-The incidence, symptoms and consequences of Nosema ceranae infection were monitored in 200 honey bee colonies in Serbia over 5 years (2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012) to reveal if they display characteristics described for nosemosis type C. Continual high frequency of N. ceranae-positive colonies was recorded within each study year, ranging from 73 to 98 %. A seasonal pattern in N. ceranae incidence was observed over 4 years (2008)(2009)(2010)(2011). Symptoms traditionally attributed to Nosema apis infection were observed in the majority of N. ceranaeinfected colonies, both among surviving and those that died. These symptoms could not serve as predictive markers for colony losses, as they were significantly more frequently observed among surviving colonies in 2010, 2011 and 2012. No clear association between N. ceranae infection and colony losses was affirmed neither during the winter nor during the summer season. Thus, N. ceranae infection in Serbian bees do not fit the characteristics for nosemosis type C.Nosema ceranae / Apis mellifera / nosemosis type C / faeces

The strength of the honey bee colony and the quality concerning brood production, number of worker bees and honey yield depend substantially upon the characteristics of the queen. Reproductive and productive capacities of the colony, as two important physiological qualities can depend a great deal on the age of the queen. Over the years, the laying ratio of queens could decrease depending on the age; therefore colonies headed by one-year-old queens have proven to be more efficient considering colony population and honey production than ones with older queens. Nosema ceranae infection is a possible reason for the decrease in reproductive capacities and the reduction in the honey production of infected colonies. With the help of numerous pheromones, the queen can preserve colony homeostasis, however exhausted by N. ceranae infection she might compromise the renewal of worker population. The aim of this research is to investigate the influence of N. ceranae on reproduction and productivity of honey bee colonies headed by queens of different age. Experiment was conducted on 27 honey bee colonies equalized with regard to brood, food source, number of worker bees and Nosema infection. In the three year investigation period (2009)(2010)(2011)(2012), Nosema detection, identification and spore load per each colony, as well as parameters of colony reproduction (such as uncapped and capped brood area, queen egg-laying rate and colony strength) and productivity (the total extracted honey and the winter honey stores) were recorded. Concerning the influence of the age of the queens on followed parameters we compared one, two and three-years old queens and found significantly higher reproductive and productive values in favour of younger ones. Significant differences regarding the effects of N. ceranae infection on productive and reproductive characteristics could be explained with a higher capacity of one year old queens to compensate the effects of Nosema infection; a capacity which gradually declines in the second and the third year. Nosema ceranae y la edad de la reina influyen en la reproducción y la productividad de las colonias de abejas de la miel Resumen La fuerza de la colonia de abejas y la calidad en relación con la producción de cría, el número de abejas obreras y la producción de miel dependen sustancialmente de las características de la reina. La capacidad reproductiva y productiva de la colonia, son importantes cualidades fisiológicas que dependen en gran medida de la edad de la reina. Con los años, la proporción de puesta de las reinas podría disminuir en función de la edad; por lo tanto, las colonias gobernadas por reinas de un año de edad, han demostrado ser más eficaces en función de la población de la colonia y la producción de miel que las que tienen reinas mayores. La infección por Nosema ceranae es una razón probable de Downloaded by [New York University] at 01:45 31 May 2015 546 Simeunovic et al. F (2010) Sudden deaths and colony population decline in Greek honey bee colonies. Journal of Invertebrate Pa...

The Balkan donkey (Equus asinus L.) is commonly regarded as a large-sized, unselected, unstructured and traditionally managed donkey breed. We assessed the current genetic status of the three largest E. asinus populations in the central Balkans (Serbia) by analysing the variability of nuclear microsatellites and the mitochondrial (mtDNA) control region of 77 and 49 individuals respectively. We further analysed our mtDNA dataset along with 209 published mtDNA sequences of ancient and modern individuals from 19 European and African populations to provide new insights into the origin and the history of the Balkan donkey. Serbian donkey populations are highly genetically diverse at both the nuclear and mtDNA levels despite severe population decline. Traditional Balkan donkeys in Serbia are rather heterogeneous; we found two groups of individuals with similar phenotypic features, somewhat distinct nuclear backgrounds and different proportions of mtDNA haplotypes belonging to matrilineal Clades 1 and 2. Another group, characterized by larger body size, different coat colour, distinct nuclear gene pool and predominantly Clade 2 haplotypes, was delineated as the Banat donkey breed. The maternal landscape of the large Balkan donkey population is highly heterogeneous and more complex than previously thought. Given the two independent domestication events in donkeys, multiple waves of introductions into the Balkans from Greece are hypothesized. Clade 2 donkeys probably appeared in Greece prior to those belonging to Clade 1, whereas expansion and diversification of Clade 1 donkeys within the Balkans predated that of Clade 2 donkeys.

Only two mitochondrial haplotypes (Korea and Japan) of Varroa destructor, the ectoparasitic honey bee mite, are known to be capable of infesting and successfully reproducing in Apis mellifera colonies worldwide. Varroa destructor (then called Varroa jacobsoni) was observed in Serbia for the first time in 1976. In order to obtain insight into the genetic variability of the mites parasitizing A. mellifera we analyzed 45 adult female mites sampled from nine localities dispersed throughout Serbia. Four fragments within cox1, atp6, cox3 and cytb mtDNA genes were sequenced. The Korea haplotype of V. destructor was found to be present at all localities, but also two new haplotypes (Serbia 1 and Peshter 1) were revealed, based on cox1 and cytb sequence variability. The simultaneous occurrence of Korea and Serbia 1 haplotypes was observed at five localities, whereas Peshter 1 haplotype was identifed at only one place.

The aim of the study was to establish morphometric, biochemical and hematological values for the endangered Balkan donkey breed (Serbia) and to explore the possible age dependence of the parameters tested. Inter-breed similarity of morphometric parameters was assessed by comparing the data obtained for the Balkan donkey with morphometric measurements of several previously characterized domestic donkey breeds. The study population included 74 donkeys, divided in two age groups (group A ≤ 3 years; group B > 3 years). In total, 18 morphometric, 13 hematological and 14 biochemical parameters were assessed. Signifi cant morphometric differences (p<0.05) in body length, head length, chest circumference and body weight were found between the two age groups. Signifi cant differences in morphological parameters were revealed among the Balkan donkey and other donkey breeds (Catalonian, Croatian and Albanian), but results of cluster analysis demonstrated the smallest distance between the Balkan donkey and Albanian donkeys. The results of morphometric analyses showed consistency of the obtained values within the breed, and diversity as compared to other donkey breeds, and, thus, could be taken as referent for the Balkan donkey. Hematological and biochemical profi les obtained for the Balkan donkey were consistent with previous reports and within the recommended reference ranges. White blood cell, mid cell and granulocyte counts, showed signifi cantly higher (p<0.05) values in donkeys under 3 years of age, while the only biochemical parameter affected by age was alkaline phosphatase. The information gained through characterization of the Balkan donkey breed provides a basis for conservation and development of the breed standard.