Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

@mizpas.bsky.social

Research from the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.

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Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS reposted

Lech Karpiński
@ceramb.bsky.social

Scientists from @mizpas.bsky.social (along with #Eodorcadion and #Dorcadion beetles!) participated in two next prestigious conferences in the field of evolutionary biology and insect systematics. Our talks were oriented on speciation of Central Asian flightless beetles (Dorcadionini s.l.) 1/4

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📡🦬 Berlin visit: Humboldt University & Vectronic Aerospace We visited Prof. Tobias Kuemmerle’s Conservation Geography Lab, picked up GPS collars for European bison in the Bieszczady Mts and Slovakia, and saw Vectronic’s newest collars with video cameras 🛰️ #EuropeanBison #WildlifeTelemetry

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢 MIZ PAS seminars are back after the summer break! 🎤 Dr Dana Zubriková & Klaudia Švirlochová 🦠 Vector-borne pathogens in horses and ruminants in Slovakia 📅 Oct 13, 12:00 CET 📍 Hybrid (Warsaw + online), seminar link in the comments #Parasitology #Science #Seminar #MIZPAS

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢 Polish Journal of Ecology Rapid editorial and publication process⚡ 📊2026 average journal metrics: 3 days – first editorial decision 25 days – reviewer turnaround 68 days – final decision 11 days – acceptance to online publication 🔓 Open Access ✅ Free for authors #ecology #openscience #bioone

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

doi.org/10.3161/1505...

doi.orgIntegrating Pellet Analysis and Photographic Surveys to Assess the Diet of the Lesser Kestrel in TürkiyeUnderstanding the diet of farmland raptors is essential for evaluating prey availability, habitat quality, and planning wildlife-friendly agricultural practices. However, individual dietary assessment methods may capture different components of prey use. We therefore investigated the diet of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Türkiye by combining pellet analysis from a breeding colony in Central Anatolia with photo-based records from citizen science platforms at the national scale. We analysed a total of 93 pellets collected in June and July 2020, yielding 821 identified prey items, with a mean of 8.8 (SD = 5.4) prey items per pellet. Arthropods dominated the diet (99% of individuals). Coleoptera (68%) and Orthoptera (26%) were the dominant prey groups, indicating a relatively narrow trophic niche. Additionally, we screened 1,019 photos from citizen science platforms, yielding 219 unique prey records. Orthoptera were the most frequently recorded prey, and proportionally more often in photos than in pellets, likely reflecting detection bias toward larger and more conspicuous prey. Our results confirm the predominantly insectivorous diet of the Lesser Kestrel in Türkiye and show that pellet- and photo-based approaches provide complementary perspectives on prey composition. Integrating conventional and citizen-science-based dietary data can improve ecological assessments and support bird-friendly agricultural management in pseudo-steppe landscapes.
Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢 Polish Journal of Ecology Rapid editorial and publication process⚡ 📊2026 average journal metrics: 3 days – first editorial decision 25 days – reviewer turnaround 68 days – final decision 11 days – acceptance to online publication 🔓 Open Access ✅ Free for authors #ecology #openscience #bioone

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

doi.org/10.3161/1505...

doi.orgAlpine Lepidoptera and the Equivalence of Space and Time in Community EcologyThe concept of space–time equivalence refers to the observation that ecological patterns might look similar when studied in space or time. It has frequently been applied in studies on environmental (mainly climate) change, where appropriate temporal data are lacking. Here, we take advantage of long-term butterfly museum records, taken from 1985 to 2022 at multiple sites from three habitat types in the northern Austrian Alps. We ask whether the pattern of species accumulation, the demographic variability, and the temporal pattern of species turnover (β-diversity) of butterflies are qualitatively and also quantitatively equivalent in space and time. A power function model of species accumulation was able to describe the long-term temporal and large-scale spatial variability of butterfly assemblages. Slopes of the species accumulation curves and β-diversity were always higher in space than in time. Average species ranks of the most frequently occurring species in space were consistently higher than those in time. Both patterns were most pronounced in ecologically more specialised species and in pastures. We conclude that habitat characteristics and heterogeneity are more important for the degree of β-diversity than species traits. We predict that increasing spatial faunal homogenisation should shift butterfly and also other arthropod assemblages towards patterns of species accumulation with similar slopes.
Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢 Polish Journal of Ecology Rapid editorial and publication process⚡ 📊2026 average journal metrics: 3 days – first editorial decision 25 days – reviewer turnaround 68 days – final decision 11 days – acceptance to online publication 🔓 Open Access ✅ Free for authors #ecology #openscience #bioone

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

doi.org/10.3161/1505...

doi.orgFuture Climate Change May Reduce Suitable Habitat for the Timber Tree Gmelina arboreaPopulations of Gmelina arborea (Lamiaceae), a fast-growing deciduous tree widely used in afforestation, agroforestry and timber production, and valued for carbon sequestration and land rehabilitation, are declining across parts of its range due to escalating anthropogenic pressure and climate-driven environmental change. As large-scale planting and restoration programmes increasingly rely on this species, identifying areas where climate conditions will remain suitable is essential for climate-smart site selection and long-term plantation viability. We applied species distribution modelling to quantify the current and projected habitat suitability of G. arborea under present and future climatic conditions proxied through several Shared Socioeconomic Pathways climate change scenarios. We used the low-resolution global climate model by the Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace Climate Modelling Centre, Version 6A, to simulate future climate conditions for the year 2050 across the eastern Indian state Jharkhand. At present, approximately 38% of Jharkhand's area provides suitable habitat for the species; however, projections indicate that this may decline to 17-40% by 2050, depending on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenario. Precipitation of the driest month and mean temperature of the driest quarter were the most influential predictors, indicating that the species is probably highly sensitive to moisture deficits and seasonal climatic extremes that regulate establishment and growth. These results provide a scientific basis for climate-informed management strategies, including targeted site selection, assisted dispersal, and silvicultural interventions, to sustain future restoration and farm forestry initiatives involving G. arborea in vulnerable tropical landscapes.
Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢 Polish Journal of Ecology Rapid editorial and publication process⚡ 📊2026 average journal metrics: 3 days – first editorial decision 25 days – reviewer turnaround 68 days – final decision 11 days – acceptance to online publication 🔓 Open Access ✅ Free for authors #ecology #openscience #bioone

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

doi.org/10.3161/1505...

doi.orgImpact of the Invasive South African Ragwort on Germination and Growth of RadishThe South African ragwort Senecio inaequidens is among the most invasive plant species in Europe, especially in mountainous and Mediterranean regions, and is suspected to exert allelopathic effects (release of chemical inhibitors) on native vegetation. This study investigated the allelopathic potential of South African ragwort using radish Raphanus sativus as a model species. In laboratory experiments, I treated radish seeds with ragwort leaf extracts at varying concentrations. After three days, the extract reduced radish seed germination by up to 40% in a concentration-dependent manner. High extract concentrations significantly inhibited radish seedling root length, whereas lower concentrations rather stimulated root growth. Measurements of oxidative stress-related parameters, including lipid peroxidation and total antioxidative capacity, showed no changes in treated roots. In a complementary pot experiment, I exposed radish seeds for 36 days to pulverised ragwort leaves mixed with vermiculite. This treatment delayed, but did not suppress seed germination. Subsequent plant growth and physiological status remained unaffected. The results suggest that South African ragwort exerts moderate allelopathic effects, primarily influencing seedlings, whereas mature plants appear less sensitive to its allelochemicals.
Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢 Polish Journal of Ecology Rapid editorial and publication process⚡ 📊2026 average journal metrics: 3 days – first editorial decision 25 days – reviewer turnaround 68 days – final decision 11 days – acceptance to online publication 🔓 Open Access ✅ Free for authors #ecology #openscience #bioone

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📍 Jabłonna | Science Festival 🔬 Our nematode research group MIZ PAS presented a project using AI to identify soil nematodes that cause agricultural losses at the “Science with the Palace in the Background” festival. A great day of science, conversations & curiosity! 🌱🧬💡 #Scienceforeveryone

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢Fragmenta Faunistica Special Issue dedicated to Prof. Wojciech Czechowski, a prominent figure in Polish myrmecology 🐜 👥📚A tribute by colleagues, collaborators & friends, and the debut of the journal’s new layout! 🔗Link 👉 l1nq.com/ntgbriq #Science #Friendship #Myrmecology #FragmentaFaunistica

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢Fragmenta Faunistica Special Issue dedicated to Prof. Wojciech Czechowski, a prominent figure in Polish myrmecology 🐜 👥📚A tribute by colleagues, collaborators & friends, and the debut of the journal’s new layout! 🔗Link 👉 l1nq.com/ntgbriq #Science #Friendship #Myrmecology #FragmentaFaunistica

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

🦉 We said goodbye to summer in Warsaw and @fundacja_ADA! 🌿 Over 10,000 people joined us for a day full of science, zoological curiosities 🐾 and conversations about biodiversity, species protection and caring for nature. 🌍🔬 A wonderful day to remember! #citizenscience #fun #family #zoo #curiosities

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

🐫🪳🐜🌏 Expedition Mongolia! Lech Karpiński & Gema Trigos-Peral (MIZ PAS), with Enkhnasan Davaadorj & Gan-Ochir Gerelt (MAS), explored the steppe & Eastern Gobi to study arthropod evolution. Now, the lab awaits! Polish-Mongolian Academy of Sciences collaboration! #Mongolia #Science #Nature #Arthropod

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📣🌏🔬MIZ PAS hosted Dr. Shea Kathleen P. Guinto (University of Santo Tomas) to advance research on freshwater biodiversity & zooplankton ecology. The visit marked the first joint activity under the MIZ PAS–UST MoA, laying the groundwork for future Polish-Philippine scientific collaboration.

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

🗺️📦 A treasure map, buried metal boxes and a mine detector — during WWII Gerd Heinrich hid his ichneumon wasp collection underground. Found 15 years later, still in great condition. #MiIZPAS #MuseumOfZoology #NaturalHistoryCollections #HistoryOfScience #Entomology #Ichneumonidae

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

🕸️ Deep in the Sulfur Cave on the Greece–Albania border, researchers from our Institute study a huge 100‑meter colonial web built by Tegenaria domestica. A normally solitary spider turned social — a perfect natural lab for uncovering how underground life shapes colonial life! 🕷️

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

We were pleased to host colleagues from the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS ❄️🔬. Together we discussed strengthening collaboration, from polar collections to joint research. Combining field expertise with major zoological collections helps protect global biodiversity! 🌍🤝

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

🎙️ Instinct or Compassion? Altruism in the Animal World The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences Academia highlights the interview with Dr. Filip Turza from MIZ PAS!🐬🐀🐜 🔗 academia.pan.pl/instynkt-czy-wspolczuciehttps://academia.pan.pl/instynkt-czy-wspolczucie-altruizm-w-swiecie-zwierzat/

academia.pan.plInstynkt czy współczucie? Altruizm w świecie zwierząt - Academia PANPrzyroda nie sprowadza się wyłącznie do brutalnej walki o przetrwanie. Delfiny podtrzymujące rannego towarzysza przy powierzchni, szczury uwalniające inne osobniki z pułapki czy mrówki poświęcające si...
Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

We are proud to announce that last Friday, dr. Gema Trigos-Peral was awarded her habilitation in Biology. Her main achievement was in urban ecology, and her second achievement was in behavioural ecology. Congratulations! 🎉🎓

Gema Trigos-Peral@trigos-peral.bsky.social

Today I obtained my habilitation degree! 🎉 I am truly happy and grateful to everyone who accompanied me throughout this journey 💖

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

We are proud to announce that Anna Wrońska & Agata Kaczmarek, in partnership with Jolanta Mierzejewska from Warsaw University of Technology (leader), were awarded an @ncn.gov.pl research grant 🥳! The project aims to find if yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus can form a carrier for oral vaccines. 🔬🧪💉

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

📢 Open position for PhD studies in MIZ! 🔎 Join an international team studying desert-adapted Blaptinae beetles with phylogenomics, museomics & morphology, focusing on the diverse Opatrini tribe. 🔗More info – www.kaminskientomo.org #Phylogenomics #Evolution #PhDstudent

kaminskientomo.orgkaminskientomoWELCOME to our lab! We're the Systematic Entomology group of Marcin Kaminski. Research interests: We are investigating the evolutionary history of species, genera, and higher-level lineages using gene...
Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

👩‍👦‍👦Celebrate children's day with us!!! Explore the fascinating world of land snails, learn about endangered species, and enjoy a fun family picnic 🐌 📆When - May 31 📍Warsaw Zoo - Ratuszowa 1/3, Warsaw Partners: PANDA Foundation & Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS #Fun #Nature #Family #Science

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

Enjoy MIZ Scientific Journals!!! 📚 This year, enjoy #OpenAccess with NO APCs for authors. Discover a new visual identity, strengthened editorial boards, faster peer review, and online publishing. 🌍Submit your research and share it globally! #OpenAccess #ScientificPublishing #BioOne

Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
@mizpas.bsky.social

🐦🏙️ Bird colours are changing in cities! Dr. Janas (MIZ PAS) co-authored a study across 8 Polish cities showing that more urban “concreting” leads to duller, more variable yellow in Great Tits 💛, while Blue Tits have brighter tails - yet melanin colours stay unchanged. 🐦🪽 🔗 Link: shorturl.at/Adsyw

shorturl.atReplicated urban mosaics reveal trait- and species-specific shifts in carotenoid and structural plumage colouration of two passerines - Scientific ReportsScientific Reports - Replicated urban mosaics reveal trait- and species-specific shifts in carotenoid and structural plumage colouration of two passerines