During fieldwork from 6 June to 20 July 2016, the first records of the European beaver (Castor fiber) in south-eastern Slovakia were made. Beavers are mainly nocturnal animals, and as such, they are rarely observed; therefore, our observations were based on searching for beaver presence signs: damaged trees, dams, signs of food consumption (chewed/felled trees) and footprints in the mud. The southern part of the Košická kotlina basin, from the city of Košice down to the state border and the surrounding villages in Hungary, was checked. We found two beaver locations via feeding signs in the vicinity of the Slovakia–Hungary state border, at the villages of Milhosť (Miglécnémeti) and Buzica (Buzita), in Slovakia. According to our calculations, the present total beaver population in Hungary is between 4,000 and 5,000 and 14,600–18,300 beavers with potential support. For Slovakia, we estimated the potential population size to be 7,700–9,600. Our findings in northern Pannonian lowland (Slovakia–Hungary border) are an important evidence of beaver expansion. Although we don’t know the exact origin of investigated population, these new records indicate the possibility of merging the populations of different origin, which could enable gene flow and increase the genetic diversity. This could lead to improved recovery of species and its stabilisation in nature. However, it is necessary to carry out a detailed investigation of the presence of beaver in these regions in future.

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) of the wolf and the lynx was evaluated for 15 pelvic and sacral variables in 48 specimens from the Western Carpathians. Our data confirmed small male-biased SSD in the pelvic and sacral bones for both species. We suggest that this can be explained by the need for a compromise between requirements for locomotion and giving birth. We also confirmed that significant differences exist between the species in the size of the pelvic and sacral bones. We discuss our findings in light of the species' different life histories.

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) of the fat dormouse

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Sexual differences in the wildcat were evaluated on 15 variables in 49 pelvic and 38 sacral bones in wildcat from the Western Carpathians. Our data confirmed a male-biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in the pelvic and sacral bones. The effect size was very large for two pelvic (SB, smallest width of the shaft of the ilium; and LAR, length of the acetabulum) and two sacral traits (GB, greatest width across the wings; and BFcr, greatest width of the cranial articular surface). Our different allometric patterns in pelvic and sacral measures in both sexes may also be important in mode of locomotion. These findings highlight the need for morphometric analysis of species at the regional as well global level.

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Sexual dimorphism of the Eurasian red squirrel on five somatic variables (head-and-body length, tail length, hind foot length, ear length and body weight) was evaluated on 55 squirrels. The overlap of values of the measured traits among sexes was high, but in all traits (with exception of the tail length) males seem to exhibit slightly higher mean values than females. However, these differences were non-significant, with the exception of a small significant difference in the tail length and tail-to-head-and-body ratio. Similarly, the results of discriminant function analysis show no differences between the sexes. Positive correlation analyses, together with PCA values, confirmed that tail length and hind foot length are traits that play a significant role in overall variability. We suggest that this relationship could explain their mutual importance in locomotion, where the feet are essential for movement in the trees. By contrast, the tail maintains balance on thin branches, or during jumps from one crown to another. Longer tails also demonstrate differential selection on males and females for a locomotor trait. Similarly, we discuss whether variations in tail length were connected to female reproductive success. Our results suggest that the non-significant results regarding SSD provide the benefit of the same size for both sexes in the protection of territory as well as inter-and intra-sexual interaction.Eurasian red squirrel -body size -reproduction success -PCA analysis -DFA analysis -allometry -Slovakia KEYWORDS INTRODUCTION

Hniezdne spoločenstvá vtákov vo vzťahu k štruktúre urbánneho prostredia malého mesta (Sabinov, východné Slovensko) Breeding bird communities in relation to structure of urban environment of a small town (Sabinov, E Slovakia