Body condition is important because it is correlated with population and habitat quality parameters. Since the direct measurements are either lethal or unreliable, a wide range of non-lethal body condition indices has been proposed. The aim of our study was to apply and compare three body condition indices (Fulton's index, relative body condition mass index and residual index) using body size indicator – body mass data for 24 populations of the yellow bellied toad (Bombina variegata). The condition index should be independent of body size indicator, in this case snout vent length (SVL). Therefore we tested all three indices for the statistical independence of SVL and for the normality of distribution. Fulton's index violated the independence assumption, whereas the relative body condition mass index did not have a normal distribution. Residual index was found both independent of SVL and normally distributed. Moreover, the residual index highlighted biological significant differences on the basis of altitude and season. Our results recommend the residual index as a useful tool in amphibian monitoring and conservation.

Earlier studies suggested that the Mesovoid Shallow Substratum (MSS), a subterranean network of voids immediately under the soil and scree horizon, might play an important role in the life cycle of some troglobitic species. No ecological studies have been conducted to test whether this terrestrial shallow subterranean habitat only plays an important role for a few subterranean or preferential species, or whether it is also important for the soil faunal structure and dynamics. We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of the arthropod community in the MSS and sub-alpine scree and analysed the correlations with environmental variables. We identified 140 soil-dwelling, characteristic and troglobitic species that inhabited the MSS in different seasonal assemblages. Combined statistical analyses of the environmental factors and seasonal variation in arthropod abundance and biomass emphasized the importance of the MSS as an ecological microrefuge for many soil-dwelling species (including important predators and detritivores) which usually live in the adjacent forests or mountain pastures. Conservation plans for invertebrates should include the protection of the MSS.

An anthropic ecosystem from Romania was investigated from acarological, vegetation and chemical point of view. The community structures of two groups of mites were studied (Acari: Mesostigmata, Oribatida) from a tailing pond, using transect method, in correlation with concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cu, Pb, Ni, Mn and Zn), with abiotic factors (altitude, aspect, soil temperature, soil humidity, soil pH) and biotic factor (vegetation coverage). Taking into account the mite communities, in total, 30 mite species were identified, with 1009 individuals and 18 immatures (10 species with 59 individuals, 5 immatures of Mesostigmata and 20 species with 950 individuals, 13 immatures of Oribatida). The investigated habitats from the tailing pond were grouped in five transects, with different degree of pollution, based on total metal loads. Taking into account of the connection between mites communities, abiotic factors and heavy metals, each transect were characterized through specific relationship. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we revealed that the occurrence of some Oribatida species was strongly correlated with vegetation coverage, soil pH and soil humidity, though concentrations of Cu, As, Mn, Ni and Zn also had an influence. Pb and Zn concentrations were shown to influence the occurrence of Mesostigmata mites. The heterogeneity of mites species richness at 2 m²scale was correlated with a metric related to the heterogeneity of heavy metals at the same scale.