutral Red Retention Time (NRRT) assay as a biomarker of environmental stress. Mussels were sampled in summer and autumn to evaluate seasonal variability, and the results were compared with our previous winter and spring data. NRRT values showed a significant reduction in both populations across seasons, indicating compromised lysosomal integrity and exposure to environmental stressors. Notably, wild mussels consistently exhibited lower NRRT values compared to farmed individuals, suggesting a higher stress burden. The underlying causes of this difference remain to be clarified.Item Notes on the presence of Harpalus luteicornis (Duftschmid, 1812) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-09-30) Teofilova, TeodoraThis communication confirms the presence of the ground beetle Harpalus luteicornis (Duftschmid, 1812) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Bulgarian fauna.Item New host record for the parasitoid fly Phryxe nemea (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera: Tachinidae) in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-09-22) Plashkova, BoryanaThis research presents new data on the host selection behaviour of the parasitoid fly Phryxe nemea (Meigen, 1824). The observation was made during sample collection in an open-field experiment conducted at the University of Forestry’s experimental station in Sofia. The experiment aimed to assess how intercropping kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) with various companion plants would impact the activity of key pests and their natural enemies. This is the first record of the host-parasitoid association between Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758) and Phryxe nemea in Bulgaria.Item A case of partial albinism in the western jackdaw Coloeus monedula (Linnaeus, 1758)(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-09-09) Boev, ZlatozarOn 04.11.2024, an adult Western Jackdaw was observed in the centre of the city of Razgrad. The pure white feathers are located on the upper part of the wings, the lower part of the chest, on the neck and cheeks. Three unpublished cases of complete albinos in Coloeus monedula and Garrulus glandarius from the collection of the National Museum of Natural History in Sofia are also presented.Item Contribution to the knowledge of earthworm fauna (Lumbricidae) from Northern Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-09-05) Valchovski, Hristo; Tribis, LevIdentifying the earthworm material recently collected from the Pre-Balkan hills resulted in the discovery of rare Allolobophora leoni (Michaelsen, 1891) and endemic species Cernosvitovia rebeli (Rosa, 1897). This is the first finding of Allolobophora leoni since 1965 and the northernmost finding of species Cernosvitovia rebeli from Bulgaria. The paper also provided information about the distribution and zoogeography of those taxa.Item Earthworm (Clitellata: Lumbricidae) records from Belasitsa Mts(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-09-05) Valchovski, Hristo; Kodzhabashev, Nikolay; Teofilova, TeodoraThe research is a contribution to the knowledge of earthworm diversity in the Belasitsa Mountains (Bulgaria). This study presents new records of three taxa: Dendrobaena misirlioglui Csuzdi & Szederjesi, 2023, D. hortensis (Michaelsen, 1890), and Cernosvitovia rebeli (Rosa, 1897), which are registered for the first time from the Belasitsa Mts. The paper also provided information about the earthworm diversity of this region.Item First Record of Cepaea nemoralis (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-07-12) Gashtarov, ViktorThe brown-lipped snail Ceapea nemoralis (Linnaeus, 1758) has been recorded for the first time in Bulgaria. Eleven individuals – one of them smashed – were found in May and July 2025 in the central part of Sofia city. The place of the only locality indicates that the species was most likely transported accidentally as a souvenir or by chance by a hotel guest or with the soil used for the flowerpot. Considering the conditions and location of the finding, it is questionable whether C. nemoralis could have expanded its geographical range.Item New records of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from the Western Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-07-12) Teofilova, TeodoraThis paper presents new data on the ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) fauna of one of Bulgaria's well-studied mountains, including 12 new species records.Item On the distribution of Calamobius filum (Rossi, 1790) (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-07-11) Gradinarov, Denis; Petrova, YanaThe species Calamobius filum (Rossi, 1790) is reported from a number of higher altitude habitats in Southwestern Bulgaria, including the subalpine zone. Adult beetles were collected from various grasses, including Dactylis glomerata L., Alopecurus pratensis L., Bromus inermis Leyss., Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P. Beauv. and Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth.Item New occurrence data of Phytoecia argus (G. F. Frölich, 1793) (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-07-11) Gradinarov, Denis; Petrova, YanaThe longhorn beetle species Phytoecia argus (G. F. Frölich, 1793) is reported from steppe habitats in the vicinity of Ponor Village, Tri Ushi Mountain Ridge (Western Bulgaria). The species association with mountain petrophytic steppes and with the host plant Trinia glauca (L.) Dumort in Bulgaria is confirmed.Item External egg characteristics in eight species of the Phasianinae subfamily: a morphometric and colourimetric study(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-07-09) Nikolov, Slavko; Lukanov, HristoBasic external morphometric characteristics, along with a detailed colorimetric analysis, were studied in the eggs of eight Phasianidae species reared as ornamental birds in Bulgaria: Temminck's tragopan (Tragopan temminckii Gray, 1831), Satyr tragopan (Tragopan satyra Linnaeus, 1758), Golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus Linnaeus, 1758), Lady Amherst's pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae Leadbeater, 1829). Silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera Linnaeus, 1758), Reeves's pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii Gray, 1829), Grey peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum Linnaeus, 1758), and Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus Linnaeus, 1758).Item Notes on the herpetofauna in the northwestern foothills of the Pirin Mountains, south-western Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-07-02) Mitrevichin, Emanuil; Sakelarieva, Lidia; Peshev, Hristo; Pulev, AlexanderBulgaria’s herpetofauna has been studied for more than a century. Yet, little information is available on the herpetofauna in the northwestern foothills of the Pirin Mts. Here we present information about eight amphibian and ten reptile species that occur in the area. One of the amphibian species, Bufotes viridis, had not been found until the present study. Road traffic was identified as the biggest threat to the populations of some species.Item A Record of Eryx jaculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata: Boidae) at Mount Ismaros, Northern Greece(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-28) Georgiev, DilianA new locality for the Sand Boa (Eryx jaculus) is reported from Mount Ismaros in Northern Greece, based on a juvenile road-killed specimen. The site represents the southernmost published record for the species in the Rhodope Mountains, although the location of the observation falls within the already known range of the species. Habitat description and coordinates are provided.Item Contribution to the research of reptile species of South Park, Sofia city – species, distribution, and conservation threats(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-28) Grozdanov, Atanas; Mitrevichin, Emanuil; Atanasov, Vasil; Sokolov, Anton; Petrov, Petar; Dimitrov, Dimitar; Peshev, HristoSome reptile species can be found in human settlements, but they have been rarely examined in more detail. Here, we provide information on the herpetofauna of Sofia's South Park. Seven species were identified, thus indicating relatively high species richness for an urban area of approximately 1.5 square kilometers. The biggest threats identified were some invasive taxa and intensive human presence. Some recommendations were therefore made to mitigate the negative impact on the populations of the species.Item Contribution to the study of the free-living freshwater nematode fauna of the Bedechka River, Southern Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-27) Stoichev, Stefan; Nenova, ElenaHydrobiological studies of the Bedechka River were performed in 2019. The present study provides information on free-living freshwater nematodes from the Bedechka River. In our study, we identified 9 species of freshwater free-living nematodes belonging to 8 genera. This is the first detailed study on free-living freshwater nematodes from the Bedechka River.Item New data on the batrachofauna of South Park, Sofia (Bulgaria) – species composition, distribution, and conservation threats(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-27) Grozdanov, Atanas; Sokolov, Anton; Petrov, Petar; Dimitrov, Dimitar; Atanasov, Vasil; Peshev, Hristo; Mitrevichin, EmanuilAlthough some amphibians are found in human settlements, they have been rarely studied in detail. Here we provide information on the batrachofauna of South Park Sofia. Six species were registered, and most of the species populations were in stable condition. Further, some of them increased their number and density. However, some conservation threats to the populations of the species were identified. The most significant threats were the presence of an invasive taxon and artificial ponds with vertical borders, which act as ecological traps. In this regard, some recommendations were made to minimise the negative impact on the batrachofauna in the park.Item New Data on the Mammals of the "Sinite Kamani" Nature Park, Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-12) Dolapchiev, Nikolay; Chanev, Milen; Tsvetkova, Mihaela"Sinite Kamani" Nature Park is located in the eastern part of the Stara Planina Mountains (eastern Bulgaria) and has a relatively poorly studied biodiversity. To study the mammals inhabiting the nature park, a study based on the camera trap method was conducted from 2023 to 2024. A total of 16 mammal species were recorded during the study period, three of which were domesticated. For the first time, a common dormouse was recorded using camera traps. This study is a continuation of a study also conducted using the camera trap method in 2013-2014. The results of this study, compared with the previous one, will track trends in the development of mammal species in the park and will contribute to their better management.Item On the species diversity of Psocodea (Insecta) of Mount Ismaros, North Greece(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-09) Georgiev, DilianThis study presents the first data on the species diversity of barklice (Psocodea: Insecta) from Mount Ismaros in northern Greece. Fieldwork conducted between July 2020 and May 2025 resulted in the identification of 21 species from 12 families. Information on the copulation of Ectopsocus vachoni was also recorded, including season, time of day, and air temperature.Item Lysosomal membrane stability assessment in wild and farmed mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) as biomarkers for environmental stress: winter and spring results(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-05-28) Yancheva, Vesela; Stoyanova, Stela; Georgieva, Elenka; Todorova, Borislava; Antal, Laszlo; Samogyi, Dora; Uzochukwu, Ifeany Emmanuel; Nagy, Laszlo; Nyeste, KrisztianThis study evaluated lysosomal membrane stability using the Neutral Red Retention Time (NRRT) assay in hemocytes of Mytilus galloprovincialis from wild and farmed populations, as a biomarker for environmental stress. Mussels were sampled during winter and spring to assess seasonal variability. NRRT values showed a significant reduction in both populations across both seasons, indicating compromised lysosomal integrity and exposure to environmental stressors. However, the wild mussels exhibited consistently lower NRRT values compared to the farmed individuals, suggesting a higher level of stress. The question of why is yet to be answered.
- «
- 1 (current)
- 2
- 3
- »