The amphibians and reptiles of the Balkan Peninsula included in the scope of the proposed research represent a "natural laboratory" and excellent model-system for both evolutionary and conservation studies. These vertebrates are characterised by low dispersal
abilities and mostly strict ecological requirements, resulting in high evolutionary differentiation and intraspecific variation in their morphology, genetics, life history and ecology. The specificity of the Balkans with its complex paleogeographic history,
heterogeneous landscapes, topographic diversity and climatic variation, resulted in a complex picture of amphibian and reptile diversity. Moreover, the Balkans are the origin of numerous taxa, an area of high endemicity, high rate of allopatric and parapatric
speciation, and numerous hybridization zones. By combining data from natural populations and experimental studies, we propose to examine the following issues in evolutionary biology: (1) the evolution of complex morphological entities, (2) the evolution
of life-history traits, (3) phylogeographic patterns of evolutionary lineages, and (4) the relation between eco-geographical and environmental variables as a function of the distribution of species, phylogenetic lineages and hybrid zones. Conservation
research studies will be related to the recognition of evolutionary significant units, and to population ecology studies as a basis for further conservation strategies of autochthonous populations and species.
Project team:
Dr. Milena Cvijanović, project leader
Dr. Tanja Vukov
Dr. Nataša Tomašević Kolarov
Dr. Aleksandar Urošević
Dr. Marko Anđelković
Dr. Maja Ajduković
Marko Mirč
Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade:
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Tijana Vučić
Margareta Lakučić