1. First insight into genetic diversity of two sympatric marten species between the Alps and Adriatic islandsElena Bužan, Luka Duniš, Tilen Komel, Boštjan Pokorny, Carlos Rodríguez Fernandes, Zoran Marčić, Magda Sindičić, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Closely related species occupying the same geographical area may exhibit markedly different genetic patterns due to differences in evolutionary history, ecology and behaviour. In this study, a population genetics approach is applied to investigate the genetic structure, diversity, and connectivity of two sympatric carnivore species, i.e., the European pine marten (Martes martes) and the stone marten (Martes foina) in Croatia and Slovenia. We analysed mitochondrial DNA sequences for both species (28 pine marten and 104 stone marten samples, respectively) and additionally investigated nuclear microsatellite markers for 182 stone martens. For stone marten, we found a significant genetic structuring, with pronounced differentiation between island and mainland populations, and a further substructure within the mainland. But no significant isolation by distance was detected (Mantel test, p = 0.15), indicating that differentiation is primarily shaped by island–mainland separation and other geographical discontinuities rather than by distance alone. In contrast, pine marten exhib- ited moderate haplotype diversity and limited spatial resolution due to the smaller sample size. These contrasting patterns underscore species-specific responses to natural geographical barriers and highlight the need to tailor management strategies accordingly.
Keywords: population genetics, martens, haplotype, microsatellites
Published in RUP: 20.05.2026; Views: 190; Downloads: 7
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2. The role of community science in DNA-based biodiversity monitoringCarolina Corrales, Karolina Bacela-Spychalska, Elena Bužan, Torbjørn Ekrem, Sónia Ferreira, William Goodall-Copestake, Elaine van Ommen Kloeke, Peter M. Hollingsworth, Sarah J. Bourlat, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The mutual interest in nature by the general public and scientists has led to many collaborations, past and present. Community science shows great potential for monitoring species occurrences and distributions, especially in combination with scalable and (semi)-automated methods such as DNA-based monitoring, helping to obtain data from a broader geographic and temporal range than would be possible by the scientific community alone. Here, we present an overview of the complementarity between community science and DNA-based biomonitoring through examples from ongoing projects. The involvement of hobby experts is particularly crucial for building up the necessary species reference databases that enable DNA-based monitoring. Based on this overview, we identify some key points related to learning opportunities and participant recognition to maximise the success, impact and benefit of community participants in DNA-based monitoring.
Keywords: eDNA, community science, genetics
Published in RUP: 13.10.2025; Views: 616; Downloads: 2
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3. The genetic trail of the invasive mosquito species Aedes koreicus from the east to the west of Northern ItalyLaura Soresinetti, Giovanni Naro, Irene Arnoldi, Andrea Mosca, Katja Adam, Heung Chul Kim, Terry A. Klein, Francesco Gradoni, Fabrizio Montarsi, Claudio Bandi, Sara Epis, Paolo Gabrieli, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background Aedes koreicus is native to Far East Asia and recorded in Europe since 2008. In Italy, Ae. koreicus is widespread throughout the Northern part of the peninsula, highlighting its invasive potential and spread. However, no clear clues about the dispersal patterns of the species have been collected so far. Methodology/Principal findings Population genetic analyses were performed to assess the genetic structure of populations of Ae. koreicus and to make hypotheses about its dispersal patterns in Northern Italy. Ten microsatellite markers specific for Ae. koreicus were used to genotype 414 individuals from 13 populations in the pre-alpine area of Italy, and neighboring Slovenia. Basic and Bayesian population genetic analyses were performed to evaluate patterns of genetic variation, genetic structure, and demography of selected mosquito populations. While presenting a certain degree of structuring, the Italian and Slovenian populations of Ae. koreicus were poorly differentiated. Moreover, demographic analysis supports the expansion of a single population propagule of Ae. koreicus in Italy and Slovenia and provides evidence of the presence of overwintering populations in the studied area. Conclusions/Significance Our results highlight a common origin, and stable colonization of Northern Italy and Slovenia, as a probable consequence of the expansion of a unique population. This stresses out the importance of continuous monitoring of Ae. koreicus, to finally uncover the geographic origins and entrance pathways of invasive populations and to prevent or limit further introductions.
Keywords: Aedes koreicus, Italy, genetics
Published in RUP: 26.09.2025; Views: 709; Downloads: 6
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4. Identifying risk factors for sarcopenia using machine learning : insights from multimodal dataFelicita Urzi, Domen Šoberl, Ornella Caputo, Marco Vincenzo Narici, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose This study aims to identify key risk factors for sarcopenia using machine learning models, leveraging anthropomet- ric, biochemical, functional, nutritional, and genetic data. By developing predictive models, the research seeks to improve early detection, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and facilitate personalized interventions for individuals at risk of sarcopenia. Methods We analysed multimodal data from 484 older adults. Two scenarios: Set-a (including SARC–CalF, excluding SARC-F) and Set-b (including SARC-F, excluding SARC–CalF) were applied in a three-stage modeling process with progressively reduced features and optimized predictive performance using machine learning models. Key predictors were ranked using SHAP values, and model performance was evaluated using AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Internal validation and DeLong’s test were applied to assess robustness and statistical differences. Results The most predictive risk factors included functional measures (chair stand, gait speed), nutritional indicators (pro- tein, folate, copper, vitamin B7), clinical conditions (diabetes, comorbidities, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)), and anthro- pometric markers (body mass index (BMI), calf circumference). Genetic features also contributed to risk stratification. The best-performing model Set-b (with screening test SARC-F) achieved an AUC of 0.951 and an accuracy of 93.62%. While SARC–CalF showed higher individual feature importance, the model achieved an AUC of 0.945 and accuracy of 92.2%. Conclusions This study highlights that traditional sarcopenia screening can be enhanced by capturing complex interplay of functional, nutritional, clinical, and genetic factors, offering clinicians a more accurate and tailored tool for early detec- tion and risk stratification. Future research should focus on validating these models in larger, independent, and longitudinal cohorts to assess their predictive utility across diverse populations and over time.
Keywords: genetics, nutrition, risk factors, sarcopenia
Published in RUP: 23.07.2025; Views: 1104; Downloads: 17
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5. Spatial distribution, niche ecology and conservation genetics of Degenia velebitica (Brassicaceae), a narrow endemic species of the north-western Dinaric AlpsZlatko Liber, Boštjan Surina, Toni Nikolić, Daniel Škrtić, Zlatko Šatović, 2020, original scientific article Keywords: AFLP, Degenia velebitica, Dinaric Alps, distribution, conservation genetics, population genetics, site ecology
Published in RUP: 02.10.2020; Views: 3707; Downloads: 40
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6. Evolution and systematics of polyploid Nigritella (Orchidaceae)Mikael Hedrén, Richard Lorenz, Herwig Teppner, Branko Dolinar, Cesario Giotta, Norbert Griebl, Sven Hansson, Ulrich Heidtke, Erich Klein, Giorgio Perazza, David Ståhlberg, Boštjan Surina, 2018, original scientific article Keywords: Nigritella, Vanilla Orchids, Orchidaceae, phytogeography, populations genetics, Dinaric southeastern Calcareous Alps, plastid DNAAADolomites, microsatellites, plastid DNA
Published in RUP: 12.03.2018; Views: 5432; Downloads: 246
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8. Recently discovered Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in The Netherlands and northern Germany resulted from a new introduction event and from a split from an existing populationDorothee E Zielke, Adolfo Ibáñez-Justicia, Katja Adam, Enrich Merdić, Helge Kampen, Doreen Werner, 2015, original scientific article Keywords: Aedes japonicus japonicus, Asian bush mosquito, Europe, Microsatelites, population genetics, nad4 haplotypes
Published in RUP: 15.10.2015; Views: 4758; Downloads: 127
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