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Item Second record of the Bulgarian local endemic Balea eninskoensis Irikov, 2006 (Mollusca: Gastropoda)(Plovdiv University Press Paisii Hilendarski, 2025-04-24) Georgiev, DilianA new locality for the rare Bulgarian land snail Balea eninskoensis Irikov, 2006 is reported from the gorge below Buzludzha Monument, 42°41'31.0"N 25°22'45.5"E, 569 m a. s. l.Item First records of Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Insecta: Hymenoptera) open nests in Sofia, Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press Paisii Hilendarski, 2025-04-24) Todorov, Ivaylo; Grozdanov, AtanasThe presence of five feral, exposed nests of Western honey bee, Apis mellifera L., is reported for the first time from a populated area in Bulgaria. The survival success of the colony during the winter was observed for two of the nests. Possible reasons for this unusual nesting behavior are discussed.Item Species Composition and Distribution of the Herpetofauna in the Urban Green Parks and Water Bodies in the Town of Haskovo (Bulgaria)(Plovdiv University Press Paisii Hilendarski, 2024-04-23) Mollov, Ivelin; Asenova, IvonaThe herpetofauna of the urban green areas and water bodies in Haskovo Town consists of 2 amphibian species from 2 families, representing 8.33% of the amphibian fauna of Bulgaria, and 6 species of reptiles from 4 families, which constitute 15.00% of the reptiles in Bulgaria, as well as one invasive species of aquatic turtle. Some ecological and conservational remarks about the urban herpetofauna in the town are given.Item New data on the distribution of some psocid species in French Guiana (Psocodea: Insecta)(Plovdiv University Press Paisii Hilendarski, 2025-04-12) Georgiev, DilianThis study provides new data on the distribution, habitats, and microhabitats of Psocodea in French Guiana. A total of ten species were recorded, some confirmed from old localities, while others were found in new ones. A brief discussion is included regarding the differences between the two Tapinella species: T. dichromoptera and T. montjoliensis.Item Cetaceans - Can they be indicators of the state of the Black Sea environment?(Plovdiv University Press Paisii Hilendarski, 2025-03-26) Zaharieva, ZornitsaAnthropogenic pollution affects marine ecosystems worldwide, including the Black Sea. Heavy metals accumulation in animal tissues is crucial for monitoring ecosystem health. As top predators, cetaceans can serve as indicators of marine conditions. This study examines five heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni) in tissues of two Black Sea cetaceans and three fish species, constituting the their diet. Zinc showed the highest concentration in all studied samples. The Biomagnification factor (BMF) results indicate biomagnification in the cetaceans samples for the elements Cd and Zn.Item Notes on recent records of snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from French Guiana(Plovdiv University Press Paisii Hilendarski, 2025-03-26) Georgiev, Dilian; Mishev, TodorA total of 16 terrestrial and 2 freshwater species were recorded, belonging to 14 families. New locality records are provided for several species, expanding their known distribution within the region. Some species, were confirmed in previously documented locations.Item A new record of Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-01-28) Velikov, Ilian; Naumov, BorislavA single individual of Hemidactylus turcicus is reported from Sofia, Bulgaria. This is the first reliable registration of this species in the country. It is suggested that the individual observed was accidentally introduced to the site as a result of human activity.Item How stressed are two populations of the Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) from the Black Sea (Bulgaria)? - Stress on stress biomarker responses(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-01-15) Yancheva, Vesela; Georgieva, Elenka; Stoyanova, Stela; Todorova, Borislava; Antal, Laszlo; Nyeste, KrisztianThis article aims to present the latest results on the stress on stress responses in farmed and wild mussels from Sozopol, Bulgaria, focusing on the autumn season of 2024. Additionally, we compare these findings with the results from the other three seasons.Item Animal remains from the Monastery of Chargubilya Mostich in Veliki Preslav (10-12th c. AD) – NE Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-01-15) Boev, ZlatozarA total 1653 animal remains of 18 taxa have been established in the medieval (10-12 c. AD.) Monastery of Chargubilya Mostich in Veliki Preslav (Shumen Region, CN Bulgaria). Some wild mammals as red deer, roe deer, wild boar and European edible dormouse were rarely hunted, while livestock breeding (cattle, pig, goat, sheep, horse, donkey and rabbit) was the basic source of meat for the settlement’s inhabitants.Item Contribution to the study of the free-living freshwater nematode fauna of Neretva River (Bosna and Herzegovina)(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-01-15) Stoichev, StefanHydrobiologycal studies of Neretva River were performed during the 2019. The present study provides the first information on free-living freshwater nematodes from the Neretva River. The identified species are new to the hydrofauna of Bosna and Herzegovina. In our study, we identified 8 species of freshwater free-living nematodes belonging to 7 genera. The identified species and genera are new to the hydrofauna of the Neretva River, They are also new to the hydrofauna of Bosna and Herzegovina.Item Some unusual findings of Güldenstaedt’s White-toothed Shrew, Crocidura gueldenstaedtii (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) from Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-12-25) Nedyalkov, NedkoHere we reported some unusual findings of the Güldenstaedt’s White-toothed Shrew, Crocidura gueldenstaedtii from Bulgaria. Probably the first documented case of arboreal activity of this shrew - found in a nest box attached to a tree at 1.5 m height. In the Western Rhodope Mountains, we found a female shrew with a purple-red underpart, more intense around the chest and cheek.Item Characteristics of Crested Tinamou (Eudromia elegans Saint-Hilaire, 1832) (Aves: Tinamidae) eggs(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-12-15) Lukanov, Hristo; Genchev, AtanasThe main characteristics of Crested Tinamou eggs, including shell colour characteristics in two age groups (young and old birds) were studied. The average value of the egg shape index was 73.23±0.51 with the average egg size of 50.13±0.47 mm/36.67±0.18 mm. The average egg weight of all eggs was 35.58±0.64 g, lighter in the young birds (P<0.001). The share of albumen: yolk: shell with shell membranes was 58.4%:32.2%:9.4%. Crested Tinamou eggshell is characterized by average values in the CIE L*a*b* colour system as follows: 51.62±0.51 (L*), -11.57±0.21 (a*), and 36.62±0.54 (b*) with an average shell color index (SCI**) of -13.19±0.4.Item Reference intervals for some clinical biochemical parameters and certain markers of inflammation in a female paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-12-11) Pashov, Tacho; Zapryanova, Dimitirnka; Atanasoff, Alexander; Urku, Gigdem; Nikolov, GalinThe American paddlefish, (Polyodon spathula), belongs to the order Acipenseriformes, along with the other sturgeon species. It has been cultivated in Bulgaria's aquaculture since 2003, but there is still a gap in knowledge about the biology of this species. Therefore, the current study aimed to establish reference normal ranges of basic clinical biochemical parameters and markers of inflammation in a healthy female mature paddlefish being reared in polyculture with carp in earthen fish ponds. For the present study, 8 summer old healthy female mature individuals were selected. The blood reference intervals were calculated according to the non-parametric method. The findings from the present study may not be accurate for large-scale clinical interpretation but can certainly be a starting point and guide practitioners in their actions and practice.Item Animal remains from the Late Byzantine settlement (4th-7th c. AD) Gradishteto near Gabrovo City (CN Bulgaria)(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-11-25) Boev, ZlatozarA total 747 animal remains of 11 taxa have been established in the medieval (Late Byzantine) settlement (4th-7th c. AD) near Gabrovo City (Gabrovo Region, CN Bulgaria). Some wild mammals as Red deer, Roe deer and Wild boar were rarely hunted, while livestock breeding (cattle, pig, goat, sheep, horse and donkey) was the basic source of meat for the settlement’s inhabitants.Item On the diversity of the earthworms (Lumbricidae) from the Rhodope Mts in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-11-22) Valchovski, Hristo; Teofilova, TeodoraThe research is a contribution to the knowledge of the earthworm diversity from the Western Rhodope Mts (Bulgaria). In this study, are presented new records of the rare Balkan endemic species Dendrobaena balcanica (Černosvitov, 1937). The paper also provides information about distribution, zoogeography and ecology of earthworm species from the mountain.Item Range Extension of Aramides mangle (Spix, 1825) (Aves, Gruiformes, Rallidae) to Cayenne, French Guiana(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-11-03) Mishev, TodorThis report documents a new occurrence of Aramides mangle (Spix, 1825) (Little Wood-Rail) in Cayenne Town, French Guiana, marking a significant range extension within the country. Prior sightings of this species in French Guiana were scarce, confined to the Kourou Town area from 2021 to 2024. The present record, confirmed by the homologation committee of Groupe d'Étude et de Protection des Oiseaux en Guyane (GEPOG), extends the known range of A. mangle into the Cayenne region and provides fresh insights into its distributional dynamics in response to environmental factors. This observation adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting potential range shifts among coastal rallids in South America, particularly along the northeastern coast where climate change and habitat modifications are increasingly documented.Item Range Extension of Aramides mangle (Spix, 1825) (Aves, Gruiformes, Rallidae) to Cayenne, French Guiana(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-11-03) Mishev, TodorThis report documents a new occurrence of Aramides mangle (Spix, 1825) (Little Wood-Rail) in Cayenne Town, French Guiana, marking a significant range extension within the country. Prior sightings of this species in French Guiana were scarce, confined to the Kourou Town area from 2021 to 2024. The present record, confirmed by the homologation committee of Groupe d'Étude et de Protection des Oiseaux en Guyane (GEPOG), extends the known range of A. mangle into the Cayenne region and provides fresh insights into its distributional dynamics in response to environmental factors. This observation adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting potential range shifts among coastal rallids in South America, particularly along the northeastern coast where climate change and habitat modifications are increasingly documented.Item Species composition, distribution and seasonal dynamics of ixodid ticks (Ixodidae Koch, 1844) in the Karlovo area, Southern Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-10-17) Boykova, Stiliana; Arnaudov, AtanasIn the Karlovo area (Southern Bulgaria) 6 species of ixodid ticks, belonging to 3 genera, including one subgenus, were identified - Hyalomma marginatum (Koch, 1844), Hyalomma scupense (Schulze, 1919), Rhipicephalus bursa (Canestrini & Fanzago, 1878), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806), Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Rhipicephalus annulatus (Say, 1821). Differences in their distribution and seasonal dynamics were found.Item Butozania bulgarica (Kantardzhieva-Minkova, 1953) (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) – little known and possibly endangered species(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-09-19) Gradinarov, Denis; Petrova, YanaBalkan endemic species Butozania bulgarica (Kantardzhieva-Minkova, 1953) was found in several closely situated localities in the Radomir Valley (SW Bulgaria) after a period of more than 50 years lack of data. The species has not been found in most of the historical localities in Bulgaria during several years of targeted survey, and it seems that its distributional range in the country has significantly decreased after the species description.Item First study on the psocids (Insecta: Psocodea) of Rwanda(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-09-12) Georgiev, DilianThis study presents the first investigation into the species diversity of psocids (Insecta: Psocodea) in Rwanda. Over a week-long period in July 2024, psocid specimens were collected from three distinct localities: Mount Kigali, Kitabi Village, and the shores of Lake Kivu. Eight species were identified, all of which are new records for Rwanda.