The caddisfly community composition and structure were studied in the Mediterranean (i.e., central part of Herzegovina) and the temperate (i.e., Central Bosnia) regions of the country which differ considerably regarding the climate, hydrology, geomorphology, and vegetation. In both studied areas, four rivers with seven sampling sites each were selected for light‐trapping of adult caddisflies during a one‐year period. A total of 97 species were collected (i.e., 52 in Herzegovina during 2003 and 67 in Central Bosnia during 2004) and seven of them are first records for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Marked differences in caddisfly community composition and structure between the two regions were found and confirmed by a cluster analysis of comparable river sites. These differences could be primarily linked to observed variability in environmental factors. Also, distinct phenological patterns of caddisflies were found in the Mediterranean and temperate parts, respectively, and these were further analyzed in detail for the five most abundant common species. For the populations in Central Bosnia, generally later and shorter periods of flight were recorded. Therefore, we tested the influence of meteorological parameters (night air temperature during the light‐trapping, and monthly values of air temperature, precipitation, humidity, cloudiness, and wind speed) on flight activity and periodicity of caddisflies in both regions. Air temperature proved to be the most important of tested parameters influencing caddisfly flight patterns (rs > 0.87 for monthly values and rs > 0.44 for air temperatures during light‐trapping; p < 0.001). Thus, temperature during light‐trapping and minimum monthly values seem to be important for the flight of caddisflies, since these values were significantly different (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) in the two regions of the country. Additionally, in this paper we will discuss some implications for conservation of caddisflies due to the predicted climate change.

The aim of this paper is to describe morphological characteristics of freshwater triclads in Herzegovina and to provide a key for their identification based mainly on their external morphology. Our research is based on the freshwater triclads collected at 26 sites in Herzegovina, including 10 rivers, 6 springs and 1 lake. Triclads were collected by hand and with the bait jar with a lid bearing many small perforations. Specimens were identified immediately after being collected or we transported them to the laboratory in termal containers with ice. The morphological features used for species identification in this key are: body coloration (color of the dorsal and ventral side), the size of the pharynx, the presence of tentacles and their location, number and position of the eyes in respect to each other and the body margin, and the shape of the head. Specimens were fixed using Steinmann's fluid and conserved in 70 % alcohol. Inner morphological feature, shape of a penis, was used in determination of Polycelis tenuis and Polycelis nigra.We collected a total of 11 species, belonging to 8 genera (Polycelis Ehrenberg, 1831, Crenobia Kenk, 1930, Phagocata Leidy, 1847, Planaria Mül-ler, 1776, Dendrocoelum Örsted, 1844, Schmidtea Ball, 1974, Dugesia Girard, 1850, Girardia Ball, 1974) and 3 families.The present study forms a baseline for future studies on the diversity and biogeography of Herzegovinian freshwater triclads. IntroductIonT he order Tricladida comprises the free-living flatworms. Within Tricladida, three infraorders have been recognized: Maricola (marine triclads), Paludicola (freshwater triclads), and Terricola (land triclads) (1), to which a new one, the Cavernicola was further added (2). Study based on molecular properties (3) indicates that the Terricola and Paludicola should be replaced with a clade Continenticola. This new clade comprises the families Planariidae Stimpson, 1857, Dendrocoelidae Hallez, 1892, Kenkiidae Hyman, 1937, Dugesiidae Ball, 1974 and Geoplanidae Stimpson, 1857. We based our research on freshwater triclads belonging to the families Planariidae, Dendrocoelidae and Dugesiidae.Despite some intensive studies (5-9), phylogeny, taxonomy and distribution of this group of organisms are still quite unknown and unexplained. The fauna of freshwater triclads in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not sufficiently explored. The latest surveys were conducted in the 1920s (15). So far no keys for freshwater triclads were published in this region and the aim of this paper is to remedy this. SAmplIng SIteS And methodSAltogether, 26 sites in Herzegovina were sampled, encompassing sites along the courses of rivers Neretva, Buna, Bunica, Bijela, Trebižat, Lištica, Jasenica, Radobolja, Studenčica and Crnašnica but also various habitats (springs and streams) in many of their tributaries (e.g. Crnašnica Vrilo, Crno Oko, Jasle, Arapi Vrilo, Rebrac etc.). Sampling sites, apart from spring Jasle in Masna Luka, belong to the so-called "lower Herzegovina" with an average temperature of 15 °C and an average r...

The aim of this paper is to describe morphological characteristics of freshwater triclads in Herzegovina and to provide a key for their identification based mainly on their external morphology. Our research is based on the freshwater triclads collected at 26 sites in Herzegovina, including 10 rivers, 6 springs and 1 lake. Triclads were collected by hand and with the bait jar with a lid bearing many small perforations. Specimens were identified immediately after being collected or we transported them to the laboratory in termal containers with ice. The morphological features used for species identification in this key are: body coloration (color of the dorsal and ventral side), the size of the pharynx, the presence of tentacles and their location, number and position of the eyes in respect to each other and the body margin, and the shape of the head. Specimens were fixed using Steinmann’s fluid and conserved in 70 % alcohol. Inner morphological feature, shape of a penis, was used in determination of Polycelis tenuis and Polycelis nigra. We collected a total of 11 species, belonging to 8 genera (Polycelis Ehrenberg, 1831, Crenobia Kenk, 1930, Phagocata Leidy, 1847, Planaria Müller, 1776, Dendrocoelum Örsted, 1844, Schmidtea Ball, 1974, Dugesia Girard, 1850, Girardia Ball, 1974) and 3 families. The present study forms a baseline for future studies on the diversity and biogeography of Herzegovinian freshwater triclads.