The genus Pheggomisetes Knirsch, 1923 consists of stenoendemic troglobitic ground beetles restricted to underground habitats in both Western Bulgaria and Southeast Serbia. A review of the genus in Serbia is given in this article. The following new taxa are described from three caves and pits on slopes of the Stara Planina Mountains in Southeast Serbia: Pheggomisetes serbicus sp. nov., P. serbicus belensis subsp. nov. and P. globiceps ciniglavcensis subsp. nov. Also, Pheggomisetes ninae S. Ćurčić, Schönmann, Brajković, B. Ćurčić & Tomić, 2004, originally described as an independent species, is downgraded to a subspecies of P. globiceps Buresch, 1925 – P. globiceps ninae S. Ćurčić, Schönmann, Brajković, B. Ćurčić & Tomić, 2004 comb. & stat. nov. All the important morphological features of the taxa are listed in the article. The diagnoses of taxa are based on the characters ascertained by bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy (NLM). The use of NLM in investigating Pheggomisetes anatomy is explained, and it is shown to be superior to classical microscopy in observing minute details of different structures (e.g. genitalia) on cross and longitudinal sections. A key to the species of Pheggomisetes (including the Serbian taxa) is given. In addition, we have included morphometric and molecular analyses of all Serbian Pheggomisetes taxa.

Macroecologists seek to identify drivers of community turnover ( β -diversity) through broad spatial scales. However, the influence of local habitat features in driving broad-scale β -diversity patterns remains largely untested, owing to the objective challenges of associating local-scale variables to continental-framed datasets. We examined the relative contribution of local- versus broad-scale drivers of continental β -diversity patterns, using a uniquely suited dataset of cave-dwelling spider communities across Europe (35–70° latitude). Generalized dissimilarity modelling showed that geographical distance, mean annual temperature and size of the karst area in which caves occurred drove most of β -diversity, with differential contributions of each factor according to the level of subterranean specialization. Highly specialized communities were mostly influenced by geographical distance, while less specialized communities were mostly driven by mean annual temperature. Conversely, local-scale habitat features turned out to be meaningless predictors of community change, which emphasizes the idea of caves as the human accessible fraction of the extended network of fissures that more properly represents the elective habitat of the subterranean fauna. To the extent that the effect of local features turned to be inconspicuous, caves emerge as experimental model systems in which to study broad biological patterns without the confounding effect of local habitat features.

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus, namely C. (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands’ secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical for Carabus pygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview of Carabus taxa is given in the paper.

Bolbelasmus (Bolbelasmus) unicornis (Schrank, 1789) (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) is a rare and threatened beetle distributed mostly in Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe. As a species of special conservation significance it is included in Annexes II and IV of the Habitat Directive of the European Union. Several new records of this species documented using light traps and soil sampling were recently reported in Serbia (the central part of the Balkan Peninsula). In this paper we present and discuss the current distribution of this species in the region studied based on GIS occurrence data. The distribution is mapped and values of environmental variables within this beetle's range are quantified using GIS technology. In addition, we predict its potential range in Serbia using a model based on the current distribution of this beetle, environmental variables and distribution of its food source.