Data on the historical distribution of the golden jackal in Europe and its primary habitats are scarce. There are many new data on the population explosion and the rapid spread of the in Europe. However, the main factors for this expansion, the core population and its routes of dispersal, remain controversial or insufficiently studied. This study provides a profound analysis of the history of the jackal’s (Canisaureusmoreoticus Geoffroy, 1835) occurrence in Europe, the factors limiting or those triggering its expansion on the continent. The analysis shows that the timing of the species appearance in Europe still remains unclear. Historical data show that the species is a typical inhabitant of South-Eastern Europe, with some pulsations within its core area, as well as extensions to the north and west of it in favourable periods. Nowadays, the increase of the species range in Europe is the largest documented population explosion on the continent. We argue that this expansion originates from only three core populations, the Peri-Strandja area and the Dalmatian coast in the Balkans and the east parts of Western Transcaucasia in the Caucasus. This population explosion is largely due to a unique combination of factors of an anthropogenic nature.

Reliable taxonomy underpins communication in all of biology, not least nature conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem resources. The flexibility of taxonomic interpretations, however, presents a serious challenge for end-users of taxonomic concepts. Users need standardised and continuously harmonised taxonomic reference systems, as well as high-quality and complete taxonomic data sets, but these are generally lacking for non-specialists. The solution is in dynamic, expertly curated web-based taxonomic tools. The Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI) worked to solve this key issue by providing a taxonomic e-infrastructure for Europe. It strengthened the relevant social (expertise) and information (standards, data and technical) capacities of five major community networks on taxonomic indexing in Europe, which is essential for proper biodiversity assessment and monitoring activities. The key objectives of PESI were: 1) standardisation in taxonomic reference systems, 2) enhancement of the quality and completeness of taxonomic data sets and 3) creation of integrated access to taxonomic information. This paper describes the results of PESI and its future prospects, including the involvement in major European biodiversity informatics initiatives and programs.

Geraads D., Spassov N., Hristova L., Markov G. N. & Tzankov T. 2011. — Upper Miocene mammals from Strumyani, South-Western Bulgaria. Geodiversitas 33 (3): 451–484. The localities of Strumyani in the Struma valley (South-Western Bulgaria) yield a rich assemblage of large mammals, including more than 20 species, hipparions and rhinos being especially well represented. Many species are commonly found in the Balkano-Iranian province, but there are also some rarely found taxa, such as Tapirus Brünnich, 1771, Dorcatherium Kaup, 1833, and a cervid that looks different from other contemporaneous finds. The instantaneous nature of the deposition shows that the association of taxa with likely diverse ecological requirements reflects a truly mosaic environment. The close similarity of the faunal association with that of Pikermi implies a similar middle Turolian age, although some differences suggest that Strumyani is earlier than this Greek locality. The issue of the age of Turolian sites of the Balkans is discussed. Mammifères du Miocène supérieur de Strumyani, Bulgarie du sud-ouest. Les localités de Strumyani dans la vallée du Struma (sud-ouest de la Bulgarie) livrent un riche assemblage de grands mammifères, comprenant plus de 20 espè ces, les hipparions et les rhinocéros étant particulièrement bien représentés. De nombreuses espèces sont fréquemment rencontrées dans la province balkanoiranienne, mais on trouve aussi quelques taxons rares, comme Tapirus Brünnich, 1771, Dorcatherium Kaup, 1833, et un cervidé qui semble différent des formes contemporaines. La nature instantanée du dépôt montre que l'association de taxons à exigences écologiques probablement différentes reflète vraiment un environnement mosaïque. L'étroite ressemblance de l'association faunique avec celle de Pikermi implique un âge semblable, Turolien moyen, bien que quelques différences suggèrent que Strumyani est plus ancien que ce site grec. La question de l'âge des sites turoliens des Balkans est discutée.