Selected publications (1991-2017)

1. Avramov S, Pemac D, Tucić B. Phenotypic plasticity in response to an irradiance gradient in Iris pumila: adaptive value and evolutionary constraints. Plant Ecol. 2007;190(2):275-290.

2. Barisić Klisarić N, Miljković D, Avramov S, Živković U, Tarasjev A. Fluctuating asymmetry in Robinia pseudoacacia leaves - possible in situ biomarker? Environ Sci Pollut. R. 2014;21(22):12928-12940.
3. Crnobrnja J, Kalezić M, Tucić N. Multilocus structure of the smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris, Caudata) natural populations. Gen Sel Evol. 1992;24:385-392.
4. Cvijanović M, Ivanović A, Kalezić M, Zelditch M. The ontogenetic origins of skull shape disparity in the Triturus cristatus group. Evol Develop. 2014;16(5):306-317.
5. Džukić G, Kalezić M. The biodiversity of amphibians and reptiles in the Balkan Peninsula. In: Griffiths HI, Kryštufek B, Reed JM, editors. Balkan Biodiversity: Pattern and Process in the European Hotspot. Springer, 2004; p. 167-192.
6. Đorđević M, Stojković B, Savković U, Immonen E, Tucić N, Lazarević J, Arnqvist G. Sex-specific mitonuclear epistasis and the evolution of mitochondrial bioenergetics, ageing and life history in seed beetles. Evolution. 2017;71(2):274–288
7. Manitašević S, Dunđerski J, Matić G, Tucić B. Seasonal variation in heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsp90 expression in an exposed and a shaded habitat of Iris pumila. Plant Cell Env. 2007;30(1):1-11.
8. Maritz B, Penner J, Martins M, Crnobrnja-Isailović J, Spear S, Alencar LRV, Sigala Rodriguez J, Messenger K, Clark RW, Soorae P, Luiselli L, Jenkins C, Greene HW. Identifying global priorities for the conservation of vipers. Biol Conserv. 2016;204:94-102.
9. Milenković M, Jojić-Šipetić V, Blagojević J, Tatović S, Vujošević M. Skull variation in Dinaric-Balkan and Carpathian gray wolf populations revealed by geometric morphometric approaches. J Mammal. 2011;92(2):396-406.
10. Pemac D, Tucić B. Reaction norms of juvenile traits to light intensity in Iris pumila (Iridaceae): a comparison of populations from exposed and shaded habitats Plant Syst Evol. 1998;209(3-4):159-176.
11. Simonović P, Nikolić V. Density-dependence of growth characteristics and maturation in stream-dwelling resident brown trout, Salmo trutta, in Serbia. Fish Managem Ecol. 2007;14:1-6.
12. Stojković B, Sayadi A, Đorđević M, Jović J, Savković U, Arnqvist G.: Divergent evolution of life span associated with mitochondrial DNA evolution. Evolution. 2017;71(1):160-166.
13. Tarasjev A. Flowering phenology in natural populations of Iris pumila. Ecography. 1997;20:48-54.
14. Tomašević-Kolarov N, Ivanović A, Kalezić M. Morphological Integration and Ontogenetic Niche Shift: A Study of Crested Newt Limbs. J Exp Zool Part B. 2011;316B(4):296-305.
15. Tucić B, Stojković B. Shade avoidance syndrome in Picea omorika seedlings: a growth-room experiment. J Evol Biol. 2001;14(3):444-455.
16. Tucić N, Stojković O, Gliksman I, Milanović D, Šešlija D. Laboratory evolution of life-history traits in the bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus): The effects of density-dependent and age-specific selection. Evolution. 1997;51(6):1896-1909.
17. Vukov T, Sotiropoulos K, Wielstra B, Džukić G, Kalezić M.The evolution of the adult body form of the crested newt (Triturus cristatus superspecies, Caudata, Salamandridae) J Zool Syst Evol Res. 2011;49(4):324-334.
18. Vuleta A, Manitašević Jovanović S, Tucić B. Adaptive flexibility of enzymatic antioxidants SOD , APX and CAT to high light stress : the clonal perennial monocot Iris pumila as a study case. Plant Physiol. Bioch. 2016;100:166-173.
19. Urošević A, Ljubisavljević K, Ivanović A. Patterns of cranial ontogeny in lacertid lizards: morphological and allometric disparity. J Evol Biol. 2013;26(2):399-415.
20. Živanović G, Arenas C, Mestres F. Individual inversions or their combinations: which is the main selective target in a natural population of Drosophila subobscura? J Evol Biol. 2016;29(3):657-664.

Project #173043 Diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the Balkans: evolutionary aspects and conservation

1. Urošević A, Ljubisavljević K, Ivanović A. Variation in skull size and shape of the Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis): allometric and non-allometric shape changes. Contrib to Zool. 2014;83(1):67–77.
2. Golubović A, Andjelković M, Arsovski D, Vujović A, Djordjević S, Tomović L. Skills or strength - how tortoises cope with dense vegetation? Acta Ethol. 2014;17(3):141–7.
3. Vukov TD, Cvijanović M, Wielstra B, Kalezić ML. The Roles of Phylogeny and Climate in Shaping Variation in Life-History Traits of the Newt Genus Triturus (Caudata, Salamandridae). Ann Zool Fennici. 2014;51(5):445–56.
4. Cvijanović M, Ivanović A, Kalezić ML, Zelditch ML. The ontogenetic origins of skull shape disparity in the Triturus cristatusgroup. Evol Dev. 2014;16(5):306–17.
5. Ivanović A, Cvijanović M, Denoël M, Slijepčević M, Kalezić ML. Facultative paedomorphosis and the pattern of intra- and interspecific variation in cranial skeleton: Lessons from European newts (Ichthyosaura alpestris and Lissotriton vulgaris). Zoomorphology. 2014;133(1):99–109.
6. Tomašević Kolarov N. Heterochrony and limb form variation in crested newts. J Zool. 2013;290(1):68–79.
7. Urošević A, Ljubisavljević K, Ivanović A. Patterns of cranial ontogeny in lacertid lizards: Morphological and allometric disparity. J Evol Biol. 2013;26(2):399–415.
8. Golubović A, Bonnet X, Djordjević S, Djurakic M, Tomović L. Variations in righting behaviour across Hermann's tortoise populations. J Zool. 2013;291(1):69–75.

Department of Evolutionary Biology was founded in 1991. in order to enhance the conceptual unification of the various research programs concerned with evolution, and using new biochemical, molecular, quantitative-genetic, morphological, ecological, as well as statistical methods, to provide innovative insights into different aspects of the adaptation, evolution and speciation processes. Project "Population biology aspects of speciation processes" (lead by prof. dr Nikola Tucić) unified research groups from IBISS and from Faculty of Biology, mainly population genetics and population ecology group from former IBISS Department of Genetics and group for taxonomy and biogeography from IBISS Department for Taxonomy, Biogeography and Organic Evolution which existed in Institute since its founding (lead by dr Sergej Matvejev and dr Boris Petrov). Thus Department inherited traditions of both institutes that were integrated in IBISS: Institute for Ecology and Biogeography and Institute for Physiology, Development, Genetics and Selection. New department was spatially expanded in early nineties by the new laboratories, cabinets and spaces adapted for animal and plant propagation. Department was lead by prof. dr Nikola Tucić, Full Professor and member of Serbian Academy for Arts and Sciences (1991 -1993), dr Georg Džukić, Full Research Professor (1993-2008), prof. dr Miloš Kalezić, Full Professor (2008-2016) and dr Aleksej Tarasjev, Full Research Professor (2016-present).

Research on Department of Evolutionary Biology (which until 2001. were conducted on one project, and since then by three project groups) was concentrated on several scientific problems of importance to contemporary evolutionary biology and related disciplines. Researchers from the Department are also taking care of rich IBISS herpetological collection (over 25 000 specimens) of significant importance for faunistic studies of southeastern Europe. Department collaborate with colleagues from other IBISS departments, collaboration being most intense with colleagues from Department of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Department of Plant Physiology and Department of Hydroecology and Water Protection. They also collaborate with several other research centers in country and abroad.

During the last 25 years researchers from the Department of Evolutionary Biology published their results in leading scientific journals, such as Evolution; Heredity; American Naturalist; Molecular Ecology; Journal of Evolutionary Biology; Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution; Conservation Biology; Ecography; Biological Conservation; Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research; BMC Evolutionary Biology; Evolution and Development; Biological Journal of the Linnean Society; Journal of Zoology; Zoomorphology; Journal of Biogeography; Journal of Ecology; Environmental Science and Pollution Research; Plant Systematics and Evolution; Plant Ecology; Journal of Plant Ecology; Journal of Experimental Zoology; Behavioral Ecology; Plant Cell and Environment; Plant Physiology and Biochemistry; Journal of Mammology; Acta Oecologica; Plant Species Biology; Genetics, Selection, Evolution and many others.

Department of Evolutionary Biology is actively involved in continuous education of young researchers and in creating successful model of science-education interaction in Serbia. Large number of bachelor, master and PhD theses are completed in the Department - from 1991. more than 25 PhD theses were completed within the framework of Department research and tutored by researchers from the Department. Department associates are actively involved in teaching on bachelor, master and PhD studies on University of Belgrade, especially on study groups within Chair for Genetics and Evolution and Chair for Animal Morphology, Systematics and Phylogeny of Faculty of Biology. Department associates are also actively involved in teaching on other universities in Serbia, especially in Department for Biology of Faculty for Natural Sciences and Mathematics of University of Niš.

Department associates are involved in various national and international bodies, committees and working groups primarily related to issues of evolutionary biology, conservation of biodiversity, environmental protection, sustainable management of natural resources, and biosafety. Since evolutionary biology gives theoretical framework for biological phenomena from genes to ecosystems, continuous involvement of department associates in various forms of popularization and promotion of science significantly contributes to advancing knowledge levels of general public in biology and related disciplines. Those activities contribute to well informed and science-based decision making on various levels.

Research on Department of Evolutionary Biology primarily investigates influence of abiotic and biotic environmental heterogeneity on:
• molecular, cytological, and morphological variability
• variability of life history (especially ageing and ontogeny) and behavioral traits (including habitat selection)
• population structure and evolutionary processes (adaptations, genetic specialization, phenotypic plasticity, speciation)
• evolutionary potential, maintenance of genetic polymorphism and biodiversity

Beside contributions to current theoretical issues in modern evolutionary biology, research encompasses following additional topics:
• estimation of adequacy of proposed environmental disturbance indicators
• estimation of influence of introduced and invasive species
• estimation of population viability
• phylogeographic analyses and evaluation of ecosystem statuses in region and in Europe
• determination of evolutionary and conservation units important for preservation strategies of autohtonous populations and species and sustainable management of natural resources.

Special emphasis is put on abiotic and biotic stress, effects of historical and contemporary climate change, and anthropogenic influence (e.g. pollution and habitat fragmentation). Research is conducted in natural vertebrate, invertebrate and plant populations, as well as on samples from those populations raised in native, anthropogenic and experimental conditions. It utilizes various experimental approaches, methods and techniques, including geometric morphometrics and laboratory evolution.

Selected publications - Ecophysiological adaptive strategies of plants in conditions of multiple stress

1. Pavlović P, Muscolo A, Sidari M, Mitrović M. Non-trophic Interactions: Allelopathy. In: Dighton J, Krumins JA, editors. Interactions in Soil: Promoting Plant Growth. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands;2014.p.139–62.
2. Jarić S, Mitrović M, Pavlović P. An Ethnobotanical and Ethnomedicinal Study on the Use of Wild Medicinal Plants in Rural Areas of Serbia. In: Pieroni A, Quave CL, editors. Ethnobotany and Biocultural Diversities in the Balkans. New York, NY: Springer;2014.p.87–112.
3. Karadžić B, Jarić S, Pavlović P, Mitrović M. Aquatic and Wetland Vegetation Along the Sava River. In: Milačič R, Ščančar J, Paunović M, editors. The Sava River. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer;2015.p.249–316.
4. Jarić S, Mitrović M, Karadžić B, Kostić O, Djurjević L, Pavlović M, Pavlović P. Plant resources used in Serbian medieval medicine. Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicine. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2014;61(7):1359–79.
5. Jarić S, Mačukanović-Jocić M, Mitrović M, Pavlović P. The melliferous potential of forest and meadow plant communities on Mount Tara (Serbia). Environ Entomol. 2013;42(4):724–32.
6. Đurđević L, Gajić G, Kostić O, Jarić S, Pavlović M, Mitrović M, Pavlović P. Seasonal dynamics of allelopathically significant phenolic compounds in globally successful invader Conyza canadensis L. plants and associated sandy soil. Flora Morphol Distrib Funct Ecol Plants. 2012;207(11):812–20.
7. Sawidis T, Breuste J, Mitrovic M, Pavlovic P, Tsigaridas K. Trees as bioindicator of heavy metal pollution in three European cities. Environ Pollut. 2011;159(12):3560–70.
8. Jarić S, Mitrović M, Djurdjević L, Kostić O, Gajić G, Pavlović D, Pavlović P. Phytotherapy in medieval Serbian medicine according to the pharmacological manuscripts of the Chilandar Medical Codex (15-16th centuries). J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;137(1):601–19.
9. Narwal S, Pavlovic P, John J, editors. Research Methods in Plant Sciences Vol 2 : Forestry and Agroforestry. Houston, Texas: Studium Press LLC;2011. 260 p.
10. Djurdjević L, Mitrović M, Gajić G, Jarić S, Kostić O, Oberan L, Pavlović P. An allelopathic investigation of the domination of the introduced invasive Conyza canadensis L. Flora Morphol Distrib Funct Ecol Plants. 2011;206(11):921–7.

Since the opening of the Institute in 1947, ecology has been nurtured and developed as a separate research area. The Department of Ecology incorporates the most significant findings gained from complex stationary ecosystem research. The experience acquired is the result of the work of phytoecologists and zooecologists, who were organised into four departments within the Institute (the Department of Physiological and Biochemical Plant Ecology, the Department of Phytoecology, the Department of Zooecology, and the Department of Entomology) for many years. The work and dedication of the founders, primarily the academic Siniša Stanković, but also Prof. Milorad Janković, Dr Vojislav Mišić and Prof. Maksim Todorović, led to development in various fields.

Today, the Department of Ecology comprises researchers that are divided into two groups: phytoecology and zooecology.

Phytoecological research integrates ecophysiological plant research and research into biodiversity. Ecophysiological research focuses on: defining limiting environmental factors; analysing the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and molecular response of plant species to anthropogenically-induced habitat degradation; identifying plant species which reflect changes in the quality of the environment through their ecophysiological adaptations and allelopathic interactions; and defining their ecophysiological potential to survive in anthropogenically altered conditions. Research concentrates on defining ecologically based principles for neutralising or reducing disturbances in the functioning of ecosystems and restoring biodiversity in anthropogenically disturbed areas. It includes different types of disturbed habitats: disturbed forest ecosystems, urban and riparian zones exposed to pollutants, ash and slag deposits at thermal power plants, and different types of natural habitats. As model organisms for our research, autochthonous and allochthonous plant species (indicators) which give a characteristic representation of a certain habitat, or a certain anthropogenic activity, are used. Research methods integrate field (in vivo and in situ) and laboratory methods for taking measurements and analysis. Various techniques are used: induced fluorescence of chlorophyll, spectrophotometric and spectrometric (ICP) analyses, light and SEM microscopy, biochemical and molecular techniques combined with multivariate methods and the modelling of the adaptive response of plants to anthropogenic disturbances in ecosystems. Research results are used to assess the impact and consequences of the effects of anthropogenic habitat degradation on biodiversity and the functioning of the ecosystem. Besides its fundamental nature, this research is also applicative, aimed at restoration ecology. As such, different approaches and techniques are tested with the aim of defining an optimal model that will be effective in helping restore the biodiversity of different types of terrestrial ecosystems that have been disturbed to varying degrees.

Current phytoecological research is also focussed on studying forest populations, whose presence, genetic structure, and physiological, morphological and reproductive properties reveal the history of vegetation and the adaptive potential of local populations to survive in unfavourable environmental conditions. Research focuses on representative species of forest flora in protected ecosystems (in refugia, gorges, U-shaped valleys, and mountain ranges) and the most sensitive parts of ecosystems (on the edges of forest belts), as well as on discovering the migratory movement of species in the distant past and predicting patterns in the near future. Results of studying relict, endemic, endangered and economically significant (or potentially significant) forest species from our part of the Balkan peninsula provide a scientific basis for maintaining and protecting biodiversity and represent concrete support for the implementation of international obligations regarding protecting the biodiversity of forest ecosystems and endangered species.

With the aim of establishing the interactivity and interdependence of the geological substrate, soil, climate, biodiversity and local population, ethnobiological research that facilitates the assessment of the economic importance of natural habitats is undertaken. This research is aimed above all at preserving natural resources, and protecting ethnobotanical material and the biodiversity of regions.

Zooecological research is aimed at investigating the effects of abiotic (pollutants) and biotic (ecto- and endoparasites and microorganisms) factors on the immune system of mouse-like rodents which are sensitive to different influences from the external environment due to their high complexity. This research is carried out on the species Ratus norvegicus, which is considered a natural immunobiological model for investigating defence mechanisms. The impact of pollutants (cadmium) or rodenticides (warfarin) on the immune system of different breeds of laboratory and natural populations of R. norvegicus is examined through analyzing cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunomodulatory (proinflammatory and immunosuppressive) capacity under basal conditions of immune functions. In addition, research focuses on the induction of the immune response, particularly on the resistance to opportunistic microorganisms, such as the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Research into mechanisms of resistance to warfarin in natural populations of mouse-like rodents is undertaken through examining and analyzing the immunomodulatory potential of this rodenticide.

Zooecological research is also aimed at studying ornithofauna: determining the qualitative and quantitative components of populations of the ornithofauna of various habitats, determining the smallest area of habitat necessary for preserving communities of birds and home range endangered species, monitoring indicatory species or groups of species as part of the monitoring of natural habitat disturbance and global climate changes, distinguishing centres of biodiversity and linking them via corridors between fragmented habitats, census and demographic monitoring of endangered species of bird (primarily the vulture Gyps fulvus), the conservation of biodiversity, conservation ecology and the reintroduction of bird species that have disappeared to the Balkan peninsula, and establishing the monitoring of endangered and important species of ornithofauna.

The aim of our research is to study effects of selected plant extracts, polyphenols of natural origin (genistein and daidzein), synthetic steroid hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, dexamethasone) and peptide hormones (somatostatin, calcitonin and ghrelin) on rat neuroendocrine system. The experiments are designed to test the putative developmental effects of selected „natural" and syntetic hormones (exposure at fetal, neonatal, juvenile and peripubertal age), as well as the potentially beneficial effects of short- and long-term exposure to the same treatments at adult, middle-age and old age of rat life cycle. Aging is a multifactorial process in which hormonal homeostasis undergoes significant changes, affecting neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, skeletal and all vital functions. Assessment of putative beneficial/risk effects of the plant and synthetic hormones and extracts will be conducted using several different rat models of menopause/andropause and aging: gonadectomized young adults, gonadectomized middle-aged and gonad-intact middle aged males and females as well as old aged males. Comparison between surgically inflicted and „natural" andropause/menopause models should provide better insight into the mechanisms of action of examined substances. All hormone-sensitive physiological systems are response to hormone-like substances. Researches in our department are focused on assessment of major endocrine systems that are affected by polyphenols: hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal, -somatotropic, -gonadal and -thyroid, as well as on end points of these hormone action in liver and bone.

In our research we apply histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, ummunofluorescence, RT-PCR, Western blot, hormonal analyses, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as electron microscopy research technique. Changes at histological level are quantified by unbiased stereological method (newCast software system).

The results of our research are published in international and local peer reviewed journals and have also been presented at local and international scientific meetings. During current project period, four Ph.D. theses were finished and at the moment one is being carried out in the department.

Our department have permanent collaborations with biomedical departments from our own Institute as well as from: the Faculties of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Biology, Pharmacy and Veterinary sciences, University of Belgrade; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad; Faculties of Natural and Mathematical Sciences and Veterinary Sciences, University "St. Cyril and Methodius", Skopje, FYROM and Institute for Experimental Endocrinology, Charite University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany, INRA-Clermont Ferrand/Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France, and Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, USA.

MAIL GOALS:

neuroendocrinology
polyphenols of natural origin
aging
andropause
menopause
mineral homeostasis
development and programming
cellular mechanics

1.Filipović B, Šošić-Jurjević B, Ajdžanović V, Brkić D, Manojlović-Stojanoski M, Milošević V, Sekulić M. Daidzein administration positively affects thyroid C cells and bone structure in orchidectomized middle-aged rats. Osteoporos Int. 2010;21(9):1609-16.

2.Pantelić J, Ajdžanović V, Medigović I, Mojić M, Trifunović S, Milošević V, Filipović B. Genistein affects parathyroid gland and NaPi 2a cotransporter in an animal model of the andropause. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013;64(3):361-8.

3.Milošević V, Ajdžanović V, Nešić D, Starčević V, Filipović B, Rakočević R, Stevanović D. Central ghrelin treatment stimulates ACTH cells in normal-fed, food-restricted and high-fed rats: An immunohistomorphometric and hormonal study. Acta Histochem. 2013;115(8):858-64.

4.Ajdžanović V, Medigović I, Pantelić J, Milošević V. Soy isoflavones and cellular mechanics. J Bioenerg Biomembr. 2014;46(2):99-107.

5.Šošić-Jurjević B, Filipović B, Wirth E, Živanović J, Radulović N, Janković S, Milošević V, Köhrle J. Soy isoflavones interfere with thyroid hormone homeostasis in orchidectomized middle-aged rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2014;278(2):124-34.

6.Medigović I, Ristić N, Živanović J, Šošić-Jurjević B, Filipović B, Milošević V, Nestorović N. Diosgenin does not express estrogenic activity: a uterotrophic assay. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2014;92(4):292-8.

7.Trifunović S, Manojlović-Stojanoski M, Ajdžanović V, Nestorović N, Ristić N, Medigović I, Milošević V. Effects of genistein on stereological and hormonal characteristics of the pituitary somatotrophs in rats. Endocrine. 2014;47(3):869-77.

8.Manojlović-Stojanoski M, Filipović B, Nestorović N, Šošić-Jurjević B, Ristić N, Trifunović S, Milošević V. Morpho-functional characteristics of rat fetal thyroid gland are affected by prenatal dexamethasone exposure. Steroids. 2014;84:22-9.

9.Nestorović N, Manojlović-Stojanoski M, Trifunović S, Ristić N, Filipović B, Šošić-Jurjević B, Milošević V. Long-term effects of somatostatin 14 on the pituitary-ovarian axis in rats. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2014;33(2):157-68.

10.Manojlović-Stojanoski M, Ristić N, Singh S, Milošević V. Antenatal treatment with glucocorticoids and the hypotalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. J Med Biochem. 2014;33(4):307-16.