Filip J. Popović

The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Southern Alpine species Eophila gestroi (Cognetti, 1905) can be confusing. The main reason for this is the morphological similarity of this species with the Vardar endemic species Cernosvitovia strumicae (Šapkarev, 1973). The confirmation of the identification of our findings based on morphological characters, previous molecular phylogenetic analyses, and biogeographical analysis revealed the misidentification of C. strumicae in earlier studies. Identifying this species is essential in clarifying earthworms’ confusing taxonomic and phylogenetic position on the Balkan Peninsula.

This paper provides clear and definitive answers to the confusion caused by parthenogenetic forms in the delimitation of species in the earthworm taxonomy of the Balkan Peninsula. Dendrobaena illyrica (Cognetti, 1906) is a species group with high morphological variability. Its varieties have been described several times under specific names, and erroneous identifications still need to be corrected. Dendrobaena illyrica has been considered a parthenogenetic species. The taxonomic relationships between D. illyrica and the little-known Balkan endemic species Dendrobaena serbica Karaman, 1973 have been a long-standing puzzle. The taxonomic status of D. serbica was clarified by comparing specimens from our collections and literature data, to determine the intraspecific variations of morphological characters. Our specimen’s research has significantly corrected previous misconceptions, indicating that D. serbica shows biparental reproduction with phoral insemination. Considering the morphological and biogeographic differences of the species mentioned, we propose that D. serbica is not a parthenogenetic form of D. illyrica.

In this paper, we have summarized the current knowledge of earthworm fauna in North Macedonia. This list presents earthworm diversity, general ecology, distribution, and zoogeographical types for the first time. The complete list of earthworm taxa of North Macedonia comprises 59 species and subspecies, of which 57 taxa belong to the family Lumbricidae and one taxon each of the families Acanthodrilidae and Criodrilidae. Dendrobaena is the most speciose genus (18 taxa). The family Lumbricidae of North Macedonia is characterized by a large number of narrow range Balkanic endemics (9 taxa = 15.3%), together with the occurrence of broad range Balkanic endemic (7 taxa = 11.8%) and Vardar endemic species (5 taxa = 8.47%). A high representation of endemic species (35.6%) indicates a high degree of autochthonous earthworm fauna.

We have summarised the current knowledge on earthworm diversity in Kosovo and Metohia. The complete list of earthworm taxa includes 40 species and subspecies belonging to 11 genera of the family Lumbricidae. Among them, Aporrectodea handlirschi (Rosa, 1897), Cernosvitovia paratuleskovi (Šapkarev, 1975), Cernosvitovia strumicae (Šapkarev, 1973), Cernosvitovia treskavicensis (Mršić, 1991), Dendrobaena vejdovskyi (Černosvitov, 1935) and Lumbricus meliboeus (Rosa, 1884) were registered for the first time in the study area. With respect to the zoogeographical characteristics, most of the earthworm species belong to peregrine (14 species, 35%) and endemic groups (11 species, 27.5%). The group of the endemic species belongs to the genera Dendrobaena and Cernosvitovia.

As soil invertebrates with a unique digestive system, earthworms are regularly used as bioindicators and test organisms. Due to their burrowing activity and casting, earthworms are involved in the structuring of the soil. However, this way of life exposes them to different pollutants, including microplastic particles. Although the use of plastics is economically justified, it has a major impact on living organisms. In this study, the influence of different concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 7% (w/w)) of commercial glitter as a primary source of microplastics (MPs) on mortality, growth, cocoon production, avoidance behavior, and bioaccumulation ability during a four-week exposure of the earthworm species Eisenia fetida was investigated. The mortality was higher at 5% and 7% MPs in the soil than at 2.5% and in the control (0%) after 28 days, and the number of cocoons and growth rate decreased with an increasing MP concentration. However, the earthworms did not avoid the soil with MPs. Furthermore, the dissection of the digestive system enabled the identification of MP distribution. The sections of the digestive system were additionally examined under a fluorescence microscope. The results indicated that non-selective feeding enabled the input of MPs into the earthworm’s body and, thus, into food webs.

The rresent study investigates the earthworm sommunities in man-affected esosystems around artificial Gruža reservoir. The study took plase during 2023 and 2024, during the three seasons: summer, autumn and spring. Surrounding Gruža reservoir earthworms were sollected from various habitats which insluded natural (reservoir banks, meadows, forest community), and cultivated biotopes. Field research was conducted in assordance with ISO 2361 standards. Our results show that earthworm communities are poor and uniform. During our research, recorded four eregrine and one Trans-Aegean species. The main threats to earthworm rorulations identified in this research are habitat degradation due to waste, agrisultural activities, and increased tourism and recreational activity. In this regard, the measures that the competent authorities would implement could be beneficial to esosystems and, consequently, to earthworm communities. Based on the results presented in this paper, it is necessary to continue the intensive research to preserve the biological diversity of the area.

Allolobophora (sensu lato) is one of the most controversial genera in the taxonomy of Lumbricidae. Due to its poor definition, this genus is plagued by extensive taxonomic confusion, and its generic composition and internal relationships have remained uncertain, especially in species of the Balkan Peninsula. In this study, we have combined the study of morphological data and molecular phylogenetics based on five genetic markers, regions of the nuclear 28S rRNA and mitochondrial 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, NADH dehydrogenase (ND1) and cytochrome oxidase C subunit 1 (COI), to delimit the taxonomic status of five controversial Balkanic endemic species, Allolobophora (s.l.) dofleini, Allolobophora (s.l.) serbica, Allolobophora (s.l.) strumicae, Allolobophora (s.l.) paratuleskovi and Allolobophora (s.l.) treskavicensis, sampled in the Kopaonik Mountain. Phylogenetic analyses based on our sampling of these five species recovered a well-supported clade containing the species Allolobophora (s.l.) robusta, Allolobophora (s.l.) mehadiensis mehadiensis, Allolobophora (s.l.) sturanyi dacica, Cernosvitovia rebeli and Cernosvitovia dudichi. Based on these results and previous evidence, the aforementioned Balkanic species are transferred to a redefined Cernosvitovia. We further present a revised list of all species currently included in Cernosvitovia., which includes now 21 species and subspecies taxa, 13 of them newly combined here. Serbiona Mršić & Šapkarev, 1988 is considered a junior synonym of Cernosvitovia Omodeo, 1956.

In this paper, a list of the earthworm fauna of Bosnia & Herzegovina (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) is presented, including literature data, unpublished data from our collection and new data from the field. In this list, earthworm diversity, general ecology, their distribution and zoogeographical types are presented as well. The currently known earthworm fauna of Bosnia & Herzegovina is comprised of 49 species belonging to 12 genera, with Dendrobaena being the species-richest genus (11). Our zoogeographic analysis has shown presence of 9 different types of distribution. Аlmost one third of all species represent either peregrines (14 species, 28.57%) or endemic (13 species, 26.53%). A higher fraction of the endemic species belongs to the Allolobophora and Dendrobaena genera. With the 13 endemic and some Balkanic-Alpine (4), Alpine-Dinaric (2), Illyric (Western Balkans) (2) species, it is proven that 42.85% of the total lumbricidae fauna shows an autochthonous character. These results represent another confirmation of particularity of this fauna and prove the need for further research in this area.

Đerdap National Park is located in the southeastern part of Europe, in the northeastern part of Serbia, on the border with Romania. This paper presents the currently known records on the diversity of earthworm fauna in Đerdap National Park. The number of species from family Lumbricidae known to be occurring in the studied region is 29 species from 11 genera. The genera with the largest number of the registered taxa are Dendrobaena (8) and Aporrectodea (7). A third of all species are peregrines (37.93%). Trans-Aegean species take part with 13.8%, followed by endemic, Central European, Balkanic-Alpine (10.34%). Then follow Illyric (6.90%) and slightly less Moesian, Circum- Mediterranean, and Southern-Alpine (3.45%). Endemic species take a part with three taxa. Only one species (Allolobophora mehadiensis boscaiui (Pop, 1948)) is Dacian endemic. The obtained results indicate a diverse Lumbricidae fauna. It is certainly necessary to continue with intensive research in order to preserve the biological diversity of this area.