Katarina Mikac

• B. App. Sci. (Hons 1); PhD
• Professor (Associate) at University of Wollongong

The loss of hollow‐bearing trees poses a critical threat to hollow‐dependent species. Nest boxes as supplementary habitat have emerged as a conservation tool for certain species, but their use in providing habitat for Southern Greater Gliders ( Petauroides volans ), a heat‐sensitive and hollow‐dependent species, remains limited. This study investig...

The description of the Petaurus sp. has been ongoing since first described and especially within the last fifteen years. Recently from the known P. breviceps species, three subspecies have been recognized at the species level. Two of these species, P. notatus and P. ariel, have been geographically described throughout Australia; however, the northe...

The population of the endangered southern greater glider (Petauroides volans) is rapidly declining across coastal lowlands in New South Wales, Australia. Here, we focus on a typical coastal lowland glider population in Seven Mile Beach National Park, New South Wales, that is declining primarily due to habitat fragmentation. This study aimed to asse...

Southern greater gliders (Petauroides volans) are endangered Australian marsupials for which there is little health data currently available. Chlamydia pecorum is the only reported pathogen of greater gliders and infects a broad range of hosts, including other marsupials, ruminants, swine and birds. Conjunctival and cloacal swabs collected from thi...

The hindwing geometry, aspect ratio, and numerical modeling of susceptible, Bt-Corn- and rotation-resistant western corn rootworm (WCR) wings was investigated. All variants had similar hindwing geometries and aspect ratio (AR: 6–7). These AR values correspond to wings suited to lower altitude flights of a shorter distance. These AR values are chara...

Simple Summary The gut microbiome can provide valuable information on the ecology and health of wildlife. We profiled the gut microbiota of the southern greater glider, an endangered Australian marsupial that was heavily disturbed by the 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season. Geographic location was found to be a significant driver of gut microbial...

Context In highly fragmented landscapes, arboreal mammals are limited by their ability to move and disperse between core habitats. Connectivity modelling for multiple species allows scientists to identify the most efficient movement and/or dispersal pathway(s) to prioritise for conservation efforts. Objectives In this study, we evaluated the most...

Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are among the most charismatic of all insects. With more than 2000 species in 100 genera, the worldwide diversity of lampyrids is impressive and includes both diurnal and nocturnal species. Fireflies, like numerous other insects, have experienced a worldwide decline in their distribution and abundance. Currently,...

Habitat loss and fragmentation contribute significantly to the decline of arboreal mammal populations. As populations become fragmented and isolated, a reduction in gene flow can result in a loss of genetic diversity and have an overall impact upon long-term persistence. Creating wildlife corridors can mitigate such effects by increasing the moveme...

The impacts of a changing climate threaten species, populations and ecosystems. Despite these significant and large-scale impacts on threatened species, many remain understudied and have little to no genetic information available. The greater glider, Petauroides volans, is an endangered species highly sensitive to the predicted changes in temperatu...

To address uncertainties surrounding the impacts of unprecedented 2019–20 bushfires in south‐eastern Australia, we convened a symposium on field‐measured impacts on biodiversity for the 2020 Ecological Society of Australia conference. Nine presentations covered a range of studies on plant species and communities, and reptiles and mammals. Here, we...

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) is one of the most successful invasive species worldwide. It has been present in Croatia since 1947, where it has caused significant damage to potato plants and developed resistance to several insecticides. Our study is the first attempt to investigate the population structure of CPBs...

Hollow-bearing trees provide essential habitat for a range of threatened Australian wildlife species. Limited data exist for the hollow choice of greater gliders (Petauroides volans). This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive overview of the dimensions and characteristics of the den trees and hollows used by greater gliders, in the contex...

Wildfires are prevalent across Australian landscapes; this is evident in the number of fire-adapted plant species in Australian ecosystems, including most eucalypts. In eastern Australia, there are fewer than 10 fire sensitive eucalypt species including Eucalyptus fraxinoides, whereby 100% leaf scorch results in mortality. Stands of Eucalyptus frax...

Camera trapping to study wildlife allows for data collection, without the need to capture animals. Traditionally, camera traps have been used to target larger terrestrial mammal species, though recently novel methods and adjustments in procedures have meant camera traps can be used to study small mammals. The selfie trap (a camera trapping method)...

Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis, Walker) is an invasive species present in Croatia since 2012 where causes great damage to plants of the genus Buxus. The pest spreads rapidly, has high reproductive potential and good adaptability. Its known natural dispersal velocity is up to10 km per year. Understanding flight characteristics of insect pests...

Arboreal gliders are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and to barriers that extend their glide distance threshold. Habitat fragmentation through deforestation can cause population isolation and genetic drift in gliding mammals, which in turn can result in a loss of genetic diversity and population long-term persistence. This study utilised next g...

Australian arboreal mammals are experiencing significant population declines, particularly due to land clearing and resulting habitat fragmentation. The squirrel glider, Petaurus norfolcensis , is a threatened species in New South Wales, with a stronghold population in the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area (LGA) where fragmentation due to urbani...

Codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella L., is an important pest of apples worldwide. CM resistance to insecticides is a serious problem in apple production. For effective management and control, monitoring of resistant CM populations is absolutely necessary. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether it is possible to find a reliable pattern of...

Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), with more than 2 000 species in 100 genera worldwide, are a charismatic nocturnal species. Although popular in different cultures because of their association with warm summer evenings in childhood, fireflies are an under-researched insect. Like numerous other insects worldwide, fireflies have experienced declin...

Context Fire severity and frequency is predicted to increase over the remainder of the 21st century in Australia’s temperate forests; therefore, the effects of fire severity on forest-dependant species is of major conservation concern. Aims Determining the short-term (<1 year) effect of fire severity on a forest-dependant species, the greater glid...

The use of camera traps to track individual mammals to estimate home range and movement patterns, has not been previously applied to small mammal species. Our aim was to evaluate the use of camera trapping, using the selfie trap method, to record movements of small mammals within and between fragments of habitat. In a fragmented landscape, 164 came...

Our study aimed to investigate seasonal variation in the activity of arboreal and semi-arboreal mammals and investigate their overlap in temporal activity, as well temporal shifts in activity because of behavioural interference. In our camera trapping study in a fragmented landscape in south-eastern Australia, a total of ten arboreal and semi-arbor...

Australian arboreal mammals are experiencing significant population declines, particularly due to land clearing and resulting habitat fragmentation. The squirrel glider, Petaurus norfolcensis, is a threatened species in New South Wales, with a stronghold population in the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area (LGA) where fragmentation due to urbaniz...

Pojava rezistentnosti na insekticide kod kukaca ozbiljan je i rastući problem u poljoprivrednoj proizvodnji. Razvijanjem učinkovitih programa praćenja rezistentnosti omogućava se rano otkrivanje rezistentnosti te razvoj i pravovremena implementacija antirezistentnih strategija. Polimorfizam pojedinačnog nukleotida, engl. Syngle Nucleotide Polymorph...

The greater glider (Petauroides volans) is a difficult species to study because they are arboreal, spending the majority of their time in the canopy. Here we review methods used to capture greater gliders and describe methods that are more effective in capturing greater gliders while decreasing risks to animal welfare. The routine uses (1) detectio...

The Middle Pleistocene fluvial channel site of the Upper Fossil-bearing Interval at Mata Menge in the So’a Basin, Flores, Indonesia, has yielded the earliest fossil evidence for Homo floresiensis in association with stone artefacts and fossils of highly endemic insular fauna, including Stegodon, giant rats, crocodiles, Komodo dragons, and various b...

Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), with more than 2000 species in 100 genera worldwide, are impressive diurnal as well as nocturnal species (1-3). Although popular in society largely because of their association with warm summer evenings in childhood, fireflies are an under-researched insect. Like numerous other insects worldwide, fireflies have ex...

Ground dwelling mammal communities are documented six months before and after the Clyde Mountain Wildfire of 2019/2020 in Monga National Park. Across eight sites before fire, approximately 12 ground dwelling mammal species were recorded. Survey effort post-fire increased to 40 sites, spanning three fire severity classes (low, moderate and extreme),...

Petaurus breviceps and Petaurus norfolcensis have produced hybrids in captivity, however there are no reported cases of Petaurus hybridisation in the wild. This study uses morphological data, mitochondrial DNA, and nuclear genome-wide SNP markers to confirm P. breviceps breviceps × P. norfolcensis hybridisation within their natural range on the cen...

Australian arboreal mammals are experiencing significant population declines, particularly due to land clearing and resulting habitat fragmentation. The squirrel glider, Petaurus norfolcensis, is a threatened species in New South Wales, with a stronghold population in the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area (LGA) where fragmentation due to urbaniz...

Sympatric species with similar niches compete for common resources, often resulting in spatio-temporal avoidance. To date, little is known about the spatio-temporal interactions of ungulates in forested habitats. Using camera traps, we investigated the spatio-temporal responses of alpine chamois to the presence of red deer in the mountain forests o...

The western corn rootworm (WCR), is one of the most serious pests of maize in the United States. In this study, we aimed to find a reliable pattern of difference related to resistance type using population genetic and geometric morphometric approaches. To perform a detailed population genetic analysis of the whole genome, we used single nucleotide...

Alternatives and replacements for synthetic chemical-based plant protectants are required. In this study biopolymeric microspheres containing arthropod-derived apitoxin are explored as a possible novel environmentally friendly formulation for plant protection. Here we document the optimization process for microencapsulation of apitoxin into a stabl...

The use of genetic information in conservation biology has become more widespread with genetic information more readily available for non-model organisms. It has also been recognized that genetic information from invasive species can inform their management and control. The red fox poses a significant threat to Australian native fauna and the agric...

Arboreal gliders are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and to barriers that extend their glide distance threshold. Habitat fragmentation through deforestation can cause population isolation and genetic drift in gliding mammals which in turn can result in a loss of genetic diversity and population long-term persistence. This study utilised next ge...

This study aimed to provide accurate and current distribution and density estimates of the greater glider population size at Seven Mile Beach National Park, New South Wales Australia from extensive spotlight surveys. Distribution mapping of greater gliders and ArcGIS modelling allowed effective visual representation of the population’s distribution...

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål, 1855) is an invasive polyphagous species that threatens fruit growing both in the United States and Europe. Many pesticide active ingredients have been studied in H. halys management, but for sustainable fruit growing, which implies the reduction of chemical harm to the environment, new safe i...

This paper presents data about wildlife crime in Croatia. The data were gathered from qualitative interviews and personal communications with individuals involved in wildlife crime-related research, and/or prevention and detection work or recreation. The results show that poaching is a recognized problem. There is a variety of commonly poached mamm...

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), in contrast with other asymmetries, is the bilateral asymmetry that represents small, random developmental differences between right and left sides. After nearly a century of using traditional morphometrics in the estimation of FA, geometric morphometrics (GM) now provides new insights into the use of FA as a tool, espec...

Colorado potato beetle, CPB (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say), is one of the most important pests of the potato globally. Larvae and adults can cause complete defoliation of potato plant leaves and can lead to a large yield loss. The insect has been successfully suppressed by insecticides; however, over time, has developed resistance to insecticides...

The granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius Linnaeus 1875, is a primary pest of stored grains worldwide. Feeding damage and progeny production of S. granarius was estimated to identify the levels of resistance of the insect on different durum wheat cultivars. Insect attack on four different durum wheat cultivars was investigated over a period of 20 we...

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., is a serious insect pest in pome fruit production worldwide with a preference for apple. The pest is known for having developed resistance to several chemical groups of insecticides, making its control difficult. The control and management of the codling moth is often hindered by a lack of understanding about i...

This study developed and tested the efficacy of a real-time thermography technique to improve survey methods for Australian arboreal mammal species, with a focus on the greater glider. Development involved the use of thermal imaging cameras combined with spotlight transect surveys of an endangered greater glider population at Seven Mile Beach Natio...

The codling moth (CM) (Cydia pomonella L.) is the most important apple pest in Croatia and Europe. Owing to its economic importance, it is a highly controlled species and the intense selection pressure the species is under has likely caused it to change its phenotype in response. Intensive application of chemical-based insecticide treatments for th...

We provide the first quantitative evidence of sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) being detected by ground-based camera traps. We speculate that this may represent occasional movement or foraging on the ground, which has not been fully appreciated previously.

We provide the first quantitative evidence of sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) being detected by ground-based camera traps. We speculate that this may represent occasional movement or foraging on the ground, which has not been fully appreciated previously.

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is the most serious pest of maize across the US Corn Belt and now Europe. The beetle has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adapt to pest management strategies through evolution of resistance to conventional insecticides, the cultural practice of crop rotation and now to the Bac...

Activity levels of spotted-tailed quolls were investigated using camera traps over 12 months. There were 33 independent camera trap photos with 17 individual quolls identified. Latency to initial detection was 40 days. Quolls were nocturnal/crepuscular, spending 35% of the day they were detected active. Highest activity levels were recorded in summ...

Camera traps are a popular tool for monitoring wildlife though they can fail to capture enough morphological detail for accurate small mammal species identification. Camera trapping small mammals is often limited by the inability of camera models to: (i) record at close distances; and (ii) provide standardised photos. This study aims to provide a c...

Western corn rootworm (WCR) is the worst pest of maize in the United States, and since its spread through Europe, WCR is now recognized as the most serious pest affecting maize production. After the beetle's first detection in Serbia in 1992, neighboring countries such as Croatia have established a national monitoring program. For more than two dec...

An analysis of the hind wing morphology (size and shape) within and among western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, populations over a large geographic scale in Europe was conducted. The changes in hind wing shape and size detected were related to identifiable invasion processes (i.e. multiple introduction events into Europe),...

The use of the marine gastropod, Cellana tramoserica, as a biomonitor of metal exposure was investigated. The factors influencing metal concentrations, such as mass, gender, substrate, shoreline position and temporal variation were examined. Tissue metal concentrations were mostly found to be independent of mass and gender. When metal concentration...

This study describes the genetics of the western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte in southern Europe during the introduction (1996–2001) and establishment/spread (2002–2011) phases of its invasion. The Diabrotica microsatellite core-set was used to perform traditional population genetics analyses. Our results indicated th...

It is assumed that the abundance of Agriotes wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) is affected by agro-ecological factors such as climatic and edaphic factors and the crop/previous crop grown at the sites investigated. The aim of this study, conducted in three different geographic counties in Croatia from 2007 to 2009, was to determine the factors tha...

BACKGROUND: The western corn rootworm (WCR) is economically the most important pest of maize in Croatia. To predict WCR adult population abundance and variability, traditional, genetic and morphometric monitoring of populations was conducted over time through each phase of the WCR invasion process in Croatia. RESULTS: Through traditional monitorin...

A survey of the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) was conducted in the Watagan Mountains of New South Wales using baited remote cameras. Nine individuals were detected, of which seven occurred at meat-baited sites and two at sites with a general mammal bait. This confirms the expectation that a meat-based bait increases the ability to detec...

To assess whether bacteria influence the biogeochemical cycling of arsenic by laboratory cultures of the marine phytoplankton Dunaliella tertiolecta, the arsenic species produced by D. tertiolecta were compared in "operationally sterile" and bacteria spiked cultures. It was observed that glycerol (Gly-) arsenoriboside (41-78 %), phosphate (PO4-) ar...

Environmental context Arsenoribosides are the major arsenic species in marine macro-algae, yet inorganic arsenic is the major arsenic species found in seawater. We investigated the degradation of arsenoribosides associated with Ecklonia radiata by the use of microcosms containing both natural and autoclaved seawater and sand. The decomposition and...

Spatial and temporal genetic analyses of WCR populations in southern Europe (Serbia, Croatia, Hungary and Italy) were conducted during the introduction and establishment/spread phases of WCRs invasion of this region. The results indicated that during the introduction phase genetic diversity and genetic structure were lower compared to the establish...

Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA genetic monitoring of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, was undertaken in Croatia and Serbia from 1996 to 2011 and in the United States in 2011. The seven U.S. populations displayed the greatest allelic diversity. In Europe, the highest number of alleles was found in Rugvica, Cro...

The western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte is a pest of maize in the USA and Europe and especially a problem in particular regions of Croatia. In this study patterns of variation in hind wing shape were examined through two objectives. The first objective examined the influence of soil type on 10 populations of D. v. virgifera...

Classical population genetic analyses were used to investigate populations of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, in Croatia in 1996 and 2009. The number of alleles was low in both 1996 and 2009; however, more alleles were found in the putative populations surveyed in 2009. Croatia had only 51% of the alleles recorded...

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is a major pest of maize in the United States and more recently, Europe. Understanding the dispersal dynamics of this species will provide crucial information for its management. This study used geometric morphometric analysis of hind wing venation based on 13 landmarks in 223 speci...

Wireworms are click beetle larvae from the genus Agriotes (Coleoptera: Elateridae) that cause considerable damage to field crops. Five of the 18 Agriotes species recorded in Central Europe are found in arable land in continental Croatia and can cause significant economic yield losses. The identification of these larvae to the species level are diff...

The biology and ecology of three codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. (CM), populations from Croatia were investigated. The effects of current and past climate regimes on the behaviour of the three CM populations were investigated, and the changes in their biology and ecology were observed. The first population investigated was free from chemical contr...

The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is subject to much research because of the economic damage it causes to maize crops in the USA and recently in Europe. Understanding levels of genetic variability of introduced populations is important for investigating the adaptive potential of such...

Western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an important pest of maize in Croatia and Europe. Factors that contribute to the spread of this pest are still not known. Currently there is little detailed knowledge of the population genetics of WCR in Croatia, or known reasons for their invasion suc...

In 2008, genetic capabilities within the D. v. virgifera research group at the University of Zagreb were established and preliminary microsatellite genotyping at 6 loci for 6 WCR populations sampled across Croatia showed non significant low levels of genetic differentiation indicative of high levels of individual movement with no barriers to disper...

Microsatellites were used to investigate the genetic structure and gene flow of three codling moth (Cydia pomonella Linnaeus ; CM) populations in Croatia. Two populations were subjected to chemical control treatments for the last 15 years, and one population was not subjected to any chemical control treatment. During the assessment of genetic diffe...

The Warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is an internationally significant invasive pest of packed goods and stored grain. When it was first documented in Australia at Griffith, New South Wales, in 1977, an eradication campaign was initiated. After several years and considerable effort, the eradication campaign was aban...

ICOLLs are considered to be one of the most ecologically productive ecosystems on earth. Similar to other coastal water bodies, ICOLLs lie at the interface of marine, freshwater and terrestrial systems and therefore represent highly dynamic transition zones between river/creek catchments and near-shore coastal waters. ICOLLs often act as net sinks...

Microsatellite markers were used to investigate the genetic structure among invasive L. decolor populations from Australia and a single international population from Kansas, USA to determine patterns of dispersal. Six variable microsatellites displayed an average of 2.5-4.2 alleles per locus per population. Observed (HO) heterozygosity ranged from...

The WCR is a highly invasive pest of maize. It was introduced to Europe in the early 1990s from the USA and now is a serious pest in Europe, including Croatia. Understanding levels of genetic variability of introduced populations is important for investigating the adaptive potential of such populations in their new invaded environments. At the mome...

Diagnostic Wolbachia polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were used to investigate whether Liposcelis bostrychophila individuals from Australian populations were infected by Wolbachia. Wolbachia PCR diagnostic primers were used to amplify Wolbachia from single individuals, individuals subjected to multiple displacement amplification (MDA), and f...

Microsize intermittently open and closed coastal lagoons are a common feature of the coast of southern New South Wales, in southeast Australia. Many of these lagoons are undergoing development and urbanisation of their catchments, leading to concern about their ecological health. Consequently, it was hypothesised that lagoons with urbanised catchme...

The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA technique was used to trace the geographic origin of Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel populations in Australia from unknown geographic sources internationally. Haplotype (or clonal) diversity was high, with 474 unique haplotypes found from 616 individuals genotyped. Gene diversity estimates (0.10-0.28) and p...

A total of 11 microsatellite loci from the invasive insect pest Liposcelis decolor were isolated and characterized of which six loci were polymorphic. A population survey involving a total of 30–192 individuals per locus from five populations revealed a range of four to seven alleles per locus and moderate observed heterozygosities (0.183–0.565), h...

These proceedings contain nearly 200 keynote, oral and poster papers and contributions highlighting the work on the pests and diseases that cause spoilage, adverse health effects and crop losses after harvest, and discussing new techniques for safe, effective and environmentally friendly management of stored commodities. The contents cover the futu...