Predrag Simonović

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• Doctor of Philosophy
• Professor & Principal Researcher at University of Belgrade

The study was conducted on the Obedska Bara Ramsar site at two localities, Krstonošića okno and canal Vok, to provide insight into fish community status by analysing fish biomass, biodiversity, and changes after restoration measures. A total of 685 fish samples were examined across four periods, from 2011 to 2023. Biodiversity index, relative bioma...

In the Western Balkans, fishery management and legislation do not recognize the high molecular diversity of native brown trout. For this reason, stocking of streams relies on brown trout of non-native origin. In recent years, there have been new findings about the life-history features, dispersal and molecular characterisation of nominal taxa of br...

In invasion biology, terminological frameworks contribute to the improvement of effective communication among scientists, stakeholders, and policy-makers. This is important not only for informing policy decisions but also for engaging the broader public in understanding the risks associated with biological invasions. Meanwhile, the role of non-Engl...

This study presents primary observations of the natural diet of two endemic fishes, Delminichthys ghetaldii and Telestes dabar, along with an examination of their niche overlap. The feeding habits of these species were analyzed based on a dataset comprising 115 specimens collected from five karst poljes during the year 2018. Statistical analyses, i...

Huchen or Danube salmon Hucho hucho (Linnaeus 1758) is one of the largest salmonid species in the world and the largest species native to the Danube basin in Europe. In Serbia, this species inhabits the Drina river system, as well as the upper reaches of the River Ibar. It has already been introduced into the rivers Moravica and Đetinja, which are...

Introduction: The genetic diversity of brown trout in the Western Balkans has been disrupted by the introduction of non-native Atlantic phylogenetic lineages and non-native haplotypes of the Danubian phylogenetic lineage. The Western Balkans is characterized by the greatest phenotypic and genotypic diversity of trout populations, and a large part o...

Ichthyological research conducted in 2019 on the Serbian part of the lower reaches of the Danube, downstream of the "Đerdap 2" dam, at two sampling sites, indicates the presence of 33 species of fish. At the examined localities, 51.5% of the ichthyofauna is under protection, and the community is 75.8% autochthonous. The indices of diversity indicat...

Fish were sampled at nine locations of the upper Neretva River, upstream of Glavatičevo. Evidence of the endangered softmouth trout (Salmo obtusirostris) was obtained as well as the presence of other native and non-native salmonids. Genetic analysis suggests that the native brown trout (Salmo trutta) in the upper Neretva is homogeneous with no sign...

Globally, marine bioinvasions threaten marine ecosystem structure and function, with the Mediterranean Sea being one of the most affected regions. Such invasions are expected to increase due to climate change. We conducted a risk screening of marine organisms (37 fishes, 38 invertebrates, nine plants), both extant and ‘horizon’ (i.e. not present in...

Over the last 14 years, ichthyological and ecological parameters have been monitored in the Labudovo okno Ramsar site. This area is important for its biodiversity as it is home to many rare and endangered plants and animal species. A total of 3861 fish specimens were sampled and measured at six sampling sites four times during the sampling period....

This sighting record of marbled polecat Vormela peregusna is the westernmost for this globally vulnerable (VU) carnivore out of the native distribution range and the first one for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The current national conservational status is unknown. Hence, this species should be data deficient (DD) in the national legislative.

Risk assessment of the aquatic ecosystem of the River Jadar is based on the composition and amount of wastewater that is to be processed and released into the stream. This study aimed to assess the effects of untreated wastewater on aquatic ecosystem components, presumably fishes, by simulating the accident. Methodology relied exclusively on the pu...

Citation: Marić A, Srećković Batoćanin D, Škraba Jurlina D, Brkušanin M, Karanović J, Kanjuh T, Nikolić V, Mrdak D, Simonović P (2023) A treatise about reliability in dating events of evolutionary history of brown trout Salmo cf. trutta (Actinopterygii) at Western Balkans: Impassable barriers, isolation of populations and assistance of geological t...

This sighting record of marbled polecat Vormela peregusna is the westernmost for this globally vulnerable (VU) carnivore out of the native distribution range and the first one for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The current national conservational status is unknown. Hence, this species should be data deficient (DD) in the national legislative.

Environmental studies which aim to assess the ecological impact of chemical and other types of pollution should employ a complex weight-of-evidence approach with multiple lines of evidence (LoEs). This study focused on in situ genotoxicological methods such as the comet and micronucleus assays and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis as one...

Salmonids are an extensively hatchery-reared group of fishes that have been introduced worldwide mainly for their high commercial and recreational value. The Balkan Peninsula (south-eastern Europe) is characterised by an outstanding salmonid diversity that has become threatened by the introduction of non-native salmonids whose potential risk of inv...

Molecular diversity of Brown Trout Salmo trutta is reflective of biodiversity in the Balkans. In recent years, various threats have been augmented, including run-of-river hydropower plants (RORs) that are rapidly installed on pristine montane streams, whose steep slopes are most convenient for hydropower energy production at minimal costs. Records...

The structure and composition of Mediterranean biodiversity has changed significantly. So far, in Montenegrin coastal waters, nine new non-native species have been recorded: Tylosurus acus imperialis, Caranx crysos, Siganus luridus, Fistularia commersonii, Stephanolepis diaspros, Sphoeroides pachygaster, Lagocephalus sceleratus, Callinectes sapidus...

Brown trout of non-native lineages have been stocked into Croatian streams and rivers primarily to meet angler demand. The diet of brown trout in the Black Sea Basin of Croatia is poorly known and there are no studies examining feeding competition between the Atlantic (AT) and Danube (DA) lineages of brown trout and their hybrids (HY). The aim of t...

The research carried out so far, especially the one from a recent collaboration, revealed remarkable molecular diversity in indigenous brown trout (salmo trutta) in streams in the Black Sea basin of the continental Croatia and Serbia. It also revealed the history of impact from fishery management by stocking.

The structure and composition of Mediterranean biodiversity has changed significantly. So far, in Montenegrin coastal waters, nine new non-native species have been recorded: Tylosurus acus imperialis, Caranx crysos, Siganus luridus, Fistularia commersonii, Stephanolepis diaspros, Sphoeroides pachygaster, Lagocephalus sceleratus, Callinectes sapidus...

Examination of brown trout seasonal diet variation and investigation of terrestrial prey importance in a food-rich stream using four indices of prey importance (number and weight abundance , frequency of occurrence, index of relative importance) revealed that aquatic prey constituted the major part of the diet (>90%) throughout the examined period....

The threat posed by invasive non-native species worldwide requires a global approach to identify which introduced species are likely to pose an elevated risk of impact to native species and ecosystems. To inform policy, stakeholders and management decisions on global threats to aquatic ecosystems, 195 assessors representing 120 risk assessment area...

Brown trout Salmo trutta and Macedonian trout Salmo macedonicus molecular diversity in the streams draining on the southern slopes of the Stara Planina Mts. was assessed from mitochondrial DNA control region (CR) extracted from fin clip samples collected during the last ten years. It revealed an occurrence of seven haplotypes from three phylogeogra...

Brown trout is a salmonid fish with a natural range extending throughout western Eurasia and North Africa. Due to its commercial value, it has also been introduced worldwide. In continental Croatia, introduced trout of the Atlantic lineage hybridizes with native trout of the Danubian lineage, threatening the native genetic diversity. The geometric...

The validity of four gudgeon species known for the ichthyofauna of North Macedonia has been a matter of different taxonomic disputes (except for Gobio ohridanus Karaman, 1924). Recently, a restoration of the species status was proposed for Gobio balcanicus Dimovski et Grupče, 1977 and Romanogobio banarescui (Dimovski et Grupče, 1974). So far, Roman...

Small run-of-river hydropower plants (RRHPs) have revealed strong harmful effects worldwide on stream habitats (e.g., fragmentation and destruction) and decreased fish species, especially anadromous species abundance. Recently, RRHPs have rapidly been installed in Serbia. Most were installed on montane streams, because their steep slopes are most c...

During recent intensive research, monitoring and inventory programmes in the large, inland waters of Croatia, 72 specimens of the racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus were collected at eight locations in 2016 and 2018, and of these, 61 were juveniles. This confirms the establishment of a self-sustaining population in the main channel of the Danube in Cr...

A bstract Biological invasions are a major driver of global environmental change as invasive non‐native species can exert severe environmental impacts on invaded ecosystems. Estuaries are especially vulnerable to biological invasions, which in highly urbanised areas are further facilitated by introduction pathways linked to commercial activities. T...

Environmental changes due to non-native species introductions and translocations are a global concern. Whilst understanding the causes of bioinvasions is important, there is need for decision-support tools that facilitate effective communication of the potential risks of invasive non-native species to stakeholders. Decision-support tools have been...

Environmental changes due to non-native species introductions and translocations are a global concern. Whilst understanding the causes of bioinvasions is important, there is need for decision-support tools that facilitate effective communication of the potential risks of invasive non-native species to stakeholders. Decision-support tools have been...

Background. The molecular diversity of brown trout, Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758, has been poorly studied in Croatia. The control region of mitochondrial DNA (CR mtDNA) is in addition to other molecular markers a reliable for identifying phylogenetic lineages (haplogroups) and haplotypes of brown trout. Based on analyses of the control region of mit...

Serbia features а small amount of precipitates, with the scarcity of domicile water coming mainly from torrential water flows of uneven flow rate, with prominent flood waves. It features great river network density and low flow rate in streams situated on the serpentine and magmatic rock beads, compared to those on the limestone rock beads. Their f...

The diversity of native trout fish Salmo spp. comprises a variety of nominal taxa in Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recent mapping of the resident trout populations detected the presence of brown trout Salmo trutta (sensu stricto) of the Atlantic (AT) mtDNA lineage introduced into populations of both tentative Danubian trout Salmo...

The brown trout (Salmo trutta) is one of the most famous freshwater fish species, appreciated for consumption but also very attractive for fishing. For this reason, there have been many attempts throughout history to preserve and expand the range of distribution of this fish species. Thus, due to the stocking purposes, fertilized eggs and fingerlin...

Streams' order, their width and depth, as well as the water temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen contents and pH reaction were recorded for 18 streams of the Danube River basin in Serbia that home brown trout Salmo trutta. For each of them, the number of fish species was recorded, and for brown trout in them the number of cohorts, age-struct...

Background. A sampling of stomach and intestine content is usually performed by dissection of the gastrointestinal tract of fish. To avoid fish sacrificing, various non-lethal techniques have been developed and tested. Such sampling methods are very useful, especially for small populations and protected species. In this study, a modified syringe st...

Brown trout has been widely introduced/translocated into suitable environments globally. In Croatia, the Danube (DA) lineage of brown trout is native. However, due to anglers’ activities, brown trout of the Atlantic (AT) lineage were stocked into Croatian streams and rivers. They hybridize with native brown trout causing a loss in native genetic va...

The freshwater Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) has been applied in 35 risk assessment areas in 45 countries across the six inhabited continents (11 applications using FISK v1; 25 using FISK v2). The present study aimed: to assess the breadth of FISK applications and the confidence (certainty) levels associated with the decision-support tool’...

Standardized tools are needed to identify and prioritize the most harmful non-native species (NNS). A plethora of assessment protocols have been developed to evaluate the current and potential impacts of non-native species, but consistency among them has received limited attention. To estimate the consistency across impact assessment protocols, 89...

At the beginning of the 20th century, the middle section of the Sava River in Croatia was unaffected by major human activities and rich in ichthyofauna. The Sava River was important for commercial and recreational fishing for the local population, which still remains today. However, the 1920s mining industry was established in Slovenia, which emitt...

Background. The diversity of wild trout stocks in Montenegro is compromised by insufficiently controlled stocking. Adriatic and Mediterranean areas show a high degree of endemism of the salmonid species, with numerous native Salmo taxa described. The invasive effect of brown trout, Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758, of the Atlantic haplogroup on the ende...

We reviewed the potential impact of large-scale hydropower expansion on the conservation status and extinction threat of 113 freshwater fish species on the Balkan Peninsula. Each of these species is listed in one of three IUCN threat categories and/or listed in one or more annexes of the European Habitats Directive or Bern Convention. For 81 of the...

The major objective of this study was to investigate the impact of wastewaters on the level of genotoxicity and the possible reflection of genotoxicity on the genetic variability in chub (Squalius cephalus) collected from the sites under different pollution pressures along the Sava River. To emphasize the impact of wastewaters, this study was carri...

In this review data on parasitofauna of allochthonous fish species in the Danube River Basin in Serbia is presented. Up to now, 33 ecto-and endoparasites of seven examined allochthonous invasive fish species have been reported. Some of the identified parasitic species are new for fish parasitofauna in the Serbian waters (Trichodina nobilis, Balanti...

Fish from the Sava River are consumed daily by the local people: therefore, concern has been raised about the health implications of eating contaminated fish. In the present study, potentially toxic elements (PTE), such as Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, As, Hg, and methylmercury (MeHg), were determined in ichthyofauna that are commonly consumed. PTE were...

The major objective of this study was to investigate the impact of wastewaters on the level of genotoxicity and the possible reflection of genotoxicity on the genetic variability in chub (Squalius cephalus) collected from the sites under different pollution pressures along the Sava River. To emphasize the impact of wastewaters, this study was carri...

External morphology and cytochrome b structure of rheophilic barbels from headwaters of the Pčinja, Vrla (Barbus balcanicus) and Dragovištica (B. strumicae) Rivers in Southern Serbia at the watershed between the drainage areas of the Vardar (Axios), Danube and Struma (Strymon) Rivers, respectively, were examined. Barbel specimens from the Pčinja Ri...

Brown trout is a widespread species of salmonid fish that naturally occurs throughout Europe and parts of Asia and it is introduced worldwide. It inhabits upper parts of cold streams and cold lakes. In Croatia, this species has historically been translocated with specimens originating from wide range of locations due to significant sport fishing an...

The investigation of fish parasites in Bosnia and Herzegovina in recent years became significant, and therefore new records of parasitic trematodes and their hosts are important for better understanding of fish parasitology and pathology. In this study 41 parasitic specimens were collected and the basic taxonomical characters were measured (body le...

We reviewed the potential impact of large-scale hydropower expansion on the conservation status and extinction threat of 113 freshwater fish species on the Balkan Peninsula. Each of these species is listed in one of three IUCN threat categories and/or listed in one or more annexes of the European Habitats Directive or Bern Convention. For 81 of the...

Total catch-and-release (C&R) is a regulatory measure implemented for maintaining the self-sustainability of stocks encountering strong fishing pressure. The River Đetinja is a tailwater with very strong fishing pressure, managed for more than a decade by C&R. That fishing regime was questioned by a new fishery manager, without the justification pr...

This study presents a detailed comparative analysis of external morphology of four of the most invasive goby species in Europe (round goby Neogobius melanostomus, bighead goby Ponticola kessleri, monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis and racer goby Ponticola gymnotrachelus) and interprets some ecological requirements of these species based on their mor...

Abundance, spatial distribution, population structure and growth of non-native Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) were examined in the Lake Skadar, a large, unstratified lake in the Mediterranean region inhabited by several endemic, rare and threatened fish species. Fish were caught in the infra-littoral and littoral habitats of the northern and ce...

Generalist predators are able to exploit diverse prey depending on its spatial and temporal availability. Here, we examined how diet of a generalist fish-eating predator, the Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, varied at small spatial scale and throughout the breeding season. Analysis of debris collected from six nests showed that the diet composition...

Native Brown Trout Salmo trutta reveal remarkable diversity in Serbia, with eight exclusive and a couple of more widely spread mtDNA haplotypes. Insufficiently controlled stocking is a main threat to that, as well as to the amenity value of wild Brown Trout. Native or wild Brown Trout stocks deteriorated as a consequence of stocking with inappropri...

The part of the River Danube basin in the Western Balkans region (11 sampled localities and 57 in total with using of published data) revealed the remarkable diversity of brown trout assessed using the Control Region (CR) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a molecular marker. The greatest number of brown trout populations holds brown trout of the Da1...

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a significant and growing problem worldwide. In Europe, some aspects of IAS have been addressed through existing legal instruments, but these are far from sufficient to tackle the problem in a comprehensive manner. The Top 20 IAS issues for Europe were determined at the 1st Freshwater Invasives - Networking for Stra...

Fish introductions, particularly in areas of high biological diversity and endemism, represent a major threat for biodiversity. In the Balkan Peninsula, 60 fish species have been introduced to date, of which 36 have become naturalised in inland waters. Since the Balkans are one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots, this large presence of alien f...

The part of the River Danube basin in the Western Balkans region (11 sampled localities and 57 in total with using of published data) revealed the remarkable diversity of brown trout assessed using the Control Region (CR) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a molecular marker. The greatest number of brown trout populations holds brown trout of the Da1...

FISK v2 and AS-ISK risk identification screening tools were used to assess the invasiveness potential of 24 non-native (NNS) freshwater fish species in the River Neretva catchment (Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia), a risk assessment (RA) area that is an important Mediterranean hotspot of fish endemism. The two assessors assigned similar scores for...

Data about the mitochondrial DNA haplotypes of brown trout Salmo trutta L. in the area of the River Danube basin in Bosnia and Herzegovina have not been hitherto published. Brown trout from the River Una drainage area was assessed for the first time using the Control Region of the mitochondrial DNA. Anal fin clips of 43 brown trout were sampled fro...

Sampling was undertaken, with the same fishing gear and along the Sava River, from its source to its confluence, in September 2014 and September 2015. In total, 44 fish species were identified, of which 37 were native species and 7 were alien. Fish samples revealed independence in terms of both species composition and their abundance under differen...

In this study we have performed a comprehensive genotoxicological survey along the 900 rkm of the Sava River. In total, 12 sites were chosen in compliance with the goals of GLOBAQUA project dealing with the effects of multiple stressors on biodiversity and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. The genotoxic potential was assessed using a complex batte...

In this first application to Croatia and Slovenia, the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) version 2 was used to assess the invasiveness potential of 40 introduced and translocated freshwater fish species. Based on a priori classification of invasiveness, ROC analysis of FISK scores from two independent assessors resulted in a statistically sign...

Use of the control region (CR) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a molecular marker revealed occurrence of 18 haplotypes in brown trout Salmo trutta from four (Danubian Da, Atlantic At, Adriatic Ad and marmoratus MA) phylogeographic lineages in the Danube basin of Western Balkans. Brown trout of the Da lineage aboriginal for the area in concern has a...

In this study a comprehensive genotoxicological survey throughout the upper and middle stretches of Adige river basin is presented. The study was carried out at 7 sites located along the Adige main course and one the most significant tributaries, the Noce creek, both presenting different levels of pollution pressure. To give an insight into the nat...

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) populations in the area of Djerdap National Park were analyzed in order to determine their phylogeographic statuses. Sequencing the control region of mtDNA in 66 specimens from 9 streams in the broader Iron Gate area revealed that 7 brown trout from those streams carried haplotyp...

During 2007 and 2008 133 graylings (Thymallus thymallus), 30 huchen (Hucho hucho) and 4 brown trout (Salmo trutta) were sampled from 3 rivers in Southwest Serbia and were examined for ectobionts. Apiosoma piscicola, Epistylis lwoffi, Gyrodactylus derjavini were the representative ectobiont species on fish examined. Greater ectobiont richness was ob...

The invasion of non-indigenous freshwater fish species is one of the most important threats to aquatic biodiversity. Similar to other Mediterranean countries, Greece is considered a hot spot for freshwater biodiversity, with many range-restricted endemics of high conservation concern. The aim of the present study was to undertake a risk screening a...

The invasion of non-indigenous freshwater fish species is one of the most important threats to aquatic biodiversity. Similar to other Mediterranean countries, Greece is considered a hot spot for freshwater biodiversity, with many range-restricted endemics of high conservation concern. The aim of this study was to undertake a risk screening assessme...

Unexpectedly, the part of the Danube River drainage area in the Western Balkans region that comprises the drainages of Sava and Velika Morava as the lagest two, revealed the remarkable molecular diversity on the Control Region (CR) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a marker. The greatest number of brown trout populations investigated in headwaters of...

Diet of adult pikeperch Sander lucioperca, Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis, northern pike Esox lucius and European catfish Silurus glanis as top predators in aquatic ecosystems in Serbia was investigated during 2011, in order to understand their relationship to their prey and to investigate their food consumption, feeding and assimilation rate, ca...

Considering huchen globally endangered (E), and the largest, endemic salmonid fish species, threatened severely by high dams construction, there is a strong need for stopping of its recent decline. Contradiction about the huchen migratory behavior and consistent records about their lacking from the fish ladders impose considering other solutions co...

On the survey of the recent records, the fish and lamprey fauna of the River Sava catchment consists of 74 species, 15 of which being considered alien. The indigenous species diversity, explained using the relation N¼0. 546 A0.232, fits well into the range common for large catchments in Europe. Both taxonomic and ecological diversity, as well as th...

Invasive alien species (IAS) have been recognized as one of the major threats to native biodiversity in the Danube Basin. The aim of this paper is to present the state of the art regarding IAS along the Danube River and its main tributaries. The work is mainly based on the results of the Danube research expeditions, Joint Danube Survey 2 (2007), Jo...